Hey Air Force. The debate is over. Buy AT-6's.

Yeah its pure propaganda.

Yeah its tugging at my protectionist, isolationist, America first heart strings.

Yeah its politically incorrect.

So what.

We protect the world, time to protect our manufacturing base.  USAF.  Buy American.

UK's Ministry of Defense is in for a rough ride.

When you have "main stream" military bloggers echoing whats been said on SNAFU! then you can only come to one realization.

We were right.

The next realization when it comes to the UK's Ministry of Defense is this.  You boys are about to have a very rough ride.

Read CDR Salamander's post here (Welcome back CDR...I thought for a minute that you had gone over to the dark side.  Nice to see you fighting on the side of truth, justice and the American way again!).

The point is...

On this side of the Atlantic....

With military bloggers that are well connected...

The UK's defense cuts are being seen as foolish....irresponsible....dangerous.

That's not the way a world power wants to be viewed.  

By either friends....or enemies.

Sikorsky Overview

EADS news you won't hear on Aviation Week.

via Aviation News.EU.

Airbus will not hold a demonstration of its A380 superjumbo at the Paris International Air Show after the wing-tip of its test aircraft was damaged in an incident Sunday, the company said.
“During ground maneuvers with the Airbus A380 flight test aircraft MSN 004, the aircraft’s right hand wing-tip touched a structure near the taxiway,” at Le Bourget airport on Sunday afternoon, Airbus said in a statement.
“Airbus experts are currently inspecting the aircraft, but it is already confirmed that the A380 MSN 004 will not perform the flying display at the Le Bourget Air Show 2011,” it said.
It was the second setback for Airbus ahead of the show, which starts Monday, after it announced earlier Sunday that its A400M military transport plane will not make any flight demonstrations because of a problem with its engines.
The A380 — the world’s largest passenger jet with capacity for up to 853 passengers — entered into service in 2007, breaking US rival Boeing’s more than three decades of dominance of the jumbo jet market with the 747.
Source: Airbus

How to land on an aircraft carrier without jump jets

Thanks for the link Phil!

Aviation Week. Advertising for EADS.

Ever wonder why Lockheed Martin and Raytheon and others have to have their own shops setup to advertise the latest offerings at the Paris Air Show?

Its because Aviation Week's Blog ARES is an advertising channel for EADS!  From what I can tell they started "broadcasting" from the show on the 18th.

Since then they've had 7 blog posts.  6 of them favorable to EADS.  One that had nothing to do with EADS (it was about a British company). 

That's why the boss at Aviation Week had to step in.  Looks like he has tons more work to do before he gets a fair and balanced shop over there.


UPDATE:

Aviation Week's coverage of the Paris Air Show is becoming all EADS all the time.  This is the latest post.  And you wonder why US firms are cautious when talking to Aviation Week?  Its got a slant on a jihad and its obvious to anyone watching!

New Chinese Stealth Fighter.

This country would copy the fillings in my teeth if they were online.

They can't innovate, have no imagination and would be a backwater country if it weren't for greedy capitalist.

We created our own monster.  Time to pull the plug on this Frankenstein.

Italian aircraft carrier in Libyan mission

If I were British, I'd be jealous, embarrassed, ashamed, depressed and wondering what my leadership was thinking...

Its not too late UK.

A400M...wishful thinking abounds.

Ole Bill wrote this for Aviation Week this morning...

US interest in the A400M is likely to emerge mid-decade, according to EADS North America CEO Sean O'Keefe.  At the company's pre-Paris media seminar, O'Keefe noted that the USAF is likely to retire its oldest C-5A heavy transports before 2020.

"That leaves a hole in the big airbase, heavy-payload role," O'Keefe points out, and Boeing C-17s will be pulled into that mission - opening up the need for new tactical airlifters. "At that point, we'll have a hot production line", O'Keefe says, "and there isn't going to be any new US program."

However, Airbus Military is not going to do any intensive marketing until the A400M completes testing and gains its commercial type certificate, due next year.

Damn this guy is wishing on a star.

Boeing is slow walking C-17 production with an eye toward the same future that EADS sees with the A400M.

And the A400M will face the same issues it faces today.

Smaller payload than the C-17.

Shorter ranged than the C-17.

Slower than the C-17.

Worldwide acceptance and service.

Costs just a few mill less than the C-17.

And thats looking at it today.  Looking into the future I can see the C-17 getting stretched....Uprated engines...improved avionics...increased fuel efficiency measures...better aircraft defense countermeasures...a dedicated Special Operations version...

The list is endless and this clown from EADS thinks he's going to bust into the US market with an inbetween airplane that isn't as good as the industry leader and costs about the same?

Whatever he's smoking, I recommend he stop.  And I hope this type thinking is drug induced...if he's sober then they need a new CEO.

NOTE:

The weirdest thing about the whole A400 saga is the fact that when they first designed it and brought it to market, it was suppose to be a C-130 killer.

