Vice Adm. David Venlet brings in his boys...

Note that this is pure speculation on my part...

But it appears that Admiral Venlet is solidifying his grip on the F-35 program.  Management classes teach that if you're going to be a 'change agent' that you need to have your people in places of power to see your vision carried out to completion.

Now check out this press release from NAVAIR...

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md.—Building on his history as a test pilot , Navy Capt. Erik Etz recently assumed duties here as the senior military representative of the F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF).

Etz became the director for Test and Evaluation of F-35 Naval Variants in November, and replaces Marine Corps Col. Roger Cordell, who on Dec. 21 took command of Naval Test Wing Atlantic, which includes the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23.

“We could not have selected anyone better than Erik for the demands of the job at Pax River,” said Vice Adm. David Venlet, Joint Strike Fighter program executive officer. “Roger did a fantastic job of capitalizing on the momentum built in B and C test evaluation there in the past year, and I’m fully confident Erik will maintain that momentum.”

An F/A-18 pilot, Etz was the deputy lead for the F-35 Mission Systems Integrated Product Team at the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office in Crystal City, Va. He is a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, and completed two tours in VX-23, including a lead role in the third sea trials for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.

“The ITF this year has really ramped up the pace and diversity of flight test, completing initial ship trials for [the short takeoff and vertical landing variant], first catapult testing, including [the electromagnetic aircraft launching system], and getting ahead on test points,” Etz said. “I look forward to another great year of retiring risk in 2012, so we can get these aircraft out to the fleet.”

The F-35B short take-off and vertical landing variant and the F-35C carrier variant of the Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter are undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River. The jets represent the next generation of tactical aircraft for the Navy, Marine Corps and international partners.

During his operational tours, including command of the “Stingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, Etz completed multiple carrier-based deployments, most recently in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He has more than 3,300 flight hours in 35 types of aircraft, including over 2,700 hours in F/A-18 variants and more than 840 carrier landings on 14 different aircraft carriers.

Cordell’s yearlong stint included managing the F-35 ITF of more than 700 military, civilian and industry personnel. The team completed delivery of six test aircraft, including all three of the F-35C variants, bringing the total test force to eight.

“I have never been associated with a group of people who faced a more daunting challenge with the inspiring spirit, confidence and ability so prevalent at the ITF,” Cordell wrote in a note to the ITF. “Future success in delivering F-35 to the warfighter depends on your continued commitment to doing things right, trusting your judgment and voicing concerns.”

Read this part again...

commitment to doing things right, trusting your judgment and voicing concerns.”

Call me chicken little but it appears that more is going on behind the scenes then meets the eye.  Still a fan of the airplane but the action isn't at Lockheed Martin or the Pentagon anymore.  The action is at the Program Office and that's where I'll be turning my binoculars!

The Falklands...a flashpoint for 2012...

Think Defence took me to task for my thinking that the Falklands was endangered in this post.

Take the time to read his entire article and then read the comments section.

Then read this from DefenceTalk...

A South American trading bloc that includes Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay agreed Tuesday to close its ports to ships flying the flag of the disputed Falkland Islands, Uruguay's president said.The presidents of the Mercosur countries agreed at a summit here that ships flying the Falklands flag "should not dock in Mercosur ports, and if that were to happen, they should not be accepted in another Mercosur port," Uruguay's President Jose Mujica said.A statement issued at the end of the summit said member countries would adopt "all measures that can be put in place to impede the entry to its ports of ships that fly the illegal flag of the Malvinas Islands."Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner, who took over the presidency of the trade bloc from Mujica, thanked her fellow presidents for the show of support for Buenos Aires in its dispute with Britain over the South Atlantic archipelago.

Those that don't see the clouds or hear the drumbeats are fooling themselves.  Argentina has just set the stage diplomatically for the South American "federation" to unite behind a particular cause.


Unless the British respond appropriately then this is going to be a mission accomplished without a shot being fired.

Marines revolutionize the battlefield...again...

The US Marine Corps has a proud history of being "combat innovators"...It seems like that tradition continues...

via Ares...

Updated again on 12/20

Word has come down to me that the K-MAX has not only successfully completed its maiden cargo flight, but is in fact now fully operational. Open source reporting has said that there are two K-MAX unmanned helicopters in Afghanistan, which would presumably mean that both are up and running when and where they're needed. It also looks like they're probably only flying at night, according to information put out by NAVAIR. “Most of the missions will be conducted at night and at higher altitudes,” said Marine Capt. Caleb Joiner, mission commander. “This will allow us to keep out of small arms range.”
[UPDATED]

On Saturday morning, the ISAF Joint Command (IJC) in Afghanistan confirmed that the K-MAX unmanned helicopter had (or will some time today) fly its first cargo mission in Afghanistan, meaning that if all goes well, we’re now in the age of unmanned logistics. In response to an email,the IJC writes back:

“The first unmanned flight without cargo was 15 December. It is scheduled for its first unmanned flight with cargo, today, 17 December.”

