Marine Personnel Carrier Threshold Requirements.

I was going over a few documents yesterday and ran across the MPC Threshold and Objective requirements.  To say that they appear to be somewhat challenging is an understatement.  Challenging but doable.

Having said all that, the need to swim from ship to shore...provide a crew station for the senior troop commander that provides observation points without electronics, the ability to mount a current or projected Marine Corps weapon that allows direct fire support for 1000 meter assault....

I think we'll see this project winnow down to just a couple of companies rather quickly.  But read it for yourself below...

MPCAnnexA

A fighter jet is taken down by a bird

Crazy!

First night takeoff for the F-35C

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Matt Taylor ascends in F-35C test aircraft CF-2 June 13. The flight was the first night takeoff for the carrier variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and evaluated the aircraft’s night lighting system. The F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

24th MEU's Force Recon practices TRAP mission.

Nice video but its a shame.

Remember when the 82nd Airborne once practiced airfield seizures?  Well the Rangers were looking for a mission so they took it away from them.

Remember the O'Grady rescue?

The men of the 24th MEU should.  3rd Battalion 8th Marines was the Battalion Landing Team for that float and guess what?

They're the ones that pulled it off.

Force Recon...Maritime Raid Force...needs to be absorbed back into MARSOC.  As it currently stands they're just taking missions away from the Battalion Landing Team.  Besides...any recon will or can be conducted either by UAV, Sats or SNIPER teams....

The US military might field 3 different V-22 internally transportable vehicles.

Formerly the Force Protection Jamma...now...who knows what GDLS will name it.

via the postandcourier.com

The defense giant that acquired Summerville-based Force Protection Inc. last year is in the hunt to build a new tactical vehicle for the U.S. military.

General Dynamics Land Systems said Thursday it has submitted a formal proposal to participate in the U.S. Special Operations Command’s Ground Mobility Vehicle program.

The Sterling Heights-based company filed its bid with the defense unit’s headquarters in Tampa, Fla. A sample vehicle was delivered on May 30.

Special Operations Command plans to buy up to 1,300 high-speed tactical transports under its so-called GMV 1.1 program, but it has not yet picked a supplier.

A contract is expected to be awarded by January, with production ending in mid-2020.

Read the entire article, but the US military might be in the awkward position of having three different internally transportable vehicles.

GDLS EFSS & Light Strike Vehicle for the Marine Corps to fill the ITV role.

GDLS Flyer ITV which rumor has it USAF pararescue likes for their ITV.

And these are just the offerings from General Dynamics.  To be quite honest I lost track of all the different competitors for the ITV role but surely other manufacturers are going to be entering these contest and only the Marine Corps has fielded a version.

Besides a Ground Mobility Vehicle for Rangers (and other SOCOM units if they see fit), you have the Para-Rescue guys that are looking at a vehicle...you can bet money that Naval Special Warfare will want their own ride (c'mon can you see SEALs using a vehicle that isn't boutique?) and because of their mission set Special Forces might need a unique vehicle too.

Long story short....vehicle standardization isn't even possible within SOCOM much less across the rest of the DoD.  Perhaps we should stop trying?

Friday Funny.

The Puma Suit and Elements of Power's take on the F-22 issues.

Elements of Power goes over the issues with the F-22 in one of his blog posts...very informative stuff but what actually blew me away was his short talk about the Puma Suit.

Back during the development of the F-22 the USAF was aware of the altitudes at which the F-22 would be operating and had a decision to make.

Either wave the restrictions on the normal flight suit at those altitudes or develop a new pressure suit to help safeguard its pilots.  The USAF chose to roll the dice on new tech and it MIGHT be coming back to bite them.  Read his entire post but I wonder if it could be as simple as a pressure suit to solve the F-22's woes.

Eurosatory. A complete bust.

Eurosatory was a complete bust.

The industry didn't wow and the military journalist covering the show laid an egg too.  As far as coverage of the show is concerned only Tamir Eshel of Defense Update really shined.

