GAO recommends ACV production decision slip to 2019...via Inside Defense.

via Inside Defense (behind paywall...but they're offering a one month free trial).

In the same report, GAO recommends the Pentagon postpone ACV Increment 1.1's production decision until early fiscal year 2019 to reduce concurrency between testing and production.

Weatherington wrote that the Pentagon disagreed because the concurrency is considered low-risk. The Marine Corps plans for an ACV milestone C decision in the third quarter of FY-18, according to the Pentagon's response.

"The significant risks to the Marine Corps fielding schedule and impacts to the overall Marine Corps GVTVS that would result from delaying the ACV fielding decision, will impact the Marine Corps sequential modernization and affordability across the Future Years Defense Plan," Weatherington wrote.

Wow.

They've been slow walking this program and the GAO recommends they delay the decision till 2019?  That ugly word "concurrency" rears its ugly head again?

The sad part?

The GAO has been the gatekeepers.  I don't know if I trust military leadership anymore (fuck it...I don't...they've been shown to be liars) and stuff like this comes down to a matter of trust.

We were lied to with regard to the MV-22, the F-35, CH-53K and the LCS. Why should we trust them on this issue?  They recently lied to Congress and the representatives of the people sit on their hands instead of having fried Marine Corps General on a plate for supper (misled them on the costs of the CH-53K even though they knew at the time that the helicopter was even MORE expensive than they told them).

It's a shame but that's what its boiled down to.  Either you believe the GAO or you believe the Pentagon.  

S-97 RAIDER™: The Next Big Thing in Army Aviation

Thanks to Razvan for the link!



What is going on with this helicopters layout?  Is some of the machinery inside the fuselage?  It's dimensions seem off....like it's a bit fatter than it should be for the number of troops carried.

US Marine Corps Major (retired) tries to defend the F-35's poor dogfighting ability...

So on Business Insider an retired USMC Major tried and fails (horribly) to defend the F-35's lackluster performance in the dogfighting role.  Read the entire article here but a couple of tidbits...

The F-35 Joint Strike Figher represents the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps' vision for the future of combat aviation, but a damning 2015 report detailed how the F-35 had lost in dogfights with F-16s and F-15s — the very planes it was intended to replace.

Essentially it came down to energy management in the early days of the F-35's testing, according to the report.

During a dogfight, jets have to manage extreme amounts of kinetic energy while making pinpoint turns and maneuvers.

With smaller wings than some legacy fighters and an inferior thrust-to-weight ratio, the early F-35 pilots found it nearly impossible to engage with F-16s.

The report has since become a talking point for detractors of the F-35 program who say it's too expensive and not capable.

But according to retired US Marine Corps Maj. Dan Flatley, who helped design the training syllabus for F-35 dogfights, the F-35's lackluster performance against legacy jets had more to do with old habits of the pilots and a weapons system in its infancy rather than anything wrong with the F-35 concept itself.

"When you first get in the F-35 and try to fight it visually, you immediately go back to everything you knew in your legacy fighter," Flatley told Business Insider in a phone interview.

Then this...

 "If you try to fight it like a fighter, it isn’t. You’re going to have terrible results," Flatley said of the F-35. Like any new weapons system, the F-35 takes some getting used to. In 2015, F-35 pilots were pulled from other fighters and introduced to a plane that fundamentally reimagined aerial warfare. A learning curve had to be covered.

Unlike dogfighters from World War II, the F-35 mainly focuses on flying undetected while using its array of fused sensors to paint a clear picture of the threat environment for miles out and to engage with targets before they're ever seen.

As exciting as dogfights are, it's been decades since a US jet engaged an enemy in a turning dogfight, and the F-35's design reflects that new reality.

"If I went out and fought an F/A-18 on day one I’d get destroyed," said Flatley. "But if you do what the jet is really good at, you can do things those other jets wouldn’t dream of."

I took entire passages and not snippets of the conversation that the BI author posted.

Having said that, does this sound like the airplane the US should depend on for future air superiority?  To quote the good Major.

"If I went out and fought an F/A-18 on day one I’d get destroyed," said Flatley.

Well said Major!  Extremely well said!

US Army tests Hunter, Killer platform

Thanks to Jonathan for the link!

via Shepard Media.

Two new vehicles called the Hunter and Killer were tested during the 2017 Maneuver Fires Integrated Experiment (MFIX) at Fort Sill, the US Army announced on 13 April.

The dune buggy-like vehicles - based on the same platform - are designed to travel through various types of terrain, as well as track aircraft, and perform three-dimensional fires targeting. While still in the very early stages of development, the idea for the vehicles is to operate with high levels of autonomy, supporting the increasing range of operations undertaken by forward observers, from gathering intelligence and performing precision fires to countering enemy UAS. The idea is to make the vehicles highly deployable, including being capable of airdrop from helicopters.