First to fight.

First to revolutionize the modern battlefield.

Terminal Lance...when you eat it..

Terminal Lance is crazy as hell...but speaks much truth!

But even funnier is the commentary that he provides....

…you’ll shit bricks.
Ask any Marine, Soldier, Airman or Sailor and they’ll tell you that the “Meal, Ready to Eat” (MRE) we’re issued every field op does excruciating and somewhat absurd things to the colon and bowels on its digestive quest through the body. I don’t think I’ve ever actually figured out what causes the phenomenon, or whether it’s intentional by the manufacturer (I say manufacturer, because I assure you… MRE’s are not “made” or “cooked”–they are manufactured). The side effect of fake ingredients and preservatives provides the average Marine with a few day’s worth of stored up, rock hard poop ready to wreak its wrath upon any nigh port-a-shitters.
There are two noteworthy benefits the infamous “MRE shit”:

• You poop once every couple of days.
• The “clean wipe”

I suppose being backed up for days on end is unusual and generally unwanted for the average person–I know that now, as a civilian, I value my morning coffee-poops like any red-blooded American should. However, when you’re sleeping in filth and you’re stuck in the field doing a lot of physical work, not having to excrete your bowels at a normal rate is good because it keeps you less likely to be in the head when shit goes downhill. God help you when you do–it will be a trip to the john you won’t forget. You’ll brace yourself, bite your lip and push with all the might and power that your creator has bestowed upon you to pass these epic shits. But when they’re done, their rock-solid composition has left your backside surprisingly clean.
This leads to the second benefit: the clean wipe. As mentioned, being in the field means you’ll be sleeping in your own filth and not bathing for days. What could be better than walking out of the head with your rectum as clean as you came in? Plus, it’s just cool to go for the wipe and come up white.

Composite Unit Training Exercise

All photos by Lance Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Marines and sailors with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, set up a command post using two Assault Amphibian Vehicles during a field training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Marines and sailors with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to embark on Assault Amphibian Vehicles prior to conducting a mechanized assault from the USS New York (LPD-21) onto an enemy objective on land at Camp Lejeune, Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Lance Cpl. Richard Gonzalez, a radio operator with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets up a field radio antenna during a training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. Gonzalez is a native of El Paso, Texas.

Sgt. Charles Wesley Hope, the chief armory custodian with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit ties rope around a stake to secure a field antenna during a field training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. Hope is a native of Douglas County, Ga.

USS New York (LPD-21) positioned off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., supporting Marines and sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit during an amphibious assault onto Camp Lejeune, Dec. 18. The USS New York launched a mechanized infantry company from the 24th MEU's battalion landing team and air support in the form of UH-1 Hueys and AH-1 Cobras, all of which are embarked on the ship during the three-week long Composite Training Unit Exercise. COMPTUEX, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8, is focused on developing cohesion between the 24th MEU and PHIBRON 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

An AH-1 Super Cobra, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, flies to its objective in support of an amphibious assault during a training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea

My take on why the Japanese chose the F-35...

My take on why the Japanese chose the F-35...and why the Eurofighter keeps losing...

1.  Relationships count.  The European community has been a practical no show in the Pacific.  Until they make themselves more visible and become more active, they won't crack this market.

2.  Costs count.  Many are making an issue of the price tag of the F-35, but the latest costs came out for a little over 110 million for the airplane.  You can play all the accounting tricks that you want but this plane is still in development and its coming in at the same price points as legacy aircraft with bells and whistles.

3.  Twin engines are no longer supreme in over sea combat.  I always thought twin engine reliability has always been over stated.  The Japanese have operated their version of the F-16 in the sea strike role for a while and the F-35 will too.  The thought that twin engines are a must have make as much sense as four engines being necessary for large airplanes operating over water.

4.  China is a threat.  This is probably the biggest factor.  No matter how much some want to think of China as being a non-issue in the Pacific, that's just not the case.  We're on the cusp of a major arms race in the Pacific and the reason is China.

What should scare critics is that the F-35 is on the verge of "Western World" domination.  It will have 10 firm partner nations and two observer nations.  This has happened before and it did not spell the end of fighter development in other companies.  The European's need to quickly and efficiently start development on a 5th or 6th generation fighter in order to remain viable...the thought that they will be able to catch up via UAVs is wishful thinking.  Due to government policy in the EU, US equipment will always get a battle test first and is usually looked at as being the best in the world.

Long story short.  No one should be surprised.

Breaking! Japan picks F-35...

via Reuters...

