Heritage Foundation calls for cuts in the USAF F-35 procurement!

via Free Beacon.

The conservative Heritage Foundation is proposing an $86 billion increase in defense spending, recommending that lawmakers partially offset the cost through a sharp cut to the Air Force's planned purchase of more than 1,700 F-35A fighter jets.

In a policy proposal released Wednesday, the D.C.-based think tank called on Congress to "substantially" increase military spending in fiscal year 2018 to $632 billion, a five percent expansion to President Donald Trump's budget request submitted earlier this month.

This increase would be counteracted in part by a 30 percent reduction in the Air Force's F-35 purchase plan—from 1,763 F-35 fighter jets to 1,260 jets—under the National Defense Authorization Act, according to Heritage.

John Venable, a senior research fellow for defense policy at the Heritage Foundation who helped craft the proposal, told reporters during a private breakfast Tuesday morning that the decrease in the Air Force's purchase plan for F-35As would free up money for different acquisition programs within the service.

Heritage is pressing Congress to fund the expedited acquisition of F-35As over the next four years, but the report noted that even with accelerated production, the Air Force would still not complete its purchase of the 1,040 combat-ready F-35As recommended by the think tank for the active duty force until the early 2030s. That projection does not include the additional 60 combat-ready fighter jets Heritage recommended the service maintain in its National Guard and Reserve fleets with another 100 to be used in active duty training and operational test and evaluation requirements.

Venable, a former Air Force pilot, said the slow acquisition rate of F-35s will force the service to continue to use a mix of fourth and fifth generation aircraft for the "foreseeable future," meaning the branch will need a sharp increase in federal funding to continue operating its dual-capable F-16s and F-15s.

"Even if we ramp [production] up to 100 aircraft a year, it's going to take 12 years to bring all of those fighters onboard that we've got planned for the F-35A, so throughout that time, if we were able to do that, we would need to have F16s, F-15Es, and F-15Cs," he said.

You expect me to cheer and chest thump, but I view this differently.  We're finally seeing a move to save the services from themselves.  Honestly I view this as a move to help the USAF get back to a mix of hi-lo aircraft.

Heritage is signalling an "off ramp" for the USAF with the F-35.  

Something is going on behind the scenes with this airplane.  I don't know if its price or capabilities but everywhere I look I see people backing away (with the exception of Davis...for an aviator he sure embraces the "hey diddle diddle straight up the middle" concept).

Keep on eye on the defense media in the coming weeks.  If my theory is right then the next thing we should hear is talk of massive upgrades for the F-16 or F-15.  If that happens and if we see the test between the F-35 and A-10 delayed then we know that they're trying to back off the programed purchase.

US Navy going for MASSIVE Super Hornet upgrade!

via Scout Warrior

A series of advanced technologies are being introduced into what Boeing calls its Block 3. It introduces new sensors suites, range extension and potentially stealthier attributes that Boeing says will make it a perfect companion for the F-35.

“There will be real complementary capabilities,” Dan Gillian, Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18G Growler programs vice president. told Scout Warrior in an interview. He compared the future Super Hornets with JSS and EA-18G Growler electronic attack and warfare aircraft. “This is what it needs to be viable in the 2020s and 2030s.”

Here’s what Boeing has in mind.

The aircraft will have enhanced network capability with a system that improves computing power (DTP-N), network throughput (TTNT) and integration between the sensor and platform, which will allow large amounts of data on and off the airplane and make F/A-18 a smart node on the network.  This also will help It also increase ability to receive targeting information from platforms like the F-35, EA-18G and the E-2D Hawkeye.
The aircraft will have longer range with low-drag, stealthy conformal fuel tanks.  The shoulder-mounted tanks can carry 3,500 pounds of fuel and reduce drag, allowing the aircraft to operate longer, go faster, and/or carry more weight.

The Block 3 Super Hornet also will feature long-range detection with Infrared Search & Track (IRST). The long-range sensor can detect and target threats without having to depend on radar, generating a multi-ship, common tactical picture at long range and allowing the Super Hornet to operate as a smart sensor node on the network.

