iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

📖🚨CCAs are often mentioned in tandem with "affordable mass" - an unrealistic expectation as I explain below.👇 www.calibredefence.co.uk/affordable-m...

calibredefence.co.uk

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

A must watch 👇 @justinpykehistory.bsky.social worked incredibly hard on this and it has become fascinating account of how and why one of the first bombings of a city transpired, touching upon politics, service culture, air power and the personal aspirations of those involved.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

My video debut for @rusi.bsky.social with a few thoughts on the current CCA hype

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

You can take the gun out of the helicopter… …but you can’t take the helicopter out of the gun.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Summarises, albeit in a dramatic fashion, my thoughts on AI in education. Those universities increasingly submitting AI are doing a disservice to their students.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

I am not saying that the worst part of the FCAS breakup is the ai-generated slop from professional Linkedin-ers we will see over the next few days… …but I am also not not saying it.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Together with my colleague Dr Linus Terhorst I take a closer look at the inception of FCAS, the dynamics that appear to underpin the troubled political-industrial relationship, and the strategic alternatives for Germany.

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RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

'Berlin may give up on FCAS’s flagship pillar but alternatives that will deliver the capability the Luftwaffe needs and fulfil industrial hopes will be difficult to find', write Christoph Bergs and Dr Linus Terhorst in the latest RUSI Commentary.

bit.ly

FCAS: France and Germany’s Fight for a Future Fighter

Berlin may give up on FCAS’s flagship pillar but alternatives that will deliver the capability the Luftwaffe needs and fulfil industrial hopes will be difficult to find.

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Justin Pyke @justinpykehistory.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

I know @milavhis.bsky.social worked hard on this one. It's worth watching for a brief introduction to PLAAF's modernization over the last 30ish years. youtu.be/UUs3OpBDOAM?...

youtu.be

China’s Air Force: Almost Ready For The Taiwan Scenario?

YouTube video by Military Aviation History

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

UCAVs/CCAs demonstrate promise but imagination must be tempered by operational analysis. In this short piece, I argue uncrewed systems should presently not be pursued as an immediate substitute for crewed fighters but developed as core combat air enablers. www.calibredefence.co.uk/luftwaffe-cc...

calibredefence.co.uk

Luftwaffe CCAs: The Emerging Art of the Possible

This article explores how CCAs or UCAVs could best contribute to the Luftwaffe as understanding of their value grows.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

I imagine the data in my new documentary could surprise a few people. Opportunity cost of long-range fires versus traditional airpower in the context of WW2.👇

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

No background info if this was an ambush at known helicopter route or chance event. Window of opportunity is tiny even with proper positioning. External fuel tank seen mounted on left pylon: likely contributed to the Ka-52 fate. Impressive reaction times + control by FPV operator.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Before this even started, there was no questioning of US military overmatch vs Venezuela. Details on resistance, US suppression of defences & helicopter operation would be interesting nevertheless. Permits evaluation of how indicative this was of US capabilities & its signalling value.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Footage from helicopters over Venezuela show what appear to be CH-47 Chinooks and MH-60 Black Hawks. Given available pictures, shapes are overall consistent with versions also flown by special operations units.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

After some delay, it is now confirmed that the decision whether to continue 🇫🇷🇩🇪FCAS or not is delayed. “Contrary to the original plan, a final decision on the continuation of the FCAS project has not yet been made at the end of the year.” www.hartpunkt.de/entscheidung...

hartpunkt.de

Entscheidung zum weiteren Vorgehen bei FCAS auf unbestimmte Zeit verschoben

Verteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius hatte angekündigt, bis Jahresende eine Lösung bei dem ins Schlingern geratenen Rüstungsprojekt für ein Future Combat Air System (FCAS) finden zu wollen.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

IGMetall (🇩🇪 largest Union) announced they no longer trust/are willing to work with Dassault. Demand two separate NGFs. Given the intricacies of 🇩🇪 industry, IGMetall has significant linkages with companies. A soft launch for the a decision coming soon? www.hartpunkt.de/fcas-ig-meta...

hartpunkt.de

FCAS: IG Metall bricht mit Dassault und will zwei Kampfjets

Wenige Tage vor der in der kommenden Woche erwarteten Entscheidung zum weiteren Vorgehen beim kriselnden französisch-deutsch-spanischen Future Combat Air

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

That’s Sunday 1800/1900 UK/Continental Europe for those living in the civilised world and not…you know….Canada

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Justin Pyke @justinpykehistory.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Here's the German part of the discussion on four-engine bombers. I smile, nod, ask an occasional question, and then absolutely rock the outro while @milavhis.bsky.social lays the info down. youtu.be/dpNsIDn6KhE?...

youtu.be

Why Luftwaffe Strategic Bombers Never Happened

YouTube video by Military Aviation History

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Justin Pyke @justinpykehistory.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Here's part 1 of a chat that Chris and I originally envisioned as a quick'n'easy one. Then we talked for an hour each. For my part, I used this common internet question as a Trojan horse of sorts to explore elements that aren't discussed as often as dry technical details of the aircraft themselves.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Mistake or Calculated Risk? Why Japan Did Not Build Strategic Bombers during World War 2 - Join a fascinating chat w/ @justinpykehistory.bsky.social on why Japan went hot & cold on long-range strategic bombers. youtu.be/nstaj1mHFHU

youtu.be

Mistake or Calculated Risk? Why Japan Did Not Build Strategic Bombers

YouTube video by Military Aviation History

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Justin Pyke @justinpykehistory.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

