Israeli F-16 shot down after striking Syrian target...

via Jerusalem Post.

In a major flare up on Israel’s northern border, Israel carried out a large-scale attack against Syrian air defenses and Iranian targets in the war-torn country after an Israeli F-16 crashed during operations to strike Iranian targets in Syria early Saturday morning.

The operation, which was carried out by eight Israeli jets, struck 12 targets in Syria including thee Syrians SA5 and SA17 air defense batteries and four Iranian targets near the town of Kiswah, which is home to Syria’s 1st armored division and part of the Islamic Republic’s buildup in Syria.

Story here. 

This is interesting.

I thought the Israeli Air Force had this whole area classified, indexed, cataloged and sorted.

So how did an unidentified anti-air system confound their planning and get a knockdown of one of their fighters?

Either something new (read that to be Russian anti-air) has entered the fray or the Israelis missed a new system acquired by the Iranians or the Syrians that they snuck into the area.

Regardless.

This thing could spiral.  Everyone is making power plays to unknown ends and no one wants to take a beat to assess whether its worth the price.

India's new artillery gun sets range record?

Thanks to Violet for the link!

via Hindu Times

An indigenous artillery gun, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), being jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the private sector has set a new world record in range by hitting targets at a distance of 48 km.

“During trial firings at Pokhran ranges last week, ATAGS registered the longest ever distance of 48.074 kms, surpassing the maximum ranges of 35-40 kms fired by any artillery gun system in this category,” an industry source told The Hindu.

ATAGS is a 155mm, 52 calibre towed artillery gun being developed in mission mode by DRDO as a part of the Army’s artillery modernisation programme. The record was achieved with special ammunition, “high explosive – base bleed” (HE – BB) by the ATAGS variant developed by Kalyani Group.

The development is being done through a consortium based model, similar to that adopted for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launch system. It was designed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune. In addition, Bharat Forge Limited of Kalyani Group, Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division and Mahindra Defence Naval System from the private sector are involved in a big way along with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). For instance, the barrel and breech mechanism, on both variants of ATAGS, was developed at Kalyani Group.

Story here. 

Ok Arty guys.  This is a teachable moment for you.  Educate me on this.  Are we looking at another rocket propelled arty shell fired out of a cannon or have the Indians cracked the code on something new?

British Army Advertisement in "spoken word" fashion is just plain glorious!

We inspire ordinary people to exceptional achievements. We are the British Army. #britisharmy #british #army #military #teamwork

A post shared by British Army (@britisharmy) on Feb 9, 2018 at 8:12am PST

Do you know what spoken word is?  Its a poetry style that's popular in hipster coffee shops.

I've had a chance to see a few and most suck but there are a few that make you sit back and say wow.

Add this British Army advertisement to the list of "WOW!"

Those A-10 Bubbas (and Bubbettes) are good...real good...

Hat tip to Bayou Man Blog for the link!



Geez.

Sometimes you just have to sit back and give credit where credit is due.  Those A-10 Bubbas (and Bubbettes) are good...real good!

Did you see that?

Two gunnery passes on a fast moving vehicle and solid hits?

I'm in awe.

Everyone is saying that guns are out when it comes to close air but this seems to indicate otherwise.

Nautical Infiltration Vector "The Squale"

The 13th paratroopers drone regiment # 13RDP has launched its new nautical infiltration vector (NIV): the "SQUALE". This boat will have as missions infiltration and exfiltration in all discretion, over long distances and in total autonomy. He will be able to bring the teams closer to their mission / search area. 

Translation via Google.  Is it correct?  Is there a 13th Paratrooper Drone Regiment?

As far as the boat is concerned it certainly looks right.  I assume it has long range  and does something to limit the "spine compression" that I read about SEALs and Special Boat Team members suffering.

Open Comment Post. Feb 9, 2018

Airbus Helicopters hopes to sell the US Army the H145M

via FlightGlobal

Airbus Helicopters believes it may be possible to sell an armed variant of the H145M to the US Army – almost five years after the service cancelled its armed aerial scout (AAS) programme.

Christian Fanchini, head of operational marketing at the French manufacturer, speaking at a Singapore air show media briefing, said that it could offer a replacement for the army's now-retired fleet of Bell Helicopter OH-58 Kiowa Warriors.

In 2013, the army shelved its AAS procurement, instead moving heavier and more complex Boeing AH-64 Apaches into the role, to operate alongside unmanned aerial vehicles.

The US Army already has experience Airbus Helicopters' products, with the UH-72 Lakota, based on the earlier commercial EC145, used for training and utility missions.

Fanchini says any offer would not be an armed UH-72, however. "It would be the H145M, not the Lakota," he says, as the latter's engines "are not powerful enough to support a full weapons load".

Story here. 

Well Bell and McDonald Douglas Helicopters might have something to say about this but I think something is needed in this role.

Russian Navy to induct large Landing Ship Tank this spring...

via TASS

The large amphibious assault ship Ivan Gren is scheduled for delivery to the Russian Navy by the end of spring, Head of the United Ship-Building Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov told reporters on Friday.

"We are expecting any minute, so to speak. The task is to complete all the measures. I won’t give any specific timeframe but I believe that we are to complete everything by the end of spring," he said.

-----------

 The warship can carry 13 main battle tanks or 36 armored personnel carriers (infantry fighting vehicles), or up to 300 marines. The amphibious assault ship can also transport a reinforced marine infantry company with organic military hardware and land it with the use of pontoons.

The amphibious assault ship Ivan Gren is armed with 30mm six-barrel artillery systems and two Kamov Ka-29 transport/attack helicopters in its deck hangars.

Story here.

Ooops! That UAV that could provide close air support, escort and picket duty will cost alot more than expected!

I never noticed it but even in the concept pics this is a relatively large UAV...it's got to rival the AH-1Z in weight and amount of deck space it consumes.

via USNI News.

The Marine Corps is reconsidering the requirements for its large amphibious ship-based unmanned aerial system (UAS), after early industry input showed the service was headed towards something too large and too expensive, the deputy commandant for combat development and integration told reporters today.

Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh said the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) UAS Expeditionary (MUX) program proves why industry input during the requirements-generation process is so important. The MUX initial capabilities document (ICD) made its way through the Joint Requirements Oversight Council process in October 2016 because the Marines were able to prove they were seeking a capability not already found in the joint force – specifically, a large Group 4 or Group 5 UAS capable of operating from a ship or small expeditionary airfield and conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

What the JROC failed to see, though, which industry has told the Marine Corps recently, is that the requirements lend themselves to an MV-22 Osprey-like vehicle in terms of size and cost, Walsh told reporters after speaking at the WEST 2018 event, cohosted by the U.S. Naval Institute and AFCEA.

The MUX program merges what used to be two requirements, and covers seven mission areas, USNI News has previously reported: MAGTF C4 (Command, Control, Communications and Computing with Spectrum Agile Data Routing); early warning; persistent fires; escort; electronic warfare; reconnaissance, intelligence, surveillance and target acquisition (RISTA); and tactical distribution.

Story here. 

Wow.  When Davis came out with his wishlist for this new UAV I thought it was ambitious.  Hell to be honest it sounded like the AH-1Z mission but with a scout role included (yeah I know ISR is longer lasting but you get the point).

Now?  Now it appears that they're saying the UAV will be even bigger than that. MV-22 sized and cost?

I guess the question now becomes how do you cobble together those capabilities with the use of different platforms and will it be cost effective.

They could stay the course but that will be another big ticket item.  I don't know if even the Marine Corps will be able to get Congress to bite on that.

Assault Breacher Vehicle makes amphibious landing with modified plow...