Pilots will be able to manage of the enhanced situational awareness with a new Advanced Cockpit System --   a 10 x 19-inch touchscreen display provides the pilot with the capability to see, track and target multiple long range targets generated by the common tactical picture.
If some of this sounds familiar, that’s because part of the package was what Boeing a year or so ago had called its “Advanced Super Hornet” offering. “We have matured our thinking,” Gillian says. “We’re thinking of how to complement with Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) in the future fight. We’re making the F-18 a smart node on the NIFC-CA network … to contribute and share.”

He adds, “We’re embracing the power of the networked carrier network. With the DTP-N, we’ve got the distributed targeting processor, a big computer that’s a Growler program of record. With TTNT, we’ve got a big data pipe that we’re moving over from Growler and E-2D. The IRST sensor is a key aspect of Block 2, with the AESA it can fuse information. So, we have a big computer and a big data pipe that can move data around.”

The Navy is going all in on the Advanced Super Hornet it appears.  Awesome.

Pic of the day. U.S. Army M109A6 Paladin sending...

A U.S. Army M109A6 Paladin deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve - عملية العزم الصلب fires during a training operation at Camp Manion

Hmm.  Interesting.  The M777 operated by the USMC gets most of the attention, so much attention that I didn't know the Army had M109A6's in country.  But it does raise a question.  The Army operates the M777.  It's lighter, strategically mobile etc.  Why would they send self propelled guns to Iraq for fire support?  It doesn't fit the kind of fight we're seeing.

Italian Army @ Operation Safe Streets!

via Italian Army Website.

Last night a man was arrested thanks to the intervention of the military because the Army surprised to peddle drugs in Naples. A patrol of the Regiment Cavalry Guide (19th) , serving as part of Operation "Safe Streets," has identified the person in the illegal intent in Piazza "Garibaldi" and proceeded to catch and identification.

The man, a homeless 43-year-old was found in possession of a large quantity of different narcotic substances.

The police intervened on the spot at the request of the military, he has proceeded to the arrest man on charges of possession of drugs with intent to sell. Through a constant and widespread presence, the military Operation "Safe Streets" garrison the territory and sensitive sites, in coordination with the Police to increase the level of safety of citizens. 

Wow. I didn't know the Italians had regular forces on the streets of their cities.  Operation Safe Streets has been going on for awhile now so this is not in response to the immigration crisis.  The Europeans have a tradition of militarized police but regular Army bubbas?  Who knew!  A bit more on Operation Safe Streets below.

Again via Italian Military Website.

Milan, the soldiers of the Italian Army, engaged in the operation "Safe Streets", have rescued an elderly person near Segrate (MI) and, in the center of Milan, blocked a drunk with harassing attitude toward bystanders .

The first intervention was in favor of an old man who wandered along the road between the idroscalo and the city center. The military, employed by Colonel Marco Cianfanelli, they noticed that the old man wandered disoriented in the dimly lit street and under the strong storm in place. evaluated the situation, military personnel decided to take action to prevent any kind of accident. The senior, in obvious confusion, was rescued by the Army patrol proceeded to warn the Police and family members.

The second intervention instead, has seen committed another Army patrol that has blocked, in C.so Garibaldi, a drunk guy of Polish nationality with clear violent attitudes toward bystanders. The soldiers stopped the young man as he was walking over some cars parked on the street and handed him over to the police who intervened on the spot.

Operation Safe Streets, from August 2008, he committed the Italian Army for crime prevention needs in metropolitan areas through supervisory activities at sensitive sites and goals, as well as reconnaissance and patrol, in competition and in combination with Police Forces.
Since mid-April, Brigadier General Claudio Rondano, reporting directly to the Command of the North Interregional Defense Forces, has assumed responsibility for the operation "Safe Streets" on the square of Milan, Monza and Brianza and directs the Santa Barbara barracks , home of the Horse Artillery Regiment, also all of the operations contributing to 'World Expo security.

Interesting.  I wondered how Italy has avoided many of the attacks we hear so much about in other European countries and this might be a partial answer.  For whatever reason they were prepped for the immigration crisis before it arrived.

1st Armored Division heading to Iraq...

via Army.mil

The Department of the Army announced today the summer 2017 deployment of approximately 400 soldiers from the 1st Armored Division Headquarters, stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas, to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

The 1st Armored Division Headquarters will assume the role of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Iraq, replacing the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters. In that role, the division headquarters will be responsible for mission command of coalition troops training, advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces.

