Both LCS 1 and LCS 2, the USS Independence, will open up new opportunities for naval collaboration between the U.S. and its allies, particularly in the Pacific region. Its modular design will allow the LCS to rapidly switch between the currently planned set of surface warfare, ASW and mine countermeasure missions. Clearly, the inherent flexibility of the LCS design will allow for other combinations of capabilities to be deployed, such as air and missile defense, shore bombardment, humanitarian assistance and air and sea surveillance.I never considered those points. Maybe the Surface Navy knows what its doing after all? Read it all here.
Equally important, both LCS variants offer the potential to equip foreign navies. In the past, U.S. Navy ships have been too expensive and even too capable for all but the richest and most sophisticated foreign navies to procure. LCS will be relatively less expensive and possesses the virtue of an open architecture that will enable foreign navies to customize the ship to meet their needs. There is a tremendous value also to foreign navies operating the same platforms and weapons systems as the U.S. Navy.
"The A160T Hummingbird reconnaissance helicopter crashed Wednesday afternoon two miles from a runway at Southern California Logistics Airport, the old George Air Force Base near Victorville where Boeing Advanced Systems has a test facility.Sweetman has been complaining about bandwidth issues with UAVs and now, in addition to the crashes in the war zones and the revelations in the WikiLeaks saga, we have this.
The helicopter, which is 35 feet long and has a 36-foot rotor diameter, was approaching Runway 17 when it crashed. The cause of the crash hasn't been disclosed."
Oh yeah, I read both threads before I commented, and here is a rambling explanation of how I see it.Complete utter rubbish.
I do not know you Solomon however I have seen your name on the comment sections of several defense blogs/websites. I think it is safe to assume that you view the wars as something to be studied empirically, to make better decisions that will save lives.
You probably know a lot more about the prosecution of a war than 99% of most people. Your understanding of procurement and technology is undoubtedly sophisticated. From all your study of war you may even make a pretty good commander.
But I think you are clumsily walking into a fight here that does not need to be fought. The guys at USNI are coming from the perspective of possibly losing someone that they know, hell Gauthier even said he part of the funeral detachment in Afghanistan right now.
They see logical and straightforward comments such as yours as diminishing the sacrifices of those that they honor. I think that this is being a little overly sensitive (as I gather you do too). But I can respect that the viewpoint of someone with their noses still pressed in it can be a little skewed. I choose to simply read those kinds of blogs and skip over the sentimental jibberish like in the comments section from the link.
This whole thing to me is like watching someone get into an argument with the family of a dead DUIer. Questioning the fact that they should not have been drinking, is of course right logically. It is a needless loss of life. But you are taking their repudiations and calls for respect for the dead as being a personal attack against you.
Your comments I'm sure have convinced them that they are right, you are just some whacko who is trying to start arguments and not be respectful. I don't see it that way personally, but your petty hate filled comments on your own blog do not do you any favors.
I remember at one time in my life having a ridiculous respect and deference for the flag. It was nearly religious in its fervor. And if someone came up to me dropped it on the ground and said 'what does it matter? it is merely a piece of cloth'. I would probably have acted rudely. And if they took it personally, spewing verbal bile as you have here, I'd be even more convinced that I was right in my initial reaction.
Anyway I read many of the same blogs as you do, and I guess it is in my best interest to be represented by other rational people. That is why I have taken the time to comment here. I am hoping that after you take some time away from this blog, you will see that carrying this tirade even farther is only detrimental to yourself and the reputation of other defense bloggers. Even if yours is a righteous crusade, it is pretty lame to be arguing on the internet.
Oh, yeah and I'll keep reading this blog from time to time, I'll just try to skip over the irrational stuff...
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, told reporters Sunday that he didn't have all the details, but "from what I know right now, this is an unusual circumstance."
