2012-12-05 We have written often about allies and their role in the F-35 program. We have also written about the unique aspects of the impact of the F-35 as a fleet of aircraft. And we have brought the two together in a discussion of evolving Pacific strategy and the potential…
2012-12-05 Second Line of Defense has provided significant coverage of the Osprey and the F-35B and their impact on the evolution of the USMC and of the role of air systems in the evolution of combat operations. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so, there was little national press presence at the…
2012-12-04 by Richard Weitz The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) already has sufficient missile capability to inflict major damage on U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as against U.S. allies such as Japan and South Korea. The DPRK has developed several ballistic missiles types, of varying ranges…
2012-12-04 by Richard Weitz If Russian energy policy were to shift from Europe as a key market, the obvious focus would be China. But after many years of false hopes and frustrated deals, China and Russia have made only modest progress in establishing their long-anticipated energy partnership. But what are the…
2012-12-03 Airbus military has delivered the last of its tankers under contract to the RAAF. An update on the Aussie tanker was recently discussed by a senior RAAF officer. https://sldinfo.com/an-update-on-the-a330-tanker-from-down-under/ Commodore Gary Martin, commander Air Lift Group, noted “This aircraft can take six fighters from Australia to the mainland United…
2012-12-02 by Robbin Laird The ceremony to declare the USS Enterprise inactive was held yesterday. After a glorious career, and after shaping many innovations in Naval history, the USS Enterprise enters into history. [caption id="attachment_48170" align="alignnone" width="300"] USS Enterprise over the years. Graphic Credit: Huntington Ingalls [/caption] It is an…
2012-12-02 The first flight of the jointly developed European UAV was seen this week. [caption id="attachment_48186" align="alignnone" width="300"] First flight of jointly developed European UAV. Credit: Alenia[/caption] According to an Alenia press release from December 1, 2012: The nEUROn, the first European technology demonstrator for an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV),…
2012-12-02 By Richard Weitz Russian diplomats generally oppose using sanctions to punish countries whose governments misbehave. In the case of the DPRK, as with Iran, Russian policy makers argue that a non-coercive, incentive-based strategy offers the best means for persuading Pyongyang to denuclearize. Especially in the case of North Korea, Russian…