"America's Tank Division is highly trained and ready for this important mission," said Maj. Gen. Pat White, commanding general of 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss. "We are proud to work alongside our Iraqi allies and coalition partners to continue the fight against ISIS. I'm also extremely impressed by the commitment and sacrifice of our military families. It is their stalwart support and resilience that gives us the strength to serve."

I'm not sure I understand how the Army is carrying out this mission.  I understand that they need to maintain their rotation but to send Infantry and Light Infantry units to head shed this op and then switch to an Armor unit puzzles me.

Is the military organized to conduct long term stability operations in foreign countries?  If it isn't (and I suspect they aren't) then is it the fault of the strategy or is a reorganization called for?

More importantly, considering the results of our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, is it time to rewrite the Counterinsurgency/Small Wars manual?  From my chair both efforts have been conducted with flair and tenacity but unfortunately have resulted in failure.  Should we scrap our playbook and write a new one? 

Open Comment Post. March 30, 2017.

Everything you know about REAL Ninjas is wrong! via The Art Of Manliness!

This one is pretty awesome.  If you aren't subscribed to these guys then you're missing out.  I embedded the podcast here but you really should head over to their house to see the article that goes along with it.

Why tax sodas when you can do this to change consumer behavior (listed under sick)

via Gizmodo.

File this story under shit you didn’t want to know. Police in Northern Ireland have opened an investigation to find out exactly how human feces found its way into a shipment of cans at a Coca-Cola bottling plant.
The soda behemoth told The Guardian that the poop-containing cans were discovered at the Hellenic Bottling Company factory in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Production was abruptly shut down when the machines were clogged by said poop.

According to Coke’s representatives, the cans arrived at the factory empty and without a top. They are then filled with delicious sugar water and capped before making their way to distribution. At the moment, it’s unknown at what point in the supply chain the cans became contaminated. A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland told The Guardian, “The investigation is at an early stage and there are no further details available at this time.”

Wow.

Just plain fucking wow.

Some city in the NorthEast corridor started taxing sodas (forget which one) as part of a health move (expect more of the same with health care suddenly being a right...why should I pay for people that abuse their bodies?) and the unintended result was that soda sales plunged.

What do you think is gonna happen when people find out that Coca-Cola has shit in it?

Insect legs I can take.  Modern industrial food prep.  Ya take the good with the bad, besides, ant legs are just extra protein but human waste?   There is only one way to properly decontaminate that factory....

Open Comment Post. March 29, 2017.

The Ground Combat Element must be prepared to stand alone.

via USNI News.

“In the 2017-2027 timeframe, the Marine Corps will possess the majority of naval 5th generation aircraft. By 2025, the Marine Corps will operate 185 F-35Bs—enough to equip all seven L-Class ships,” the plan reads.
“While the amphibious assault ship will never replace the aircraft carrier, it can be complementary, if employed in imaginative ways. The CV-L concept has previous been employed (five times) utilizing AV-8B Harriers in a ‘Harrier Carrier’ concept… A Lightning Carrier, taking full advantage of the amphibious assault ship as a sea base, can provide the naval and joint force with significant access, collection and strike capabilities.”

The Lightning Carrier concept includes an amphibious assault ship carrying 16 to 20 F-35Bs with four MV-22 Ospreys to refuel them – along with relying on the Distributed Aviation Operations’ forward-operating bases – and deploying either independently, as part of an Expeditionary Strike Group or as part of a Carrier Strike Group with a Navy aircraft carrier and guided-missile cruisers and destroyers.

“We might never need to employ this way – and may not want to, based upon the need to employ our amphibious ships in a more traditional role – but to not lean forward to develop this capability, to train and exercise with it, is to deny ourselves a force multiplier that highlights the agility and opportunity only the Navy-Marine Corps team can provide,” the plan reads.

Additionally, with growing global demands for naval aviation presence and upcoming opportunities such as the introduction of the LX(R) – which will be a much more sophisticated ship than the LSD dock landing ship it replaces – the aviation plan states “we must explore new and creative methods of deploying and employing the ACE in order to provide maximum flexibility, capabilities and value to the naval and joint force.”

Semi-rant.

I've heard this concept of an "all F-35" LHA/LHD bandied about too often for it to be a flash in the pan.

The head of Marine Air wants his baby carrier and wants it bad.  The Ground Combat Element MUST be prepared to stand alone.  It's beyond obvious that fast movers will be off either fighting/supporting the naval battle or they will be gladly partaking in USAF taskings.

