MGS-25 "Aleksandar" Wheeled Self Propelled Howitzer (155/52 caliber).

MGS-25 #Aleksandar is a wheeled #SPH caliber 155/52. The Yugoimport-SDPR first introduced it in 2017. SPH is has a fully automated loading system. Aleksandar will be available with #VLAP extended-range projectiles, produced by #Yugoimport, which allows to fire at up to 52km range pic.twitter.com/fvwG2h59Ss

— The Dead District (@TheDeadDistrict) March 2, 2020

52km equals a bit over 30mi.  Competitive but not earth shattering performance. 

Is the answer to long range artillery simply to bring back 8in guns?  We had them at one time and they could really reach out.  Is it time to consider a return to that standard for ultra long range?

Cobra Gold 20: Amphibious Operations, Feb. 28, 2020.

Well that didn't last long...Taliban end truce to resume operations against the Afghan govt...

#BREAKING Taliban ends partial truce, to resume Afghan 'operations': spokesman pic.twitter.com/tRA6gZBAVK

— AFP news agency (@AFP) March 2, 2020

Sometimes despite the issues you just have to get up and walk away from a bad hand, bad relationship, bad deal or all three.  The war in Afghanistan is all three.

Time to go.

Correction.

Past time to go.  If the Afghan govt can't get it together after almost 20 years then they get hammered and we bounce rubble from distance to keep them from launching terror attacks.

But no more lost lives, injuries or misspent American treasure.

Czech Air Force Venom and Viper Helicopters sporting an usual but attractive camo pattern....

The new @BellFlight UH-Y Venom and the @BellFlight AH-1Z Viper helicopters of the Czech Air Force will be delivered in a grey/green camouflage scheme.

Source: https://t.co/V15Fq25kzM pic.twitter.com/8t7fhozsIP

— Dutch Aviation Photo (@DutchAviaPhoto) March 2, 2020

Royal Marines and Commando Wildcats of 847 NAS have been on winter training alongside British Army Apaches of 4 Regiment AAC .

Royal Marines and Commando Wildcats of @847NAS have been on winter training alongside @BritishArmy Apaches of @4RegimentAAC.

🔗Read more: https://t.co/amM1HFOpxV pic.twitter.com/8XF34xfAJ5

— Royal Marines (@RoyalMarines) March 2, 2020

Coronavirus Panic Map (Ironic Funny?)

MiG31 intercepts simulated aggressor in Russian airspace above Kamchatka

#MiG31 intercepts simulated aggressor in #Russian airspace above #Kamchatka

MORE: https://t.co/3fhE1H4uoS pic.twitter.com/sx44L7Zgdw

— RT (@RT_com) March 2, 2020

SAAB introduces GRIPEN for Canada!

View this post on Instagram

Proud to be teaming up with Canada!🇨🇦 As part of our Canadian fighter jet offer, we are working with Canadian aerospace leaders to create high quality, sustainable jobs from coast to coast for generations. This is the Gripen for Canada Team! #smartfighter #aviation #airforce

A post shared by Saab (@saab) on Mar 2, 2020 at 5:34am PST

Freaking awesome.  I'm a GRIPEN fan.  Love the plane.  Love its capabilities. Love its affordability/reliability/lethality!!!!

Cold Response 2020 Vids...

Thanks to CARGO for the link!!!

UK Joint Helicopter Support Squadron at work....

Hold our beers.... pic.twitter.com/p0oYeQcvMk

— Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (@Joint_Heli) March 2, 2020

Interesting take on the Brit "Invincible-class aircraft carrier"

An interesting tidbit I picked up a while back was that CVS was designed to fit surface launch Exocet forward on the starboard side. You can see the rails the canisters fitted onto in the concept drawings. The space was eventually used for Phalanx. pic.twitter.com/Sp0RmfO2ae

— Engaging Strategy (@EngageStrategy1) March 2, 2020

Many of you will already know this but it was a surprise to me.  According to this bubba the Invincible Class was fitted for Exocet anti-ship missiles.  Why is this interesting to me?  Because the Navy/Marine Corps are attempting to make Amphibious Ships more "lethal".  Seems at one time the Brits were on that same trail.  Come to think of it the original "Tarawa" class mounted 5in guns which would have provided defense against small boat attacks that were all the rage in naval circles just a few years ago.

Since the Marine Corps appears to be heading back to the Coastal Defense Battalion concept of WW2, I have to wonder if we might see some of the close in air defense systems replaced with anti-ship missiles or rather augmented with them in the near future.

My problem with that possibility?

We're giving up combat power ashore (weight has to be made up somewhere and the more stuff dedicated to the sea battle the less you have for the fight ashore).

Will the Marine Corps devolve to a point where even a hybrid terror group has equal or greater combat power on land than the future Ground Combat Element?

Are they focusing so much on the sea battle that we start losing the land fight?

Berger really needs to get out of his foxhole and start laying out his ideas.

Russians begin airlift of arms to Syria...

Mass transfer: 8 Il-76 arrived in Khmeimim, as well as a group of air defense officers🇷🇺🇸🇾

3 Il-76 transport aircraft of RuAF arrived in Khmeimim in Syrian province of Latakia on night of March 1 to 2. In general, over past 72 hours, 8 aircraft of this type have landed at AFB. pic.twitter.com/2aSNZPeNDi

— Sukhoi Su-57 Felon 🇷🇺🇮🇳 (@I30mki) March 2, 2020

Everyone is focusing on the Russian Air Force's airlift of arms to Syria.  I think they're missing the real news though.  I think the focus should be on civilian and Russian Navy shipping to Syria.

If they're going to get artillery, rockets and armor to the Syrian forces (to make up for losses) then its gonna go by ship, not air.

Look to the seas to get a clue of Russian intention.  Not the air!