Israeli defense budget under pressure...

Read the entire article here but this is what stood out to me....

In response to mass social protests in the summer of 2011, the Israeli Cabinet approved an annual 3 billion shekel drop in defense spending, beginning in 2012. At the time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scored political points from a restive public by his ostensible brass-tacks determination to tamp down the defense budget.
“I promised and I delivered [a response to social protests],” Netanyahu boasted of the mandated defense spending cuts.

One out of every four Israeli dollars is spent on defense...the Israeli people are well aware of the dangers in their neighborhood, yet they still want defense cuts.

Is this a sign that the Israeli's see peace about to break out?

No.

Its another sign that economies around the world are in a hurt locker.  I wasn't onto the idea that protests are signs of economic distress that can be seen worldwide when this happened.  Now?  It seems obvious to me. I know I have some Israeli audience members and I can't wait to get their take on the issue. 

F-35 News. Spain keeps Harriers...delays indefinitely its buy of F-35s...

Thanks Doug for the link....

via Defense Aerospace...

According to Spanish Navy sources consulted by El Confidential Online, the F-35B "continues to be an unattainable aspiration in economic terms." In 2010, the Navy headquarters announced that it intended to procure 15 to 20 of these aircraft. These plans have now been parked indefinitely.
However, according to the navy sources, the Navy command nonetheless managed to outline a financial plan that would have allowed it to buy a few F-35Bs, but it was finally shot down by the Defence staff because of its cost.

Read the entire article but once again the stark reality of the F-35 raises its ugly head.

The plane costs too damn much.

Spain made the only reasonable decision considering their economy at the present time.  Quite honestly Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and the UNITED STATES should follow their lead.

If the economy was booming that would be one thing, but with it looking like we're facing a global recession this kind of money being spent on a questionable airplane is foolish. 

Finally seeing some World of Tanks success...

Yeah I'm only touching on the normal range in the last 48 hours but its better than the lousy I was rocking....Oh and spare me the drama about being top tier in this game...I've been on the prey side of these games for waaaaay too long.  Unlocked the T57 Heavy.  Fear my auto-loading cannon of destruction!

Sidenote:  I was playing on a laptop.  I bought a moderately priced desktop and thats the key.  Hardware plays a huge role in how successful you'll be in this game.  After checking out the "WOT gurus" I found they're all rocking these 5K gaming rigs!  Thats the missing ingredient between average and great on this game.

Breaking point watch. Citizens do what Police can't...

Note:  When I look out at current events I see one thing sweeping the globe.  Irritation and annoyance with government officials at all levels.  While I believe that the reason for this is economic distress (that will get worse in my opinion), the expression of that frustration is taking many forms.  Rioting.  Protests.  Failure to comply with unreasonable laws.  A since of over regulation....  And in the case of the video below, a pissed off parent that decides to stop a police chase instead of letting the thief make another pass through a crowded park.

AT-4.

Summertime Defensive Carry Ammo...

With summertime here, this is the time where I usually switch my carry defensive ammo.

During winter I was usually wanting to carry something with max penetration in case the bad guy is wearing several layers of clothing...yea even in the South it gets what I call cold, your mileage may vary...and during the summertime the focus switched to being able to engage several people in rapid succession (goblins run in packs) and although its first and foremost a training issue, ammo counts too.

This had me using Golden Saber or Gold Dots during winter months and then switching over to Critical Defense during the summer.

Well with the new line of Critical Duty, I think I can settle on a year round carry ammo.  From what I've seen on the internet the CD has been a good performer.  The only concern and I don't know enough about ballistics to be concerned or not is the fact that the bullet lacks the umph of the +P variety I'm used to.

We'll see if new info hits the net to change my assumptions.

Attack on Titan.

Attack on Titan.

I don't know if you're into anime but if you are then you have to check out this series playing on Toonami.  Its crazy, its intense and there is just something about the "world" that they created that makes me actually feel more "concerned" about the characters than even those on the "Walking Dead".

If you're like me and can't wait on Cartoon Network to string you along to find out what happens then you can watch it online here.

US Army Bradley. The best IFV in the world?

I was monitoring the conversation on the K-21 Fighting Vehicle and the discussion turned (predictably) toward the Bradley IFV.  I have always thought highly of this vehicle.  When used in its intended role...as an IFV, I haven't seen better.  Reference the 1st Gulf War and the Invasion of Iraq.  The vehicle was a beast!  It didn't perform well in a nation building role but quite honestly NO vehicle did.  Even the much lauded MRAPS were impractical.  They were much too tall, much too wide, much too long and not very agile on Middle Eastern city streets.