I wondered what APA had been up to and now I know. This article is straight out of the playbook.F-15SE Sneaking Up On the F-35
July 25, 2010: For over a year now, F-15 manufacturer Boeing has been offering a "stealthy" aircraft called the F-15SE (Silent Eagle). The target market is nations that want some stealth, but do not want to pay the high price of the F-35. The F-15SE is an F-15E with better electronics (radar and countermeasures) and an airframe tweaked to make the aircraft harder for radar to detect. A CWB (Conformal Weapons Bay) carried beneath the body of the aircraft contains two internal weapons bays. Each bay can carry two missiles or smart bombs. Each of the four hard points in the CWD can carry two smaller SDB (Small Diameter Bombs). While not as stealthy as the F-22, the F-15SE claims to be as stealthy as the F-35, which costs 40 percent more. Another option is to have existing F-15Es rebuilt to F-15SE standards, at less than half the cost of a new F-15SE. Boeing has demonstrated the stealthiness to serious customers, and the F-15SE does indeed make it much more difficult for radars to spot it. Some foreign F-15E users have expressed an interest, especially as the cost of the F-35 keeps going up, with no end in sight for the increases. .
“It’s a great day in North Dakota when Soldiers return home from a successful mission,” Sprynczynatyk said. “As we prepare to celebrate their return to North Dakota, let’s remember all of the other North Dakota Soldiers and Airmen still serving in countries all across the world. Their ongoing efforts in defense of our nation will always be greatly appreciated.”Geez. Everyone is in an uproar over Afghanistan but how long has this peacekeeping mission in Europe been going on???
About 40 North Dakota Soldiers will remain in Kosovo in order to effectively coordinate mission handover to the succeeding unit, the Puerto Rican National Guard, which will lead KFOR 13. A ceremony to formally assume mission responsibility from the North Dakota National Guard is scheduled for July 24, in Kosovo. These remaining Soldiers are expected home by the end of the month.
Solomon,
Yes, please let’s not assume misbehavior or mistakes prematurely. Some units do operate in small teams for a variety of purposes.
Let us find out the story first.
I ask you this...
Save me the line about foreign military sales lowering the price of the aircraft for the US military. I realize that but I'm also concerned about a Colonel....A Colonel in the US Marine Corps sounding like a used car salesman.“One of the reasons we’ve come to Farnborough is export opportunities,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Harry Hewson... “We’re more than willing to start talking about possible FMS [Foreign Military Sales] cases.”....
Supercruise is sustained supersonic flight of an aircraft with a useful cargo, passenger, or weapons load performed efficiently and without the use of afterburners ("reheat").Wiki goes on to state that the Gripen, Typhoon, F-22 and Rafale are all capable of super cruising.
Marines ‘take’ Onslow beach for dynamic conditioning
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Nearly 100 Marines with Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 27 overran Onslow Beach, literally, aboard Camp Lejeune, July 22. The early morning company run, led by acting first sergeant, Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Stovall, and commanding officer, Capt. Amy Upton, was concluded with various squad exercises followed by a cool-down, compliments of the ocean.
VMM-261 Raging Bulls complete historic deployment
Another example of a weapon system that has been vilified by many before it even entered into Marine Corps service (strangely people seem to have no problem with US Air Force Special Ops flying this airplane) that has gone on and proven its worth in the war zone.MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, Jacksonville, N.C. — Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, “The Raging Bulls,” returned to Marine Corps Air Station New River from Afghanistan July 16. They were stationed at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, under the command of Lt. Col. Anthony Bianca, as an assault support unit.
Due to a change of command in May, the Squadron completed their tour under the command of Lt. Col. Ivan Thomas.
The Squadron was the first MV-22 Osprey squadron to operate in Afghanistan, and the unit’s primary mission was to serve as assault support.
“The V-22 was used (in Afghanistan) to exploit its capabilities to the maximum extent,” said Maj. Timothy Miller, executive officer for VMM-261. “We were able to range the entire country. We flew to places that could only be ranged by plane, but only be landed by helicopter.”
This was the squadron’s fourth deployment. Before the recent tour in Afghanistan, the squadron supported Operation Iraqi Freedom during three separate deployments.
Miller said he believes the unit did very well, and performed all missions asked of them to the utmost of their abilities.
“This environment was more challenging (than Iraq),” said Miller. “We performed all missions that were asked us and brought back all aircraft and Marines. Certainly, this was a mission success.”
More than twenty Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 were attached to VMM-261 for the return trip.
It was approximately 8 p.m. when the buses carrying the Marines arrived onto the flightline.
