Australia is winning, Israel is taking a public affairs hit and the rest of the world is running in place...

We’ve signed a partnership with the @QldGov to grow advanced manufacturing capabilities - culminating in Queensland becoming the primary final production assembly location for the Boeing #AirpowerTeaming System for global customers.

Release: https://t.co/5mkGRfHKDv pic.twitter.com/MCMnYpT2V7

— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) October 5, 2020

Amazing.

Australia hit on the wingman concept with a vengeance and along with Boeing are gonna reap the benefits of that foresight.  Kinda stunning really.  The USAF has been toying with this for years but the Aussies are beating us to the punch.

Meanwhile Israel is taking a public relations hit with the use of their gear in the ongoing conflict.  Not sure what to make of that.  Many countries sell weapons that are used in all kinds of vile ways, in what seems like unjust wars but I haven't seen the bad press that I've seen headed toward Israel.

Everyone else seems to be running in place.  Don't get me wrong.  I see all kinds of plans, organizational changes, weapons being planned for and such but it all seems either halfdone or vaporware.

The current hotness?

Australia and France.

The current notness?

Everyone else. 

Australian Army Soldiers attend new Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle course (Video)

Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles in Syria...

 Note.  I find it beyond interesting that suddenly its realized that our forces need armored firepower to ensure force protection.  How many times do we need to relearn the same lessons?

The @Coalition continues to utilize A2 Bradleys to provide force protection and support to our partner forces in NE Syria. U.S. Soldiers attached to CJTF-OIR recently stopped to hand out candy and interact with the locals during a convoy operation. pic.twitter.com/7MxkzxIZu5

— Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) October 4, 2020

Open Comment Post. 4 Oct 2020

 

Let's try this again.  Hopefully it won't turn into a raging clusterfuck of idiocy and madness!

Horrifying video of a #Israeli made HAROP kamikaze UAV hitting a civilian bus in Vardenis, #Armenia.

(Warning, Explosions, gunfire & loud noises)

Horrifying video of a #Israeli made HAROP kamikaze UAV hitting a civilian bus in Vardenis, #Armenia. #Armenian #Azerbaijani #ArmeniaVSAzerbaijan pic.twitter.com/QNQL8HmvhH

— Sukhoi Su-57 Felon 🇷🇺🇮🇳 (@I30mki) October 4, 2020

Really don't care about this conflict. Not really my business. HOWEVER! Perhaps its time for the big world players to step in. I don't know the threat of this thing spreading but if this vid is true then escalation is surely in the cards.

Otokar presents Arma 8x8 armored vehicle at HEMUS 2020

 Here

Otokar hasn't been aggressive with its marketing of this vehicle.  The 8x8 and especially the 6x6 look like they should be best sellers.  Wonder what gives.

Rheinmetall – HX 10x10 Off-Road Excellence

Saturday Funny...Relationships with the Infantry

Apes together strong from r/Military

VBCI 8x8 armored vehicle fitted with new 30mm weapon station

 

Here.

New Zealand Defense Force Beach Recovery Vehicle...

 

@thinkdefence the @NZDefenceForce doing a new beach recovery vehicle. Not armoured but fit for purpose! Well done @NZDefenceForce in picking @CaterpillarInc ! pic.twitter.com/Ky5v1NZMUp

— Matthew Shea (@MatthewsECLIPS) September 24, 2020

If Berger doesn't nail this bastard's dick to the wall then Marine Corps discipline is a joke.

 Thanks to Dave for the link!

via Stars and Stripes.

The two-star general in charge of U.S. Marines in Europe and Africa is under investigation for allegations that he used a racial slur during a recent training event with his troops, the Corps said Friday.

“We are aware of the allegations,” said Capt. Joseph Butterfield, a Marine Corps spokesman. “The Marine Corps takes all allegations of misconduct seriously, regardless of rank, and appropriate actions will be taken if the allegations are substantiated.”

The Marine Corps confirmation came in response to questions from Stars and Stripes about whether Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary, who commands Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, used a derogatory term for Blacks in the presence of other Marines.

“When allegations are made against a Marine, each Marine is afforded due process,” Butterfield said. “There is no additional information available at this time pending the conclusion of the investigation.”

Here. 

If Berger just lets this motherfucker slink out of the Marine Corps with a resignation and retirement then he's exactly what I thought he was.  This son of a bitch needs his dick nailed to the wall then he needs to be paraded around as an example to other Marines that if you fuck up, regardless of rank, you'll be dealt with.

You want good order and discipline?

Then you got to be fair about it.  If a private fucks up he gets the big green.  Same should apply to a general.

Marines are watching Berger.  Let's see what you do cowboy!

Australian Army's Boxer MPV conversion course.

 Note.  What the fuck is going on with the Australian military?  They're moving with not only a sense of urgency but speed and efficiency.  I didn't read a thing about massive reforms, white papers...NOTHING.  It's like one day they can't tie their shoes while drooling down the front of their shirt and the next they're sprinting across the galaxy at warp 11~!

Awesome images just released by the @DeptDefence of the first Boxer MPV Conversion Course. A great and diverse team effort to deliver a game-changing capability @AustralianArmy, especially in the face of COVID. Exciting times to be under armour, cresting the wave of the future. pic.twitter.com/2s8BhNtJp0

— Tom McDermott (@helmandproject) October 3, 2020

EOS has to be entering the T2000 into the Army's Stryker upgrade contest...

