2016-11-22 By Robbin Laird After my visit to the Albacete Air Base in Spain, I spent time in Madrid with Airbus Defence and Space. During my time in Madrid, I was able to conduct two interviews, the first with the head of the tanker program, namely, Antonio Caramazana, and the…
2016-11-14 By Robbin Laird During a June 2016 visit to RAF Lossiemouth, I had a chance to discuss the GSS or Ground Support System approach for the Typhoon with an RAF officer involved with GSS. This digital system is a key part of both maintaining the Typhoon and enhancing its…
2016-11-12 By Robbin Laird During my visit to RAF Lossiemouth in April 2016, there was a chance to talk with the Officer Commanding Engineering and Logistics Wing at RAF Lossiemouth. Obviously, the operation of the Typhoon fleet is dependent upon the engineers and logisticians to forge an effective hub for…
2016-10-29 According to an article published recently by our partner defenceWeb, "The Nigerian Air Force is looking at procuring the C295W light transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space, with a delegation from Europe visiting Nigeria. The delegation comprising two Airbus executives and the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfonso Barnuevo…
2016-09-19 By Robbin Laird On the Friday after the Williams seminar on air-sea integration, I had the chance to tour the headquarters of the Australian Navy’s Fleet Base East on Garden Island, Sydney. Garden Island is the largest historic naval area on Sydney Harbour, with use going back to the founding…
2016-09-17 Madama is a border settlement on the northeast frontier of Niger. Little more than an army post, the settlement serves as a frontier station controlling travel between Niger and Libya. It is also the site of a former French colonial fort, built in 1931. The army of Niger…
2016-09-03 By Robbin Laird I first visited the 33rd Squadron at Amberley Airbase in the first quarter of 2014 and had a chance to talk to the squadron about their new tanker. At the time, the KC-30A was “project of concern,” but now is a proven combat asset. What a…
2016-08-29 By Robbin Laird Prior to the latest Williams Seminar on shaping a 21st century joint force, I had a chance to meet and discuss the challenges with Rear Admiral Tony Dalton. He is the head of the Joint Systems Division of the ADF’s acquisition and sustainment group and has…