One of the Marines who came back was Sgt. Frank Mershon IV. His family was anxiously waiting for him, wearing bright yellow shirts that read “Frank the Tank.”
“We are very excited he’s coming home,” said Terry Mershon, Frank’s mother.
“We are very proud of Frankie, and all the Marines that worked twenty-four-seven,”said Frank Mershon III, Sgt. Mershon’s father.
“It’s pretty exciting to be part of the change that’s about to occur with the new aircraft coming in,” says Captain Forrest Rock, the fighter pilot who flew in a CF-18 from 425 (Tactical Fighter) Squadron at 3 Wing Bagotville, Que. for the news conference last Friday.Read the whole thing but the Canadian Air Force seems pretty happy with this development.
“I love flying the CF-18, but obviously flying the F-35 one day will be pretty exciting. I love what I do. It’s not every day you can wake up, and go to work and do something you love. Every time you put the throttles in afterburner you get a smile on your face.”
In announcing the $9 billion acquisition, Defence Minister Peter McKay emphasized why the conventional take-off and landing variant of the F-35 Lighting II is the right replacement for the CF-18 Hornet.
“The F-35 Lightning II’s technology in terms of sensors, stealth technology, weapons systems, survivability and the integrated nature of its systems make it a truly fifth generation aircraft,” said Minister McKay. “It is the only fighter to meet the Canadian Forces operational and interpretational requirements and needs.”
Wow.Italy cuts Eurofighter order by 25 units, citing finances
MILAN, July 20, 2010 (AFP) - Italy will slash an order for Eurofighter warplanes by 25 from a planned 121 for savings of about two billion euros (2.6 billion dollars), the defence ministry said on Tuesday.
The reduced order is part of "savings that the ministry must make under the austerity plan" adopted by the centre-right government in May, a press officer told AFP, confirming remarks by Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa at the Farnborough Airshow in Britain.
The two-year austerity package totalling 24.9 billion euros is aimed at cleaning up Italy's finances and reassuring financial markets.
The Eurofighter, a multi-purpose twin-engine fighter jet introduced in 2003, is built by a consortium made up of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), Britain's BAE Systems and Alenia/Finmeccanica of Italy.
EADS' share is 46 percent, followed by BAE's 33 percent and Alenia/Finmeccanica's 21 percent.
The Eurofighter programme has been dogged by criticism over costs, notably from Italy and Britain.
Read it and weep critics! Its over. This program is beyond paring back and its beyond attempts at cancellation. Its truly international in scope and with Turkey buying extra fighters and Israel finally getting off the fence, this program can easily absorb any reduction in buys from wavering partner nations and still deliver on the promise of affordability.The United States and Israel are days away from reaching an agreement on the sale of 19 Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) F-35 fighter jets, which would be the first foreign military sale of the new warplane."The ball is in their court," Vice Admiral Jeffrey Wieringa, who heads the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, told Reuters at the Farnborough Airshow.
"I am waiting for them to make a decision any day," said Wieringa, who is retiring at the end of the month.
Lockheed declined comment on the status of the arms deal, since it will be concluded between the U.S. and Israeli governments, but said the fact that Israel wants to buy the new F-35 fighter underscored global confidence in the jet.
Analysts say the deal is worth about $3 billion.
"When they select F-35, we believe it's a testimony to the capabilities of the jet," Steve O'Bryan, Lockheed's vice president for F-35 business development, told Reuters, noting that Israel faces some formidable security challenges.
Lockheed said it is close to reaching an agreement with the U.S. government on procurement of a fourth batch of 32 F-35 fighters, and a deal could come "any day."
Company officials, speaking in interviews and at a news conference, underscored their commitment to working with the Pentagon to continue driving down the cost of the F-35 program -- at over $300 billion the biggest weapons program in history.
O'Bryan said the contract for the fourth batch of airplanes would be 20 percent lower than that of the previous batch of fighters, and half the price of the first batch.
Tip of the Spear: Marines Graduate Corporals Course in Afghanistan
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Marines from 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) graduated a 3-week Corporals Course at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, July 17. As certificates were presented, the Marines lined up in rows waiting for their names to be called. At the front of the line was a small-framed female Marine; her name was called first. Cpl. Chelsey Young, a combat engineer with Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st MLG (FWD), was named the honor graduate of her class of 30 students, consisting of Marines from CLB-5, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 9th Engineer Support Battalion and 1st MLG (FWD). For her achievement, she received a noncommissioned officer’s sword, which she proudly carried along with her graduation certificate.