Lockheed Martin got nervous----started designing XL C-130's....the USAF was even starting to make noise about it because it was suppose to be the perfect plane to go along with the Stryker Brigades....

And then two things happened.

1.  The Stryker gained weight.  Alot of weight.  C-17 airlift type weight.
2.  The cost point of the A400 expanded to enormous proportions.

Now I can imagine Boeing executives are sitting back watching EADS spin like tea leaves and laughing there asses off.  The standard EADS model of building 'in betweener' aircraft bit EADS.  They deserve it.

Sea Shadow off to the junk heap.

I wonder what, if anything, they learned from this ship.  Read the details at FoxNews.

Pic of the day. June 18, 2011.

Forgot where I got this pic from but this Burke Ticonderoga is having a very bad day!

When some people state that the Falklands can't be defended, you might want to listen.

'Sharkey' Ward says that the Falklands are vulnerable.  

Commander Nigel 'Sharkey' Ward DSC AFC RN commanded RNAS 801 Naval Air Squadron from HMS Invincible during the Falklands War during April to June 1982, and was senior Sea Harrier adviser to the Command on the tactics, direction and progress of the air war. Commander Ward flew over sixty war missions, achieved three air-to-air kills and took part in or witnessed a total of ten kills; he was also the leading night pilot, and was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry. Cdr. Ward's main Sea Harrier mount during the Falkands War was XZ451, which was built on 18 June 1979 and was the first RN Sea Harrier delivered. Cdr. Ward also shot down an Argentine Air Force IAI Mirage V "Dagger" in Sea Harrier FRS.1, ZA175.

This from the Phoenix Think Tanks...

Stop Press: October 10^th, 2010.
·        The Argentine navy just harassed another trawler at the limit of Falklands territorial waters, without ‘our garrison’ putting in an appearance – the Typhoons were nowhere to be seen. Is this evidence that the Argentine Navy (and hence other Argentine vessels) can come and go as they choose without detection or interception? How capable is our current surveillance of the EEZ?  Are we relying on a fighter aircraft that has little or no surface surveillance capability?
·        It is understood that the Nimrod MPA cannot operate from the Mount Pleasant runway because of the latter’s “uneven surface”.  Our principal land-based maritime surveillance aircraft, postulated by the Royal Air Force as having a worldwide capability, appears therefore to be unsuitable for and incapable of satisfying the Falkland Islands EEZ airborne surveillance need. (Perhaps there is another explanation for this serious shortfall in land-based air power operational capability. If so, it should be explained.)
·        Subject to satisfactory answers to the above questions/problems, it would appear that yet again the public and the government are being kept “in the dark” by an air force that claims better operational capability than the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm but ‘when push comes to shove’ is unable to match words with deeds.[2]
·        These questions need to be answered.
Planned Argentine Military Resources
The British Government should take serious note of the major military air procurement program now underway in Argentina.
·        An order for up to 128 F-15C and F-15E Strike Eagle fighters has been made from the USA with delivery due to begin in the 2017/18 timeframe . The F-15C Eagle’s passive IRST sensor system, used alone or in concert with existing F-15 sensors, provides unprecedented on-board situational awareness while detecting, identifying and engaging enemy targets at extended ranges. The IRST system’s high-angle accuracy also provides the ability to track closely-spaced targets at maximum ranges. This information can be used alone or combined with other sensor data to further enhance the pilot’s situational awareness.
·        A further order for Landing Craft Air Cushion Vehicles (LCACs) – hovercraft – has been made. They are seagoing vehicles with the capacity to deliver stores and ammunition to the islands from the mainland at high speed – and remain invulnerable to attack by SSN torpedoes.
·        The latest version of the Mirage F1 air to air fighter aircraft has also been ordered from France and there are amphibious warfare oriented Hind gunships in the pipeline from Russia. Hinds are combat-proven against light sea surface and land vehicles.
Such a major military air resources build-up can have only one aim in mind: retaking the Falklands. (The purchase of the LCACs in particular is a very good indicator of this.)

Read the rest and get depressed.

If a warrior is telling you that you're vulnerable, you might want to check your six.

UK, one of your warriors is trying to tell you just that.  It might be wise to listen.

Note:

Interesting that hostilities (limited though they may be) have occurred as recently as late last year.  A history check would lead one to note that limited activities as are described in the article led up to hostilities back in 82.

Blast from the past...the "Original" BlackHawk...S-67.

Back in the late 60's the US Army and Marines had to opportunity to have a work horse of a helicopter...the original Black Hawk, the S-67.  Stats from Wikipedia...