But back on task.  Is the Bradley the best IFV in the world today?  Consider the statement by Gunner...

To compere it with what? Are you sure?
First of all my friend, we are talking about IFVs.

But I will play your game.
Firepower.

The M2A3 has the most sophisticated FCS in the World, with hunter-killer mode, auto tracking capabilities advanced thermal cameras ect. What of the above the M113 MRV has?
Let's move to the weapons now. The M242 is one of the most successful IFV weapons ever fielded. It is capable to destroy tanks from the sides. Against personnel the weapon offers more ready to use ammo than any other modern IFV with bigger caliber. Size matters but quantity of ready to use ammo matters more. This gives Bradley the advantage of more engagements with the enemy. The weapons of Bradley do not end with M242. It is equipped with a double TOW launcher. I don't have to tell you more I suppose. Of course the vehicle has a standard M240 coaxial MG.
Speed.
One of the main reasons the US army is dumping the M113 for the Bradley for the roles of Mortar Carrier ect. is speed. No need for me to say more. But lets go back to compare M113 MRV with Bradley on speed, are you sure the M113 MRV with the 2 man turret and it's ammo has the same speed as the standard M113?

Range.

M113 and M2Bradley have more or less the same Operational range. The M113 MRV has smaller Operational range range than the standard M113 because it carries the 2 man turret and it's ammo.
Let me add the final factor, Protection.
M113 MRV has protection level STANAG 4569 level 1. M2A3 Bradley as it is, has STANAG 4569 level 5, not counting ERA tiles.

Thats being said in comparison to that old favorite the M113.

But the K-21, Puma, BMP series and others only at best match it...and they don't have the combat record of the Bradley.

So having said all that is the Bradley the standard that all others still try to meet?

Tyler misses the mark on the F-35 & the MEU.

Tyler over at FoxTrot Alpha Blog has an article up where he covers what the USMC must do to make the F-35 pay dividends despite its huge cost.  Its well worth the read.

He misses the mark however.  Check this out...

Because of the fielding of the F-35B, the Expeditionary Strike Group can now transform into a "first day of war" force, capable of operating independently of the USAF and a nuclear powered aircraft carrier's deployed air wing, even against a formidable foe. An ESG will now be able to provide its own highly capable combat air patrols, its own destruction of enemy air defenses, its own penetrating airborne reconnaissance, and its own manned deep strike capabilities. Simply put, F-35B breaks the ESG's dependencies on multitude of external assets, many of which will be already taxed to the limit during a serious conflict against a credible peer state foe which may occur over a vast theater. No longer will close proximity land bases or massive aerial "tanker bridges" for USAF F-22s or F-16s be a mission breaking issue for an ESG in such a high-threat combat situation. And most importantly, traditional Carrier Strike Groups, and their massive air wings, can be decoupled from the expeditionary strike group during such operations, making them free to fight the enemy from another location.
In effect, the F-35B not only gives the Expeditionary Strike Group a major capability boost, but by giving the ESG operational independence it also boosts America's "total force" far more than the sum of its parts. High value assets that would traditionally be needed to work in conjunction with an ESG against a hardened enemy will be free to go other places and do other things. One of these things may be simply staying home, thus saving precious airframe time and operating costs during lower intensity conflicts.

I don't know how this idea gained traction but the Marine Corps is not organized nor is it equipped....even with the F-35...to take on high tech threats by itself.

The thought that you would send a MEU against enemy air assets and worse conduct deep strike missions with the planes that can fit on the decks of a big amphib is craziness.

This idea that big deck amphibs are in essence mini-aircraft carriers that can pinch hit for full sized ones is ludicrous.

You can't fix this by designing the Marine Corps around this airplane.  It isn't working with the MV-22 and it won't work here.  The concept is flawed and there is no saving it from itself.  In a very short time, current leadership will be criticized by historians for weakening America's defenses.  The primary villain will be the F-35 and its supporters.

Bergdahl is free. Now we have to charge him with desertion.

via Defense One.

In a statement, President Barack Obama said, “Today the American people are pleased that we will be able to welcome home Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, held captive for nearly 5 years. On behalf of the American people, I was honored to call his parents to express our joy that they can expect his safe return, mindful of their courage and sacrifice throughout this ordeal.”

Awesome.

While everyone is happy that the guy is back in US hands, we can't forget how he landed in this situation.

He walked away from his unit and into the hands of his captors.

That's desertion.  I imagine many will want to paper over that part of the story but if good order and discipline still are parts of our military culture then instead of awarding him a Prisoner's Medal, he rates a Bad Conduct Discharge.

We'll see if right wins or if political correctness carries the day. 

