Dutch Trade Union and Fokker Working Together on Jobs in F-35 Project

09/29/2012
2012-09-29  Fokker Technologies and the Netherlands trade union confederation FNV Bondgenoten have signed a covenant about the importance of support for the aerospace industry and the efforts that both parties will make to maintain employment opportunities in the Netherlands resulting from participation in the F 35 project. Fokker has chosen…

BAE Systems Australia to develop models for F-35 sustainment

09/29/2012
by Greg Waldron, Singapore Flight Global BAE Systems Australia has won a nine-month contract to develop operational models for the integration of the Lockheed Martin F-35 into the Australian defence environment. The company will work with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to create a model that covers all aspects of…

Canadian F-35 Training Center?

09/29/2012
9/25/12 by Murray Brewster Defence planners are examining a proposition that would see Canada run an advanced multi-national training course for the F-35 if the contentious stealth fighter program gets the go-ahead from the Harper government, industry sources say. Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, a sprawling, isolated air force facility…

CTBT Verification Issues

09/27/2012
2012-09-26 By Richard Weitz The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) will have independent instruments for verifying and enforcing the treaty once it enters into force. These will supplement the verification provided by countries’ national technical means such as reconnaissance satellites as well as other intelligence collection systems. Much of the…

Japanese Defense Procurement at a Turning Point

09/26/2012
2012-09-26 by Richard Weitz As Japan moves forward in shaping a 21st century defense strategy, defense procurement reform will become part of the picture. Current policies result in major Japan’s indigenously produced weapons systems, such as tanks and fighter aircraft, ranking among the most expensive in the world. The Japanese…

Providing Leadership in the Afghan War: In the Words of a USMC Hero

09/26/2012
2012-09-26 We have received the Command Guidance which was issued by Lt. Col. Raible during his time as CO of VMA-211. And we are reprinting it here. The words speak for themselves as to what time of man, leader and Marine he was. [caption id="attachment_45106" align="alignnone" width="198"] Landing at Camp…

China and Conflict in the Pacific

09/25/2012
2012-09-25 Richard Weitz has brought the following interview to the attention of the Second Line of Defense team. In this interview, a Chinese expert underscores the potential impact of the first Chinese aircraft carrier on PRC operations in the Pacific. Naval expert Li Jie said that China's first aircraft carrier,…