F-0597 Convair Charger Model 48 (repeat)...the plane the USMC needs today!

Ok Breaking Defense. I'm calling you out. This article is bullshit!

Thanks to Leroy for the link!

via BD.

“This is a long desired capability for V-22,” an industry official following the program said. “You talk about force multipliers — that’s what this is.”
“Marine Corps Ospreys with VARS will be able to refuel the F-35B Lightning II with about 4,000 pounds of fuel at VARS’s initial operating capability. MV-22B VARS capacity will increase to 10,000 pounds of fuel by 2019. This will significantly enhance the F-35B’s range, as well as the aircraft’s ability to remain on target for a longer period,” Capt. Sarah Burns, a spokeswoman at Headquarters Marine Corps, says.

(Article here.)

Say what?  I follow the Marine Corps and I follow Marine Air.  This "long desired" capability popped up out of nowhere.  It has NOT been long desired and the only people that even proposed such an arrangement were the BRITS!  I'll check in with a couple of British blogs that are switched on but if I recall correctly EACH and EVERY one of the proposed modifications for the MV-22  was first pushed by the Brits because of their desire to make their catapult less, jump carriers as efficient as a full size US carrier.

But if that isn't enough check this out.

Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, deputy commandant for aviation, has talked about using the Osprey to carry weapons packages, fitting a laser designator under its nose a la the MQ-1 Predator drone so it can guide its own or another aircraft’s weapons to targets, or outfitting the MV-22B with sensors and data links to turn it into an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance aircraft. But for the moment, the program is focused on adding the VARS capability, which is also seen as a draw for potential foreign navy buyers.

No one is saying it so I will.  THAT IS IDIOCY ON A PLATE!  Why would you take a MV-22 and use it like a Predator Drone?  You're going to hazard a large, slow flying airplane to designate targets?  You're going to waste the time of a SUPPOSEDLY high demand airplane in an ISR role when you have other less expensive options available?

I'm calling you out Breaking Defense.  This is nothing but a fucking puff piece.  Its borderline advertising for a concept.  Its inches away from being propaganda.  

You guys did no due diligence AT ALL!  Did you ask any questions?  Did you ask the why's and what for's with regard to these concepts?  This article is bullshit and you guys are better than this!

North American OV-10A BRONCO Carrier Tests 1968

CH-53K completes first 20K lift

The U.S. Marine Corps' newest helicopter, the CH-53K, completed its first external load flight test carrying a 20,000 lb. load May 26 at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation's Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Envelope expansion tests will continue with incrementally increasing speeds with the 20,000 load, and then on to the CH-53K’s requirement, a 27,000-lb. external payload. (Photo courtesy Sikorsky)

This program is moving along nicely.  If they continue at this pace it will be ready for production BEFORE the F-35.

LAV Combat Support Vehicle (LAV CSV) via IHS Janes

via IHSJ

General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS-C) on 25 May introduced the latest variant of its LAV family at CANSEC in Ottawa. The LAV Combat Support Vehicle (LAV CSV) builds on the LAV 6.0 baseline and is said to improve the LAV family's modularity.
Doug Wilson-Hodge, GDLS-C's manager of corporate affairs, told IHS Jane's the concept was to take proven design features of the LAV 6.0 and create a more mission-flexible platform, while retaining a large degree of commonality with, and the protection of, the LAV series. He noted that GDLS-C designed the platform as an M113 replacement in Canada.
"We designed this vehicle as an M113 replacement with an eye towards the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle [ACSV] project requirements," he said.

Nice.

Canada is doing it right.  One modification of the base vehicle and they have the foundation for a command, logistics and ambulance.  The only thing they lack is a mobile gun system but since they use "real" tanks in that role they're set.

More information on the concept here.

Russia threatens Poland and Romania?

via MSN.com

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned Romania and Poland they could find themselves in the sights of Russian rockets because they are hosting elements of a U.S. missile shield that Moscow considers a threat to its security.
Putin issued his starkest warning yet over the missile shield, saying that Moscow had stated repeatedly that it would have to take retaliatory steps but that Washington and its allies had ignored the warnings.
Earlier this month the U.S. military -- which says the shield is needed to protect from Iran, not threaten Russia -- switched on the Romanian part of the shield. Work is going ahead on another part of the shield, in Poland.
"If yesterday in those areas of Romania people simply did not know what it means to be in the cross-hairs, then today we will be forced to carry out certain measures to ensure our security," Putin told a joint news conference in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

Wow.

