F-35B getting back on track.

Via DefenseNews.com

Analysts agreed that this series of vertical landings signals the problematic vertical landing variant is starting to recover from a series of technical glitches that resulted in schedule slips and the redesigns of some ancillary equipment and structural elements of the aircraft. These elements include components in the propulsion system, an insufficiently robust structural bulkhead and hinges on some doors on the top surface of the aircraft.
"I think it does [signal that the program is getting back on track]. This program has never been quite as troubled as many critics thought. I think it's probably progressed more smoothly than other fighter development program with the possible exception of the F-16," said Loren Thompson, an analyst at the Lexington Institute, Arlington, Va. The F-16's development proceeded so smoothly because of the simple nature of the original version of that aircraft, he said.

Read the whole thing but the future of the "B" is bright.  A quick glance at some of the ships being acquired by allied navies and its obvious that this model will have as many or more customers than any other model (with the USAF buying so many "A"s it will always be numerically superior but the A will be a sad second when it comes to air arms buying it).

Lets look at the ships...Aircraft Carriers/LHD(A)'s coming online or just entering service (note* all ship photos are from Jeff Head's World Wide Aircraft Carrier Website...you really should check it out)...

*Cavour

*Hyuga

*USS America

*Canberra

*Juan Carlos I

*Dokdo

Alot of decks, and these decks need STOVL aircraft.  Good news indeed.  Now I do realize that certain critics and friends (Leesea, Lee, Aussie Digger and Marcase) will point out that on a number of these ships a requirement hasn't been laid out for a STOVL airplane to operate from them.  They'll also point out that in some cases, naval air arms might opt for British Harriers that will be placed in storage waiting for a buyer (if they're wise)...

I don't think so.

Especially in the Pacific, the threat of advanced fighters is coming so fast that no air arm can afford not to have a long ranged, stealthy, electronically advanced, sensor fused airplane in their arsenal.

That threat should be obvious to Australia, S. Korea, Japan and Singapore.

My humble prediction.

Nations will be lining up to buy the F-35B once it enters into service.

If the Cavour is considered an aircraft carrier then why not the USS America class?

Note all photos and information is courtesy of JeffHead.com

Simple question.  Has the Marine Corps been fed a bill of goods?  Why is the Cavour considered an aircraft carrier with a secondary amphibious assault capability and the USS America not?  Stats are again from JeffHead.com  

MM Cavour

Designation: CVL   
Length: 800 ft
Width: 128 ft
Beam: 108 ft
Displacement: 26,000 tons
Propulsion: 4 LM2500 gas turbines (COGAG),
2 shafts
Speed: 28 knots
Crew: 1,210
Airwing: 20 VSTOL, rotary
- 32 VLS Aster SAM
- 3 X 25mm OtaBreda CIWS
- 2 X 76mm guns
Elevators: 2
Ships in class: 1 

LHA(R)-6 USS America

Designation: LHA(R)
Length: 844 ft
Width: 200 ft
Beam: 106 ft
Displacement: 45,000 tons
Propulsion: 2 GE LM 2500+ gas turbines, 2 shafts
Speed: 24 knots
Crew: 1,060
Troops: 1,700
Airwing: 38 rotary, vstol
Armament:
- 2 × RAM launchers (42 missiles)
- 2 × NATO ESSM launchers (16 missiles)
- 2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS
- 3 × 25 mm Mk 38 cannons
- 4 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns
Elevators: 2
Ships in class: 1

Ladies and Gents, either we have a disconnect in the classification of naval ships and reality or we have a purposeful deception being hoisted on the Marine Corps.  According to the above mentioned website, in a sea control mission organization, the USS America will rival the Elizabeth class carriers being built by the UK.

With the hesitation that is being shown by the Dept of the Navy when it comes to adding a well deck, the question must be asked...is this a ship that will sail away with the big deck carriers when times get hard---taking its compliment of F-35B's with it to perform the sea control mission?

A simple recommendation.

Stop building the USS America class after the first ship is commissioned.

Go back to the drawing board, simply build enlarged versions of  the existing LHD's (with appropriate updates) and be done with.

Royal Aeronautical Society RS-001

F-35 in afterburner.

Compilation by Lockheed Martin.

This might get interesting...

S. Korea warship pursues hijacked vessel - ASDNews

Lee held an emergency meeting on Sunday and urged officials to take "all possible measures" to rescue the ship and crew, she said.


Samho Jewelry was carrying eight South Koreans, two Indonesians and 11 crew from Myanmar when it was hijacked on its way from the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka.


All crew members being held by the pirates have been confirmed safe so far, a foreign ministry spokesman said.


"The crewmen have been confirmed safe for now, with no unusual signs in their (physical) conditions... the ship's location has been identified," the spokesman told AFP.


Yonhap news agency said it would "take at least two days" for the warship, which is carrying more than 300 naval troops including special commandos, to reach the hijacked vessel, citing an unnamed government source.

The reason why I say this might get interesting is..