About Amos' call for more ship to shore connectors....

This is the other topic that had my inbox blowing up yesterday.  Check this out from Marine Corps Times...

“Simply put, our current and proposed surface-connector inventory does not meet the current or future requirements and ability to maneuver from increased range beyond the threat,” Amos writes.
To fill the gap in ship-to-shore capabilities Amos proposes revising current programs like the Joint High Speed Vessel by modifying them to have ramps that can launch amphibious vehicles.
He proposes looking at existing technology like the U.S.-produced Landing Catamaran, or L-CAT, which is now used by French forces. The L-CAT can move at 23 mph for up to 200 miles, meaning 100 nautical miles would still take it roughly 4.5 hours to traverse
Amos also mentions the experimental Ultra Heavy-Lift Amphibious Connector. The UHAC can also move at 20 knots, roll onto a beach and even scale 10-foot sea walls. The vehicle has caught some criticism for its outlandish design though, particularly the plainly visible pilot’s bay.
Finally, he mentions future connectors that only exist “on PowerPoint” like the T-CRAFT a gargantuan high-speed craft than can ride up onto beaches. Although it does not offer a short-term solution, Amos says all options should be explored and he welcomes the input of academia, industry and other services.
Part of the challenge is great standoff distance now needed to keep ships safe from the expanding threat of anti-ship missiles which are rapidly proliferating among poorer nations and could even be deployed by non-state actors.

Read the entire article.

My take on things?

Doesn't matter.  No one is listening to Amos anyway.  The reality is stark and simple.  We're waiting for him to leave office so we can fix what he's fucked up.

But what about the merits of his argument?

Its silliness wrapped in a handbag.  Pushing amphibious shipping out to even 200 miles offshore will not protect MPS ships from enemy action.  Additionally if this is the new rule then we're talking about not being able to utilize them in several areas around the world where we could expect to need the firepower of a Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Its really quite simple.  HQMC is going to have to accept that it must be prepared to do the Marine thing.  We're going to have to join with our sister service and fight to the shore, establish a beach head/seize a port, secure it, expand on it and then conduct administrative landings of follow on forces.

About those militarized police forces....

Tony, a frequent commenter and LEO, pushed back on an earlier article I did expressing alarm at the thought that for the Bundy Ranch incident the Obama Administration had considered and dismissed the idea of using the US military against the protesters.  His pushback dealt with the issue of the federal government buying huge sums of ammunition for its internal police forces.

Let me continue the debate by adding this portion of the same article I did earlier.  via The Washington Times...

Defense analysts say there has been a buildup of military units within non-security-related federal agencies, notably the creation of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams. The buildup has raised questions about whether the Obama administration is undermining civil liberties under the guise of counterterrorism and counternarcotics efforts.
Other agencies with SWAT teams reportedly include the Department of Agriculture, the Railroad Retirement Board, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Office of Personnel Management, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Education Department.
The militarization of federal agencies, under little-known statues that permit deputization of security officials, comes as the White House has launched verbal attacks on private citizens’ ownership of firearms despite the fact that most gun owners are law-abiding citizens.

I am only the messenger.  But this militarization of federal law enforcement should be alarming to everyone.  We're not talking about beefing up the FBI, CIA, or US Marshals Service.  We're talking about white collar crime agencies.

I can only point to the information.

If you refuse to ignore what your lying eyes are telling you then awesome. But ignoring the obvious doesn't change things.

Something foul is going on....

US Army in Germany. Combined Resolve II.

Note:  I was checking out some stuff on the internet and ran across these pics of M1A2 Abrams on exercise.  One thing stood out immediately.  The RWS looks huge on these vehicles...they definitely aren't looking to go hull down and fight enemy tanks (primarily), its obvious that US Army Armor philosophy has evolved back to being Infantry Support Vehicles.   I consider that a good thing.

I don't recognize this Marine Corps....

Everyone has been sending me this Stars and Stripes article....

Each video submitted may include up to six Marines or sailors from the same unit performing a short 10 to 30 second skit. The performances will be judged based on creativity, originality, teamwork and comedic value. A Headquarters Marine Corps Single Marine Program judging panel will select up to 25 finalists from the submissions. The finalists will then be voted on by the general public to determine the winners.
The team that wins the grand prize will receive $5,000 toward their unit funds to support single Marines, and each of the participants from the winning team will receive a free Dell Alienware laptop. Each member of the second place team will get a $100 gift card that they can use at Marine Corps exchanges.

This is the kind of bullshit that Marines in the wing were engaged in before their FUCKING BASE WAS ATTACKED AND THEY LOST THEIR COMMANDING OFFICER AND A SERGEANT OF MARINES.

