DefenceTalkEIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska: During the F-35 Lightning II’s pre-Initial Operational Test and Evaluation, Airmen from the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron had the opportunity to work with all three variants of the Joint Strike Fighter. Tactical Air Control Party Airmen coordinate air support with joint and international platforms, making this a unique opportunity […]https://www.defencetalk.com/battlefield-airmen-integrate-with-f-35-improve-air-ground-dominance-71487/

DefenceTalkEmbraer announced today a firm order of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). After a comprehensive public bidding process participated by several manufacturers from around the globe and complying with the stringent evaluation processes the Super Tucano was selected as part of the PAF’s ongoing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippine-air-force-selects-the-a-29-super-tucano-for-close-air-support-role-70892/

DefenceTalkU.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses joined French aircraft and ground troops from a dozen nations to kick off a close air support exercise in the Mediterranean March 7. Serpentex, an annual French-led exercise, involves joint terminal attack controllers from 12 partner countries. Operating on the French island of Corsica, the JTACs work together to practice […]https://www.defencetalk.com/b-52s-join-french-forces-for-close-air-support-exercise-66978/

DefenceTalkNorthrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy successfully demonstrated endurance capabilities with the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter. On a planned 10+ hour flight and range out to 150 nautical miles flight from Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, the MQ-8C Fire Scout achieved 11 hours with over an hour of fuel in reserve. The long […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-demonstrates-endurance-on-the-mq-8c-fire-scout-65168/

DefenceTalkAt the heart of the Air Force’s plans to retire the A-10 is the question of whether the F-35 can take over the close air support mission. So far, there has been significant doubt that the F-35 will be able to provide the same or better close air support to troops in the meantime. Congress […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-will-test-f-35-against-a-10-65137/

DefenceTalkClose air support (CAS)-delivery of airborne munitions to support ground forces-is difficult and dangerous because it requires intricate coordination between combat aircrews and dismounted ground forces (for example, joint terminal attack controllers, or JTACs). DARPA’s Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) program focuses on technologies to enable sharing of real-time situational awareness and weapons systems data […]https://www.defencetalk.com/darpa-demos-persistent-close-air-support-system-63872/

DefenceTalkEurofighter Typhoons of the Austrian Armed Forces are to secure the airspace of the World Economic Forum 2014 in Davos. As part of what is known as “Operation Daedalus 2014“, Eurofighters will deliver a significant contribution to the security of this international conference in Switzerland. The World Economic Forum is due to take place from […]https://www.defencetalk.com/world-economic-forum-2014-in-davos-eurofighter-to-secure-airspace-50140/

DefenceTalkBefore the sun rises, the sound of an F-16 Fighting Falcon can be heard taking off, breaking the dull silence of the morning as they participate in a two week close-air support training exercise with various squadrons and units. Known as CAS, the training uses military aircraft in an attack against enemy ground forces that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/close-air-support-key-to-strategic-success-49959/

DefenceTalkRaytheon is moving forward with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on the agency’s Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) program, whose software could enable ground troops to receive close air support sooner by improving coordination among joint terminal attack controllers, airborne sensors and weapons. Originally designed for the A-10 Thunderbolt, the recently expanded PCAS program […]https://www.defencetalk.com/raytheon-moves-forward-on-darpa-persistent-close-air-support-program-49042/

DefenceTalkAir-ground fire coordination-also known as Close Air Support or CAS-is a dangerous and difficult business. Pilots and dismounted ground agents must ensure they hit only the intended target using just voice directions and, if they’re lucky, a common paper map. It can often take up to an hour to confer, get in position and strike-time […]https://www.defencetalk.com/faster-more-precise-airstrikes-within-reach-48151/