 

 We have a pretty good idea for what each manufacturer will offer for the Army's Stryker upgrade contest EXCEPT for EOS.  I got a bit tossed cause EOS Defense Systems USA doesn't list a turreted RWS on their website.  EOS Australia does and its the fabulous T2000 (as seen on the Redback IFV above).

So apparently they're gonna expand their portfolio for this thing and offer it here in the states.

That will make this VERY VERY VERY interesting.  We'll finally get a chance to get US hands on all the major systems and see how they flesh out.

I stand by my previous.  

Berger is just itching to cancel the ACV so the pick of the Kongsberg turret was just fantasy and wishful thinking.

But what if I'm wrong.

What if the ACV is actually a "go" and the Army picks a different setup?  That could change things dramatically.

Another thing occurs (and this might have already been discussed but I just missed it).  Is the Army looking to transform all of its APCs into 30mm IFVs? Is a margin being built in to upgrade to the 50mm on these vehicles?  Just snowballing but I thought I'd toss it out there.

Someone is about to get clobbered by the big green weenie. Army leadership is ALL OVER social media

Amy please give me the full name of the person who told you that- DM me- they are not it trouble, I just have to go straight to the point of misinformation. thx

— TRADOC_DCG (@TradocDCG) October 2, 2020

Do you realize how much it must suck to be in leadership in the military in 2020? Just one of your Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen or Missile Marines goes online with what you thought was correct info (that turned out to be wrong) and they blab and suddenly you're getting a call from HQ Army, Quantico, Regiment or whatever! Better them than me! Army leadership is ALL OVER social media. Many will think this is good but to me it indicates TREMENDOUS micromanagement. Yeah this is a small thing but have things swung too far in the "politically correct" direction?

Tralcan MLRS by Chilean manufacturer FAMAE.

Quick thread on the latest Tralcan MLRS by Chilean manufacturer FAMAE. This is one of those surprisingly innovative developments and should receive more attention. Note the two different pods and keep in mind as we go forwards.

1/ pic.twitter.com/YAzmd1WIdK

— The Other Chris (@TotherChris) September 29, 2020

 

I can't stand the idea of the Missile Marine Corps but this vehicle is a perfect illustration of Berger's asinine obsession with "making the Missile Marines light".

What do I mean?

He so obsessed that he doesn't realize that the JLTV is simply incapable of doing the anti-air work that he envisions.  At the LEAST he needs a medium range missile mounted on the Army's FMTV.

Will he bite?

Nope.  The obsessed rarely think.  They're so focused on that singular goal that they fail because they can't see the forest for the trees.

US Army picked five vendors includes GDLS, DRS, EOS, Kollsman and Pratt Miller, to build MCWS prototypes for Stryker Lethality ECP upgrade.

 Note.  Is this correct?  I thought the Army had already picked Kongsberg for their turret.

GDLS Stryker A1 MCWS bid sample. US Army picked five vendors includes GDLS, DRS, EOS, Kollsman and Pratt Miller, to build MCWS prototypes for Stryker Lethality ECP upgrade. This is GDLS' MCWS proposal. pic.twitter.com/OhScMGeZtO

— Ronkainen (@nimingtuite) September 29, 2020

HMLA-469 Air-to-Air Missile Live-Fire Training

 I wonder how long it will be till we see unmanned combat UAVs hunting our attack/utility/cargo helicopters?  A few of those unmanned wingmen with AI out prowling around for helos while their manned bosses hung back would be kinda formidable I think.  Putting air to air missiles on helicopters is gonna be the next big thing....not a curiosity!

Trump is headed to the hospital. What happens if...

 Trump is headed to the hospital for experimental covid treatment.  What happens if he dies?

I know Pence becomes President but what happens to the ticket?  Do the Republicans simply appoint a VP running mate?

Just curious.  Don't hate me for asking the question.

Lastly.  How would that affect the election?

The losses of #Azerbaijan|i side are illustrated as of 21:00 on Sept 28

The losses of #Azerbaijan|i side are illustrated as of 21:00

VIA - Press secretary of the Minister of Defence of Armenia Shushan Stepanyan.#Armenia #Azerbaijan #Karabakh #Data pic.twitter.com/tEaaaHJjOD

— The Dead District (@TheDeadDistrict) September 29, 2020

Wondering why I haven't taken a deep dive into this conflict? Simple. I know little about the issue.  Barely know the countries involved. To be blunt, my knowledge of this thing is coming from you, my readers.

What I do know is that the fighting has been fierce.  Tactics?  Spotty at best. I've seen a bit of commentary that the tank is dead.  My reply?  No.  The tank isn't dead, its just that combined arms is supreme! Which is why I rail so hard about the direction that Berger is taking the Marine Corps. We once had the world's FINEST combined arms team in the world.  Now we're dismantling it on purpose.

This conflict shows that Berger's plan is batshit stupid.

AJAX – The British Army’s first digital Armoured Fighting Vehicle… enabling ‘prototype warfar

#AJAX – The British Army’s first digital Armoured Fighting Vehicle… enabling ‘prototype warfare’ #FirstDigitalAFV #BritishArmy #AFV pic.twitter.com/naUVNlx1zg

— General Dynamics UK (@gduknews) October 1, 2020