Thursday, November 19, 2020
Marines’ New Recon Vehicle Faces Uncertainty
via National Defense Magazine
A new strategic blueprint from the commandant of the Marine Corps has thrown into question the future of the service’s effort to acquire a new scout vehicle.
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A draft request for prototype proposals for the platform’s base variant was slated to be released in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 with the final RFPP scheduled for spring 2021, the press release said.
“PM LAV will focus efforts targeted on industry RFIs and strategic small group engagements,” John Myers, program manager for Marine Corps Systems Command’s light armored vehicle portfolio, said in the release.
However, these timelines are now being questioned as the Marine Corps and Navy have gone silent on the ARV.
Over the summer, the program was transferred from Marine Corps Systems Command to the service’s Program Executive Office for Land Systems. Since then, public affairs officers have declined to answer follow-up questions about the program, with MCSC spokespersons referring questions to PEO Land Systems, and its spokesperson referring questions to the Office of Naval Research, since it is classified as a science-and-technology program, not a “program of record.”
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Mark Cancian, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, noted that the service is not only divesting its tanks, but also scaling back on other ground platforms such as the Amphibious Combat Vehicle.
“That vision is for small, highly agile teams that will use long-range precision fires,” Cancian said. “Combat vehicles don’t fit very well into this concept. … Ground combat vehicles are most useful if you are conducting operations against the conventional ground forces of another power. The Marine Corps looks to be fighting at long range.”
Here
There you have it.
I've been telling you that LAR is the walking dead. They're zombies but they just don't know.
Close with and destroy the enemy? That's old skool Marine Corps! There is a "bit of difference"!
The new Marines leave the ground fighting entirely up to the Army. Any mission they're looking at performing will be better conducted by Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, or even Special Forces (raids...Berger thought we could dip our toes in the raid category when SOCOM has that fenced off...is he smoking crack!).
But back on task.
LAR is definitely dead. ACV is probably dead too (the answer to that will be what Biden decides to do with the defense budget but with flat budgets being a certainty and cutbacks being possible its in danger too).
The Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) had a good run. Its a shame it was killed from within. But have no fear. Once Berger is gone, once the Marines are sitting on the sidelines of future fights they'll TRY and bring it back. Unfortunately it'll be too late. Berger's concept is the death of the Marines.
Light Armored Recon Officer points out how Chinese Armor outclasses the USMC's...
via Proceedings
Even with 30-millimeter-armed ACVs, the Marines will still lack a vehicle armed with a large-caliber direct-fire gun. However, there are many platforms similar to the ACV in active service that are armed with just such weapons. The Army’s Stryker Mobile Gun System, Japanese Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle, and Italian Centauro are all armed with a 105-millimeter main gun. They are all also lighter than the ACV. Fielding such a vehicle would significantly reduce the logistical requirements on Marine units when compared to the Abrams while retaining the capability of an armored direct fire asset. This can be used not only to engage enemy vehicles, but also provide fire support to the infantry.
From main battle tanks to air-defense vehicles, the PLANMC’s vehicles outmatch those of the U.S. Marine Corps in firepower and armor protection. To win a fight with China, the Marine Corps will need to adopt new vehicles or substantially upgrade its existing ones.
Cue the standard response to these concerns. "Marine Air" will take care of it. "Long range artillery" will take care of it. "The Army" will take care of it.
It's all bullshit of course. Don't get me wrong. If they're available they'll fight, fight hard and send all they see to hell. But they'll probably be up to their necks in their own dramas.
The reality?
The Marine Air-Ground Task Force no longer exists.
Berger has killed it along with the Marines capability of fighting on the ground. The Marine Corps is back to at BEST naval infantry. In reality its just a missile slinging air arm.
You wonder why I couldn't get mad at reports that a new (lame duck) defense official had called for the dismantling of the Marine Corps? With its new "force design" the Marines no longer make monetary or manpower sense!
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Video from HSW presenting new Polish IFV Borsuk (Badger).
Do yourself a favor and follow Damian Ratka's Twitter Page! Thanks for the vid bro!
French/German Tiger around Le Luc Army base.
#Photoshooting few days ago with French/German Tiger around Le Luc Army base.#15years of EALAT #TigerSchool
— Anthony Pecchi (@anthonypecchi) November 18, 2020
🇫🇷🇩🇪@COM_ALAT @Com4BAC @CEMAT_FR @armeedeterre @bundeswehrInfo
Pictures @anthonypecchi pic.twitter.com/hgBf7g3Aon
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