All the old journalistic standbys looked old...stale...and more interested in schmoozing with industry officials instead of getting the news out on happenings in the defense realm.

As far as the industry is concerned...consolidation has to be coming.  The only "new" product that even began to give me the "wow" factor was the CRAB and that appears to be a Fennec repeat (meaning a French version of a German vehicle)...

This show sucked.  The upcoming Paris Air Show probably won't be any better.  Until the crisis in Europe, the Middle East and the economies around the world are in better shape I wouldn't count on much more than product improved vehicles.

What does that mean for the Marine Corps?


It means that the Commandant probably lied when he said that he would be driving the Amphibious Combat Vehicle before his term was over.  The Marine Personnel Carrier might morph into the ACV and the improved AAV might have to soldier on another 20 years.


The US Marine Corps has sold its soul to the aviation side of the house.  It might mean that a swing from a medium weight force to a Commando type force might be in the future.


That would mean a Marine Corps that is more akin to the 101st Airborne than the all purpose, hard charging formation that it is today.

UPDATE:

Sherpard Media also deserves a hat tip on its Eurosatory coverage.  

CARAT Indonesia 2012.

Photos by Cpl. Jacob D. Barber

U.S. and Indonesian Marines rush Banongan Beach during a simulated amphibious assault as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2012. The Marines took part in the assault as the landing force, with the support of 2nd platoon Fox Company, Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) Battalion, and the Indonesian Marine Corps and Navy. The partnering nations are participating in the underway phase of CARAT Indonesia 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Timor Leste joins CARAT for the first time in 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob D. Barber/Released)

U.S Marines rush through Banongan Beach during an amphibious assault as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2012. The Marines took part in the assault as the landing force, with the support of 2nd platoon Fox Company, Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) Battalion, and the Indonesian Marine Corps and Navy. The partnering nations are participating in the underway phase of CARAT Indonesia 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Timor Leste joins CARAT for the first time in 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob D. Barber/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Colin Latham, team leader, 3rd platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, opens a doorway for his Marines before clearing a house in an amphibious assault on Banongan Beach as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2012. The Marines took part in the assault as the landing force, with the support of 2nd platoon Fox Company, Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) Battalion, and the Indonesian Marine Corps and Navy. The partnering nations are participating in the underway phase of CARAT Indonesia 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Timor Leste joins CARAT for the first time in 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob D. Barber/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Travis Bos, squad leader, 3rd platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, shouts orders from a doorway to his Marines after clearing a house in an amphibious assault on Banongan Beach as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2012. The Marines took part in the assault as the landing force with the support of 2nd platoon, Fox Company, Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) Battalion, and the Indonesian Marine Corps and Navy. The partnering nations are participating in the underway phase of CARAT Indonesia 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Timor Leste joins CARAT for the first time in 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob D. Barber/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Daniel Breilh, executive officer, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, gives instructions to an Indonesian Marine in an amphibious assault on Banongan Beach as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2012. The Marines took part in the assault as the landing force with the support of 2nd platoon, Fox Company, Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) Battalion, and the Indonesian Marine Corps and Navy. The partnering nations are participating in the underway phase of CARAT Indonesia 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Timor Leste joins CARAT for the first time in 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob D. Barber/Released)

A Day in the Life of X-47B

Dude....no!

Damn son!  Just stop!

Can you say goofy?

F-35 & American Flag in Flight

Happy Birthday US ARMY!

I tease you guys but luv ya all the same.

Happy birthday little brothers.

"Before We're Through With Them, the Japanese Language Will Be Spoken Only in Hell."

Cracked magazine is cool.

They've been hitting on some pretty awesome military themes and today's escapade involves the 6 coolest things said by soldiers before killing people.

The title of this post was uttered by Admiral Halsey while surveying the damage after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  The shame of it all is that the US has such a fascinating military history that few people know, the pity of it is that the Navy doesn't advertise stuff like this but the greatness of it all is that a mag like CRACKED dug it up.


Love it.  Check out the rest of it here.

VBTP-MR...is it the SuperAv by another name?

via Shepard International.

