Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Things in Iran just got goofy!
#BREAKING Iran president rejects FM Zarif's resignation: official pic.twitter.com/chvG0hXuiU— AFP news agency (@AFP) February 27, 2019
WTF! Never seen that before. Dude wants to resign and you say NOPE! Ain't happening! Stick around?
Either he is much loved or they're lining him up to be hanged on national TV. I'm not guessing there is much love in Iran for him right now...Quite honestly this sounds like some type of internal power struggle and someone wants the sides more or less balanced.
Just a guess but I can't come up with anything better...
Things are getting a bit interesting in the fight between India and Pakistan...
#UPDATE Pakistan military says it has shot down two Indian Air Force planes in its airspace in Kashmir, adding one Indian pilot has been arrested pic.twitter.com/dWGT7ikWgB— AFP news agency (@AFP) February 27, 2019
A couple of things...
1. The fact that US mainstream news is barely covering this is telling. It's all Trump all the time despite important, life altering events are happening all over the world. The mainstream news is no longer valid.
2. Did you catch the wording? Pakistan ARRESTED instead of captured the Indian pilot? I'm not a War Lawyer but that jumps out at me. Does that have any implications on how he will be treated?
3. Are there any systems to put the brakes on this thing? Are we headed toward a cycle of increased escalation?
Just a few thoughts. This thing bears watching. I'll be posting additional Tweets of interest below...
Pakistani fighter jets struck at targets inside Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday from their own airspace https://t.co/ufSLvPSndF— Bloomberg (@business) February 27, 2019
Can confirm. Exact location and further details awaited. https://t.co/xCUIiYCAh2— Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) February 27, 2019
Boeing Airpower Teaming Mockup Looks Like a BEAST! Touted specs are impressive too...
From the Boeing Website...
The Boeing Airpower Teaming System will:Wow. This thing sounds like a hybrid between the "quarterback" role and doing independent deep strike missions.
-- Provide fighter-like performance, measuring 38 feet long (11.7 metres) and able to fly more than 2,000 nautical miles
-- Integrate sensor packages onboard to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and electronic warfare
-- Use artificial intelligence to fly independently or in support of manned aircraft while maintaining safe distance between other aircraft.
In short it sounds like it does 75% of the F-35's missions without needing a pilot!
Website with info here.
Bandria Auto displays armored R2F buggy....SOCOM just found their next test vehicle...
via Army Recognition.
Among the uncommon vehicles displayed at IDEX 2019, the Saudi company Bandria Auto drew a significant attention thanks to the two version of its R2F, a 4x2 buggy (also available in 4x4 version) in armored and unarmored version.Wow. The need for speed is really catching fire when it comes to small vehicles.
Bandria Auto is an engineering and consulting company specialized in designing and manufacturing advanced off-road vehicles. Its R&D team has an extensive expertise in providing solutions to complicated engineering issues for off-road vehicles, such as altering system designs and upgrading parts. It reinvented the functioning of suspension systems in a unique way for better dynamics. The use of light and strong aerospace materials to overcome off-road abuse and rough terrain. The company has offered solutions to many well reputed companies around the world, including the NASA.
The armored version of the R2F is motorized with a V8 LS developing 400 hp that can be upgraded to 1,200 hp on customer’s request. The torque range can be set between 500 and 1,000. The buggy can reach 240 km/h. The tank capacity is 180 liters. While the unarmored version (designated “race”) of the R2F weighs 2.3 tons, the armored one is naturally heavier: 2.8 tons with composite armor BR6 level, or 3.1 tons with Nasser advanced steel BR6 level. Various armoring solutions are available.
The armored version can be configured in fast attack, patrol or ambulance variant.
I'm sure SOCOM will buy a few or maybe even a few dozen to play with. As far as actually seeing combat, I kinda doubt it.
Stryker Upgrades continue but its the weak link in Army modernization plans...
4 battalions (144 systems) by FY22 with existing mix of guns, missiles, rockets, and onboard sensor -- integrated on a Stryker A1 platform. Follow on battalions will be equipped with enhanced effectors such as a laser or improved missile. @USARMYAMRDEC #MSHORAD pic.twitter.com/iJfC5Eqabl— Air Power (@MIL_STD) September 15, 2018
Not at all impressed. The concept is good. The vehicle is elderly. The interim Stryker has served too long and is NOT worthy of continued upgrades.
