Canada's Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle (TAPV). What the hell is going on?

The TAPV program was completely off my radar.  Last I heard was that the first full rate production vehicle was coming off the assembly line via this Textron tweet...

First full-rate production TAPV now on production line http://t.co/hR6EZ2X6cV

Now this morning I'm reading this from Defense News...

The Canadian military's newest armored vehicle faces significant technical problems, with US company Textron being given a final chance to show its system can meet the promised levels of protection and mobility.
Textron's tactical armored patrol vehicle (TAPV) failed a series of tests in 2014, forcing the company to make design changes to the wheeled system it is offering Canada. A number of redesigned preproduction vehicles will be tested over the next several months and into the summer, a company official said.
But an internal Canadian Department of National Defence briefing paper pointed out that because of ongoing problems this will be Textron's last chance to produce a preproduction vehicle for the CAN $1.2 billion (US $1 billion) project.

Interesting.

I'll bang on a company in a heartbeat if I think they're lacking when it comes to getting the job done, but this time I'm not so sure.

Canada is the gang that can't shoot straight when it comes to armored vehicle procurement and this is just the latest example.

I'll be following the TAPV program a lot more closely now...I'm also going to make a few calls to the Defense Ministry and Textron...are we seeing requirements creep after contract award?  I suspect so but we shall see.

War at sea? Royal Saudi Navy vs. the Iranian Navy?

Thanks to William for the link!

via The Hill.

U.S. military officials are concerned that Iran's support for Houthi rebels in Yemen could spark a confrontation with Saudi Arabia and plunge the region into sectarian war.

Iran is sending an armada of seven to nine ships — some with weapons — toward Yemen in a potential attempt to resupply the Shia Houthi rebels, according to two U.S. defense officials.

Officials fear the move could lead to a showdown with the U.S. or other members of a Saudi-led coalition, which is enforcing a naval blockade of Yemen and is conducting its fourth week of airstrikes against the Houthis.

Iran sent a destroyer and another vessel to waters near Yemen last week but said it was part of a routine counter-piracy mission.

What's unusual about the new deployment, which set out this week, is that the Iranians are not trying to conceal it, officials said. Instead, they appear to be trying to "communicate it" to the U.S. and its allies in the Gulf.


It is not clear what will happen as the convoy comes closer to Yemen. Saudi Arabia has deployed ships around Yemen to enforce the blockade, as has Egypt. An official said the ship convoy could try to land at a port in Aden, which the Houthis have taken over.

Although the U.S. is assisting with the Saudi-led air campaign, it is not participating in the naval blockade of Yemen, said U.S. Central Command spokesman Col. Pat Ryder.

However, the U.S. Navy is in the region and has already "consensually boarded" one Panamanian-flagged ship in the Red Sea on April 1 on the suspicion it was illegally carrying arms for the Houthis.

None were found, but the move raised alarm bells in Washington over an increasingly active U.S. military role in the conflict. The Pentagon indicated this week that more boardings could occur.

"We will continue to vigilantly defend freedom of navigation and to conduct consensual searches in an effort to ensure that drugs, human trafficking, weapons trafficking and other contraband are limited," Army Col. Steve Warren said on Monday.

Officials fear a naval confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia could escalate what has become a proxy war between the two countries.

Just plain wow.  Pass the popcorn.

The more world leaders try and contain events the more they appear to be spiraling out of control.

Is it too soon or can I say that you can stick a fork in the nuke negotiations?

Weird Iranian Armor.

Note:  This is another post that is courtesy of one of my Russian friends.  Unfortunately I cleaned out the in-box before I saved your name.  Apologies!  Also, a lot of people are commenting on the Ripsaw Howe and Howe Brothers rip off.  That's not the lead!  Check out the crazy turret on the wheeled armored vehicle!  How they came up with the "additional" turret for the TC is beyond me but I'd aim a anti-tank missile at that spot just for spite!

Ukrainian Mothers at war...

What you see above is the ultimate mobilization of a society at war.  Feminist will cheer when they see something like this.

Personally I cringe.  All I see is a pathetically easy target that has limited skills, is not dressed for combat and probably lacks the physical fitness for the rigors that come with it.  Additionally she has been placed in a situation without the proper kit to see her through the day.

Ukraine.  Another of those humanitarian disasters that's being conveniently ignored by the mainstream media.

Note:  I get so much information from readers, so many links, I have so much stuff in the queue that I sometimes lose track of things.  Unfortunately this is one of those.  If you're the guy that sent me these images then hit me up so I can credit you.  The story stood out, unfortunately the name did not.

Crossbreeding shows up in the Yamaha Wolverine..

The civilian ATV market was biased toward utility work and getting to out of the way places that you didn't want to/or couldn't take your truck.  Racing was focused on speed and jumps.

The military took notice and started using them.