Speaking at Eurosatory in Paris on 12 June, Iveco company executives described the agreement with the Brazilian Army's Science and Technology Department, which will focus on the development of a 'wide variety' of vehicle configurations in order to help them fulfil roles including personnel carrier; reconnaissance; and ambulance.
The deal follows a 2009 agreement in which the army contracted Iveco to supply 6X6 Guarani or VBTP platforms as part of a wider 2,044-strong family of APCs. Over 100 units will be manufactured each year at a new manufacturing plant in Sete Lagoas, Brazil from 2013 onwards. A first prototype, which was delivered in 2011, is currently 'performing very well' during tests in Rio de Janeiro, it was added.
Iveco CEO, Alfredo Altavilla said: 'The Brazilian Army has made a decision to follow-on with the development of a new version of Guarani for mechanised brigades. It will include the specific needs of infantry applications and configurations which are now under discussion.'

Officials added that an 8X8 variant would be considered as well as modifications to the internal layout of the existing Guarani platform. A final decision on the configuration is expected in the next few weeks with the new vehicle due to begin testing in 2013 and beyond.

Guarani is an 18-ton platform which is powered by an FPT Industrial Cursor 9 engine with automatic gearbox. It is capable of carrying 11 personnel and can be airlifted by C-130 or KC-390 airframes.
Iveco's programme manager in Brazil, Paolo Del Noce, highlighted export potential in South America, saying: 'There is potential for sales in several world markets. The Argentinian Army has already demonstrated its interest. They are working with Brazil for a procurement in 2013.

Interesting.

Brazil and Iveco are teaming to develop the VBTP-MR into a multi-platform vehicle.  Argentina has also stated that they intend to buy a couple of dozen of these vehicles and it all adds up Iveco having fully planted its flag in S. America.

Additionally with Brazil being the "front man" on this vehicle it should open more doors to unaligned countries...especially those in Africa and Asia.

I have no idea about how this vehicle fits into Iveco's broader sales campaign but it seems to be taking on more importance everyday.

What's confusing is the idea that an 8x8 version will be considered.  Is that just the SuperAV under a different name?

What is the game here?

UPDATE:
My bud BB1984 made a statement in the comments section that deserves to be highlighted...

I was wondering that too. I dug around a little online and Iveco seems to be saying they have three distinct vehicle families:
-- The SAT family, which includes these vehicles
-- The Super AV family
-- The Centauro family

The Centauro series is bigger and heavier and was not designed with amphibious performance in mind.

The Super AV was designed with amphibious performance in mind but also apparently with a goal of simplifying the overly complicated 8x8 drivetrains that are now common.

The difference between the Super AV line and the SAT line isn't clear to me. Iveco's site seems to say they are distinct, but not how they occupy different niches.

If I had to guess it would be that the SAT incorporates more truck components to keep costs down and make it more produceable in Brazil, but that is just a guess. 

It possible but it makes me wonder.  The VBTP-MR is also suppose to be blast/IED resistant.  If it can be done with mostly automotive parts...and if they're looking to build it into an 8x8, while retaining its amphibious capability...and if they're successful in simplifying the complex drive system then what is the difference between the classes of vehicles?  Questions remain but BB1984 has at least given us a starting point.

The real argument against women in the Infantry.

BlackFive has a post up defending the decision to allow women to attend Ranger School.  A commenter named Grim has made the most fact based case against it....

Grim said...

A better argument: women are structurally at least four times as likely to be seriously injured in this kind of intense physical training, and possibly -- if the British army's experience is telling -- as much as eight times as likely.
This leaves three options for implementation, all of them bad.
1) Hold the line. Qualified women attend at full speed. Through no fault of their own, but simply due to the physics of body construction, we lose some of the best female soldiers in the Army to career-ending injuries; and/or we lose years of their careers to recuperation. This attains the stated end -- women who survive and get the tab will be due much respect -- but at a very high cost to the force, and the country.
2) Make another line. Men continue to attend at full speed. A second track for women, with a lighter physical load, is developed. Women with Ranger tabs end up the butt of jokes instead of getting the intended respect, because everybody knows they got the tab for less effort. This fails to attain the stated purpose of the reform, as the Ranger tab won't get the women any respect. This also severely damages the Ranger ethos, by making some Rangers more equal than others. A two-track elite is not an elite; only the top of the two tracks is the elite.
3) Abandon the line. Move the physical standards back to levels women can complete without sustaining the kinds of disabling injuries associated with the current physical fitness standards. This fails to attain the stated end, and actually achieves what Killcullen is worried about: it destroys the ethos associated with the Rangers.

