Open Comment Post. Sep 7, 2017

DARPA’s Flying Missile Rail via Alert 5.

Geez!  Someone at DARPA is on crack!  A flying missile rail?  That can be carried by an F-16 or F-18? If deployed from those aircraft can move out at .9 Mach?  Check out the vid below.



I'm not an engineer but this sounds like they're asking for the impossible.  How do you build a vehicle that is light enough to be carried by a fighter, fast enough to zoom away by itself at .9 Mach, and carry at least one long range air to air missile?

Simply amazing.

On top of that they're not asking for a dedicated program but asking for rapid manufacturing of the item.

On top of all that they're offering pennies on the dollar for all the brainwork involved.

Yep.  DARPA needs to be ground zero for enhanced drug testing.

V-280 Valor pics via FireInTheHole Tumblr Page.

AW 101 @ MPSO ... pic via HeliHub

Why the LCAC is crucial to the Marines.

via National Interest

For the foreseeable future, in order to get significant forces from ship-to-shore the Marine Corps will rely on the Navy’s fleet of specialized vessels, the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). First deployed in 1984, the LCAC revolutionized amphibious operations. The LCAC is a high-speed air cushion platform that floats just above the water. It is capable of carrying heavy payloads and large numbers of Marines from the well deck of an amphibious ship stationed up to 100 miles at sea not just to the water’s edge but over the beach. With a cargo capacity of up to 70 tons, the LCAC is able to carry the heaviest vehicle the Marine Corps possesses, the M-1 tank, at speeds approaching 40 nautical miles an hour.

The LCAC is designed to be carried and operate from all Navy amphibious ships that possess a well deck. This is a large, enclosed space located in the stern of many amphibious warfare ships, which allows LCACs, amphibious vehicles and boats to load men, vehicles and supplies directly from the ship’s interior. Once fully loaded, LCACs can move rapidly across the water and over the shore, delivering large numbers of Marines, their combat gear and fighting vehicles into battle. LCACs also can conduct evacuation support, lane breaching, mine countermeasure operations, and Marine and Special Warfare equipment delivery.

Story here. 

TF 51/5 tests warfighting capabilities during Alligator Dagger ..... Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood

1.  That's some nasty looking terrain.  Northern Africa is a place to break vehicles.  Southern Africa is a place to break men.

2.  The Lewis B. Puller is operating with the MEU.  Could they have actually decided to give my Reinforced MEU a try by attaching it?  Doubtful.  I still think it could be a game changer, especially in light of the more powerful and armored terrorists forces we've seen lately.  When Hezbollah operates tanks, apcs and anti-air systems its time to beef up what we're doing.

Rosomak 8x8 vehicle w/ Oto Melara Hitfact 120mm turret

Galvars provided the below photo...

It's been quiet for the past 12 years. Cool your jets on the Hurricane theories!

Rant time.

The goblins are coming out of the woodwork telling me that we're seeing an increase in hurricanes.

Fact for the slow kids in the class.

We haven't seen a major hit on the US from a hurricane since 2005.  12 freaking years of quiet with regard to hurricanes and now you want to run around with your hair on fire yelling CLIMATE CHANGE????

I don't know if climate change is real.  I do know that a whole movement has sprung up around it and I do know that authorities are seeking no real solutions to the problem...ONLY A TAX!

So long short.  Spare me nonsense.  Know history or shut up.  Rant over.

IDF's Future War Chariot...The Carmel tank

Thanks to Al for the link!



I think they're getting the future wrong.

I'm betting by 2050 we're gonna see some type of power armor for infantry along with some augmentation.  Whether that steroids or some other drug to improve physical performance along with increased firepower at the individual level.

Heavy armor will be pure transports and fire support platforms.

Big guns everywhere with the knowledge that missiles make everything vulnerable.

The Carmel?

A step into that future.

External lift trials were conducted with an Australian Army CH-47F Chinook of the Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV)

Pic via Helicopter Pics Instagram Page.

From 26-30 June 2017, external lift trials were conducted with an Australian Army CH-47F Chinook, and the two-door and four-door variants of the Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV). Held at RAAF 🇦🇺 Base Townsville, the trials assessed the practice and techniques required to safely attach and carry the Hawkei, which weighs approximately nine tonnes. The trials were conducted by the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group’s Land 121 Phase 4 project team and Air Mobility Training and Development Unit (AMTDU), a joint Army and Air Force unit tasked with establishing air load techniques for new equipment and vehicles, and training personnel in this practice.

You worried about Irma? I'm thinking about Tropical Depression 13!

Everyone in Florida and off the East Coast is going batshit over Hurricane Irma.  Understandable.  That storm is looking like a monster.  A Category 5?

Yeah.  That's gonna hurt.

I notice that the Marine Corps is being a bit proactive this time and that MEU 26 is forming up for future taskings with Irma or to take part in the clean up in Houston.

They might want to hold off a bit though.  If they jump too quick and sail to the Virgin Islands they might miss out on a bigger need on the continental US.

Am I saying leave the Virgin Islands to its own devices?  Yes.  Yes I am.  Limited resources say that you must prioritize.  Which is gonna need more help?  The VI or a couple of major cities in Florida if this storm hits full strength?

