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Boeing B-52 static display with weapons, Barksdale AFB. Image: Creative Commons.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a symbol of endurance and adaptability in U.S. military aviation, is set to receive a revolutionary upgrade through the ambitious B-52J modernization program. At the heart of this transformation is the Rolls-Royce F130 engine, recently certified in December 2024 after two years of rigorous development—a major milestone for the program.

Despite delays, the B-52J’s upgrades promise to redefine the aircraft’s capabilities. A comprehensive overhaul will introduce advanced radars, digital avionics, modernised engine pylons, satellite-aided navigation, and robust communications systems. These enhancements ensure the B-52J remains a formidable long-range asset capable of delivering massive payloads, supporting future technologies like Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

The program’s setbacks haven’t diminished its advocates’ enthusiasm. They emphasise the bomber’s enduring role in U.S. air strategy, paralleling Russia’s continued use of its Tu-95 fleet. With plans to extend its service life into the 2050s, the B-52J is poised to complement cutting-edge platforms like the B-21 and F-15EX, ensuring versatile, multi-role capabilities.

The B-52’s storied legacy and adaptability highlight its value. As it evolves, the Stratofortress remains a testament to engineering ingenuity, proving its worth in an ever-changing strategic landscape.

WARNING – REPORTED AS A SCAM

ED: The other day I posted an article about a $4,100 dollar payment to carers – I have since been advised by a number of veterans, who attended Centrelink that they have no knowledge of this payment and that it may be a scam.

Below is the link to the message as I received it from https://www.msn.com I was of the opinion the opinion that MSN was a trusted source of information. I feel guilty that this story may have caused inconvenience to some members who like me believed the article.   

https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/government-support-and-welfare/4-100-one-time-centrelink-payment-offers-vital-support-for-australian-carers/ar-AA1xyzBj#:~:text=In%202025%2C%20the%20Australian%20government%20introduced%20a%20%244%2C100,individuals%20with%20disabilities%2C%20chronic%20illnesses%2C%20and%20age-related%20needs

The Australian Army’s Townsville-based units are gearing up for their most significant training year since World War II, with 2025 set to mark a historic milestone in military cooperation and modernisation. The year’s activities will feature an unprecedented level of international engagement, highlighted by Exercise Talisman Sabre, which will involve participation from more nations than ever before. This biennial exercise is a cornerstone of Australia’s defence strategy, fostering joint operational capability and interoperability between allied and partner nations. The increased scale of the exercise underscores Australia’s growing role in regional security and its commitment to working alongside global partners to address shared challenges.

In addition to the expanded multinational training efforts, the 3rd Brigade, headquartered in Townsville, will lead the charge in the modernisation of the Australian Army. The brigade is set to receive the first deliveries of cutting-edge equipment as part of the Defence Capability Program, signalling a new era of technological advancement and operational readiness. These upgrades, which include advanced armoured vehicles, weapons systems, and communication technologies, will significantly enhance the brigade’s combat effectiveness and ability to respond to diverse threats in the Indo-Pacific region.

The dual focus on international collaboration and capability development reflects Australia’s strategic priorities in a shifting geopolitical landscape. With its robust training agenda and investment in modernisation, the Townsville Army base is solidifying its position as a key hub for the Australian Defence Force and a critical partner in maintaining stability in the region.

Good morning, for info: Ray Payne – FRONTLINE

Today – Australia Day, the ABC On-line News includes an item on recovering Vietnam War dead titled: “South Vietnamese want to find and bury their war dead. Why is it so hard?” – see:

CLICK LINK

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-26/south-vietnamese-soldiers-long-to-bury-dead-soldiers/104828764  .

The article includes reference to the post-War efforts of Dr Bob Hall (8RAR 1969-70) – ie his “Wandering Souls” program, in finding grave sites in South Vietnam and returning artefacts to grieving families.

The on-line ABC item is also accompanied by a short video titled “Finding Shorty” that relates the recent assistance given to the 76-year-old Newcastle-based Vietnam veteran 2790576 Alwyn Melville Craig – Pte 6RAR Vietnam 8 May 1969 – 12 May 1970.

Best wishes,

Ernie Chamberlain

I just want to let you know that I won’t be posting to Frontline tomorrow as I have exciting Australia Day plans lined up that will keep me busy from early morning. The day kicks off at Coolangatta Beach, where I’ll soak in the festive atmosphere and enjoy the stunning views and surf. From there, we’ll head to our daughter’s home on the Tweed River, where we’ll continue the celebrations with a great gathering of family and friends.

Australia Day is a special occasion to come together, reflect, and celebrate all that makes our nation unique, and I hope you, too, have plans to mark the day in your own way. Whether you’re spending it with family, friends, or enjoying a BBQ some quiet beers, may it be a day filled with joy, pride, and appreciation for our incredible country.