Specifications (S-67 Blackhawk)

Data from Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters,^[3] Attack Helicopter Evaluation^[15]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: Up to 8 troops^{[citation needed]}
• Payload: 8,000 lb (3,600 kg)
• Length: 74 ft 2 in (22.6 m)
• Rotor diameter: 62 ft (18.9 m)
• Height: 15 ft (4.57 m)
• Airfoil: NACA 0012 Mod
• Empty weight: 12,525 lb (5,681 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 24,272 lb (11,010 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× T58-GE-5 turboshaft engine, 1,500 shp (1,100 kW) each
• Rotor system: 5 blades on main rotor, 5 blades on tail rotor
• Fuselage length: 64 ft 1 in (19.5 m)
• Fuselage height: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
• Stub wing span: 27 ft 4 in (8.33 m)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 230 mph (370 km/h) in dive with ducted fan
• Maximum speed: 193 mph (311 km/h)
• Range: 220 mi (354 km)
• Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (5,180 m)

My recent "Blasts from the past" have focused on helicopter projects because as usual, we're getting fawning press about the X-3, and criticism of the US helicopter industry which has in the past (and is presently) cutting edge in every way.

The problem is that the US government in general and the US military in particular are sticking to outdated technology and attempting to wring more performance out of physics limited designs.

Currently Piaseki has cutting edge technology ready to insert into our legacy airframes and it is left to rot.

We have had ducted fan concepts, pusher concepts, compound helicopter concepts and more, yet we're sticking to models that have little performance improvements since the 70's!

Nothing is wrong with innovation in the US...the X-3 is a joke when compared to even past attempts.  The joke is the Department of Defense that complains about industry and thinking that industry is going to jump when they've been burned before.

Blast from the past....D-2022 Ducted Assault Transport.

The Bell Aero Systems D-2022 Ducted Assault Transport is another 'blast from the past' that never even made it to mock up stage.

Its a shame.

USS Bataan is still blacked out.

UPDATE:

The USS Bataan is still blacked out according to its FaceBook Page.

This is highly unusual.  Whats more mystifying is that this simple problem has been ongoing since the 13th of this month.

Something is going on with the USS Bataan.  What exactly I don't know but remember this post?

UPDATE 1:

Phil asked a very important question.  He asked if the other ships in the Expeditionary Strike Group 2 were blacked out.

From what I gather from open sources is that the Group has split up.  I'm going to burning up this computer tonight to try and nail down exact locations.  One thing though.  Bataan is waaaay ahead of the curve when it comes to social networking.  LSD 41 has updated its website since Oct 2010 and the Mesa Verde is still trying to get its act together (or so it appears online).  More info to you when I get it.

My new ring tone...

Blast from the past...XH-51A

2nd Force Recons conduct helo-casting training.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, pull their fellow Marine into a combat rubber raiding craft after jumping out of a CH-53 helicopter aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations., By Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:06 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare to push a combat rubber raiding craft out of a CH-53 helicopter aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations. , By. Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:13 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares to jump out of a CH-53 helicopter into the ocean aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations. , By Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:27 PM

USMC - wins...UK Ministry of Defense - loses.

The title of this post indicates the outcome of the UK MoD's decision to sell Harriers to the US at bargain basement prices.

We win.  They lose.  BIG.  From the Sun (via Phoenix Think Tank).

Ex-Security Minister Admiral Lord West said that whoever was behind the "joke" £34million sale was "as mad as a box of frogs".
UK taxpayers forked out more than £1BILLION for the iconic jets - up to 40 of which are going to the US Marine Corps for the knock-down price.
Lord West, 63, stormed: "We're in a land of complete madness. Selling these Harriers in this way - well, what a stupid, extraordinary decision.

"It makes one feel that whoever is behind this is as mad as a box of frogs. We're in the extraordinary place where we rely more and more on the US.

This is how freedom ends.

If you depend on another for your protection then you're not a Man...or a nation.  You're a slave or in the case of a nation a protectorate.

The UK has/is in the process of losing all leverage with the US.

Its not yet too late to turn this around, but its getting close.

But in the meantime, the UK can be proud of one fact.  Between the US purchase of the Harriers and the Australian fleecing them on the buy of the Albion class ship, they're at least strengthening allies.

Argentina to the UK. The Falklands are ours!

via Defense Management.

A reassertion of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands by Prime Minister David Cameron has been described as nearing "stupidity", by Argentina's President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Cameron told MPs that "as long as the Falkland Islands want to be sovereign British territory, they should remain sovereign British territory - full stop, end of story".

But responding, Fernandez said Britain was "arrogant" and that Cameron had put forward an "expression of mediocrity, and almost of stupidity".

She said Cameron used the word "full stop" in a way that suggested "he could put an end to history".

"I want to tell you in the name of all Argentines, that the Argentine people never believe in full stops, when it comes to human rights, much less when it comes to the rights of sovereignty to our Malvinas islands," she said.

And the President added: "We are going to get them back, through international rights and peace."

So much for the UK's soft power approach.

Not having Harriers and Carriers is going to bite the UK in the ass.

MC-130J Combat Shadow II

AM General's HMMWV Upgrade Concept.

Thanks for the heads up on the vid Michael!  As far as the vehicle is concerned....looks good.  I'm going to send AM General an e-mail and see if they'll provide a little info on it.

A USMC Unit from WW2 that you never knew existed.

Every Marine can probably name the Marine Divisions from WW2.  Identify the Marine Raiders.  The legendary figures from that time.

