2013-02-27 By Dave Deptula Recently there have been multiple commentaries questioning the efficacy, legality, and appropriateness of using remotely piloted aircraft (RPA)—also referred to inaccurately as “drones.” Many of those who embrace constraining America’s RPA operations have formed their positions as a result of two fundamental areas of misunderstanding. One…
2013-02-27 It is a good week for the new A330MRTT tanker. At the Australian airshow this week, the Royal Australian Air Force will highlight the tanker at the Avalon air show. [caption id="attachment_51168" align="alignnone" width="300"] The RAAF has 5 new tankers. Credit Photo: Airbus Military[/caption] They have also declared the…
2013-02-26 By Richard Weitz According to newly released data by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the weapons and military service sales of the largest companies (the SIPRI Top 100) amounted to $410 billion in 2011, a 5 percent fall in constant dollars from the previous year. SIPRI calculates that…
2013-02-26 by Richard Weitz At a press briefing on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman called for calm and that all parties avoid taking action that could worsen the situation on the Korean Peninsula following the Feb 12 nuclear test of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). He said…
2013-02-23 By Ed Timperlake Last summer Embraer and Boeing announced a teaming agreement to integrate GPS guided munitions on Embraer's A-29 Super Tucano. The program would start with the JDAM and eventually include the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB). The Super Tucano has already demonstrated it's ability to deliver laser-guided munitions in…
2013-02-23 America Praises the Work of the French Army By Laure Mandeville, Le Figaro Washington Correspondent Published in French in Le Figaro, February 23, 2013. Translated by Second Line of Defense. Admiration, anxiety and relief. Those are the prevailing sentiments in Washington as Americans watch the French operation in Mali. The…
2013-02-22 According to a USMC press release on February 21, 2013, the first operational F-35B flew at Yuma. Blue skies welcomed the Marine Corp's first operational F-35B Lightning II flight at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. Feb. 21. BF-20, flown by Maj. Aric Liberman, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121…
2013-02-22 The latest report from the IAEA makes it clear that Iran continues building out its nuclear capabilities. When one adds to this the synergy between North Korea and Iran in delivery systems, it is hardly another happy moment in the Middle East and beyond. Among the major comments made…
