The IDF Chooses the CH-53K: Building Block for Manned-Unmanned Operational Future

05/04/2021
By Robbin Laird The IDF recently selected the CH-53K to replace its legacy heavy lift assets, namely, the CH-53D.  It is clear that the IDF is buying the CH-53K for many of the same reasons which USMC is doing so but the IDF has been especially focused on three key…

Sherpa Pursues Alleged Corruption Inquiry Into Indian Rafale Acquisition

04/30/2021
By Pierre Tran Paris - Sherpa, a French non-governmental organization, said it filed April 28 a request for a judicial inquiry into alleged corruption on India’s acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter jets in a deal worth €7.8 billion ($9.4 billion). “Sherpa, represented by its lawyers William Bourdon and Vincent Brenghart, is…

757 Accelerate: Contributing to the Evolving Ecosystem for Innovation

04/23/2021
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake During out visit to Norfolk in March 2021, we learned that Second Fleet was working a direct relationship with the Navy’s Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge. The Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge is described as follows: “The Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge (MATB) is the first of what we believe…

Replacing Canada’s Air Tanking Fleet

03/21/2021
The defence and space divisions of Airbus and Boeing are expected to go head-to-head as the Royal Canadian Air Force moves ahead with plans to replace its ageing fleet of CC-150 Polaris aircraft which have been fulfilling multiple roles, including executive transport as well as air-to-air refuelling platforms. They’ll be responding to an Invitation to Qualify…

BABELFISH 7: The RAF Rapid Capabilities Office in Action

03/19/2021
In a Royal Air Force article focused on the RAF Rapid Capabilities office, the way ahead for the office and the RAF was highlighted. Under the banner of BABELFISH 7, the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office has demonstrated new technologies which offer a step-change in near real time, secure, information distribution.…

A Hybrid Diesel-Electric Engine for the New Franco-German Tank?

03/14/2021
By Pierre Tran Paris - Arquus, a French builder of light and medium armored vehicles, has pitched the concept of a hybrid diesel-electric as an alternative to a conventional diesel engine for a planned tank for the French and German armies, executive chairman Emmanuel Levacher said March 10. “We have proposed a large hybrid engine,”…

Dassault and the Future Combat Air System: March 2021 Update

03/07/2021
By Pierre Tran Paris - Dassault Aviation has agreed to accepting a third of work share on the planned future combat system and its next-generation fighter jet, but there is dissent on working without a prime contractor on key systems such as flight control, executive chairman Eric Trappier said March…