It was an “unexpected” accomplishment, said Young after the ceremony. She earned the top score in the class – a 99 average – just .75 points higher than the runner-up, Cpl. Christopher Miller of G-3, 1st MLG (FWD).
Young said one of the most challenging aspects of the course was the grueling physical training, which included a 6-mile hike with full gear, running in the Afghanistan heat, physical fitness tests and field operations.
“At that moment when you’re the most tired,” she said, “you just have to tell yourself to keep going.”
Young, who scored a 300 on her physical fitness test, boasted she was able to shave off 48 seconds from her run time during the course – she now clocks in at 18 minutes, 32 seconds for the 3-mile run.
Although she was the tiniest Marine in the class – weighing in at 95 pounds – her motivation to succeed carried her through the challenging course. She also credits her chief instructor, Gunnery Sgt. Antonio Hairston, to helping keep her motivated.
“Gunny Hairston gave a lot of motivating speeches,” she said of the former drill instructor who now serves as the company gunnery sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company, 1st MLG (FWD).
The course helped her realize “what type of leader I was,” said Young, 20, from Westland, Mich. One of the most important things she learned from the course, she said, is “always look out for your Marines.”
The ceremony ended with the Marines belting out the NCO Creed, their voices echoing off the mess hall walls. Despite her small size, Young stood tall among her peers as they bellowed in unison, “I will never forget that I am responsible to my commanding officer for the morale, discipline, and efficiency of my men. Their performance will reflect an image of me.”
“It’s been three years [since the arms export treaty with Britain was proposed]. At this point we are losing patience,” she says he told her. Pass the treaty, “if you want our soldiers to stand with yours and have the right technology.” Blakey spoke with Fox Sunday night at a dinner for senior U.S. government and industry officials.Read the whole thing but I am struck by the sense of entitlement. Yes you are an ally. Yes you are important. Yes we want your assistance and value our alliance..but WHAT THE FUCK!
"The Americans are interested," he told BBC News. "They do not have an aircraft with the same capabilities."This guy is getting some of the "good stuff"...I mean it must be Columbia Pure.
Mr Gallois said he did not expect the US to order the plane immediately.
However, by the middle of the decade the US will need to replace their existing planes, he explained.
By then the A400M programme - which is several billion euros over budget and four years late - should be running smoothly.
"The programme is now on schedule," Mr Gallois said.
YN2(SW) H. Lucien Gauthier III Says:
Solomon,Many Sailors go outside the wire. Seabees, Corpsmen, members of the PRT teams, ect. Suffice it to say, we are not allowed out there without tons of training.
Those looking for my Shipmates don’t give a rat’s ass right now why it happened, it is not their question to ask, it is their job to find them. No one cares ‘why’ until it is over. Once it is over, you start asking questions.
July 25th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Byron Says:
What the YN2 said…In spades. We’ve got two sailors in danger now, and you want to talk crap. It’s not censorship. It’s common decency. Keep all that bilge trash to yourself till they are found, one way or another. Doing otherwise is the same as spitting on them…and their families memories of those who were over there serving. More to the point, open up a box of shut the hell up and start eating.July 25th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
admin Says:
@Solomon:How is your discourse helping this conversation?
“Tragedies happen everyday.” how on earth does that mitigate the situation here.
Does the circumstance of the the rank or particulars of death mitigate one death above another?
We are speaking about two REAL PEOPLE, in peril, possibly dead.
If…as you say..it is unlikely (following your line of logic, for the benefit of the doubt) that two individuals would leave the wire in such a way….for right or wrong reasons…now is not the time for supposition
Wait for hindsight, which I’m sure, for those who consume the spoils, sadly, will be 20/20
In the meantime, let us have hope in humanity and pray for these sailors.
If you prove me wrong, if they are somehow culpable of some heinous crime, then I will pray for them just the same. Because they are sailors, because we are better than our enemy who is unforgiving and close-minded.
July 26th, 2010 at 11:57 pm