But how many Marines know that during WW2, the Marines had a Parachute Battalion?  I didn't.  This is its history.

Silk Chutes and Hard Fighting US Marine Corps Parachute Units in WWII

I read a story that the Marine Raiders were open to the idea of Marine Special Operations linking to its history.

Of course Force Recon, can also make the claim of being Marine Special Ops fore fathers. 

My question is this.  If Marine Raiders and Force Recon can both claim to be forerunners of Marine Special Ops then why can't Marine Parachute Units?

USS Bataan to Syria? Special Forces to Libya?

Purify my Heart (thanks bud) gave me a heads up that the USS Bataan was steaming toward the Syrian coast.

Quite honestly, I didn't know what to make of this news.  A Google search revealed two things.

First, from Debka File:

This huge concentration of naval missile interceptor units looks like preparations by Washington for the contingency of Iran, Syria and Hizballah letting loose with surface missiles against US and Israeli targets in the event of US military intervention to stop the anti-opposition slaughter underway in Syria.
Moscow, Tehran and Damascus, in particular, are taking this exceptional spate of American military movements in and around the Mediterranean as realistically portending American intervention in Syria.
This concentration of US might also the effect of deterring the Turkish government from going through with its decision to send Turkish troops into Syria. The plan was to create a protected buffer zone where the thousands of refugees in flight from the Assad regime's military crackdown would be kept safe on Syrian side of the border and out of Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyep Erdogan is averse to be seen working hand in glove militarily with any US interference in Syria. At the same time, Western intelligence sources in the Persian Gulf are sure Washington is coordinating its military movements with Ankara and that Erdogan quietly agreed to place Turkish bases at US disposal for an operation in Syria.
debka file's military sources also report that Monday, June 13, Hizballah began shifting the long- and medium-range rockets it had stored in northern Lebanon to locations in the center of the country. Western military sources first thought the Lebanese Shiite group was taking the precaution of keeping its arsenal safe from a spillover of violence from Syria. Tuesday, however, they learned that Iranian intelligence had advised Hizballah to remove its rockets out of range of a possible American operation in Syria.
Tuesday, Iran capped these events with three separate warnings to the Obama administration against military interference in Syria.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said Tuesday: "The Americans are not allowed to launch a military intervention in any country of the region including Syria."
He accused "Israel and the USA of standing behind the riots in Syria, Iran's closest ally in the Arab world… with particular aims…of provoking terrorist groups in Syria and in the region to carry out terrorist and sabotage operations."
Another spokesman warned: "Western attempts to set the model of Libya in Damascus are doomed to failure."
Iranian Vice President Reza Rahimi accused the United States of preparing and executing "the slaughter of Muslims" worldwide.
Iran's ground forces commander Brig. Gen. Kioumars Heidari added this threat: Any new military move by the US in the region will impose heavy costs on the country far greater than the costs it paid in Iraq and Afghanistan."

The story from Debka File (read the whole thing) has some pretty troubling info in it (if its true).  The idea that we're going to open up a new front in both Syria and Libya (how they got word about a Special Forces deployment---if true---is beyond me) is beyond troubling.  Its crazy.

The idea that we're once again acting at the behest of another nation is (in my opinion) insane.  In this case Turkey!  Amazing.

Like I said, its troubling and from what I gathered in my search, Debka File has extreme credibility in some circles...less in others---so I just don't know.

I do know that the story has been picked up by alternate news sites and is spreading like wildfire on the net.

Its up to you to decide or you can do like me and watch it all unfold.

Sidenote:

One curious thing.  The USS Bataan's Facebook page indicates that they've experienced problems with their e-mail system.  Is this a 'civilized' way of blacking out a ship?

UPDATE:

Seems that Debka was right about at least a portion of the story.  This from the Telegraph;

Government sources told a leading Turkish newspaper that soldiers could be sent in to Syria to set up a "safe haven" under plans being considered should the flood of those fleeing the fighting worsened.

"We would close the border but we cannot turn our back," a Turkish official told the newspaper, Hurriyet. "If chaos starts, then we will have to form a security zone or a buffer zone inside Syrian territory."

And to show that there is a bit of coordination going on behind the scenes we have the brave and bold UN secretary trying to flex his nonexistent muscles.  This from the Washington Post.

Speaking to journalists in Brazil, his last stop in a South America tour that included Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay, Ban called on Syria’s president to “stop killing people” and told reporters that he’d urged Assad to “engage in inclusive dialogue and to take bold measures before it’s too late.”

If you've observed UN Secretary's then you'll realize that they always beg and cajole but never make definitive, almost threatening statements unless the pie is already baked and they've been given an indication of support from either or both the US and the EU...and probably with a nod from Russia and China.

Something is going on behind the scenes regarding Syria.  Our administration and the wonder kids in Europe have been behind the eight ball and wrong on every count so far.  No reason to expect them to get this right either.

