Russian AN-124 have stopped hauling NATO gear...

H/T to Alert 5

via Kommersant.RU

According to the French media, the Russian group of companies (GC) Volga-Dnepr has announced to Western partners that from January 1 next year it will no longer provide NATO services for oversized air transport on An-124-100 transport aircraft Ruslan. According to Kommersant, Volga-Dnepr does not really intend to extend the corresponding contract with the French party for 2019 - because of the sanctions policy of Western countries against a number of Russian companies.

"Putin cuts off the wings of the French Air Force" - this begins the material of the French edition of Challenges, which, citing its own sources, says: the Russian GC "Volga-Dnepr" informed NATO that after 2018 it will not provide AN-124 transport aircraft to the alliance countries -100. Instead, the company intends to focus on civilian transportation. The same information with reference to a letter sent by the Russian side to the members of the managing board of the SALIS program (Strategic Airlift Interim Solution) on April 12, is also reported by Ouest-France . As noted in Challenges, such a decision will increase the cost and significantly complicate the logistics of French military operations abroad.

Story here. 

Considering sanctions that the US and its European allies have slapped on Russia this is not only expected but the question can be asked what took them so long to put this into place.

My guess.

They still held out hope that relations could improve but have come to the realization that it won't happen under current leadership.

Pity.

This was a nice symbiotic relationship and yielded benefits to all involved.

JSOW-ER...the real future for carrier strike...

Dave over at National Interest MUST be trying to place nice with the F-35 program cause the article that he wrote has VERY little to do with that plane even though he tried to give it top billing.

Check what he was really writing out, the JSOW-ER, below...

Given the increasing premium on range, last year in June the Navy award Raytheon a contract to fund testing on a new extended range jet-powered version of the JSOW that the company had developed using its own money. The extended range JSOW-ER has been tested out ranges as great as 264 nautical miles, which is nearly four times the range of the conventional JSOW-C. The testing was supposed to have been completed by this March, however, it is not clear that the Navy has completed those tests.

The addition of the JSOW-ER—should the Navy chose to eventually buy and field that weapon—would be extremely useful for the carrier air wing. With a 300 nautical mile range standoff range, the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet—which will make up the bulk of the carrier air wing into the 2040s—equipped with the JSOW-ER would be able to engage targets protected by advanced air defenses such as the Russian-built S-300V4 or S-400. Both of those enemy weapons have ranges beyond 250 nautical miles.

Thus, standoff weapons such as the JSOW-ER could be what keeps the carrier air wing relevant into the future as advanced air defenses proliferate around the world. Indeed, such weapons might be the key to keeping non-stealthy fourth generation fighters relevant for all of the world’s air forces.

Story here. 

Interesting isn't it.

The US Navy has never come off the battle cry of it's former CNO.  Payloads OVER platforms.

The emphasis on the range of strike weapons just reinforces that notion.  To think that the F-35 because its stealthy will be able to do work against advanced air defenses is silly.  No man or woman with half a brain cell working will send a manned airplane within 70 miles of an active and integrated air defense system!

They'll use UAVs with glide bombs or missiles.  They'll use cruise missiles but they won't use manned aircraft till those sites are degraded.

The US military needs to rationalize its formula for success in the future.  The very notion of flying a plane, even a stealth one, close to enemy defenses is a waste of resources and time because it will not be done.

They're still trying mightily to stop the death spiral but between budgets, other procurement priorities and common sense, its the only path left for the F-35.

Iranian-Backed ‘Sleeper Cell’ Militants Hibernating in U.S., Positioned for Attack???

via Daily Caller.

Iranian-backed militants are operating across the United States mostly unfettered, raising concerns in Congress and among regional experts that these "sleeper cell" agents are poised to launch a large-scale attack on the American homeland, according to testimony before lawmakers.

Iranian agents tied to the terror group Hezbollah have already been discovered in the United States plotting attacks, giving rise to fears that Tehran could order a strike inside America should tensions between the Trump administration and Islamic Republic reach a boiling point.

Intelligence officials and former White House officials confirmed to Congress on Tuesday that such an attack is not only plausible, but relatively easy for Iran to carry out at a time when the Trump administration is considering abandoning the landmark nuclear deal and reapplying sanctions on Tehran.

Story here. 

Someone somewhere has lost their God Damn Mind!

So first I hear stories that Israel is poised for a direct attack from Iran because they struck in Syria, and now we're hearing this?

Oh and check out the source!

Why isn't this a fucking scandal?

Why isn't the FBI and every other alphabet soup intel agency in the US TO INCLUDE SOCOM, not on the streets hunting these bastards down!!!!!

Why aren't the American people TO INCLUDE Democrats raging at Obama since these sleeper cells arrived during his watch BECAUSE FORMER WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS WOULD HAVE NO VISIBILITY ON ANYTHING DURING TRUMP'S TERM!!

This is for one of two things.

1.  They're desperate to maintain the Iranian nuke deal or...

2.  They're setting us up for a new war with Iran at the behest of our allies Israel, Saudi Arabia and the GCC.

Don't get it twisted.

I have absolutely NO LOVE for the Iranian govt.  But this is a bit too obvious.  This just don't smell right at all.

Something is WAAAAAAY off with this reporting or else its time to grab AR's and march on Washington.

Israel is preparing for a direct attack from Iran (Warning Rant!)

via Daily Mail.

Israel is preparing for a revenge attack from Iran after the bombing of an air base in Syria last week, which killed seven Iranian soldiers.

Israel has officially neither confirmed nor denied the attack, but an Israeli Defence Force source told the New York Times they were responsible for the raid on April 9.

Now, Israel is bracing itself for an attack directly from Iran, launched by the country's Revolutionary Guard Corps, to avenge the seven dead soldiers.

