The Italian Aircraft Carrier Cavour in Route to the United States: Adding F-35 Capabilities to the Fleet

02/01/2021
Our colleagues at the Italian defense journal RID have highlighted the departure of the Cavour for the United States: "The aircraft carrier CAVOUR has left for the United States where it will embark the F-35Bs of the Navy stationed Beaufort and will acquire the certification to operate the aircraft. "The…

Remembering the Role of the Small Ships in the World War II Pacific Campaign

01/29/2021
By Robbin Laird On December 31, 2020, the Australian Department of Defence published an article by Flight Lieutenant Natalie Giles which highlighted a ceremony remembering one contributor to the small ship's role in World War II. Former World War II Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force telephonist Thelma Zimmerman was presented…

An Update on the CH-53K: January 2021

01/27/2021
By Robbin Laird The CH-53k is moving forward as the US Navy has signed a contract for LRIP Lot 4. Germany punted on its heavy lift solution, but the CH-53K remains a core solution for the projection of German forces into the Baltic and adjacent neighbors in supporting enhanced defense…

Resolute Hunter: Shaping a New Paradigm

01/25/2021
By Robbin Laird During a visit to Naval Air Station, Fallon in November 2020, I had a chance to visit the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC). My visit occurred as the US Navy was hosting the 3rd iteration of a relatively new exercise called Resolute Hunter which is being…

The RAAF and the F-35: Declaring IOC

01/24/2021
By the Australian Defence Business Review The Royal Australian Air Force has declared an initial operational capability (IOC) of its Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter capability. Just two years after the first two F-35As arrived in Australia, the RAAF now has 30 F-35As in service with 3SQN and 2 Operational…