Ready Spartan Prove 2020

10/08/2020
The Royal Australian Air Force deployed C-27J Spartan aircraft and personnel from RAAF Base Amberley to participate in Exercise Ready Spartan Prove (RSP) in Townsville Queensland from 10 – 18 September 2020. No. 35 Squadron and No. 383 Squadron operated at austere airfields in a simulated uncertain security environment to…

Re-Shaping Infrastructure for the Defense of Australia: The RAAF Base Tindal Upgrade

09/14/2020
By Australian Defence Business Review An extensive construction program to upgrade RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory to be able to better support and operate new RAAF and foreign air power capabilities has commenced. The $1.1 billion project will see almost every element of Tindal’s infrastructure, services, and facilities…

An Update on the CH-53K from the U.S. Army Proving Ground: September 2020

09/10/2020
By Mark Schauer YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz.-- The CH-53 has been a potent member of the Marine Corps aviation community’s fleet for over 40 years, but the newest version takes the platform to a whole new level. Equipped with three 7,500 horsepower engines and built to carry a nearly 30,000…

Innovating in Support of RAAF C-17s: Leveraging Virtual Reality Systems

09/09/2020
In an article published on August 31, 2020 by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren, a recent innovation driven by a need to overcome a COVID-19 induced barrier was highlighted. Aircraft technicians at No. 36 Squadron are now using Microsoft HoloLens mixed-reality devices with Boeing-developed software to maintain C-17A Globemaster III aircraft. …

The Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) Foundation for the CH-53K Sustainment Approach: Shaping a New Way Ahead for Next Generation Digital Aircraft

09/03/2020
By Robbin Laird In my last article focused on CH-53K sustainment, I highlighted how the next generation digital aircraft reshape how sustainment is managed and executed. I concluded that “the CH-53K is a smart aircraft birthed in a digital age that is doing support and manufacturing differently. In other words,…

Australian Industry Supports Virtual Pitch Black 2020 Exercise

09/01/2020
By Australian Defence Business Review Following the cancellation of its largest biennial air defence exercise – Exercise Pitch Black 2020 – because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the RAAF recently conducted a Virtual Pitch Black 2020 (VPB20) in order to at least partly meet its training objectives for the year. The…

A Next Generation Helicopter and Sustainability: The Case of the CH-53K

08/24/2020
By Robbin Laird Next generation air platforms encompass several changes as compared to the predecessors which are at least thirty years old or older, notably in terms of design. Next generation air platforms are designed from the ground up with the digital age as a key reality. This means that…

Enhanced Expeditionary Basing Capabilities: CH-53K + TAGRS

08/19/2020
By Robbin Laird Recently, the Marines tested their new forward base refueling system with the CH-53K. The two together provide new capabilities for forward refueling points or for expeditionary basing. According to the Marines: Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, employ a tactical aviation ground…