Mil Spec features like bull bars (more for looks than utility from my arm chair), weird storage spaces and alternate engines became common.

Now the circle is complete and you have the new Yamaha Wolverine.  It has racing, utility and mil spec features all in one package. Pretty cool.  I might have to visit the local dealership to take a look-see.

On a sidenote.  I had a talk with a lady that has me thinking about finally pulling the trigger on becoming a reserve deputy on their Search and Rescue Team.  I live in hurricane country, have some skills and keep in shape so I think I might be able to help.  Additionally from what I can see those boys do good work locally looking for missing persons, and generally heading into places that most don't want to go.  

Sounds like fun.

"Attack On Titan" Live Action Official Trailer

I'm told that Season 2 Manga has some pretty intense surprises....but this live action version...I JUST DON'T KNOW!

I do enjoy watching the original anime with sub titles on Crunchy Roll so I guess I'll give the live version a shot.

Romanian IAR-330 Puma Helicopter on exercise with the 2nd Cav

JGSDF response to an attack on the disputed islands! (video)

The Japanese are taking the threat about Chinese action on the disputed islands seriously.  Other nations in the region with a claim are talking, but so far I've seen no planning to deal with the issue.

Note also that they're doing what I've been calling for...they're working their amphibious, airborne and armored forces together along with amphibious ships, and their version of sea lift to make the response a timely one.  Also note that in this planning Air Force and Naval units are supporting rather than supported actors.

We would be well served to remember...wars are fought over pieces of land....control of the air above or the sea surrounding it will definitely help the fight but in order to win an Infantryman must stand on that prized piece of real estate!

Ukraine is heating back up...did you really think this was over?

via Kyiv.

The military activity of Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continues increasing. Over the last 24 hours, the most heated area was the Pisky – Avdiivka stretch (including the Donetsk Airport and Opytne). During the day, the positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Pisky were shelled 7 times, including 4 fire attacks from 120-mm mortars.
Additionally, the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops in this area were attacked by a group of terrorists supported by 4 armored vehicles. As a result of the firefight, the enemy lost 2 motor vehicles and 1 armored combat vehicle (MT-LB). During the clash, the enemy supported their unit with two ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft units and several mounted grenade launchers (AGS-17 “Plamya” [Flame]), in an attempt to suppress the defensive fire of the Ukrainian unit.
The insurgents are commonly using the following tactic in their attacks: a group of 10-15 insurgents (less frequently, 25-30), supported by 1-2 mortar details operating 120-mm or 82-mm mortars (sometimes also supported with 2-4 armored vehicles), makes a concealed approach to the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops to reach the effective range, and delivers a brief fire strike. In these “raids,” the terrorists, in addition to small arms, are armed with heavy machine guns and mounted grenade launchers, which they are using in an attempt to quickly create fire superiority and suppress the retaliatory actions of Ukrainian units, which are mounting a defense at the advanced positions. Less commonly, the attacks use 2-3 groups, one of which is always employed for cover or fire suppression of the enemy.Shelling by Russian-terrorist troops was also observed in the vicinity of Opytne,Mayorske, Leninske, Troitske andKrymske (in 4 instances).

Read it all here.

My take?

Forgive the vulgarity but its really simple.  When Putin looks at Obama, Merkel and the rest of the Western leadership, all he smells is pussy.

Additionally, if Russian propaganda is what they actually believe, then they place the entire Ukrainian drama on the US State Dept, and think that they're acting to protect their interests.

The end result?  The Obama Administration is tied up trying to get a deal done with Iran.  They need Russia and Putin knows it.  That's why he can be provocative right now.  The sale of S-300's to Iran?  The intensified maneuvers/combat in Ukraine?

The Russians have the West right where they want us.  We need them and they're willing to take the pain of sanctions to achieve their goals. 

USAF defangs the 82nd Airborne...closes its co-located Airlift Wing...

via Free Beacon.

Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, commander of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps, publicly expressed his opposition in February to closing the 440th. “Of all places in the world, why would we take that capability away from Fort Bragg?” he said at the time.
Tillis wrote a letter last month to Sens. Thad Cochran (R., Miss.) and Dick Durbin (D., Ill.), the leaders of the defense appropriations subcommittee, requesting a provision in next year’s defense bill that would halt the deactivation of the 440th. He noted that, “Pope AAF is the busiest airfield in the world for the performance of training requiring tactical airlift” and that the Air Force will incur additional costs by flying in planes from distant bases to train airborne units. The retiring of the 440th also comes during a period of global instability that could require the rapid deployment of airborne forces.
“This is not a parochial issue, deactivating the 440th is a tactical and strategic mistake that will impact the readiness of America’s rapid reaction and Special Forces,” Tillis said. “It essentially takes the ‘air’ out of ‘airborne.’”

Wow.

The USAF is obviously suffering from an interservice social disorder!