Story here.

I'm a supporter of Israel but they're dancing on my last nerve.  This ain't a fucking game and if they think they can provoke a war with Iran in the hopes that people like me will automatically support them they're fucking wrong.

This is more Syrian war goofiness and more hidden agendas.  Much of it from my own govt but Israel definitely trying their hand at the idiocy.

Fuck around and start a regional war I'm sure I'll come around but DAMN IT stop it. 

America is past tired of these endless wars in the Middle East.  If you want a strong ally then give us the space to rest and retool.

Keep pushing this Iran vs. Saudi Arabia/GCC with Israel taking shots too and I think the whole region will be pissed when they start learning Persian because we've run out of fucks to give.

RANT OVER.

Tyler has a great write up on the LHA-8 over at The Drive!

Story here.

I've noticed that its become fashionable to "criticize" individuals for not knowing everything under the sun just because certain people have decided to follow that particular subject closely.

I find that shit distasteful, stupid and pretty fucking arrogant.  It's a big ass world and to expect anyone to know everything while they're trying to make things happen in their real life, not just on the net is beyond me.

Having said that I have to ask.

Why are the islands so big on our LHA/LHD?  That has always puzzled me.  Additionally if you're gonna say to make up for engineering space then again I say bullshit!  Our first LPH didn't have a huge island (didn't have a well deck either but that's a different story) and carried more 5 in guns AND a comparable number of aircraft (slightly fewer and they were definitely smaller but the point is made).

Why can't we simply glob onto the "steel is cheap" idea, move some of the spaces that are contained in the island below deck by stretching and rearranging a few things, putting 5in guns on the corners of the deck on sponsons (like the original Tarawa LHD class) and the anti-air systems ontop of the bridge as they're now proposing?

In my minds eye the only thing you need above deck as far as superstructure is concerned is ship steering/navigation and probably air traffic control, everything else below decks and properly armored.

Last but not least.  Do you know who produced probably the most efficient carrier design of the last 100 years but we haven't seen it since?

The Japanese during WW2.  Every inch of deck was used for flight ops.  Nothing wasted.  Ultra minimal island, smokestacks below decks turned down and nothing but planes on deck.

We should try for the same.

Open Comment Post. April 18, 2018

Aselsan is ready to produce a new generation armored fighting vehicle -- the 35mm combat ready KORHAN

Thanks to Jonathan for the link!

via aa.com.tr

Leading Turkish defense contractor Aselsan is ready to produce a new generation armored fighting vehicle -- the 35mm combat ready KORHAN, according to an official of the firm.

The KORHAN was unveiled at the 13th International Defense Industry Fair 2017 (IDEF) last May.

Aselsan is awaiting decision from Turkish authorities for mass production of KORHAN.

KORHAN has been developed to meet requirements of Turkish Land Forces Command.

The infantry fighting vehicle aims to meet challenges of a battlefield by availing cutting-edge technology.

The KORHAN is equipped with high firepower and an advanced target acquisition and tracking system.

The system is capable of using 35mm ammunition, which is produced in Turkey.

So this is their response to the FNSS offering?  Interesting!

Politics/Intel Talk. Former FBI Agents are concerned about Comey interview...

via Daily Caller.

Former FBI director James Comey’s nearly five-hour interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos is raising concerns among veteran members of the FBI, three veterans tell The Daily Caller.

“I’m troubled by the timing of the book and some of the content that has been reported because I think it diminishes him” former assistant director of the FBI Ron Hosko tells TheDC. Hosko took particular exception with Comey’s detailed description of President Donald Trump’s appearance, including his likely use of tanning goggles, his hand size, and the length of his ties.

“To me that kind of salacious commentary diminishes Jim Comey, raises more questions about his true desire here,” Hosko continued. He added that Comey is a “carrier of the FBI brand” and is making the job of current FBI Director Wray much more difficult.

“Director Wray would rather be answering questions on the FBI’s current work, its mission, priorities, and challenges rather than having this rather cloud on his horizon, questions about Jim Comey.” Hosko also warned that Comey’s animus to the president displayed in the interview would stoke accusations that a “deep state” is attempting to undermine Trump and his administration.

Story here. 

Really don't have much of an opinion on this one.  I do know that I found it interesting that Comey would hit on the left's talking point when discussing Trump's skin color, hand size etc....

Russia's hybrid military forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas?

via Unian.info

Russia's hybrid military forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 52 times in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed in action (KIA) and another five as wounded in action (WIA). "In the Luhansk sector, militants fired proscribed 152mm and 122mm artillery systems, 82mm mortars and grenade launchers at the Ukrainian positions near the village of Zaitseve," the press center of the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations reported on Facebook Friday morning. "Besides, the aggressor employed infantry fighting vehicles and grenade launchers against the Ukrainian fortified positions near the village of Luhanske, grenade launchers near the village of Krymske, and heavy machine guns near the villages of Stanytsia Luhanska and Novoluhanske," the report says.

Story here. 

We haven't touched on the situation in Ukraine for a bit here because that's another confusing fight with murky objectives.

I have been monitoring the West pouring new arms and equipment into Ukraine however but if this report is true then its doing no good.

This is one of those fights where the US needs to get away and let the Russians and Europeans sort themselves out.

Any thought of a military victory by Ukraine seems to be pure fantasy and I can't think of one SANE person that believes Ukraine is worth the loss of even one US or allied soldier (well maybe the Poles think otherwise but that's about it).

We really need to solve some of the many troublespots around the world.  What we're doing now is only prolonging instability, displacing people on a global scale and increasing human suffering.

We've got to start getting negotiated settlements because the "limited" military option isn't working and full scale combat is a non-starter.

Open Comment Post. April 17, 2018