Saturday, March 25, 2017

USMC advertising to minorities and women is wrong! We've done it right in the past!


Every service on the planet except the USMC is going hardcore.  They're showing warriors doing warrior shit.  Even the freaking US Army commercials has Soldiers doing helocasts and then taking a zodiac to the beach.

That shit stirs the soul.

That shit makes your dick or ovaries hard (hmm do ovaries get hard?)...forget the science and I don't care about the science YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!!

But have you seen the latest USMC advertisement?

What do I see?  Old people (nothing wrong with that....its coming my way), families, urban centers...NOTHING THAT WILL STIR THE SOUL OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THAT WILL DO VIOLENCE ON BEHALF OF THEIR COUNTRY!

I understand the outreach to minorities.  You want more minorities in the Corps?  Ok, but how about you ask the Marines that are serving or have served what attracted them to the Marines.  You want more women in the Corps?  Ok, but how about you ask the female Marines that are serving or have served what attracted them to the Marines.

Filling ads with more brothers than I saw in any Battalion that I've ever been to is not reality and is not important anyway.  Same with females, hispanics, asians...pick your poison!

The Marine Corps is and SHOULD REMAIN a place to test your mettle.  An institution that you need more than it needs you.

This current advertising scheme is a sin and disgrace.  Want to do it better? Want to appeal to minorities while keeping the culture/ethos/warrior spirit intact?  Ask me.  Even better?  Take a look at what you've done in the past!



OH! They shot him. Oooh shot him again! Warning! Graphic war footage!


Safeguard Transporters...



Hmm.  One of the truck routes is near me.  Not too surprising considering Barksdale is up the road a piece.

So how do I clock a Safeguard Transporter?  Look for a big rig being followed by a large 4x4 vehicle with a bull bumper, blacked out windows and carrying a bunch of guys looking for an excuse to get a bit of trigger time!

The sad thing?  Sooner or later (if it hasn't already happened and was deemed a state secret) someone is gonna make a run at one of these trucks.

Open Comment Post. March 25, 2017


Do you have true power?


Friday, March 24, 2017

T-72B4?

Thanks to S300V4 for the link!


Wow.  A T-72B4?  I need a chart that details all the upgrades to this tank and how the Russians rank them as far as capabilities.  They have the T-90, various versions of the T-72 and now the Armata.  What tank is the most capable (leaving out the Armata).  If a unit has T-90's is it more highly regarded than one that uses T-72B4's?

I need to make nice with an intel bubba to help me sort this stuff.

FED Alpha Update! It lives! Well...sorta...


Remember the "Blast from the past" that I did a little while ago on the FED Alpha?  Remember how I wanted one sitting in my garage and how many wondered if the Army auctioned off the experimental vehicles that they built for personal use by some millionaire?

Well I got an answer this morning from one of the engineers on the project (name won't be used...I didn't get permission and I don't want to Blue Falcon someone) and it's a mix of good and bad news.

The good?  The Army has the vehicle, so it lives.

The bad?  It's a cost saving measure...they'll use it for parts on the next project that pops up.

This!  This is why it's so important for military enthusiasts to develop personal libraries on every vehicle they can.  We're seeing history and it must be preserved.  So consider this a public service announcement.  Save pics, brochures...anything you can so that future generations can have a look-see at some of the concepts that were being worked on during our time.

A future armor geek will thank you for it.

Open Comment Post. March 24, 2017


Another article on China's growing (by 400%) Marine Corps...


via The Diplomat.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is set to increase the size of its Marine Corps from about 20,000 to 100,000, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on March 13. According to unnamed PLA insiders and experts interviewed by SCMP, elements of the expanded Marine Corps would be stationed abroad, including Djibouti in the Horn of Africa and Gwadar in southwest Pakistan.

The PLA Marine Corps (PLAMC), part of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), has gradually been expanding its size over the last couple of years as its mission is slowly expanding from conducting operations in China’s coastal areas — including defending Chinese holdings in the East and South China Seas, next to preparing for a possible amphibious assault on Taiwan — to more global roles.

“The PLA marines will be increased to 100,000, consisting of six brigades in the coming future to fulfill new missions of our country,” a source told SCMP. The source also noted that two combat brigades were already transferred to the PLAMC, increasing the size from roughly 12,000 (two understrength brigades) to around 20,000.