I really enjoyed this video @milavhis.bsky.social just put out on the complex discussion of air support during the Second World War. He focuses on the Luftwaffe, but some of what he covers gave me food for thought in my area of study too. youtu.be/7fxfp_xGfUg?...

youtu.be

The Complicated Luftwaffe Air Support Problem

YouTube video by Military Aviation History

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Freeman Air and Space Institute @fasikcl.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

How can military aircraft be used to gain influence in other nation-states? Piers Register spoke to @milavhis.bsky.social to examine a shift in the military aircraft export market & whether attitudes around aircraft supply & development need to change. Watch 👇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDVg...

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Great to speak to NatGeo and bring my history airpower ramblings to the mainstream. Release 2026 alongside an excellent cast of experts.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

If Spain is serious about investing 85% of defence spending (2%) into Europe, this will have left ~5bn for an F-35 deal and not much else. It leaves Spain without a fixed-wing carrier post Harrier retirement however and maybe a gap to other European partners until FCAS (if and when).

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Justin Pyke @justinpykehistory.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

My chat with Jon and Seth over at the Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast is now live! It was a lot of fun. I know a couple of the tangents ended up being a bit ramble-y. You'll have to forgive me there. youtu.be/ZLKHzhthUEE?...

youtu.be

The Air War Over China 1937-40 with Justin Pyke - Episode 514

YouTube video by Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast

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Justin Bronk @justin-br0nk.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Just published via RUSI... I suspect this one may generate some strong opinions but I think it's an important set of factors for military planners especially in the Land domain to engage with: NATO Should Not Replace Traditional Firepower with ‘Drones’ www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

rusi.org

NATO Should Not Replace Traditional Firepower with ‘Drones’

Over-reliance on uncrewed aerial systems or ‘drones’ is leading to significant problems for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and is not something Western militaries should attempt to replicate

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

This 🧵👇 by @crusaderproject.bsky.social - The Ju 87 (as any plane of its approximate type) required a permissive air environment which can be limited in time and space. Screening fighters to punch a hole and maintain the window long enough for bomb drop, then covering retreat. That was the… 1/2

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

where is the ISD? WHERE is the ISD? WHERE IS THE ISD? 😡

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Worthwhile to consider that during WW2, it is likely that most fighter pilots never saw the plane that “got them”. Beyond ground attackers and bombers, armour was an expensive feature that was balanced to offer the realistically achievable protection to pilot and vital systems, and nothing more.

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Justin Pyke @justinpykehistory.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Given the imminent release of a chat I had with Seth and Jon for the Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast, where one of the tangents was me rambling semi-coherently about aircraft protection, I've decided to update a thread I did on it related to Japanese aircraft from many years ago.

A B6N shot down while attacking USS Yorktown off Kwajalein on 4 December 1943. The aircraft lacked armour or fuel tank protection, but it didn't matter given this was the result of a direct 5" hit.

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

After recently posting my @rusi.bsky.social commentary on how high profile mishaps with F-35 could play a role in shaping public perception, it’s fascinating to see how the point I made is reflected in the comments…

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RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

An RAF F-35B stranded in Kerala has attracted attention just as the UK seeks to declare full operational capacity for the fleet. Read our latest RUSI Commentary from Christoph Bergs - @milavhis.bsky.social how such mishaps can be exploited to erode trust in the UK’s armed forces and equipment.

rusi.org

The Combat Air Public Relations Problem

An RAF F-35B, stranded at an airport in Kerala province for several weeks, casts a pall over the image of the UK's air combat power in the midst of Highmast, an operation intended to declare full oper...

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

From yours sincerely, my first commentary at RUSI. And now I know how it feels like when I am not the one choosing the title 😅

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Moments like this 🙌 What a show by Frecce Tricolori 🇮🇹

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Kieslowskifan1 @kieslowskifan1.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Excellent summary of the FAF in 1940 by @milavhis.bsky.social citing some recent research. #aviationhistory #avgeeks www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsXU...

youtube.com

Why The French Air Force Failed

YouTube video by Military Aviation History

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back into a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.” It costs a lot less to house people.

thebetter.news

Finland ends homelessness and provides shelter for all in need - scoop.me

In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Why? The country applies the "Housing First" concept agains homelessness.

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Reposted by Christoph Bergs

The Aviation Show @theaviation.show · 20/06/2025

If you missed @milavhis.bsky.social's The Luftwaffe at War series, part 2, about the reasoning behind the heavy fighter and the Me110, it is out now and it is fascinating. The series so far is well worth your time. youtu.be/nnhdvw37hC4?...

youtu.be

Zerstörer: Why The Germans Wanted This Heavy Fighter

YouTube video by Military Aviation History

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Christoph Bergs @milavhis.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 is considered a blunder but why did the Luftwaffe want heavy fighters (Zerstörer) in the first place? Join me as I explore the early Luftwaffe history to answer this question 👇 youtu.be/nnhdvw37hC4