Cheers

Ray & Julie

CO2 is a foundational nutrient necessary for all life on Earth. Scientific evidence supports that increasing atmospheric CO2 has significantly contributed to agricultural productivity, with global vegetation thriving from the near-polar regions to the equator. NASA has confirmed this greening of the Earth, attributing it largely to rising CO2 levels. At 420 parts per million (ppm), the current CO2 concentration remains historically low compared to the average of 2,600 ppm over geologic time. Plants require a minimum of 150 ppm to survive, making CO2 an indispensable component of the Earth’s ecosystem.

Critics argue that labelling CO2 as a pollutant contradicts scientific data and undermines its vital role in sustaining life. Today’s CO2 levels, although higher than pre-industrial times, are far below historical peaks. The evidence indicates that increased CO2 enhances plant growth and contributes to ecological health and agricultural yields. Far from being an “existential threat,” CO2 is crucial for life on Earth.

A growing resistance to the politicisation of climate science. The benefits of CO2 and challenge the economic and environmental impact of policies driven by climate alarmism. Good leadership underscores the need to abandon the notion of CO2 as a pollutant, recognising it instead as a critical nutrient.

Efforts to achieve net zero, driven by a misguided climate agenda, risk undermining economic stability and hindering genuine progress. The narrative surrounding climate change has been heavily influenced by financial interests tied to the renewable energy sector, leading to exaggerated claims about the impact of CO2 and natural temperature variations. Contrary to the prevailing rhetoric, there is no substantial evidence of an increase in extreme weather events. Furthermore, cold-related deaths significantly outnumber those caused by heat, emphasising the need for balanced and practical energy policies.

As nations like the United States and Canada reassess their climate strategies, it is crucial for governments to prioritise scientific accuracy and practical solutions over fear-driven agendas. The Albanese government’s commitment to net zero should be reevaluated to prevent economic damage and unnecessary restrictions on CO2, a gas essential for life and prosperity.

The modest, gradual warming of the Earth as it recovers from the Little Ice Age has been wrongly labelled a “crisis,” reflecting the greed-driven distortion of facts by those with vested interests in renewable energy.

China has reportedly unveiled a groundbreaking drone capable of seamlessly transitioning between underwater and aerial operations, marking a significant leap in military technology. These submarine-launched drones, designed with an innovative foldable wing mechanism, boast enhanced survivability in marine battlefields, according to Chinese claims.

The development comes as Beijing expresses concerns over the United States potentially deploying underwater drones near Chinese waters to execute swarm attacks on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) during a possible conflict over Taiwan. Chinese researchers assert that their drones surpass the capabilities of the Pentagon’s unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

Named “Feiyi”, the drone was developed by teams from Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU) and the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre (CARDC). It features a unique design that enables it to traverse water and air multiple times within a single mission, making it the first of its kind. The foldable wing design allows the drone to minimise water resistance during underwater operations while retaining high manoeuvrability in the air.

Feiyi is equipped with tail-mounted propellers for propulsion and navigation underwater and four pairs of rotating, foldable blades for aerial flight. Its ability to transition seamlessly between mediums enhances its stealth and adaptability, enabling it to perform marine reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions. Reports suggest that its underwater navigation efficiency surpasses most existing cross-medium drones, thanks to the advanced wing-folding technology.

The drone can maintain stability even in rough waves and launch into the air with ease. When landing, it submerges within five seconds as its wings fold to reduce drag. Powered by artificial intelligence, Feiyi can autonomously execute missions with high precision, according to its developers.

In contrast, U.S. drones typically require deployment via torpedo tubes and lack underwater mobility, leaving them more vulnerable to detection and attack.

China’s advancements in cross-medium drones reflect its broader ambitions in military innovation, including hypersonic weapons and solid-fuel ramjet engines. With escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, reports by think tanks like the Centre for a New American Security (CNAS) predict that drones like Feiyi could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of warfare.

eWise Blog

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) faces increasing challenges in recruiting and retaining hard-to-find experts, such as specialist engineers. Current systems lack the flexibility demanded by the 21st century and fail to match industry salary standards. These issues were highlighted in the Strategic Review of the Australian Defence Force Reserves, which emphasises the need for a Total Workforce System supporting innovative workforce arrangements.

As ADF tasks grow more complex, a potential solution lies in adapting the existing Specialist Services Officer (SSO) system. This program currently engages professionals in fields like healthcare, finance, law, engineering, and education without requiring full military training. To meet modern demands, this system could evolve into a broader Specialist Service Person (SSP) framework. The SSP system would expand beyond predefined fields to cover any role the ADF requires, allowing for greater operational flexibility.

This approach would enable the ADF to recruit a wider range of specialists and reassign existing personnel with valuable skills to roles where they are most needed. The SSP system could also replace the trial Specialist Service Soldier scheme, focusing on specific trades. For instance, if the ADF needs expertise in sanitation engineering for a mission, the SSP system could provide a pathway for such specialists to contribute without existing category constraints.