Supporting the Marine on the ground is obviously becoming more and more of a fourth or fifth priority.

What does this mean?  It means that EVERY exercise must include AH-1Zs and UH-1Ys.  Its the only REAL hip pocket air support that ground commanders can rely on in the future.  It means that EVERY exercise should include a potential air threat.  The days of knowing that the planes flying overhead are ours is over.  Additionally we need to act with haste to acquire a credible anti-air system that can operate with the maneuver force.  A few Marines with Stinger missiles is no longer good enough.  The LAV-AD of old isn't either.  We need a credible, long range anti-air system at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade level.  My preference would be that it's mounted on the ACV chassis but the platform is irrelevant (the US Army's MultiMission Launcher or SLAMRAAM on the JLTV will work too).

The Marine Expeditionary Unit is all but dead in the Marine Corps.  So is the Air-Ground Task Force.

Marine Air is going its own way.  The Ground Combat Element better prepare for the day when our aviators no longer wear camo helmet covers. 

Germany orders Spike LR.

via Janes

The German parliament gave the green light on 22 March for the Bundeswehr to procure 1,000 Israeli-designed Spike LR anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and 97 corresponding launcher units worth EUR158.3 million (USD172 million) from EuroSpike under the Bundeswehr's multirole guided missile system (MELLS) programme.

The contract breaks down into EUR112.4 million for the missiles themselves, EUR25.6 million for the launchers, and EUR20.3 million for integration into the Bundeswehr's AGDUS laser-based training and simulation system.

The procurement is to begin in 2018, with 104 missiles and 39 launcher units to be procured by 2020. The German Ministry of Defence (MoD) expects additional user costs for MELLS of EUR25 million projected over the course of 20 years until 2037, as well as EUR18.7 million in user costs for the AGDUS components.

I don't know when it happened but it appears that the Spike family of anti-tank missiles have become the world standard.

I wonder why the Javelin and TOW fell out of favor?  Are they outclassed across the board?  Is the Spike more flexible/cheaper?  

I really would like to know.

Did a US Army General by omission indicate that the Leopard 2 sucks?

via Defense Tech.

A handful of foreign tanks — including Russia’s — now match the power of the U.S. Army’s main battle tank, the M1 Abrams, an American general recently testified to Congress.

“I think for the very near term, the Abrams is still near the very top of its class,” said Lt. Gen. John M. Murray, deputy chief of staff for financial management, referring to the third-generation tank built by General Dynamics Corp. that entered service in 1980.

“I think we have parity,” he said during a March 22 hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Airland Subcommittee. “I think there is parity out there. I don’t think we have overmatch.”

Murray’s comments came in response to a question from Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska and a Marine who served in Afghanistan. He later elaborated on the topic in response to a question from Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas and chairman of the subcommittee, who asked what foreign tanks are competitive with the Abrams.

“I would say that the Israelis’ — the Merkava — would be one,” Murray said. “The [Russian] T-90 is probably pretty close. People talk about their Armata tank and that’s still, in my mind, not completely fielded. Probably the British tank [Challenger 2] is pretty close. I would not say that we have the world-class tank that we had for many, many years. I’ll be an optimist and say that we’re at parity with a lot of different nations.”

This is a US Army Armor Officer and he should know his stuff.

The Merkava and T-90?  No surprise.  They're good to go when operated by competent crews in the doctrine they were designed for.  The Challenger? Quite honestly that kinda shocked me.  From my chair it's fallen behind.

No mention of the LeClerc but by rights it's probably the only REAL expeditionary (operated by the West) main battle tank in service today.  It's relatively light, it has a big gun that hits hard and it's got decent armor.  56 tons?  With that being the combat weight I might not list it in my top 5 but its credible and a contender in some scenarios...including many USMC applications.

But the big surprise is that he didn't immediately talk about the Leopard 2.

I ran with this story (it was posted by Sputnik two days ago) but missed the force of connection.  Of all the tanks he listed as being on par with the M1 Abrams, the one tank he didn't list was the "Nato Standard MBT" (many call it that because so many countries in Europe operate the Leopard 2 MBT)!

I guess the debate is over. A dedicated professional, testifying to Congress, says the Leopard 2 is not on par with the M1 Abrams!