Three current wars...Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.  Two ongoing humanitarian disasters (outside the US) ...Haiti and Japan.  A crushing budget deficit.  Extremely high gas prices.  Wild fires, flooding, drought and a heat wave within our own borders.

And these clowns appear to be plotting another military action in Syria.

AMAZING!

11th MEU, EFSS and AAVs. Photos by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a 120mm mortar into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a 120mm mortar into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a tactical vehicle into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15.The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a tactical vehicle into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

I had seen pics of the Marines in the Old Corps doing this with Jeeps and Howitzers and other gear when using the LVTP-5.

And if there ever was a shortcoming in the EFV design its the fact that it can't be used in a logistics role...a role that AAV/LVTPs have been performing since WW2.

Seabasing Systems.

Forcible Entry. The past, present and future of the Marine Corps.

Forcible Entry is the past, present and future of the Marine Corps.

Credible, real Expeditionary Operations are the past, present and future of the Marine Corps.  Not expeditionary in name...but in fact!

Being capable of providing hard, fast moving Shock Troops for the nation...and still being able to effectively fight the 3 block war is the past, present and future of the Marine Corps.

Marines already know this.  Do our policy makers?  And do our policy makers realize how capable, relevant and valuable this skill set that is the hallmark of the Marine Corps, is to our nation?

Blast from the past...Sea Apache.

I get asked occasionally why no Sea Apache?  The US Marine Corps is famous for 'not reinventing the wheel'....if a weapon system is applicable to Marine Corps use and works then its easier, simpler and more cost effective to procure that system.

Assuming of course that it meets Marine Corps doctrine.

The proposed Sea Apache unfortunately did not meet those requirements and was never pursued.  Luckily Aviastar has a wonderful article on the concept and its worth a read.(all pics are from Aviastar)

Amphib decked out for littoral combat?

I didn't notice this when I first posted the above pic.  But this LPD-17 class ship has 3 AH-1W's on its deck along with a UH-1N.

Besides observing that it has room for a few more helicopters, it must be noted that this is the perfect setup for Command, Control,  Attack and Interdiction (CCAI) of boats in the littorals.

Add to it the Boat Companies that these ships carry and you have a mini-ARG setup to control large swaths of coast line.

The Gator Navy.

The most pro-active force in the fleet.

Combat Glide...

Marine demonstrates combat glide

Lance Cpl. Alfred Castaneda a rifleman with 3rd Platoon, Landing Force Company, demonstrates a combat glide during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training with Marines from Korps Marinir, 2nd Marines, 6th Brigade, Tentara National Indonesia. The Marines and Sailors are participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is an annual bilateral exercise held between the U.S. and Southeast Asia nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness throughout the participating nations. While in Indonesia, the servicemembers from both nations will train together on martial arts, military operations in urban terrain, jungle survival, combat marksmanship, sniper rifles and combat lifesaving skills. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler)

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Lance Cpl. Benjamin V. Stout, a Barnsville, Minn. native and machine gunner with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force (MRF), assists machine gunner Lance Cpl. Josh M. Tasior from Dallas, Texas, as they hold security on the outer cordon of a target site during an MRF training course here Jun. 15. The security provided by cordons allows for safe and expedited clearing of buildings. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Chad J. Pulliam/released)

Martial arts training with U.S. Marines with Landing Force

A Marine with Korps Marinir, 2nd Marines, 6th Brigade, Tentara National Indonesia, performs a kick during martial arts training with U.S. Marines with Landing Force Company May 27. The Marines and Sailors are participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is an annual bilateral exercise held between the U.S. and Southeast Asia nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness throughout the participating nations. While in Indonesia, the servicemembers from both nations will train together on martial arts, military operations in urban terrain, jungle survival, combat marksmanship, sniper rifles and combat lifesaving skills. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler)

F-35 June Test Update Vid.

Thanks Phil!  Totally missed this one.

Trimble channels Sweetman.

Read this and tell me that the Sith Lord hasn't influenced the young Padawan learner...

The F-35 enters the Paris Air Show on a high note. Perhaps like Canada committing to buy 65 F-35As on the eve of the Farnborough show last year, Lockheed Martin served up a whopper of a press release a few days ahead of the show. Here are some highlights:

• A finally complete fleet of 13 flight test aircraft has flown more sorties through 15 June than all of last year. That's not unexpected after the test fleet population has roughly doubled since 12 months ago, but it's a major accomplishment. If trends continue, the fleet should have no trouble easily surpassing the 872-sortie goal set by the programme for this year. 
• The F-35A variant's AF-1 has come within M0.07 of its top speed of M1.6, and AF-7 has remained airborne for 4.1h. 
• At least 17 F-35s, including the retired AA-1 test aircraft and four early production jets, have been flown and delivered. 

All of that is not to suggest the F-35 has resolved all concerns. Lockheed has not provided an update on mean time between failure rates, which were last year were a 1.8h for the F-35A and about 24 minutes for the F-35B, according to the Government Accountability Office. Thermal loads for mission systems aircraft AF-3 and BF-4 have not jet been tested in the heat of the California and Maryland summer. House appropriators, meanwhile, have proposing removing $75.7 million from next year's budget, which would have launched development of Block IV software. With Block III software already four years behind schedule, there's no need to start working on Block IV.

