By Pierre Tran, Paris A planned F4 upgrade of the Rafale fighter jet will serve as technology demonstrator for network capability of the Future Combat Air System, said the Air Chief of staff, Gen. Philippe Lavigne. “Studies are fine but we need a demonstrator to see if the technology works,” Lavigne…
By Robbin Laird It seems a world ago, that George H.W. Bush was President. He was the Vice President for a very controversial President, namely President Reagan and brought with him extensive foreign policy expertise. And this expertise was put to the test at a crucial turning point in history.…
On 28 November 2018, after more than 400 days out of the water, Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Arunta undocked to finalise her midlife capability assurance program upgrade at BAE Henderson Dockyard, Western Australia. [maxgallery id="121586"] The upgrade included significant improvements to major platform systems such as the communications centre,…
The Nordics are clearly working a way ahead for enhanced direct defense of their region. And they are doing so within the context of a reworking of NATO capabilities for Northern European defense. F-35 acquisition is one way the Norwegians are working this approach. The common acquisition of submarines with…
After 50 years of military service for Australia, the Orion P-3 is being retired, leaving behind a legacy that includes rescuing sailors, searching for MH370, and Middle East missions. On Tuesday the media was given a final flight on an AP-3C Orion, the third variant of the plane since Orions…
Two Royal Australian Air Force aircraft refuellers have been lauded by their United States counterparts for their contribution to coalition operations in the Middle East. In six months of deployment, Sergeant Kane O'Connor and Leading Aircraftman Shane Brown supplied more than 530 aircraft with almost 27 million litres of fuel, which is…
We have recently published two new Special Reports on airpower modernization. The first has focused on the Danes and their approach to airpower modernization, first with regard to their F-16s and then with regard to preparing for the F-35 transition. The second highlights several presentations and the discussion at the…
We have written a good deal about the coming of the F-35 to the Royal Australian Air Force. Most recently, we visited Williamtown earlier this year and discussed the preparation for the arrival of the F-35 at that key airbase with the Air Combat Commander. Air Commodore Kitcher highlighted the…
