EFV is it a fighting vehicle or a high speed connector?

Is the EFV a fighting vehicle in the mold of the Bradley or simply a high speed connector?  The reason I ask is borne out by a quick examination of the pictures above.  Notice the AAV's above.  Not only are provisions made for the stowage of gear on their surface but they are also quite comfortable living with the infantry out in the field.

On the march, the Infantry can fight heads out.  Or more precisely they can gain situational awareness because they're able to open the upper hatches to gain visibility.

Provisions are made for the carrying of rucksacks on the sides and tops of the vehicle.  Even water cans have mounts made for them.

Even at this late stage of the EFV's development we see no such provisions.

What we do see is a high speed amphibious armored vehicle, able to transit rapidly from ship to shore.  We see less emphasis on its end state role.  Fighting with the Infantry once the landing has been completed.  We see a vehicle with a formidable cannon.  But even that has to be called into question.  If our EFV's are engaging ground vehicles with its cannon then something has gone wrong (and yes I know things go wrong but you catch my meaning).  In an assault against an objective do we really want a 30mm airburst rounds hitting it or would Javelin, SMAW, TOW or Hellfire missiles be more appropriate?  If we have EFV's in the assault would we have our M1's with them?  Or even the LAV-25A2?  What about our artillery or Marine Aviation?

The problem and the reason why I ask these questions is because we've been down this road before in Marine Corps history.  After the Korean War, the Marine Corps felt a need to get "feet wet" again.  The Marines fell into the role of Second Land Army and decided  that its equipment should be tailored to amphibious operations.

kr.blog.yahoo.com

Understandable but the result was the less than impressive LVTP-5. 

LVTP-5 Specifications
Weight	37.4 t
Length	9.04 m
Width	3.57 m
Height	2.92 m
Crew	3+34 passengers
Armor	6-16 mm
Primary armament	.30 caliber MG
Engine	Continental LV-1790-1 V-12 gasoline 704 hp
Power/weight	19 hp/tonne
Suspension	Torsilastic
Operational range	306 km (road), 92 km (water)
Speed	48 km/h, in water 11 km/h

The LVTP-5 was a star in the water but history indicates it was much less than stellar on land. The war in Vietnam exposed all of its weaknesses.

Are we about to make the same mistake with the EFV?  A vehicle that's a technological marvel but has proven to be maintenance intensive with an unfriendly Infantry interior?  I wonder.

But back to the high speed connector issue.  Is the role of the EFV simply to be a high speed connector from the Sea Base?  If so then V-22's and LCAC's would be better options.  Heck even the forth coming CH-53K would be a better option.  How does the EFV fit into Distributed Operations?  I have yet to read how the Marine Corps mechanized forces are to be utilized with that concept.  Until all these questions are answered, maybe we should simply buy product improved AAV's instead.

USMC fields more lethal round.

via Marine Corps Times.

The round uses an open-tip match-round design common in sniper ammunition, and is considered “barrier blind,” meaning its aim stays truer through windshields, walls and other barriers. Initially, it was considered as a way to increase the lethality of Marines carrying the M4 carbine, which has less stopping power than the M16A4 because of its shorter barrel, but was approved for use in January with both rifles.

Outstanding.  The Marine Corps wisely stuck with the M-16A4 instead of going with the 'trendy' and 'fashionable' M4 (don't misunderstand me, I realize that the M4 is being issued to Officers and SNCO's and others in select positions)...but a Rifleman needs a Rifle, not a carbine.

PS.  Go to Marine Times to read the entire article.  

Think Tanks says Britan should bail on the JSF.

Via DefPro.com

A reassessment of “big ticket” projects, which are inappropriate for Britain’s security needs in the 21st Century. The aircraft carrier/F-35 programme should be cancelled and Trident scaled down before more money is wasted.

Once they cancel these programs.  Once the HMS Ocean is retired.  What then? 

Pic of the day. May 24, 2010.