Geez.

Talking about making dog food out of 5 star meal!

I continue to marvel at the ability of main stream reporters to continue to take outstanding news and make it sound as if the program is still on a downward trajectory.

I have yet to read in Flight Global, Ares, Defense Technology International or Aviation Week....these simple words.

After an extremely shaky start, the JSF Program Office, Lockheed Martin and the Defense Dept have turned the F-35 program around.

I doubt that I ever will....even when the skies are filled with F-35's.

.

Still no Riverine Units identified as participating.  Time to get in the game boys....

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde departs after a routine port visit at U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay. Mesa Verda is deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

Amphibious assault vehicles launched from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga conduct an amphibious landing exercise during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Malaysia 2011. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness.

NAVAIR V-22 testing.

F-35 CF-3 arrives at PaxRiver.

NAVAIR just posted this vid.

The UK prepares for a evacuation of personnel from Yemen.

You reap what you sow.

Destroy your Naval Expeditionary Forces and you're left with an inadequate fleet to get the job done.  Interesting.  The Royal Air Force can't even provide close air support in a proper way to assist the evacuation.

From the Daily Telegraph.

Three Navy Merlin helicopters have been also been "stripped out" of their anti-submarine equipment to be ready to help. The Telegraph understands that the aircraft will only be used to evacuate the British ambassador and his staff, as well as the 30 man military training team helping Yemeni special forces.
A force of 80 Royal Marines from Alpha Company, 40 Commando, equipped with landing craft and helicopters and enough arms to secure a port are also on board the ships, which are using Djibouti as a basing area.
The Apaches would be expected to escort the Merlins to the capital Sana'a, one of a number of cities where there have already been clashes between government forces, troops loyal to a general who has defected and tribal militias.
They might require desert refuelling, and it is believed part of the reconnaissance mission was to find a suitable rendezvous spot. The helicopters would also be expected to suppress anti-aircraft weapons with their Hellfire missiles.
The Apaches have already shown their ability to carry out strike missions from sea after they were launched from the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean on to targets in Libya earlier this month.

If I was British.  If I was watching this nonsense.  If I was witnessing the death of my once great Navy.

I would be like Sharkey Ward.  I'd be in agony.

Gates opposed to closing overseas bases.

Gates is opposed to closing overseas bases. 

He cites the high upfront costs...but ignores the long term savings.

He cites the message it would send...but ignores the message he attempted to send last week.


This via DODBuzz.

Secretary Gates, counting the hours until he’s sprung from his five-sided dungeon, warned senators on Wednesday about the risks involved with closing U.S. bases overseas as part of potential cuts to the defense budget. For one thing, he said, it would probably cost money upfront, as opposed to saving it, to build headquarters and barracks and other facilities in the U.S. to house the troops who now live in Europe. For another, it might send a dangerous message:
“What kind of signal to do you want to send the rest of the world, as far as America’s role in the world?” Gates asked.  “At the same time as we’re cutting the defense budget, we cut State’s budget, and State has fewer assets to deploy aboard, we have fewer assets to deploy aboard — are we basically sending the message to the rest of the world, to China, Iran, North Korea, a variety of others … that the U.S. is closing up shop and going home and headed toward Fortress America again?”

Not only would that have a chilling effect around the globe, Gates said, he argued that the American military bases in Europe have actually helped stem the trend of diminished NATO usefulness that he famously warned about last week.

“Our presence in Europe, one of the benefits it has brought — in addition to the fiscal benefit of having troops rotate from Germany to Afghanistan — one thing is has brought, is it has slowed, I think, this deterioration of NATO military capabilities,” Gates said.
Is that because European troops need to maintain a certain level of proficiency to keep pace with the Americans? asked Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Maryland. Absolutely, Gates said.
“We train with them, we work with them, so they have to have capabilities to match us when we’re doing that,” he said.
Whatever you think of Gates’ arguments on foreign basing, his warnings appeared to add another bullet point to his list of things that DoD must keep — along with the now-familiar litany that includes the F-35, the KC-46A, Army and Marine Corps recapitalization, SSBN(X). At this rate, it’s getting difficult to see what things Gates would be all right with losing. Fortunately for him, with only 15 more days on the job, he won’t be around to have to figure that out.
What do you think — is Gates right?

No Gates isn't right.

He just proved that we're subsidizing European defense.

He just proved that they're not interested in their own defense.

He just proved that a big segment of Europe isn't worth the time or money.

Gates is wrong.  Time to pull ALL our forces out of Europe.

