BMT-72

Translated from Polish by Google

BMT-72 on the training ground during shooting. The BMT-72 is a prototype of a modified T-72A / T-72B tank with an extended hull, thanks to which it was possible to make space between the turret and the propulsion compartment for a compartment for five landing troops. 

BMT-72 na poligonie w trakcie strzelań. BMT-72 to prototyp zmodyfikowanego czołgu T-72A/T-72B o przedłużonym kadłubie, dzięki czemu między wieżą a przedziałem napędowym, udało się wygospodarować przestrzeń na przedział dla pięciu żołnierzy desantu. pic.twitter.com/LhseUriXq7

— Damian Ratka (@DRatka1) December 28, 2020

Kinda makes sense.

We've seen tracked IFVs explode to MBT type weight, so why not simply make tanks into IFVs?  I'm sure its not a comfortable ride but just like carrying concealed, it's suppose to be comforting, not comfortable and I'm sure the heavy armor of a MBT is more comforting if you're being deposited on the objective which is the original idea of IFVs in the first place.

*Remember the old adage?  APCs drop off infantry short of the objective to carry out the assault on foot while IFVs drop them at the objective hence they have/need more firepower?  I wonder if that's changed now. 

Army Special Forces Soldier Accused in Illinois Mass Shooting

 via Heavy

Webb is an active duty special forces soldier in the U.S. Army who was named by authorities as the suspect accused in the mass shooting at Don Carter’s bowling alley in Rockford, Illinois. Three people were killed, and three others were injured. “We believe this is a completely random act,” the police chief, Dan O’Shea, said in a December 27 news conference. Webb, a sergeant, was on leave at the time of the shooting, authorities said.

Police are in contact with the U.S. Army about Duke Webb, he said. He’s facing three murder charges and three attempted murder charges. He tried to disguise himself when police arrived, according to the chief. O’Shea said the motive is not clear, but it’s not believed that the suspect knew the victims, who have not yet been named by authorities. The motive is not yet clear. A bar and carryout restaurant were open when the shooting occurred.

Here 

Shaking my head on this one.

I get the feeling but I can't put my finger on it that the force is breaking. 

I don't know if its deployments, coronavirus, the social stuff, or what but something is breaking.  The cracks are there if you look.

The thing that has me spinning is that leaders don't seem to realize the chaos/friction they're causing.

The Army seems to have something special going on though.  Fatal-ville, I mean Fayetteville is on a tear lately.  I didn't post on it but an Airborne Troop was found in the water decapitated.  Another SF Soldier (if I recall correctly) killed his wife and then himself.

I can see a bit of the stuff going on the Marines/Navy.  Don't know what's going on with the Army but outside of the Air Force and Coast Guard, the Pentagon is in pain.

Latest controversy. Was the bombing in Nashville terrorism?

 

This is an interesting one to me.  Was the bombing in Nashville terrorism?

Some are saying that it is without a doubt while other contend that it was destructive but something else.

One thing though.

I know that there is a legal definition of terrorism.  I get that, but this case is a bit different for me.

Why?

Have you ever heard of a terrorist announcing that a bomb will go off and warning people to evacuate?  Have you ever heard of a terrorist going after a target when its guaranteed that few people will be in the area?

I'm curious to see where ya'll come down on this issue but for me this was highly destructive and disruptive but falls short.

What do you guys think?

Sidenote.  My rational is body count.  You destroy buildings etc...they can be rebuilt/replaced.  Human life is different and this guy by all that I've read seems to have wanted to avoid human casualties (besides his own).

Patria AMVXP 8x8 Test Vehicles on the Way to Japan

 

Story here

Taiwan to build a Clouded Leopard II Mobile Gun System...

 

via Taiwan News.

 The Ministry of Defense’s (MND) Armament Bureau has announced the development of a new variant of the Clouded Leopard armored vehicle, with two prototypes scheduled to be completed before 2023.

The new variant will be armed with a 105-mm cannon, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and an additional 12.7 mm remote control gun turret. According to the 2021 MND budget, the Armament Bureau has set aside NT$768 million (US$ 27 million) to develop prototypes of a number of artillery vehicles between 2019 and 2023, CNA reported.

According to military sources, although the 105-mm gun barrels were purchased from abroad, future mass production of the weapons will be developed in Taiwan through technology transfer. Furthermore, it is expected the recoil force of the armored vehicle can be effectively reduced by more than 70 percent.

The new variant will be suited for rapid strikes and introduced in MND’s newly established joint arms battalion. At the same time, the Armament Bureau is updating the gun system to be remotely controlled. The Bureau is working with the National Chung Shang Institute of Science and Technology to come up with the vehicle design.

Here 

This has been on tap ever since they first introduced the Clouded Leopard (original version).  I guess its taken time to iron out the design.  I only wonder if they'll go with a manned or unmanned.  If current trends are to be believed then it'll be manned.  The US Army's Stryker MGS is an outlier in the field.  Both the Centauro II and the Type 16 are manned.

A heartwarming video to end your day...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ⚜️B Y R O N R O D G E R S⚜️ (@byron_rodgers)

Well I enjoyed it. Oh and give Byron a follow. Good dude. Good info if you're into being "socially aware"!

Fire phobia training

 

Bring the heat!🔥

A @101stAASLTDIV Cav Scout participates in fire phobia training which helps #Soldiers overcome their natural fear of fire by learning proper techniques of reacting to a homemade incendiary device.#PicOfTheDay | #ArmyFit

📸: Spc. Adeline Witherspoon pic.twitter.com/KAjuKff5Ry

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) December 27, 2020

Open Comment Post. 28 Dec 2020

 

Full introduction of VT5 tank

Do I have a Mandarin speaker that can explain the commercial about the disabled Chinese soldier at the beginning of the vid?

Whatever happened to the Ultra Heavy-Lift Amphibious Connector (UHAC)

How crazy has Marine Corps concepts been?

In 2014 we saw the above concept vehicle being tested.  The hope was that it could replace the LCAC to move heavy gear (read that to mean tanks) to the beach at long range.

We haven't heard a thing since.

BUT!

While that was pushed to the dustbin, we saw fighting in mega cities, the return to port seizures and now Berger's madness.

In other words we've seen confusion, chaos and intense friction throughout the Marine Corps because leadership can't pick a direction.

The solution?

Take a knee.  Get our house in order by setting up the Corps personnel wise to move into the future.  Clean out redundancy and inefficiency throughout the organization.  And finally we need to streamline EVERY division, wing, command etc...

Sometimes the answer to a mess is to simply clean your house.

Marines were once slated to get F-14's?

VMFA-122 , planned to be one of the first 2 F-14 squadrons for the Marines. There were flight and ground crews training at Miramar, however The Commandant of the Marine Corps cancelled the plan ahead of implementation. pic.twitter.com/hfhTpalfKn

— Chris Bolton (@CcibChris) December 28, 2020

I wasn't a JJ Watt fan till I saw this...

After the Texans’ latest loss today, J.J. Watt was asked how he and his team would be able to bounce back next week. His answer is required watching for many. pic.twitter.com/3uRRnvBC53

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2020

Damn!

I won't cheer for the Texans but I'll cheer for Watt!