I've been so focused on shortfalls in the Marines, Navy and Air Force that I failed to realize the terrible spot the Army is in.
In essence they need to replace everyone of their Cold War/Desert Storm era vehicles and the money is just not there.
Tough choices are having to be made and it appears that one tough pill to swallow will be the Stryker continuing on into the 2030's.
That's tragic.
Want to see the weak link in the US Army force structure? It's the Stryker Brigades.
They won't hold up to even tribals much less a peer.
Prevail Unveils Proposal For Royal Navy’s Future Littoral Strike Ship via Naval News..
via NN.
In a short statement, Prevail Partners says that its Prevail Multirole Vessel (MRV) is being offered as a wet-lease using an international maritime industry time-charter framework. As a highly mobile logistic and helicopter base, the ship « enables nations to project power, carrying out the most time-sensitive Special Forces missions and managing threats at range with swift and decisive action ». The first ship could be ready for operations in 2020, the company adds.Story here.
On Feb. 11, Williamson announced a concept and development phase for the vessels – called littoral strike ships. It represents part of the Royal Navy’s vision for the future of amphibious warfare, alongside plans for the future of the Royal Marines. These ships would form the backbone of a littoral strike group, a scalable force made up of different elements of the fleet and the future commando force.
With an operational range of over 10,000 nautical miles and speed in excess of 20 kts, the Prevail MRV is capable to moving from one operation to another at pace, the company says in its proposal. Tailored for a various range of missions, such as amphibious operations, counter-terrorism, humanitarian and disaster relief, and hospital ship, the MRV is offered as « a turnkey solution for 300 operational days a year ».
Sorry. I'm to the point of not believing the Royal Navy on this one. The Army is small. The Carriers are suppose to be able to flex into Commando Carriers as well as F-35 platforms. The Albion and company are suppose to continue in service and they're also suppose to be looking at a LHD in the future?
Too much capacity for too small a force.
This looks like a bid to get low cost, low function ships into service while they do away with higher cost but higher functioning ships.
In short this is a cost savings move being dressed up as an increase in lethality.
I'm not impressed.
Three Merlin from 845 Naval Air Squadron @ Exercise Clockwork in Norway...
The BREXIT crisis has totally focused the mind of the British military. Their ops tempo (at least from my chair) has increased dramatically. More important to the NATO Alliance is the fact that they're fully embracing operations in Northern Europe.
That's a great thing.
Looking into a short term future I can see them highlighting superb light infantry along with a robust motorized Strike Brigade Concept, mixed with an impressive (for their size) aviation force (their Joint Helo Force seems like a unique but ideal solution).
I don't know what the future holds for them with regard to their economic/trade future but militarily they will be able to hold the line ASSUMING they're not faced with another round of budget cuts. That's a huge IF, because the forecast is gloomy if they're faced with a hard breakaway.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Breaking! Heavy fighting between Indian and Pakistani forces reported!
BREAKING: Unconfirmed reports of extremely heavy clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops on the border near Sialkot in Pakistan.— Conflict News (@Conflicts) February 26, 2019
Did India just launch air and ground strikes into Pakistan occupied territory?
Just for reference, I believe the last time the Indian Air Force intentionally and publicly crossed the LoC to conduct strikes was... the 1971 war. https://t.co/DNUFUyOGxi— Vipin Narang (@NarangVipin) February 26, 2019
I don't know what's going on here. Twitter is ablaze with the idea that India has struck Pakistan and that both sides are gearing up.
Following the various threads is a bit frustrating because they're so frantic, hoping from this incident to the past and back again.
I guess we wait to see what's really going on.
Iranian foreign minister Zarif abruptly tenders resignation ... on Instagram
Iranian foreign minister Zarif abruptly tenders resignation ... on Instagram.— AFP news agency (@AFP) February 26, 2019
He has been under constant pressure and criticism by hardliners who opposed his policy of detente with the Westhttps://t.co/LBIwGTWugQ pic.twitter.com/1eDer4WvwL
Wow.
The moderates have lost in Iran.