(Reuters) - Japan picked Lockheed Martin's F-35 jet as its next mainstay fighter, choosing the radar-evading plane over combat proven but less stealthy rivals, as concerns simmer over North Korea after the death of leader Kim Jong-il and as China works to introduce its own stealth fighters.
Tuesday's decision comes as a shot in the arm for Lockheed Martin's F-35 program, which has been restructured twice in the past two years, and is expected to increase the odds that South Korea will follow suit with its own order for 60 fighters.
The F-35, which is in an early production stage, competed against Boeing's F/A-18 and the Eurofighter Typhoon, made by a consortium of European companies including BAE Systems, for a deal that could be worth up to $8 billion.
"This program badly needed an endorsement like this, particularly one from a technically respected customer. But there are still many complications, especially price tag and work share demands," said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with the Virginia-based Teal Group.
He noted the F-35 program is facing tough scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and defense officials who need to trim hundreds of billions of dollars from the U.S. defense budget over the next decade.
Japan, which counts the United States as its key security ally and regularly conducts joint military drills with U.S. forces, had been widely expected to choose the F-35 due to its advanced stealth capability and U.S. origin.
Fighter jets' stealth technology has drawn heavy attention in Japan since China, which has a long-running territorial dispute with Japan, in January confirmed it had held its first test flight of the J-20 stealth fighter jet.
North Korean state TV announced on Monday that Pyongyang's 69-year-old leader had died on Saturday from "physical and mental overwork."
(Additional reporting by Andrew Shalal-Esa, writing by Leika Kihara and Linda Sieg; Editing by Michael Watson and Edwina Gibbs)

LVTP(X) information request...

Hey all.

I need info, if you have on the LVTP(X).  Little information is found on the web.  Even the Marine Historical sites have little information on it.  It appears to have been developed by FMC and was competing against the current AAV for the role.  As a side note, I do realize that it was a modified M-113 (Sparks loved it), I'm aware that its sporting a 90mm gun in its turret...what I don't know is water speed, and why it was rejected by the Marines.  I suspect it had something to do with the number of troops carried but I'd like to be sure.

That's cute. Locals confuse X-47 with a UFO...

Wait...if you can't identify what is obviously an aerial vehicle then by definition it is a UFO!

Flyer Light Strike Vehicle 1....

ALSV Brochure Web1

2nd Recon Bn airborne training...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE N.C. -Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, parachute toward their target landing zone during the 2nd Recon Bn. airborne jump sustainment training held aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16. The jump was part of a quarterly training regimen for the airborne qualified Marines of 2nd Recon. , Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Hines, 1/2/2008 11:49 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE N.C. -Staff Sgt. Joshua Kircher, assistant platoon sergeant, 1st platoon, Company B, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, braces for landing during the 2nd Recon Bn. airborne jump sustainment training held aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16. The jump was part of a quarterly training regimen for the airborne qualified Marines of 2nd Recon. , Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Hines, 1/2/2008 11:36 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE N.C. -Staff Sgt. Joshua Kircher, assistant platoon sergeant, 1st platoon, Company B, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, signals for his Marines with the “OK” signal during the 2nd Recon Bn. airborne jump sustainment training held aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16. The jump was part of a quarterly training regimen for the airborne qualified Marines of 2nd Recon. , Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Hines, 1/2/2008 11:36 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE N.C. -Staff Sgt. Joshua Kircher, assistant platoon sergeant, 1st platoon, Company B, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, begins undoing his harness before recovering his parachute during the 2nd Recon Bn. airborne jump sustainment training held aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16. The jump was part of a quarterly training regimen for the airborne qualified Marines of 2nd Recon. , Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Hines, 1/2/2008 11:37 PM

Pax River welcomes X-47B UCAS

via NAVAIR...

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow after completing a yearlong test phase at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Personnel departed Edwards AFB last month with the X-47B loaded on a truck for transport cross-country. 
“The transition to Pax River is a highlight for the program,” said Capt. Jaimie Engdahl, Navy UCAS program manager. “We are working toward demonstrating the aircraft’s ability to operate on and around an aircraft carrier.” 
The X-47B is a tailless, autonomous, unmanned aircraft that Northrop Grumman is developing and testing for the Navy’s UCAS Demonstration program. X-47B is the first fixed-wing unmanned system designed to operate from a Navy aircraft carrier.
The Navy and Northrop Grumman conducted first flight of the X-47B in February 2011 at Edwards AFB. Since then, the aircraft has undergone a series of flight tests demonstrating its performance under a variety of conditions.
The combined Navy/industry UCAS-D team will conduct shore-based carrier suitability tests at Pax River in 2012. Tests will verify the X-47B's ability to communicate with the aircraft carrier and to operate safely and effectively with the ship's catapult and arresting gear.
Testing at Pax River will be conducted following stringent flight safety procedures and will be conducted within restricted airspace. The first X-47B flight at Pax River is planned for spring 2012. A second X-47B aircraft is also scheduled to arrive early next year.