1.  The Naval Troops would be S. Korean Marines.  After the beating they've taken at home because of the slow response in relation to the N. Korean artillery barrage has their command ready to strike at blow at anyone...anywhere...
2.  The S. Korean President is also suffering the fallout.  He failed to protect his citizens and now he has a chance to prove his toughness...even if its on the other side of the planet.
3.  I wonder what the EU anti-piracy 'unit' is going to say about this incident.  Is it a case of the S. Koreans going it alone or will they assist.  Same applies to the US Navy.  Do the S. Koreans even want assistance.

Yep, this might become interesting.

MV-22's arrive in Afghanistan...

Marines from 26th MEU arrive in Afghanistan

Marines from Marine Tiltroater Squadron 266 arrive aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan as an augment from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit January 15. Marines from the 26th MEU will provide security for the Route 611 project, which connects Northern Sangin Valley and Kajaki to the Route 1 beltway, over the next 3 months.

Birds from the sea arrive in Afghanistan

Two of six MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Tiltroater Squadron 266 arrive aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of the Batallion Landing Team with 3rd Batallion, 8th Marine Regiment January 15. The Marines from the 26th MEU will provide security for the Route 611 project, which connects Northern Sangin Valley and Kajaki to the Route 1 beltway, over the next 3 months.

MV-22 Ospreys arrive in Afghanistan

Marines from Marine Tiltroater Squadron 266 arrive aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan as an augment from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit January 15. Marines from the Battalion Landing Team with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, will provide security for the Route 611 project, which connects Northern Sangin Valley and Kajaki to the Route 1 beltway, over the next 3 months.  (I love the tail insignia on this airplane!--editor!)

US Marine Corps Tanks in Afghanistan.

LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), fires the main cannon of an M1A1 Abrams tank during a range at Camp Leatherneck, Jan. 13, 2011. The Marines are the first tank unit to deploy to Afghanistan.(Official US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ned Johnson)

LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), fires the main cannon of an M1A1 Abrams tank during a range at Camp Leatherneck, Jan. 13, 2011. The Marines fired multiple rounds to align their sights and prepare their tanks for upcoming missions. (Official US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Blatter)

LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion 1st Marine Division (Forward), work with a bore laser to find the center of the M1A1 Abrams tank gun’s barrel during a battlefield zero range at Camp Leatherneck, Jan. 13, 2011. The Marines aligned their sights and fired the main gun during a range to prepare the tanks for upcoming missions. (Official US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ned Johnson)

LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), attach a .50 caliber machine gun to the top of an M1A1 Abrams tank before a range at Camp Leatherneck, Jan. 13, 2011. The Marines performed their pre-combat inspections before firing the weapons to prepare for upcoming missions.(Official US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ned Johnson)

Ever wonder why Navy ships have steel superstructures?

Official USN photo taken on 23 November 1975, the day after her collision with USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). Though essentially intact up to the weather deck, her aluminum superstructure burned and melted; this significantly influenced the decision to build the Arleigh Burke-class DDGs with steel superstructures.  Via Military Photos.net

Operation Aero Hunter.

An AH-1W Cobra with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), and an EH101 Merlin with 1419 Flight Squadron, Joint Aviation Group, 3rd MAW (Fwd), refuel before joint Operation Aero Hunter in Western Kandahar province Jan. 13. The operation consisted of two phases. The first part was a patrol to flush insurgents out of a village; the second part was a series of snap vehicle check points along Route 1. The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, conducted the patrol and Marines of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, conducted the VCPs.

 

An EH101 Merlin with 1419 Flight Squadron, Joint Aviation Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), prepares to land along Route 1 in Western Kandahar province during joint Operation Aero Hunter Jan. 13. The operation consisted of two phases. The first part was a patrol to flush insurgents out of a village; the second part was a series of snap vehicle check points along Route 1. The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, conducted the patrol and Marines of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, conducted the VCPs.

Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, board a EH101 Merlin with 1419 Flight Squadron, Joint Aviation Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), along Route 1 in Western Kandahar province during joint Operation Aero Hunter Jan. 13. An AH-1W Cobra and a UH-1Y Huey with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, 3rd MAW (Fwd), provided overwatch for the duration of the operation, which consisted of two phases. The first part was a patrol to flush insurgents out of a village; the second part was a series of snap vehicle check points along Route 1. The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, conducted the patrol and the Lima Company Marines conducted the VCPs.

Royal Air Force Merlins and 3/25 and 3rd MAW conduct joint operations.

Marines from L Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and Marines from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), joined with Royal Air Force crews of 1419 Flight Squadron, Joint Aviation Group, 3MAW (FWD), during Operation Arrow Hunter Jan. 13 along Route 1 in Helmand province Afghanistan. HMLA-169 Marines provided overwatch for the 3/25 Marines and the EH101 Merlin crew of 1419 Flight Squadron with a UH-1Y Huey and an AH-1W Cobra. The 3/25 Marines set up snap vehicle checkpoints along Route 1 in three separate areas at three times to show that, with the use of helicopters, they can set up a snap VCP anywhere, anytime. Produced by Marine Sgt. Deanne Hurla. Video provided by 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) Public Affairs.

Did David Axe just prove that stealth is dead?

Via Wired.com...