What is going on with Vlad?  This isn't smart.  This isn't the way to drive a wedge between the US and NATO!  Many, myself included, have become tired of the expense that comes with membership in NATO.  One of the Presidential contenders has said the same.

So why do this now?

It makes no sense.  What is going on with Russia and WHY would he feel comfortable in making these statements with the Greek Prime Minister present?

Something weird is going on in Europe.

Armed Muslim mob in Egypt attacks elderly Christian woman, parades her naked through streets of Cairo

via NY Daily.

An armed Muslim mob stripped an elderly Christian woman and paraded her naked on the streets in an attack last week in which seven Christian homes were also looted and torched in a province south of the Egyptian capital.
According to the local Orthodox Coptic church and security officials, the assault in the Minya province village of Karma on Friday began after rumors spread that the elderly woman’s son had an affair with a Muslim woman — a taboo in conservative Egypt.
Police have arrested six men suspected of taking part in the violence and are looking for 12 more, the security officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

All you Co-Exist bastards can kiss my ass.  This is a war against Christianity AND Humanity.

I say nuke these fucks till they glow.  In the meantime, since it won't happen, I pray that try this bullshit with me.  I'd fill them with some old time religion.

Kornet missile with thermobaric warhead (9M133F-1) is fired against an ISIS position...plus the ME culture of war....

Thanks to Info Infantry for the link!



I couldn't tell the effect that the weapon had on the target.  What did catch my attention was the fact that all of those fuckers had what appears at a glance to be IPhones!  They were more concerned with their fucking phones than with their individual weapons!  I only saw one guy grab his rifle (the sniper) and even he had his phone out!

Simply amazing.

There is something totally off with this war.  This isn't combat in the way that we know it.  This is something more tribal.  Remember the early vid I posted with the captured ISIS member?  I didn't point it out but I found it stunning that the commanders were talking shit to each other over the radio.  The conversation went from them both being Muslims and that they needed to be respectful to it ending with them talking about cutting out each others hearts.

These are some weird warriors.

It seems more like some high school stuff where two guys spend five minutes talking smack to each other instead of getting to work.  And I think that's the problem.  We expect a war to be fought and for it to end.  This is the Middle East.  Have we considered that constant war is simply part of the culture?

Fitness Talk. An anabolic outperforms Tren by 250%? Obesity and should military be allowed steroid use?

Wow.  Did you check out the above vid?  Just wow.  Scary shit.  Science and performance is heading into places I can't even imagine.  We're heading toward a Captain America serum soon.

Next thing.  Talking about obesity in America and the conversation has me wondering.  If healthcare is a RIGHT and if it is the RESPONSIBILITY of the STATE to provide it then the "1984" view of the world where the STATE requires you to eat certain foods and to get exercise makes sense!  We're already heading that way.  They've gone after most of the low hanging fruit already.  The next thing HAS TO BE obesity.  Collective healthcare requires collective regulation and solutions.  I don't like it but it is logical.

Last thing.  Our forces are engaged in combat with individuals that are hopped up on drugs in the Middle East.  Many times they head into combat with the only thing that keeping them on their feet being nicotine, chewing on coffee beans or drinking some nasty ass energy drinks.  Is it outside the realm of thinking that prescribed steroids to give them a physical edge might be worth considering?

This is more than a fitness talk.  This is a moral Friday!  I can't wait to hear your opinions!

Nordic Tank Challenge. Doesn't sound like we tore it up....

We congratulate telemark battalion from brigade north with 3. Place In Nordic Tank challenge in Denmark, behind two Danish team. Seven Nations with total 40 teams participated. Through the competition got kavaleristene shared experiences, developed network and friendship between nations.

Awesome.  I'm glad Telemark Battalion is developing networks and friendships between nations.

I just want to win.

CH-53K Helicopter: Chronicles from the Cockpit

Only two Marine Corps aircraft have excited me with their introduction over the last 15 years.  The AH-1Z and now the CH-53K.  But despite the obvious improvements in performance the issue of cost raises its head.  How many 100 million dollar helicopters can we afford?

Pure evil in the animal kingdom...via LunchBox Actual Tumblr Page

This is cold...and I'm not talking about the weather.  Survival of the fittest can be a bitch sometimes...