F-35 News.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Program Flight Test Update

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 14th, 2011 -- Overall, the F-35 program remains ahead of the overall goals for test flights and test points year-to-date. Through May 31, the program accomplished 378 flights versus a plan of 297 and accomplished 3,342 test points against a plan of 2,217.
Several flight test and production key milestones were accomplished since the last report:

• The F-35B short takeoff /vertical landing (STOVL) jet BF-1 performed the 100th vertical landing for the test program on May 12. For 2011, 106 vertical landings have been performed.
• The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) jet AF-1 flew to Mach 1.53, the fastest-to-date speed of the existing aircraft fleet. AF-7 completed the longest test mission to date lasting 4.1 hours.
• During the month of May, all three variants of the F-35 flew a combined total of 94 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) flights, the most achieved in a single month in program history.
• The F-35 program flew the most flights ever recorded on one day (May 25) when a combined total of 10 flights (includes SDD and LRIP) were completed at all three of its flight test locations at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), Calif.; Fort Worth, Texas; and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. (PAX).
• The U.S. Air Force accepted into its fleet, the second of a planned 1,763 production-model F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters when AF-6 was delivered to EAFB on May 13. AF-6 was the second aircraft in Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) lot one contractually delivered.
• One of the first two F-35A production aircraft that will be delivered to Eglin AFB, Fla., accomplished its first flight on May 13. Known as AF-9, the aircraft will be delivered to Eglin for pilot and maintainer training later this year. This jet is the second aircraft to fly from LRIP lot two.
• Two F-35C carrier variant (CV) aircraft, known as CF-2 and CF-3, were delivered to the F-35 test fleet at PAX. CF-2 was delivered May 16 and CF-3 delivered June 2.
• CF-2 successfully completed the first F-35 public fly by at the Andrews AFB, Md., Joint Services Open House Air Show during the opening ceremony for the event May 21.

The following statistics reflect the cumulative flight test activity totals for 2011:

• F-35A CTOL jets have flown 183 times.
• F-35B STOVL aircraft have completed 166 flights.
• F-35C CV jets have flown 62 times.
• From the start of flight testing in December 2006 through June 13, 2011, F-35s flew 971 times, including the production-model acceptance flights and AA-1.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Damn!

Who am I seeing in their offices weeping like babies, banging their heads against their desks and saying mommy make the successful American fighter go away?

Why its Sweetman and Wall. 

You can both pound sand boys....the USMC order of this fighter (along with the Navy) will make it more successful than the Eurofighter.  Add the USAF to the mix and the Rafale, Eurofighter, Gripen and F/A-18 Super Hornet become irrelevant in the market place.

Another bad day for a couple of Europeans turned US defense writers, turned undercover European/Russian/Chinese fighter fans.

Pheonix Think Tank responds to questions about Falklands defense.

This letter by Sharkey Ward says it all and reinforces my belief that without a strong Navy, the UK is in peril.

“Sir,
It is a sad thing for Britain when Ministry of Defence spokesmen blatantly mislead the nation as in the last paragraph of Thomas Harding’s excellent article on our lack of ability to prevent Argentina retaking the Falklands (12 June 2011).
We are told by MoD that “Our ability to reinforce [The Falklands]  rapidly by air has been maintained.” This is utter nonsense. As in 1982, the Royal Air Force would not send its transport aircraft and refuelling tankers anywhere near the Falklands if British forces did not have control of the skies over the islands. Further, any invasion of the Falklands by Argentina would be conducted without warning and Mount Pleasant airfield would be the first bit of real estate that Argentina Forces would secure. Air supremacy and airspace denial would be the prerogative of Argentina, not Britain.
The only real deterrent to Argentina is for Britain to maintain a carrier battle group capability. Without such a capability Britain would be unable to contest an Argentinian invasion.
When will the MoD (RAF) start telling the public and our politicians the truth about such matters?
Yours sincerely,
‘Sharkey’ Ward.”

RAF boosters (and they're to be found under every bloody rock between here and Plymouth) are operating on "hope and change"....hope that they are never tasked with anything more strenuous than a Libya type campaign and change in the form that they think that someone will change the subject.

I won't let them.

The UK is a maritime nation and needs a strong Navy.  Not another repeat of failed Air Force centric thinking.

Fire Scout in Afghanistan/Growler carries AARGM

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- The Navy’s Fire Scout is proving its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability during its first land-based deployment in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The Fire Scout, managed by Navy and Marine Corps Multi-Mission Tactical Unmanned Air Systems program office (PMA-266), deployed in late April to CENTCOM in response to a DoD ISR Task Force request to provide ISR services in northern Afghanistan.

In nine months, PMA-266, in conjunction with ISR task force leadership and Northrop Grumman, conducted site surveys of various basing locations, interfaced with key leadership personnel in the CENTCOM chain of command, planned and executed deployment preparations and sustainment for joint and allied military operations in Regional Command North, Afghanistan.

“We are very pleased with Fire Scout’s performance during both its ship-based and CENTCOM deployments,” said Capt. Tim Dunigan, PMA-266 Program Manager. “The team has done an exceptional job testing and maintaining the system to ensure we could meet the warfighter’s demands.”

