Open Comment Post. July 8, 2018

Combat Aviator Instagram Page.....A little down range "gunnery" action

A little down range "gunnery" action, where the rockets actually go BOOM, instead of just thud.

Boeing MQ-25 in action.

We’ve been delivering carrier aircraft to the U.S. Navy for more than 90 years. Now, Phantom Works is defining the future of autonomous carrier aviation. Check out this sneak peek of Boeing MQ-25 in action. #USNavy #Navy #Boeing #BoeingMQ25 #PhantomWorks

A post shared by The Boeing Company (@boeing) on Jul 6, 2018 at 1:29pm PDT

Open Comment Post. July 7, 2018

Open Comment Post. July 6, 2018

Italy says won't buy more F-35 fighter jets, may cut existing order

via EuroNews.

 Italy will not buy more Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets and is considering whether to stick to the order to which it is already committed, Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta said on Friday.

Trenta comes from the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement which has always been critical of NATO member Italy’s order for 90 of the planes, saying the money could be better spent to boost welfare and help the sluggish economy.

“We won’t buy any more F-35s,” Trenta said in a television interview with private broadcaster La 7. “We are assessing what to do regarding the contracts already in place.”

She spelled out several reasons to be cautious, saying that “strong financial penalties” could mean that “scrapping the order could cost us more than maintaining it.”

Story here. 

Australian Army - M1A1 AIM SA Main Battle Tanks @ Exercise Chong Ju 2018

Brazil drops out of RIMPAC

via USNI News

Brazil has dropped out of the 2018 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise after planning to participate in the massive biennial international exercise for its first time ever, U.S. 3rd Fleet confirmed to USNI News.

The Navy had previously boasted a 26-nation exercise, but a recent infographic depicted just 25.

“Unfortunately, due to a change in operational schedules, Brazil will not be participating in RIMPAC 2018, but remains interested in a future opportunity to participate in the exercise,” Navy spokeswoman Lt. j.g. Ada Anderson told USNI News.
“We value our partnership with the Brazilian Navy and look forward to operating with them in the future.”

Story here. 

Kinda disappointing.  From my seat RIMPAC has been totally underwhelming.  The Mexican Marines added a spark, mostly because they do so much real world work fighting the cartels and seem to revel in the high speed stuff but I was really looking forward to seeing Brazil's Marines hit deck with their Pirhana IIIC's and AAVs.

Maybe next year after they settle the drama in the favelas.

Yemeni forces destroy 85 armored vehicles of Saudi-led coalition in June

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Yemeni army destroyed 85 armored and military vehicles, including five tanks belonging to coalition’s troops in several fronts over June month, a military source in armors unit said.

Meanwhile, nine gatherings of militiamen were targeted with guided missiles, killing and wounding tens of them over the same month.

I really would like to know how the export versions of the US models that are being taken apart by the Houthis compare to the rigs that we ride into combat.

After watching that video (posted on the blog earlier) I am really starting to question the wisdom of depending on the JLTV and anything lighter for REAL combat.  Not patrols or insurgency but combat operations against a peer opponent.

In that same vein I wonder if the Bradley and AMPV not to mention the ACV are armored enough to do what we'll need them to do in the coming fights.

Open Comment Post. July 5, 2019