Each PLAMC brigade is divided up into one armored regiment and two marine battalions. The brigades are equipped with ZBD05 Tracked Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicles and ZLT05 Tracked Amphibious Assault Guns. The ZBD05 is reportedly one of the fasted amphibious assault vehicles, capable of top speeds of 45 km/h in the water.

According to IHS Jane’s, China’s Ministry of Defense may is also considering
equipping its PLAMC brigades with the Norinco ZTL-11 8×8 amphibious assault vehicle.

As I reported in January 2015, China purportedly is expanding its amphibious mechanized infantry divisions (AMID) from two to four or from about 30,000 to 60,000 men. Each division is equipped with up to 300 armored and amphibious transport vehicles, including ZBD05s and ZLT05s, but also heavier main battle tanks and associated equipment.
Story here.

Once again we're seeing everyone moving in an opposite direction from the USMC.

The Chinese Marine Corps is going to be an armored powerhouse.  Meanwhile we're doing everything we can to strip our MEU's of anything bigger than a JLTV or MTVR.  HQMC must be brilliant beyond description or their view of the future battlefield is way off.  Since I'm screaming for armor now, that means that if I'm right the future will see our Marines filling body bags instead of winning battles.

The lust for aviation and the stubborn "stay the course because we're locked in a generational war chasing terrorist in the Middle East" will be the reason why the Marine Corps gets skull crushed in the battle against the Red Chinese.

The solution?  Reinforce (Enhance) the MEU!  Add more artillery, tanks etc...to its force structure.  Start deploying with Mobile Landing Platforms as part of the current Amphibious Ready Group (an LHD/LHA, LPD, and LSD) or add another LSD to the mix (my preferred option).  We can add firepower, Marines, armor and even additional helos to every MEU to make them almost a MEB(-) that can truly take ground and hold it against the advanced threats we see today.

Hey Commandant. In case you forgot...

pic via Bmashina Tumblr Page.

The battle for Nasiriyah
Hey Commandant,

In case you forgot.  We need better armor now.  Not a year or two from now after dicking around with bullshit testing.  Not a couple of years later after you "sort the budget" so that you can pleasure the Wing behind the building.

We need it now.

Sincerely,

Snafu Blog.

For my readers.  Check this out via Wikipedia...
RCT-1 pushes through Ambush Alley[edit]
The advance of Regimental Combat Team 1 (RCT-1) through Nasiriyah was delayed by fighting there. On the evening of 24 March, LAVs of the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (2nd LAR, commanded by Lt. Col. Eddie Ray) pushed north of the Saddam Canal, leading RCT-1 through Ambush Alley. With Apache Company in the lead, 2nd LAR attacked north on Highway 7, coming under fire from a heavily defended compound north of the city. Two anti-aircraft guns protected the approach to the compound. After coming under fire from Reconnaissance Scouts, LAVs, M1A1 tanks, Cobra gunships and artillery, Iraqi resistance subsided.[citation needed]
During this time 3/2 Lima Company, known by the Iraqi Army as "The Destroyers" and by their fellow Marines as simply "Light em up Lima" with javelin, sniper, and gunship support conducted many successful offensive operations inflicting a devastating number of casualties on the hostile Iraqi forces operating in the area.
That evening Marine 2nd LAR Bn 81 mm mortar crews took position and eliminated known sniper positions which previously had US Army elements pinned down throughout the city. At dusk, 2nd LAR established a perimeter 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) north of Nasiriyah. However, a huge sandstorm rolled in, cutting off communication with main elements to the south in Nasiriyah. As 2nd LAR set up a defensive perimeter for the evening, Iraqi reinforcements were mobilized and sent south to Nasiriyah from Kut, unaware of 2nd LARs defensive position. When the Iraqi force ran into 2nd LAR they surrounded them from every direction, taking positions among the surrounding hillside. Using a combination of overwhelming direct firepower by Reconnaissance Scouts, a M1A1 tank, battalion LAV-25s, LAV ATs, and LAV AD vehicles, the battalion engaged the Iraqi forces. Simultaneously, 81 mm mortar crews eliminated Iraqi positions throughout the hillside by indirect fire as well as a strategic ammunition supply point (ASP) used by Iraqi forces during the first half of the attack.[citation needed]