And that's the real issue.

If women are allowed to serve in the Infantry...or go to Ranger School then you're going to have to lower the standards.  There is no if's and's or but's about it.

If you don't lower the standards then you're going to lose some outstanding individuals that could have served admirably in another career field.

If you make it a two track system where standards for women are different from men then you have just solidified them as second class warriors.

Men had to do more and be better to get to the same place.

THIS SOCIAL EXPERIMENT GOES AGAINST THE VERY FIBER OF THE MARINE CORPS AND ARMY.

This will end badly and the same feminist that are pushing this idea would never allow their own daughters to go through the training.  The same men that are so OPEN MINDED and don't care are the same men that would cringe at the thought of a woman they love going through this training.

Guys who are so behind this idea are either full of shit, lying to themselves or being politically correct.  Probably all three.

Australian Tiger. Wallpaper worthy.

The Siege. DVD movie of the week.

Your DVD movie of the week is "The Siege"...Watch it and think....what if we had a couple of active terrorist cells operating along the East coast corridor from Virginia up to Boston and over to New York City.

First custom gear, now custom weapons?

U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Michael Nelson, a Security Force member of Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah, provides security during a key leader engagement in Cin Farsi Village, Farah province, Afghanistan, June 9. SECFOR is made up of National Guard infantrymen out of Alaska who are responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone assigned to PRT Farah.

Wow.


Steve at the Firearms Blog caught this and it has me saying what the fuck!


Thats an ADCOR 10.5 inch upper on that soldiers weapon!  Gucci gear but is it authorized?  Is it effective at the distances required?  If it isn't then is this soldier risking the lives of his fellow troopers by not being able to provide adequate fire support?


The rapid fielding initiative has gotten out of hand.  Super expensive gear that doesn't work any better than the standard issue is being handed out like candy and no one is calling bullshit on it.  If this is an unauthorized weapon then the Army has much bigger worries on its hands than implementing DADT and getting women into combat.


If an unauthorized weapon is being used then the Army is fucked up from the floor up.  This IS BASIC SHIT!

Steroid mad thugs.

A short story about Syria's death squads.

via the Mirror.

“They used to smuggle weapons and drugs but now they are butchers,” said Michael Weiss, a Syria expert at the UK-based Henry Jackson Society. In return for letting them operate above the law, the Shabiha act as Assad’s enforcers. They murder opponents and terrorise Syrians into obedience. The Ghosts are fanatical followers of the Muslim Alawite sect which rules the country and have been brainwashed into thinking the Sunni majority are enemies.
Now the Shabiha, who can be seen in action in videos, are being told they are fighting for their lives as they will face revenge if the regime is overthrown. A source said: “Their mission is to terrorise the civilian population and conduct ethnic cleansing.”
They have been blamed for the murders of 108 civilians – including 49 children – in Houla a fortnight ago. The Shabiha are then reported to have shot dead 12 workers in Qusayr before 78 villagers were slaughtered in Qubair last week.
Dr Mousab Azzawi, who runs the Syrian Network for Human Rights from London but had treated some of the Shabiha in Latakia, said recently: “They were like monsters. They had huge muscles, and big bellies and beards.
“They were very tall and frightening and took steroids to pump up their bodies. I had to talk to them like children as the Shabiha likes people with low intelligence. That is what makes them so terrifying — the combination of strength and blind allegiance to the regime.”

Read the whole thing....I still don't think we should get involved but this will get nasty. nastier.