Instead, the U.S. military’s main flying branch has turned to an older jet that, with upgrades, could prove to be an even better J-20-killer than the newer, more expensive F-22. That’s right: the Boeing F-15  Eagle, one of the stars of the 1991 Gulf War, is quickly shaping up as America’s main countermeasure to China’s new fighter for the next 20 years.

Read the whole thing if you haven't already...but my question is this.  Does this mean that stealth is already dead?

If AESA radars are that capable then give me a big motor, tons of gas, 14 conformal missiles, HMD and an AWACS with that same radar and lets ditch the cost of stealth!

I was watching stealth when I should have been paying attention to the electronics that are being developed for the next gen fighters.

This is awesome and a little annoying.

If stealth isn't the big boy on the block now then that means that old school fighter pilot rules are back in vogue (with the caveat that the fight will probably be all BVR...I mean heck...why allow an enemy to close if you can detect them, launch your missiles and break contact because of modern electronics).

I sure hope he does a follow up article.

SureFire Hi Capacity Magazines.

Amazing.  They started in flashlights and are now part of the firearm industry.



Maybe the IAR makes sense with these mags?

Even training is dangerous.

Rest in Peace...

via Fox News...

Marine Dies When Vehicle Sinks Off Calif. Coast

By Justin Fishel

Published January 14, 2011 | FoxNews.com

A Marine was killed during a training mission at Camp Pendleton, Calif., after he along with five other Marines sank to the bottom of the Del Mar boat basin while inside an amphibious assault vehicle. Five of the Marines managed to escape unharmed.
Rescuers reached the trapped Marine at 2:15 p.m. Friday, about three hours after the vehicle sank. He was rushed to Scripps La Jolla Hospital, and pronounced dead a half hour later. The victim's name has been withheld until the notification of the next of kin.
The Marines said in a statement that an investigation is underway.
The Pentagon recently announced its plans to halt the production of the Exeditionary Fight Vehicle that was designed to replace the current fleet. These newer models are considered to come equipped with improved technology.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the project had already cost the Marines billions of dollars and was too far over budget to continue.

Calls of desperately needing a replacement for the 40 year old AAV, the fiasco that became the EFV and the need to get the next program going should be perfectly clear now.

Maersk Line Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) --the brochure.

Lee sent me this brochure of the Maersk Line's concept for a low cost AFSB.  Thanks Lee!  Anyway, after glancing at this, I'm a believer.  If it can provide even half the capabilities shown in this concept then I'd be in favor of giving up an LHA-6, life extending the current big decks and putting one of these in each ocean!  Check it out here.

The UK being able to do a Falklands doesn't matter anymore.

The discussion on an earlier post turned to me asking this question.  Can the UK repeat the Falklands if it happened today?

Some took the question as being a direct repeat of the events that led to that war, but I was asking it in a larger context.

If British territory was seized, could they retake it?  Not necessarily the Falklands but anywhere in the world.

After talking with friends, I realize that isn't the right question.

The right question is this...Is the European Union, as its currently organized, capable of mustering the forces of its member nations to be able to come to the defense of any of its members to regain territory.

The answer that we arrived at was maybe.  It would all depend on if the territory was a colonial holdover, if the territory's people wanted to remain part of the member countries sphere of influence etc...

Two elements of the EU's military bear watching.

The Rapid Deployment Force (information is hard to come by...does it even exist)

The Anti-Piracy Task Force

More to come.

Whoa! USNI hits hard!

USNI Blogsite is back in the fight.

Want to read something that will be thought provoking and piss you off at the same time?  Then go here.

Wow.

 UltimatRatioReg ---great article guy!

Clarification.

I keep hearing from individuals that their comments have been deleted.

I don't do that.

I have forwarded the issue to Blogger and as soon as I know, you will too.

Chinese citizens react to the J-20.

I subscribe to ChinaSmack blogsite.  While I don't know how widely held the comments are, heck I don't even know if they're translated accurately---they're still interesting as hell.  Here are a few, follow the link to read the whole thing.

红玛瑙:

Does the country/government’s strength and power have anything to do with us?

織田信長:

The more advanced the PLA’s weapons are, just means the more people that can be suppressed on Changan Avenue.

红玛瑙:

No wonder everyone says it is easy to be a [government] leader. I’d rather see the price of cabbage fall 5 mao.

正宗张江男:

Slaves cheering the slave-master for researching and developing an even more powerful killing machine? What kind of reasoning is this?

腾讯上海市网友:

Not bad not bad…I’m happy for the test flight’s success, though China normally only reports the things that are basically guaranteed to succeed. Since they said it was a test flight, then it is certain that they’ve done secret training exercises already…hehe

C-130J for India.

The Flyer II Advanced Light Strike Vehicle.

The Flyer Brochure 2010 - Final for Web

The Flyer II Advanced Light Strike Vehicle is in competition to be the USAF's Para-rescue (and by extension I would assume SOCOM's) internally carried vehicle for operations from the CV-22.

They also make a larger version for carriage inside the CH-53 and CH-47.

More info here.

UPDATE!

I failed to thank Jonathan for sending me a link to the article featuring this vehicle.  Thanks Jonathan.