100520-N-8377A-247 HAD YAO BEACH, Thailand (May 20, 2010) A Royal Thai Navy helicopter prepares to insert Royal Thai marines on the beach as a U.S. Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicle advances to its objective during a combined beach landing. The beach landing was the premier event of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2010. Elements of the Royal Thai Navy, Air Force and Marines as well as U.S. Navy and Marines took part in the landing. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Michael Ard/Released) 


The idea that US Forces were participating in an exercise with the Thai government while they were involved in a bloody crack down on their civilian population is disturbing.  As many readers have pointed out, I don't know the who's, why's and what for's of the situation.  Still.  Its disturbing.  

Marinestan.

Note. This is too good. Excerpt from Victor Davis (read the whole thing here)...

The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, retired three-star Army General Karl W. Eikenberry, reportedly made a comment about there being 41 nations serving in Afghanistan -- and a 42nd composed of the Marine Corps. One unnamed Obama administration official was quoted by the Washington Post as saying, "We have better operational coherence with virtually all of our NATO allies than we have with the U.S. Marine Corps."

Some officials call the new Marine enclave in Nimruz Province "Marinestan" -- as if, out of a Kipling or Conrad novel, the Marines have gone rogue to set up their own independent province of operations.

MPF(Future)

Hybrid-Defense Reconnaissance Assault (Hy-DRA)

Major Hat Tip to Jonathan.

Sorry about the quality of the video. This came from the Raytheon website and the quality wasn't good.



Rtn Rms Products Hydra Data

Capability Gap. No Combat Engineer Vehicle.

I know what you're saying right now.  That's false, we have the Assault Breacher Vehicle.  I would beg to differ.  The Assault Breacher Vehicle is properly named.  It is an assault enabler.  It will clear obstacles, whether tank traps or land mines.  What it can't do is properly assist in the defense.  What it can't do is help with emplacements,  build or destroy berms...do the other tasks that we ask Combat Engineers to do on a daily basis while under fire. 
The vehicle that was suppose to fulfill the role of CEV was the now canceled Grizzly -- that's too bad.

What's worse is the fact that many of our Allies have these vehicles while maintaining much smaller formations than we do.  The German designed and built Kodiak would be a fine addition to our Army's heavy armored formations.

Simply placing a blade on the front of an M1 Abrams is not good enough. The problem with the new direction (and the lack of capability found in our Army) is that we've done a complete 180 from the bearing that was set during the 90's.  The light weight Stryker will in future versions top 30 tons.  The GCV is estimated at a minimum of 50 tons and at its heaviest up to 70 tons!

A light weight, airmobile force of the future is a pipe dream that's already been discarded.  Amazing.  Now get our Army's Sappers a real CEV.

MTVR. The most important vehicle in Marine Corps service.

When the history of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are written, the vehicle that should be the subject of most conversation, at least in Marine Corps service, should be the MTVR.

No wheeled vehicle has displayed the mobility, adaptability and versatility that this design from Oshkosh has displayed.
During the war in Iraq it was indispensable.  Used as both a logistics vehicle, prime mover for artillery and infantry carrier, its easy to say that the MTVR was essential.

When the war moved to Afghanistan, its high mobility again came to the fore.  Few other vehicles were able to keep up with it cross country.  Even the vaunted Stryker could not go where the MTVR was asked to travel.
 Oshkosh MTVR Brochure 08

Different subject. UFC 114. My predictions.

I decided to take a time out and give my take on the upcoming fight.

Rashad Evans vs.  Rampage Jackson
Rashad and it will be easier than everyone thinks.  Rampage has been gone and hasn't looked good in his warm up.  Rashad is a PT God!  His training regime looks beyond intense and I don't see the fire coming from Rampage.

3rd round knockout of Jackson.

Bisping vs. Miller
I'm no fan of Bisping but he's got heart as big as the outdoors.  He doesn't quit and he leaves it all in the octagon.  Miller is vicious though.  His technique is better and he has better stand up.  A brawler vs. a fighter.

Miller by decision.

I know you disagree, but at least give me courtesy of explaining why I'm wrong.