Fire Scout’s initial flight in theater took place May 2. Only 19 days later, PMA-266 Detachment Alpha established initial operational capability during its first tasked mission from the International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command North area of responsibility.

The Fire Scout system provides full motion video and imagery from its electro-optical and infrared sensor payload along with laser designation of targets for troops in the field. With flight endurance of more than five hours, the system offers a long-dwell sensor with real-time dynamic re-tasking capability to respond to tactical forces. Additionally, a communication relay capability provides a beyond-line-of-sight capacity for troops and their commanders.

“Our team is very excited about the first expeditionary deployment of the Fire Scout system”, said Cmdr. Brian Stephens, Officer in Charge (OIC) for PMA-266 Detachment Alpha. “In less than one month, we have flown more than 200 flight hours and completed more than 80 sorties and we are on track to fly 300 hours per month.”

PMA-266 Detachment Alpha is a government owned/contractor operated deployment. The detachment includes a military OIC and assistant OIC, five Navy intelligence analysts, and 21 Northrop Grumman contractors to conduct missions in support of RC North tasking.

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- The Navy’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) successfully completed its first test on the EA-18G Growler in China Lake, Calif. May 25.

A combined government/industry team conducted the EA-18G captive carry flight test in parallel with the ongoing AARGM Integrated Test & Evaluation phase on the FA-18 C/D aircraft.

Captive carry tests are simulated launches where the weapon stays on the aircraft. The team gathers information from sensors on the weapon to evaluate AARGM performance.

“AARGM is a very capable weapon performing a complex mission. VX-31 and VX-9 have done a superb job of carrying and testing the weapon on FA-18C/Ds as well as Super Hornets,” said Cmdr. Chad Reed, deputy program manager for Anti-Radiation Missiles within the Direct and Time Sensitive Strike program office (PMA-242). “AARGM has the potential to be a superb compliment, a force multiplier, in fulfilling current Growler missions.”

A complement to the existing AGM-88C High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), AARGM provides the warfighter with a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile to be carried on the FA-18C/D, and Italian Air Force Tornado electronic countermeasures/reconnaissance aircraft.

“AARGM has demonstrated a much greater accuracy than our existing HARM inventory in striking hostile emitters,” Reed added. “The weapon is specifically designed to increase our warfighting capabilities in neutralizing enemy air defenses and will provide aircrews with an additional tool for the electronic attack mission.”

According to Reed, the successful integration of AARGM with the EA-18G on this milestone first flight, as well as with F/A-18E/F aircraft bodes well for the success of the program. AARGM has already flown more than 175 flight hours since November 2010, including 25 hours on Super Hornet and Growler aircraft.

Riverines and the Global Fleet Station.

I found out where Riverine Forces fell off the tracks.  The document below is from 2007 and gives a rough sketch of the Partnership missions that we see happening all over the globe.

Back in 2007 it was called Global Fleet Station (GFS).

GFS had at its core all the elements of the recently (then) formed NECC.

The recently established Naval Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) is a key enabler of theGFS concept. NECC brings together under a single command the existing forces andcapabilities of the Seabees, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Naval Expeditionary LogisticsSupport, the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force, and Mobile Diving and Salvage. It has alsodeveloped new Navy capabilities such as Riverine, Maritime Civil Affairs, Security Training,and criminal intervention; all key elements of a full-spectrum engagement capability. Theintroduction of the new Foreign Area Officer (FAO) program further expands the Navy’senablers and capability to engage more effectively around the world in a culturally informed andmeaningful manner. In addition, the State Department new Surge POLAD program can enhanceparticipation and build awareness that can augment GFS interagency support

Read the entire document, but somewhere along the way every part of this plan came together except the Riverine forces.

Perhaps it had to do with equipment fit.

Perhaps it had to do with missions in Iraq.

Perhaps it had to do with a lack of flexibility on the part of the Riverine Command structure...but somewhere along the way, Riverine got kicked off the boat.  Why do I say that?  Because in every instance you see every part of NECC (with the exception of EOD which is quite busy in Afghanistan) afloat around the world on these missions.  Every part of NECC except Riverines.

Global Fleet Station Concept

What is the answer?

Well it certainly isn't floating a Riverine Command Boat into the well deck of an Amphib.  Flashy.  Yes.  Showboating.  Yes.  Practical.  No.

They have much smaller boats that they can operate and those should be the ones that they're demonstrating and deploying.

That is, if they actually want to deploy.

The answer is this.  Riverines are going to have to break down into detachment sized units and become part of ships crews on Destroyers and Frigates and forget the dream of having a mothership based on an Amphib that they can deploy a RCB from.

One other point needs to be made here though.

African Partnership Mission.

Riverine isn't there.

Joint Task Force Horn of Africa Mission.

Riverine isn't there.

Southern Partnership Mission.

Riverine isn't there.

The problem has been more than identified.  Solutions offered from hitching rides and deploying on MEU's, to providing detachments to Destroyers and Frigates on patrol.

Its up to the Riverine's to decide what there future holds...but unless they get deployed, it won't be a very bright one.