Anyway, everyone is going crazy over Irma but I'm keeping my eye on Tropical Depression 13.

Is this climate change?  Don't know, don't think so.  Why?  Because we've had virtually storm free seasons for the past couple of years.  I consider this another part of the cycle.  Bad storms in the past like the one that practically wiped Galveston off the map, or Katrina, or Andrew were never blamed on climate change so I'm not in favor of making that leap today.

We'll see what happens but spare me your idiocy about people building and living where they do.  Mother Nature spares no one.  Every country, region and place on the face of the planet will bow to the power of the environment.

LOOK (light observation-defensive container)...the Mobile Pillbox/Observation Post.

via Defence 24.

LOOK (light observation-defensive container) is a 20-feet container-based armoured observation and protection station. The container is fitted with a rotating weapon station or, optionally, a remotely controlled weapons module, complemented with a Polish-made optoelectronic sensor. LOOK is being presented, during the MSPO 2017 event, by the ZM Tarnów company. It has been submitted as a product proposed to receive the Defender award.

Story here. 

Mike Sparks would be proud.  Once again the guy is being proven as an innovator and many of his ideas are seeing the light of day.  He called this very same concept a "Battle Box" but expanded on it to include providing logistics for an entire Brigade based on the ISO-Container being organized, bar coded and managed to service forward forces.

He even went so far as to envision ways that it would aid maneuver forces and saw them being towed by M-113's and moved around the battlefield by CH-54 (super modernized).

You can check out Sparks writing on the subject here...be warned it's a bandwidth killer so if you're running a slow connection it'll hit you hard.

Why does the military have high recruitment standards? Because the poorly educated die at a higher rate!

Forgive the title.  I struggle to find a socially acceptable way of saying things.

Ignoring that and moving on.  Many wonder why the military has high recruiting standards?  Consider this exhibit number one.  It also shows why professional forces are prized over conscripts.

This will be the next "fight" that the professional military faces.  It will face a struggle to be inclusive and people will die because of it.

Don't get me wrong.  The recruiting pool should be as wide and deep as possible but it should not come at the expense of combat effectiveness OR just to satisfy a societal need to be seen as "doing the right thing".

Warfare isn't about right and wrong.  Those concepts are subject to opinion and vary widely.  Combat is about winning on the field of battle.

McNamara's Morons might be replaced by Obama's He-She's.

History warns of the dangers of putting people into service that are not fit for duty.  Will we learn from the past or repeat those mistakes and get people killed?  I'm betting on people dying who shouldn't have been there in the first place.

Note.  I have absolutely nothing against the transgendered. The few I've met are some of the finest individuals I've ever seen and have been genuinely good people.  Additionally they shouldn't get their throat punched just because of their choices.  But again, their viewpoint or personal fiction should not become part of the policy debate.  This debate isn't about a person's worth. It's about how they can contribute to the fight.

ASCOD Vehicle Presented in Kielce via Defence 24

Story here.

 

Another view of the Rosomak 6x6 via Defence 24

Boxer CRV negotiating knife edge

Caption from the vid.

A Rheinmetall Boxer CRV negotiating the terrain in southeast Queensland during early September 2017. The Boxer CRV is competing for the Australian Army's Land 400 Phase 2 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) program.
Video: DTR

Hmm.  Nothing my truck couldn't handle with ease.  But we are getting a look at the vehicle so I won't complain.

Still wonder if this is as "a done deal" as everyone thinks.  BAE/Patria have put together a pretty formidable economic package that should make the Aussies pause.  Especially if this is just a jobs program like so many claim.

Open Comment Post. Sep 6, 2017

Saab promoting its mobile camo systems at DSEI

Didn't know this was coming up.  Interesting.  A smaller Marine Corps armored force should rate the improved survivability that these systems offer.  I wonder if anyone is even testing them in a maritime environment?

Trump says if Congress can't solve DACA he will revisit the issue. Vacillation is weakness personified!

Simply amazing.

Trump had his Attorney General announce his decision on DACA and Congress was in a box.  He had them right where he wanted them.  He overturned an illegal executive order and gave the legislative branch six months to fix it.  If they failed then they would suffer the blame.

Now?

Just a few minutes ago Trump stated VIA TWEET that if Congress couldn't solve DACA he would revisit the issue.

Want to know a trait of a weak leader?  Vacillation!

Vacillation is weakness personified and Trump just demonstrated that trait in spades. I'm disgusted. I'm not amused.  I'm miffed.  Kelly should council the bastard to make a decision.  Right or wrong just make a fucking decision!  Excuse me while I punch a wall.

Governor of the Virgin Islands signs executive order allowing seizure of firearms? Is this true?

Story via OffGridSurvival (read it here).

Is this true?

Is it legal?  I know that the federal govt has claimed all kinds of weird, illegal and downright dangerous powers during emergencies but seizing weapons?

Oh hell no.

They better send a reinforced regiment with air support.  Not only no, but hell no.  This is how you turn a guy that tries to follow the law into a criminal!

Note.  I sincerely hope I'm getting punked here.  If you have any info please comment right away!