As the vehicles are modular by design, developers can acquire pieces from other systems and merge them on a single platform. The aim is to make parts interchangeable.

The Hunter and Killer vehicles are designed to perform cross-domain functions. For land, the Hunter platform could call precision fires in an automated fashion and air soldiers could use the platform to communicate with an aircraft for support. When performing for maritime, a forward observer could call for an attack from a ship to a target.

The Killer platform would offer the ability to fight in the cyber and space domains. A soldier could request a cyber-call to disrupt communications between an UAS and its operator. The soldiers would also be able to call on space-based capabilities.

Scott Patton, science and technology strategist for the US Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center battlefield operating systems suites team, said: 'We want to see how we can automate the software to reduce the task-saturation of the soldier.

'We want to reduce their workload. We want soldiers just to be forward observers. If they have to get into these other domains, they can do it for a minute or two, let the software do the thinking for them, and then they go back to their domain.'

Wow.

Is it just me or does the entire US military ground force seem to be shifting to a focus on calling for fires instead of being able to engage in close combat with the enemy?

This is gonna be a problem.  History tells us it won't work.  Doesn't anyone remember the lessons of the Vietnam War?

We tried this during that conflict and the Vietnamese/Viet Cong learned to "hug" US forces to keep from being subjected to our fires at that time!  The enemy will do the same in future conflict if we keep going in this direction.

Mark my words.  Company Landing Teams/Expeditionary Rifle Squads WILL BE isolated, cutoff and destroyed in place unless leadership does some realistic planning.  They won't and we'll see body bags...lots of body bags. 

Steve Stephens aka Facebook Killer is dead. Good!

The Steve Stephens aka Facebook Killer is dead.  According to my twitter feed he died after a short chase by Penn State Police.

While he had the balls to gun down a helpless old man, he lacked the courage to face men that were trained to deal with his sick ass.

He committed suicide instead.

My take?  This sick, deranged animal that walked on two feet is dead and I couldn't be happier. 

New 30mm Stryker Gun Changes Infantry Combat? Maybe for the US Army but others have had it for years....

Thanks to Jeff for the link!

via Scout

The upgraded Stryker vehicle will be known as the Dragoon, the name of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The prototype also features a new fully-integrated commander's station, upgraded driveline, componentry and hull modifications, according to statements from the Army's Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems.
Called the Stryker Enhanced Lethality Program, the effort was implemented as a rapid-development acquisition program to better equip 9-man infantry units with combat arms to support their missions, maneuvers and ground-attacks.
“It is really about mobile protected fire power for the Infantry Brigade Combat Team. In the Combat Vehicle Modernization Plan it talks about every vehicle having an organic blend of those capabilities… mobility, protection and firepower,” Maj. Gen. David Bassett, Program Executive Officer, Ground Combat Systems, told Scout Warrior in an interview at an Army symposium last year.
General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), which builds and engineers the new enhanced lethality Stryker vehicles, is delivery the first eight prototype vehicles in December of this year, Wendy Staiger, Stryker Program Director, GDLS, told Scout Warrior in an interview.

A couple of things.  Maybe SCOUT was using their title as click bait but the idea that the upgunned Stryker will change infantry combat is a bit over the top.  It might change a "few" things for the US Army but others have had this capability for decades.

The second thing is that the US Army is really in love with the buzz phrase "mobile protected firepower".  I guess IFV is too plain.  The problem?  None really but the reality is that in many ways we're only beginning to match the capabilities that much smaller forces already possess.  That was made clear when the Strykers went on exercise with the Polish Rosomaks.

Still.  This is a step in the right direction.  Not earth shattering but a proper step.

Why fat MMA fighters can beat jacked/ripped fighters! A warning for street fights....

I've always wondered how it was possible fat nasty and apparently out of shape MMA fighters could beat guys that obviously spent time in the gym working on their skills.

The above video answers the question and is a warning for anyone interested in self defense.

Mass counts.  Fat boys if properly motivated can hit hard because they're fat!

So working out and lifting isn't enough.  Having cardio that can make you last long enough to theoretically  cause a fat boy to have a coronary isn't enough!

Technique is the final leg of the stool.

Famous last words via The Art Of Manliness!

I keep telling you guys that "The Art Of Manliness" blog is a must read (I have the e-mail subscription so they hit my inbox every morning) and the latest is another great post on their part.  A tidbit below and more here.

Open Comment Post. April 18, 2017

Sometimes violence is the only answer...