The hardliners in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the rest of the GCC and the US are ascendant.
War is coming.
F-35 fighter jet declares emergency on routine flight...does ANYONE have info on this incident???
via GB Times.
An F-35 Lightning fighter jet based at RAF Marham in Norfolk declared an emergency while on a routine flight near its base.Story here.
It landed safely after experiencing a “minor technical issue” on Thursday.
An RAF spokesman said on Friday: “The RAF can confirm an F35 Lightning experienced a minor technical issue during a routine flight last night.
“The aircraft landed safely.”
An emergency squawk is used to identify an aircraft with a possible issue and enables it to have priority over other air traffic.
It does not necessarily mean the aircraft has an emergency, but flight safety is paramount and if there is any doubt pilots will recover to a suitable base or airfield as soon as possible.
The first of the multimillion-pound F-35s arrived at RAF Marham in June 2018 and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has pledged the UK will buy 138 in total.
This was reported on the 15th and I've been sitting on it because I've been waiting for one of the "big" defense mags/reporters to get more info on this and tell us about it.
Instead its been almost a news blackout.
Nothing from the Brit papers, mags, TV news. Nothing from the big defense mags, papers etc...in the rest of Europe or the US.
Absolutely nothing.
But you guys are connected and have great Google skills. Does anyone know what gives here?
Aviation Porn...AH-1Zs going out to play (Side Note. Is it time to give them anti-ship missiles?)...
Don't care what you think. I'm right on this. The AH-1Z is the best naval attack helicopter on the planet. Full stop.
With that being said and the USMC wanting to participate in the naval battle from land and sea, even going so far as wanting a land launched anti-ship missile or to develop ways to use both cannon and rocket artillery to attack ships...is it time to give the AH-1Z anti-ship missiles?
I was thinking maybe Harpoons but I don't know if they could carry them. As far as targeting I would think some other system could handle that task but they could at least get into position to launch them.
Why? Well we don't practice it but you have to think about preventing landings by enemy forces that might arrive by sea. The ability to put a dent in a Chinese (or other threat force) LPD type ship might prove useful if the Navy is busy doing other things (like fighting the big fight for control of the sea...ya know, doing Navy shit!).
Just a thought.
Blast from the past. Fake air battle over Los Angeles 1942?
pics via Trufault Twitter Page...
One of a couple of captions that he posted along with these pics...
Perhaps that's where future historians will focus. The actual fighting has been covered ad nauseum. The homefront in all countries involved not so much.
Regardless this deserves more reading on my part.
One of a couple of captions that he posted along with these pics...
From an alleged enemy attack, there was the reaction of US anti-aircraft defenses on 24 and 25 February 1942.The incident occurred less than three months after the United States entered the Second World War...Just wow. Wasn't aware of this incident. Not surprising. My focus was on our forces overseas, not the homefront.
Perhaps that's where future historians will focus. The actual fighting has been covered ad nauseum. The homefront in all countries involved not so much.
Regardless this deserves more reading on my part.
High Ranking Swedish Naval Officer resigns after being linked to a secret spy network...
via verkkouutiset.fi
The Swedish security police, Säpo, are told to investigate a special case involving dozens of suspects around the country.Story here.
There is hardly any publicity about the details of the case. According to the Swedish media, the authorities have investigated a "secret network" that is believed to have "threatened national security". The suspects have been questioned at least in Stockholm, Malmö, Gothenburg, Örebro and Alingsås.
Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist has only stated that criminal offenses related to the network are not related to terrorism.
According to Aftonbladet , several people have been arrested and the case has been reported to the Social Democrats Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist . Among the suspects there are both military personnel and civilians.
The investigation of the matter has already begun in 2017. It has already led to the withdrawal of one high-ranking officer from the Swedish Navy in February. Defense Minister Hultqvist has refused to comment on the details of the case in public.
Ok, who has been following this story? If you have more info then tell the tribe. This looks kinda bad. Would love to know more details.
I know a least a few of you guys live in the region so tell me what's what.
Open Comment Post. 26 Feb 2019
This caterpillar mimics a snake perfectly when frightened pic.twitter.com/fJgCsGQ6Uk— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) February 26, 2019
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