This is bullshit.

I don't recognize this new Marine Corps.  I am officially old Corps now. 

Sidenote;  My buddy Dave sent me this first.  I was punching walls and then my mailbox got slammed with this.  You bastards knew this would send me over the top and you're right.  Words can't describe how pissed I am.  The USMC.  No longer the home of steely eyed killers.  Now we're filled with bronies, freaks, misfits and unicorn chasers.  FUCK!!!!!!!!  Oh and for those that don't appreciate my position I've included the public service announcement below.

F-35 News. Boeing has learned the game....

via USNI News.

The biggest legislative win for the Navy was partial funding for additional EA-18G Growlers the Navy had put on its unfunded requirements list.
The subcommittee elected to include 12 Growlers out of the 22 the Navy requested in its mark of the bill at $975 million.
Growlers are integral to the service’s emerging Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) which blend sensors and weapons into a new construct for fighting a carrier strike group (CSG).

Wow.

Lets see.  You start off behind the power curve, but you get it together quickly.  Instead of balling up into a corner and "accepting" your fate you decide to fight back.

You start a website and get the military community talking about your product.

You get serious about lobbying members of congress.

You start doing a hardcore comparison between what your product brings to the table and what your competitor hopes (after more than a decade of development) to deliver.

And finally you do it at a price your customer can afford in these times of sequestration.

Boeing learned the game and they're fighting back.  Why do I have a pic of the Advanced Super Hornet for a story about Growlers?  Because I'd bet body parts that I highly value that this is only the beginning.  Boeing will be back with the ASH as a cheap and affordable upgrade to keep those maintenance friendly, high availability, great bomb truck, network communications node airplanes.. competitive into the future. 

BAE RG35 Family of Vehicles.

Note:  This is just a primer on a much bigger post coming this weekend (probably Sunday).  It looks like BAE S. Africa is building on the RG35 and developing not only a Recce Version (the type that competed in Canada) but also a Motorised Infantry Vehicle and a larger (6 wheeled) Infantry Fighting Vehicle.  Additionally the vehicle will be able to accommodate large caliber cannons (from images up to about 90mm).  Come back later for more.

K-21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle firing practice of the Korean Army Capital Mechanized Infantry Division.

Bundy Ranch News. They weren't crazy. The Govt did consider using military force!

via Washington Times "Inside the Ring"...

Military assistance can include loans of arms, ammunition, vessels and aircraft. The directive states clearly that it is for engaging civilians during times of unrest.
A U.S. official said the Obama administration considered but rejected deploying military force under the directive during the recent standoff with Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and his armed supporters.

Directive 3025.18.

Remember it.  This is the first time that I can recall there ever being concrete proof that the US Govt has plans to use military force against US civilians inside the US.

Considering our history this is disturbing.

But whats even more disturbing is the fact that the militias were right.  James Yeager was right.

We were probably heatbeats away from this thing kicking off.  Its a miracle that cooler heads prevailed and the fight was canceled but this tells me one other thing.

All that ammo that the US Govt is buying isn't normal.

They're gearing up for a fight.

Sidenote:  It dawned on me during the discussion in the comments section that this is a doomsday order.  The second they implement this directive all bets are off.  We'll be lucky if we just have a great depression.  More than likely we'll see violence that will startle the world.  Additionally we'll be lucky if the US continues as we currently know it.

USMC Amphibious Assault Vehicle. 64 year old veteran?

via Defense Media Network...

Programmed for eventual replacement by a new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), the AAV7A1 RAM/RS FoV will continue to serve the Marine Corps until at least 2035. It is perhaps noteworthy that the new 2035 lifespan projection for the FoV is 10 years longer than service projections made as little as one year ago.

Let that sink in.

The AAV is set to serve until AT LEAST 2035.

That means that the AAV will be in frontline USMC service for at least 64 years.

If that isn't criminal then what is?  Now do you understand why the Marine Personnel Carrier is essential?

Snowden. I just moved from support to neutral.

I watched the Snowden interview and all I can say is wow.

What an arrogant little sniveling bitch!

This interview was the worst thing he could have done.  Quite honestly I believe that the majority of the American people believe that what he did was patriotic....but to hear him talk just rubs me the wrong way.  And no.  I can't explain it but the guy just makes me want to punch him in the face.

I still think that he did a public service, I just don't know if he did it for the right reasons.  Additionally I wonder if he could have done this a better way.

Either way I've gone from supporter to neutral.  It needed to be done but damn it, I don't think he's the poster boy we need to say that the US government has gone too far when it comes to spying on its citizens.