The Rolling Air Frame Missile: A Very Successful International Program

01/23/2016
2016-01-23 When the US Navy declared IOC on the Rolling Air Frame Missile Block 2 in 2014, you would barely know of its origins. The Navy declared initial operational capability (IOC) on Raytheon’s Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2, which brings greater accuracy and maneuverability to the self-defense system, the company…

Training Peshmerga

01/22/2016
01/22/2015: Earlier, we have argued that the training of the Peshmerga is a significant element of not only defeating ISIS but in building a post-Baghdad transition in Iraq. Here we are providing a series of updates on that training effort, being engaged in by the United States and several key…

Arrival in Afghanistan of First Four A-29s

01/21/2016
01/21/2015: The sun was shining and the mountains around Kabul were clearly visible, when the first A-29 Super Tucanos touched down at Hamid Karzai International Airport. The A-29 is a light-support aircraft capable of conducting close air support, aerial escort, armed overwatch and aerial interdiction. Four A-29 aircraft arrived to intense…

Helos At Sea: Unfolding the Wings of a Venom Aboard the USS Boxer

01/20/2016
01/20/2016: Marines, attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 166, unfold the rotor blades of a UG-1Y helicopter on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is seen underway off the coast of southern California completing a certification exercise (CERTEX). CERTEX…

Harriers Train Aboard the USS Boxer

01/15/2016
01/15/2016: An AV-8B II Harrier, assigned to Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron (VMM) 166 (Reinforced), lands on and takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is seen underway off the coast of Southern California completing a certification exercise…

F-35 Lightning II DT-II Wrap Up Video

01/14/2016
2016-01-14 The Second Line of Defense team visited Pax River's F-35 Integrated Test Force in early January 2016. We are preparing a set of interviews which highlight not only progress towards the introduction of the F-35C into the carrier air wing but the way ahead for the air wing under…

Launching Aircraft for the Fight: The Truman Strikes ISIL

01/11/2016
01/11/2016: ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 29, 2015) Aircraft launch from the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during its first mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The Harry S. Truman carrier strike group is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and…