F-35

First F-35C Night Flight

Merkava Mark IV speedpaint by galanpang

Marine Personnel Carrier. Do we still have a valid reason for it?

Lane and I have been take a solid look at the Marine Personnel Carrier program and he stated this in one of his comments....

I'd suggest the whole thing hasn't been properly conceptualized. The present AAV is an APC as is the MPC. The AAV replacement (EFV) was supposed to be an IFV, carry 17 Marines, and meet a very high water speed requirement that required it water plane and thus have a 2,700hp engine. The MPC as compared to EFV was seen as an infantry carrier (APC) to complement EFV.

Until we see what the new ACV looks like it's not at all clear MPC is required. How about a comparative analysis of two MPC's vs one ACV equipped as an APC not an IFV?

The entire original notion of having a heavy, medium, and light infantry carrier (EFV, MPC, and JLTV) seemed odd and entirely as a response to not being able to afford enough EFVs.

The thing that actually concerns me the most is the natural pressure when operating a 9 man infantry carrier to go to a 9 man squad. MPC carrying 9 makes a lot less sense for the Corp than other organizations that use a 9 man squad. In the US Army's case moving to the 9 man squad in a new IFV is a big improvement from the current Bradley platoon.

I'd rather see ACV finalized before decisions are made on MPC. Otherwise there's going to be too much pressure to just cut ACV and use the "cheaper" MPC, even though twice as many are needed.

Just a quick trip down memory lane for everyone.

1.  The EFV was suppose to replace the AAV on a one for one basis as the primary Marine Corps IFV/personnel carrier.
2.  During development the cost of the EFV ballooned to such an extent that the full buy of EFV could not be made.
3.  As a solution to the problem of the EFV not being affordable enough to replace the AAV on a one for one basis, the MPC concept was born.
4.  The EFV was cancelled and the MPC concept continued.
5.  The Marine Corps has revived the EFV in a new supposedly affordable form named the Amphibious Combat Vehicle.  Initial impressions make it out to be the EFV but without the high water speed requirement.
6.  The Marine Corps has also decided to approach industry for information on how an update to the legacy AAV would work.

That's the procurement history in a nutshell.  The question remains.  Are we correct in continuing with the MPC?

Does it make sense?

If we are to continue with the MPC then do we shelve the AAV upgrades?  Do we shelve the ACV?  If the answer to either one of those questions is to continue with the MPC then justification must be made for the AAV upgrade/ACV procurement.

If the answer is no then we should cancel the MPC NOW and circle our wagons around the AAV and ACV.

To continue with all three of these programs makes no sense.  Either the AAV upgrade, ACV or MPC should go.  We cannot afford all three.

USS Wasp. What's the deal?

Thanks for the article Jonathan.

via Defense News.

So what is up with Wasp?
“USS Wasp is currently configured to serve as the Navy’s Joint Strike Fighter test platform,” Lt. Cmdr. Mike Kafka, a spokesman for U.S. Fleet Forces Command, wrote in an email. “As a result of Wasp’s assignment as the JSF test platform, she is not currently in the rotation of amphibious assault ships participating in scheduled routine overseas deployments. USS Wasp remains available for operational tasking; however, she will remain the test platform for JSF for the foreseeable future.”
But the JSF testing mission began only last year. A Marine Corps F-35B short-takeoff, vertical-landing aircraft — a model that eventually will operate from all assault ships — made the first JSF landing on the ship Oct. 3, the first day of about two weeks of tests that month. No more JSF flights have since taken place from the ship, and none is scheduled this year. Flight tests of the new jet aren’t scheduled to resume until the summer of 2013.
The dedicated JSF mission might explain why Wasp hasn’t deployed recently. But why didn’t Wasp deploy between 2005 and the advent of the JSF tests in 2011?

Read the whole thing but the thought of it is shocking.

The Marine Corps is crying for more amphibs and yet we have one sitting on the sidelines?

It just doesn't make sense.  Mark my words...this is a scandal in the makings...and don't you dare believe the trash that the Navy is tossing around about it being designated for F-35 workups.

Blog news....

Sorry guys, but I got hit with a mail virus (Huron Serenity...you got some explaining to do) so if you're on my list you might have gotten hit.  My bad.

This is my life...

Subtle, well done Marine propaganda.

Airborne HUMVEE drop...

Airborne forces foot mobile?  Not necessarily.  In this vid you get a chance to see the USAF in action doing a drop of a couple (or three) of HUMVEEs from what I assume is a C-17.  A Division Ready Brigade from the 82nd might not have the hitting power of a Stryker Brigade but they can get there much faster, has much greater strategic mobility and will be much easier to support once they get in the field. 

The 82nd Airborne and Light Infantry Divisions should lead the Army's Pacific policy.

The 82nd Airborne Division.

An Elite outfit.

Trained in rapid deployment,  and historically operated in "Little Groups of Paratroops" (LGOP)...they were doing distributed operations before distributed operations were cool.  If the question is who should lead the charge into the Pacific then the answer is the the 82nd Airborne Division.

Why?  Because they would fit in perfectly with the "Air" in Air-Sea Battle.  Because they would bring something to the table that the Marine Corps does not which is what the Joint Service concept is truly suppose to be about.  Because it would put one of our three forms of forcible entry into a region that has been deemed of national importance.

Alot of the benefits that the 82nd would bring are obvious -- besides being rapidly deployable they are co-located with USAF transport at the nearby Pope AFB and they train jointly with the USMC and foreign militaries.

My suggestion is simple.  The US Army should provide heavy forces for the Pacific under the umbrella of US Army Forces Korea and it should have Light Fighters led by the 82nd having a forward deployed Brigade colocated with USAF transports in Guam.

If this suggestion is followed then you would have a medium weight force capable of responding to crisis in the USMC MEU's....a light weight force that could arrive within hours of that crisis in the form of battalions from the 82nd and if it goes all crazy then you have forward deployed Army units out of Korea.

This makes sense, its builds on the capabilities already in the region, it allows the Army to plug one of its units into the Air Sea Battle concept and it gives the Army skin in the game.  Below is an old video on the 82nd.  Gone are the light tanks...and I don't know if the USAF still does LAPES but it gives a primer on their capabilities.

Ground Mobility Vehicle contestants so far...

Generaly Dynamics Jamma...well used to be Jamma.

Navistar Saratoga.

Navistar Special Operations Tactical Vehicle.

Legacy Ground Mobility Vehicle.

Armored Ground Mobility System.

The vehicles above are either in use or being considered for use by various units in SOCOM.  The Legacy Ground Mobility Vehicle is a favorite of the Rangers and SEALs, the Armored Ground Mobility System is supposedly used by the Rangers, Special Forces and Delta.

This contest will get crowded and should prove to be interesting.   I can't wait to see how this shakes out.  Oh and we can't forget the most popular Ground Mobility Vehicle in SOCOM.

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