The SSP model would support both civilian recruits and reservists with specialised skills, using Continuous Full-Time Service (CFTS) contracts to call upon specialists as needed. This model mirrors the reserves, allowing specialists to move in and out of roles based on operational demands. It would also reduce reliance on contracted external civilian expertise, which often introduces additional costs and conflicts of interest. Instead, these skills could be sourced directly from SSP personnel under CFTS contracts.

Competitive salaries under the SSP system would address the current pay disparity between ADF roles and private industry, improving retention and recruitment. Inspiration can be drawn from the U.S. Warrant Officer system, which retains technical experts as specialists, and Singapore’s Military Domain Experts Scheme, which recruits civilian specialists to meet evolving defence needs.

Additionally, the SSP system could reengage personnel who might otherwise leave due to medical conditions or other limitations. If they possess in-demand skills, tailored CFTS contracts could define their duties and compensation, retaining valuable expertise within the ADF.

Flexibility is essential for the ADF to meet its growing and diverse skill requirements. Adopting the SSP framework offers a sustainable path to modernise workforce structures, ensuring the ADF remains competitive and capable in an ever-changing landscape.

The Gotland-class submarine, developed by Sweden in the 1990s, marked a pivotal shift in naval warfare and submarine technology, altering the balance of power in underwater operations. Designed with cutting-edge advancements, this class of submarines combined stealth, endurance, and versatility, fundamentally influencing how navies around the world approached submarine development and deployment.

At the heart of the Gotland-class’s revolutionary design was its air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, powered by Stirling engines. This technology allowed the submarine to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing to recharge batteries, a limitation that plagued traditional diesel-electric submarines. The AIP capability significantly enhanced stealth and survivability, making the Gotland-class nearly undetectable by conventional anti-submarine measures.

The Gotland-class’s impact became globally recognised during joint exercises with the United States Navy. In 2005, the Swedish Navy leased the HMS Gotland to the U.S. for training purposes, where it outperformed American nuclear-powered submarines and even simulated successful “attacks” on aircraft carriers. This performance highlighted vulnerabilities in existing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) strategies and emphasised the growing threat posed by modern, non-nuclear submarines.

Beyond its military significance, the Gotland-class underscored Sweden’s ingenuity in naval engineering, showcasing that smaller nations could produce world-leading technology. Its influence extended globally, prompting other navies to prioritise AIP systems and rethink submarine design. Today, many advanced diesel-electric submarines, including Germany’s Type 212 and Japan’s Soryu-class, owe their capabilities to the trail blazed by the Gotland-class.

In essence, the Gotland-class submarine reshaped naval history by redefining the standards for stealth, efficiency, and operational endurance in underwater warfare, proving that innovation could challenge even the most powerful fleets in the world.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has established itself as a global leader in first-person view (FPV) drone racing, a cutting-edge sport that has captured public attention and gained viral popularity on social media. This achievement highlights how competitive military sports can drive advancements in dual-use technology while cultivating the technological expertise of the next generation.

Military sports have long been tied to capability development, from the Olympic Pentathlon to modern events like the Military World Games. Such competitions not only hone skills in peacetime but also strengthen international relations, serving as effective soft power tools. FPV drone racing, a recent addition to military sports, exemplifies this tradition. It fosters proficiency in a disruptive battlefield technology—compact drones that enhance situational awareness and tactical flexibility at a fraction of the cost of traditional military systems.

Initially adapted for combat by the Ukrainian military to address shortages in precision-guided munitions, FPV drones have become invaluable for conventional warfare. Their affordability, accessibility, and adaptability have driven their widespread adoption for both battlefield and recreational use. Recognising their potential, the Australian and British armies formed military drone racing teams in 2017 and 2018, culminating in the inaugural Military International Drone Racing Tournament in Sydney in 2018. The ADF’s dominance in this arena, with consecutive championship wins in 2018, 2023, and 2024, underscores its commitment to the field.

The ADF has gone further by launching the ADF Drone Racing Association in 2023 and popularising the hashtag #SendIt! to promote the sport. These efforts not only ensure ongoing excellence in drone racing but also serve as a platform for innovation in drone design, pilot training, and battlefield tactics. The tournaments encourage teams to develop cutting-edge drones leveraging smartphone technologies, such as microprocessors, high-definition cameras, and miniaturised components.

Beyond competition, the ADF uses FPV drone racing to inspire STEM education. Pilots engage with students through demonstrations, workshops, and boot camps, emphasising the critical role of STEM skills across the military. While the thrill of racing drives participants, the ultimate mission remains clear: advancing drone technology for defence applications and nurturing a culture of innovation. The ADF’s efforts in FPV drone racing exemplify how military sports can bridge technological progress and educational outreach, preparing the next generation for future challenges.