There has been a lot more adverse publicity about the F-35 recently, including about practical, in-service issues. In this article, written for the Paris editions of Aviation International News (AIN), I try to provide a balanced assessment. But I doubt whether the operating costs of fifth-generation fighters will ever match those of fourth-gen ones: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-06-16/question-marks-remain-over-f-35-availability-support … Continue reading QUESTION MARKS REMAIN OVER F-35 AVAILABILITY, SUPPORT →

Here's another story that I have written for the Paris Air Show editions of Aviation International News (AIN). The ballistic missile threat and stealth aircraft are driving new developments, but how effective can they be, and at what cost? Read this story here: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-06-12/big-claims-big-cost-surface-air-missile-systems

The USAF dropped the JSTARS replacement because it was becoming too vulnerable to modern air defences. But wouldn't the same problem apply to other recce platforms like Global Hawk, Rivet Joint and Sentinel? I wrote this story for the Paris Air Show coverage by Aviation International News (AIN). You can find it here: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-06-15/does-jstars-demise-spell-end-airborne-isr Addendum, … Continue reading DOES JSTARS DEMISE SPELL THE END FOR AIRBORNE ISR? →

“Probably the most complex airborne weapon that MBDA has ever done”. That’s how the chief engineer of the SPEAR 3 described this new British air-surface missile in a presentation to the Royal Aeronautical Society in London last week. As Stephen Temple described the ongoing development, I marveled at how his team are meeting a very … Continue reading THE SPEAR 3 MISSILE – IS THE HUGE EFFORT JUSTIFIED? →