1.  Evil exists.

2. Rabid animals should be put down.

3. Society should not cower in fear of maniac killers.

I state the obvious and some of you will disagree.  I watched this bastard kill an old man in cold blood.  I don't want an arrest.  I want police to do work. 25 years on death row?  A family suffering?

We need punishment.  Justice is not enough.  Extreme violence against evil doers is the  answer.

CH-53K now over 135 mil per!

via Real Clear Defense.

The Pentagon's approval for the Marine Corps to start buying Lockheed Martin Corp.'s new heavy lift helicopter came with a hidden surprise: the projected total acquisition cost for the King Stallion program has increased 6.9 percent to $31 billion.

The updated estimate was provided in an April 4 decision memo by James MacStravic, the Pentagon's acting weapons buyer, that authorized production of the initial batch of 26 helicopters. The memo, labeled “For Official Use Only,” was obtained by Bloomberg News.  

Even worse?  Marine Corps officials appear to have knowingly lied to Congress.  They're under a news blackout and will not comment on this issue at the time of this post.

 

We're winning the F-35 fight and it could kill other defense programs.....54% of Americans Want to See This Fighter Jet Program Scrapped

via motley fool

But here's a bit of shocking news for America's populist president: In a poll conducted last year by Voice of the People (VOP), a majority of Americans opted to send the fantastic new F-35 fighter jet to the junkyard.

VOP conducted its poll online between Dec. 20, 2015, and Feb. 1, 2016. Surveying 7,126 registered voters who belong to its "Citizen Cabinet" advisory panel, in eight states scattered across the nation, VOP posed a series of questions concerning the U.S. defense budget.

Among other revelations, VOP's poll showed that Americans generally favor cutting defense spending on the Air Force (by $2 billion annually), the Army ($4 billion), Navy ($2 billion), nuclear weapons ($3 billion), and missile defense ($1 billion). Perhaps the most surprising revelation from the poll, though, was the sentiment among voters for what is now President Trump's new favorite military jet.

Of those polled, 54% wanted to end production of the F-35.

We are winning the public debate.   Now we need to make the thieving bastards pay the price for years of mismanagement.

New Iranian MBT armor pkg?

Thanks to S300V4 for the pics!

Every time I around the Quds Force Commander is showing his goofy face!

Don't take the Iranians lightly.  They produce a metric shit ton of engineers and they're ambitious.  Eventually the religious fervor will match technological capability.  We will end up fighting them sooner or later.

Open Comment Post. April 17, 2017

New M60 MBT armor mod from Rokestan

Thanks to Olgert for the pic!

Did N. Korea call our bluff or is this their way out?

OK.  This is interesting.  The N. Koreans didn't conduct a nuke test but they did launch a missile that failed.  Is this their off ramp or can it be said they called our bluff?

Smart individuals on both sides would allow the N. Koreans to slink away with pride intact but I don't know what McMasters is thinking. Is this a dead man's hand or are we gonna give an enemy a chance to back down?

Must read from Think Defence Blog...UK Amphibious Capability – Today and Tomorrow

No spoilers!  Head here to get Think Defence Blog's take on the UK's current and future amphibious assault capability.

This is what I'm talking about guys.  We need the perspective of bloggers from other countries talking about the military situation in their own countries. Forum's just don't do it for me.  Glorified pissing contests with opposing views.  Even if it's jaded it would be nice to hear a single voice talking about the issues and telling me what they think.

Which is why I don't get the hatred for Sputnik.  I use that source because the Russians for better or worse are giving the public a view of their military. At one time the US Defense Dept was complaining that China, Russia and others weren't open enough.  Now that they are some still complain.  I'll never understand it.

But I got off on a tangent.  Back on task.  Head over to TD to check out his great article!

WTI 2-17 Heavy Huey Raid....video by Sgt. Daniel D. Kujanpaa

Anyone know the history of the "heavy Huey raid"?  I never knew such a thing existed!  Is this a new concept or just one that I hadn't heard of?

U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venoms assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) insert Marines with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment during a heavy huey raid as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-17 at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., April 12, 2017. The exercise was designed to focus on executing a company air assault raid supported by fixed wing and rotary wing escort, and simulated aviation delivered fires. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1 cadre, which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force and provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

15th MEU armor at Red Beach (but where is tanks?)....pics by Cpl. Frank Cordoba

I scoured Cpl Cordoba's photos for pics of Tank Bn but saw nothing.  Is the 15th MEU deploying without a tank platoon?  I don't know the answer but if that's the case then the question of the future of tanks in the Marine Corps is being answered.  If a unit isn't used then it's soon relegated to the Reserves...just before it's cast off completely.  It happened with our self propelled artillery and I fear that the Reserves are the future home of our Tank Bn's.  I hope not but the fear is real.

Open Comment Post. April 15, 2017.