The last Iraqi attack was beaten off just after dawn and a large number of Iraqi prisoners taken afterwards. The battalion estimated that around 300 Iraqi soldiers were killed along with an unknown number of civilians who were loaded by force onto buses while Iraqi troops occupied the rear sections in the hope of breaking the Marines defensive position. There were no U.S. casualties. The battle would later be called "The Battle of the Coil" and was, at that time, thought to be the longest sustained battle by US Marines since the Vietnam War.[citation needed]

Meanwhile, the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (the "Thundering Third", commanded by Lt. Col. Craparotta) held open Ambush Alley as the rest of RCT-1 passed through Nasiriyah on the night of 24–25 March.[citation needed]

Partly as a result of RCT-1's delay, Colonel Joe Dowdy was later relieved of command of RCT-1.[22]
Hey diddle diddle.  Straight up the fuckin middle.

Read here and wonder.  We celebrate battles of the past, but why won't anyone even talk about this heroic action? 

French to upgrade Rafale's to F4 standard. Payloads with a decent platform?


via Defense Aerospace.
During the March 20 meeting of the Ministerial Investment Committee, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian decided to authorize the launch of initial development of the new F4 standard for the Rafale combat aircraft.

This standard, integrating experience and feedback from combat operations, should contribute to strengthen the Rafale's capabilities to operate alone or as part of a coalition. New developments will include improvements to network working methods, sensor developments and their integration.

The F4 standard will also take into account the expected evolutions of missiles, of the power plant and the integration of new capabilities.
The first aircraft fully equipped to this new standard should be commissioned by 2025, but certain functionalities will be available as early as 2023.

This new standard is part of the continuing evolution of the aircraft which will progressively constitute the entire French manned combat aircraft fleet.

The launch of a future tranche of Rafale aircraft will be decided by the next LPM multi-year program law to meet the requirements of the Air Force. 
Interesting.

New engines, new networking methods, new sensors and the evolution of power plants.

Are we seeing a variation of the US Navy's "payloads over platforms" meme? Could we say that the French have adopted "payloads with a decent platform"?  If so, then I say brilliant.  We're seeing the same with Super Hornet and I think that is the most practical and cost effective approach.

F-35 Program Office takes aim at LM's crazy supply chain!



via Defense News.
“We’ve got a compendium of many kinds of initiatives that have already started or that we will start in the future. That compendium is up for review with the secretary of defense as we speak,” said Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, the F-35 joint program office (JPO) head. “I can't comment on what he's going to do with that, whether he is going to pick from it like a menu or say, ‘Go do all of these.’”

Some items on the menu include contracting options that would allow the government a discount for buying in bulk, including block buys, economic order quantity and multiyear purchases. Other options involve changes to training and operations that would slash overall cost, such as relying more on simulator training instead of expensive live red air exercises, he said during a speech at the McAleese/Credit Suisse conference.

The JPO also wants to put increased pressure on F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin and its supply chain. Bogdan pointed out that his affordability goals have changed over the past several years: instead of wanting an $85 million F-35A unit cost by 2019, Lockheed will be expected to offer an $80 million dollar A-model by 2020.

To get there, Lockheed most likely will have to scrutinize its supply chain and cut out companies that bring little value — such as a middleman that issues a purchase offer to a supplier on Lockheed’s behalf. 
“There are things that industry could be doing today to drive costs out of this airplane that they ought to be doing themselves, and if they don’t, then the government is going to help them do it. Like de-layering the supply chain, for one,” he said. Lockheed’s first cost initiative, called the Blueprint for Affordability, captured the “low-hanging fruit,” netting savings that were “just okay,” but Bogdan said more could be done to manage low-tier suppliers.
A couple of things.

They're still beating the drum on doing multi-year or block buy purchases of a plane that is still jacked up beyond recognition.  In essence he's asking the SecDef to change the law so that they can get a substandard plane into service.  My fear is that if he gets his way the costs will explode even more. I have yet to see a good figure on what it costs to fix "mistake jets" but to buy an item knowing that it will need to be fixed is beyond me!

Next.

I've wondered about the crazy supply chain that has suppliers in alot of states and hands out contracts to F-35 buyers like candy.  No way it could be efficient but it did insulate the plane from proper Congressional scrutiny.  If they go with this plan then it will spell doom to the program.  If a Congress Critter can't point to jobs in his district and then looks at the price of the plane then its game over.

This affordability roadmap/plan is a joke.  They can't save anymore money because if they do then they'll wreck themselves.

I look forward to seeing what SecDef Mattis decides.