Japanese Type 16 Mobile Combat Vehicle turns into a family of vehicles...

Story here.

Absolutely awesome.  If Japanese weapon systems weren't so darn expensive then they'd be EXTREMELY competitive in the global market.  But putting that aside this is a great move.  Developing a family of vehicles based on the Type 16 is a no brainer.  Well done to the Japanese.

The new Armis trucks family from Arquus

Story here.

The undeniable wisdom of a US Marine Corps Great...

“There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights.” - USMC Major General Smedley Butler

Finnish Defense Force-Battlefield 2020 (Vid)

First Koalitsiya batch arrives with Russian Ground Forces

Story here.

Russians are getting more heavy cannons.  Mobile cannons at that.  This is what the Russians know that the West seems to have forgotten.  Missiles provide bursts of fire.  Cannons provide sustained fires.  That's a seemingly minor distinction that has huge implications.

If the modern battlefield is as kinetic as advertised and if "cyber" isn't the solution that so many think but instead its a mix of firepower/electronic warfare (to make the opponent deaf and blind) then our forces are going to be on the losing side of this equation.

We have glaring holes in our ground forces and NO ONE is working on the basics of this thing.

Instead what are we focusing on?  Raids and freaking missiles.  We're gonna be so light that we can't stand up in a fight.  We'll be vicious in the opening round but if it goes longer then we'll be spent and easily found, fixed and neutralized. 

If our opponent does it the Russian way then it'll be with long range fires and we'll be helpless to do a thing about it.

Qatari Air Force F-15QA...the most advanced F-15's currently in existence.

Thanks to Alpay for the link and pics!

[VIDEO]: footage from inside cockpit of Qatar Emiri Air Forces F-15QA during first flight..the most advanced F-15 ever built..first delivery next year 🇶🇦 💪 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mZxzfOja1F

— Abdulmoiz (@abdulmoiz1990) May 1, 2020

Why won't they just bite the bullet and put F-22 engines into this puppy?  Is it too big a lift?

What is going on with the British Army's AJAX program?

Story here.

Can't help but think this was an ill conceived program from the start.  Don't get it twisted the AJAX vehicle I believe will be a great performer...just not as a scout.  Quite honestly this should have been a Warrior IFV replacement from the start and a smaller more suitable vehicle chosen as their future recce ride.

Norwegian F-16 painted in the Spitfire scheme, Credit: the 331 squadron, Forsvaret

Serbs proposal to upgrade the M-84AS1 tank.

Serbowie właśnie zaprezentowali kolejną propozycję modernizacji czołgu M-84AS1. Wóz ma nową spawaną wieżę, nowy wybuchowy pancerz reaktywny, zmian jest zapewne więcej. pic.twitter.com/kavQ0qYPpa

— Damian Ratka (@DRatka1) June 8, 2020

Helmet cam video of a soldier being hit by a sniper while being extracted via MV-22

In his interview with Angus Hordern, Adrian Humphries recounted when a US soldier was shot by a sniper as their aircraft took off. This is helmet-cam footage of that incident.
Vol I: https://t.co/4xYNfmg14j
Vol II: https://t.co/HYmTXCyzx9 pic.twitter.com/zUlnbruREQ

— Life on the Line (@LOTLpod) June 8, 2020

Open Comment Post. 8 June 2020

Commentary. Minneapolis City Council moves to dismantle their police dept...

Just plain wow.

Just heard this on the news and quite honestly I'm shocked.  This is a terrible response to a terrible incident and will cause untold suffering in that city.

People will move out with a quickness that will result in decreased revenue.  Recruitment (something that is already hard) will become even MORE difficult. Crime will skyrocket and the people that need the protection of law enforcement the most will become lambs in a world of predators.

Reform is indeed necessary.

Change is necessary and the battle of the hearts/minds of most Americans has been won.

Defunding police will simply cause a whiplash effect on the other side of this thing.  After a period of out of control crime you will see police depts come back bigger than ever out of necessity.

I get the emotion but this is a terrible move.

Type 96A main battle tank (MBT) attached to a combined brigade under the PLA 72nd Group Army on exercise...

If China Invades Taiwan, This Is What The Fleet Could Look Like

Story here.

Its basically what we already know.  The Chinese Navy/Marines look like the legacy US Navy/Marines.  The difference?  Today's Marine Corps has become a raid/missile force and the Navy is lost at sea with no planning guidance.

Major Upgrade of the Greek Leonidas APC

Thanks to Hristo for the link!

Story here.

Late Open Comment. 7 June 2020

Photo by @jens_cullmann ‘No happy endings’ ... Unfortunately for this unborn baby gemsbok his fate was sealed when his mum was tackled by a lion. The concept of ‘justice’ does not apply in nature

First flight of the next generation Super Hornet...

The first flight of the next generation of #F18. Watch F287 – the first #SuperHornet Block III test jet – take to the skies. We will deliver two Block III test jets to the @USNavy in the coming weeks. pic.twitter.com/C7jHV5H6e2

— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) June 4, 2020

Open Comment Post. 4 June 2020

India to build a homegrown Super Hornet with stealth features...

Story here.

British Army takes delivery of two 8x8 Multi-Utility Tactical Transport Unmanned Ground Vehicles.

via Press Release.

General Dynamics Land Systems–UK has delivered two fully-electric 8×8 Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT) Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) to the British Army.

Alongside the delivery of these UGV’s, which took place in April 2020, General Dynamics Land Systems–UK will provide New Operator Training, Maintainer Training, In-Service Support, Maintainer Tools and Spares, including a fully-supported Helpdesk.

Carew Wilks, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, said: “This Robotic Platoon Vehicle contract award is recognition of General Dynamics Land Systems’ extensive efforts to meet the needs of Armed Forces worldwide with innovative solutions to the changing landscape of the modern battlefield.  We look forward to supporting the British Army in maximising the outstanding capabilities that MUTT provides.”

The MUTT, which provides both wheeled and tracked variants, is a rugged, reliable small-unit force multiplier providing increased battlefield capabilities.  As a controller-less small-unit robotic follower, it lightens the load across different combat operations.  As a remote-controlled or tele-operated team mate, it provides stand-off from threats or increased projection of combat power. The MUTT is engineered to easily evolve to accommodate new payloads, including Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and Lethality, and proven levels of enhanced autonomy that we are already fielding elsewhere.