‘An absolute folly’: UK lawmakers’ scathing report on E-7 Wedgetail acquisition

‘An absolute folly’: UK lawmakers’ scathing report on E-7 Wedgetail acquisition
‘An absolute folly’: UK lawmakers’ scathing report on E-7 Wedgetail acquisition

Though the UK will get three planes instead of five, the procurement report estimates that the E-7 program will cost $2.5 billion, only marginally less costly than the $2.7 billion agreed in the original order.

RAF defends decision behind 2-year tactical airlift capability gap, plans additional A400M buy

RAF defends decision behind 2-year tactical airlift capability gap, plans additional A400M buy
RAF defends decision behind 2-year tactical airlift capability gap, plans additional A400M buy

Elsewhere in a UK defense committee hearing, a military official said he wouldn’t put high-dollar, exquisite drones over Ukraine.

Russia’s air campaign hampered by poor ISR based strikes and target processing: NATO official

Russia’s air campaign hampered by poor ISR based strikes and target processing: NATO official
Russia’s air campaign hampered by poor ISR based strikes and target processing: NATO official

Russia’s attempt to secure air dominance in Ukraine has been wildly unsuccessful with troubles prosecuting ISR supported strikes forcing plans off track.

Farnborough Preview: Navarro Leads US Sales Push; Reaper Flies Atlantic To RIAT

Farnborough Preview: Navarro Leads US Sales Push; Reaper Flies Atlantic To RIAT
Farnborough Preview: Navarro Leads US Sales Push; Reaper Flies Atlantic To RIAT

WASHINGTON: No Russians. Few Chinese. The F-35. And the man who has led the charge in America’s trade wars, Peter Navarro, at the head the American delegation, with lots of other senior American officials along eager to boost bilateral sales of US weapons and civilian aircraft. Those are the early outlines of what we’ll see at this…

Aussie Tankers Knit Coalition Forces Together

Aussie Tankers Knit Coalition Forces Together
Aussie Tankers Knit Coalition Forces Together

Afghanistan and operations in the Middle East against jihadist terror groups mark the rebirth of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as probably the most modern and innovative air force among US allies and partners.

The Aussies deployed a new force package during their most recent Middle East engagement, as C-17s, F/A-18As and F/A-18Fs operated with the E-7 Wedgetail Air Battle Management aircraft and the A330 MRTT tanker. 

Allies Can Help US Lower Weapons Costs, Build New Force

Allies Can Help US Lower Weapons Costs, Build New Force
Allies Can Help US Lower Weapons Costs, Build New Force

Shifting from a primary focus on counterinsurgency land wars to building a high intensity combat force able to prevail against peer competitors is a significant challenge for the United States and its closest allies after 15 years of COIN. A key dynamic within this effort is the crucial opportunity the US and its closest allies have to…

BAE Pushes Its T-X Bird At Paris Show; Gen. Welsh Tells DC ‘We’re On Track’

BAE Pushes Its T-X Bird At Paris Show; Gen. Welsh Tells DC ‘We’re On Track’
BAE Pushes Its T-X Bird At Paris Show; Gen. Welsh Tells DC ‘We’re On Track’

PARIS AIR SHOW: It is one of the hottest competitions for which there is not yet a formal Pentagon program. The Air Force’s next generation trainer — known as T-X — will be worth some $11 billion for some 350 planes. Lockheed Martin and the South Korean maker of the T-50 have teamed up to…