The most valuable ships in the fleet are under stress.

The G-man has a write up on the Amphibious Fleet that must be read.  Check it out here but this part is telling...

The amphibious fleet of the US is in high demand because they are the most flexible ships in the US arsenal, but is seen as and is given a low priority by leaders in the US Navy with the total amphibious force now 15% below clearly articulated bare minimum size and 25% below stated requirement size. For whatever reason, both Congress and the DoD are watching the Avondale shipyard that builds amphibious ships go out of business due to lack of work.
What is the plan to address these problems, because all indications are there is no plan.

Defense Review's write up on the SRTV-5

Defense Review has a write up on the SRTV-5 .  Worth checking out.  Read about it here.

K-MAX Quick Reaction Assessment

K-Max is about to deploy.  Late but still good news.  Less trucks, less IED attacks...less injured Marines.

Good stuff.

ArmorWorks Hyena Special Ops Truck.

• Curb Weight 1,905kg.
• Payload 907kg.
• Gross Vehicle Weight 2948kg.
• Gross Axle Weight (front) 1360kg.
• Gross Axle Weight (rear) 1360 kg.
• Length 4.27m
• Height 1.90m
• Ground Clearance 0.381m
• Min. Reduced Height 1.63m
• Reduced Shipping Cube 4.27m L x 1.88m W
• Engine Motori VM 2.8 4 inline cylinder C.R.D.  
• Optional Engine V6 Diesel 3.0L 72 Degree V6 arrangement 370 Ft lbs  
• Acceleration (0-60mph) est. 10 seconds  
• Cruising Range 600 or 300 miles (variable 150 litre tanks)  
• Spring Rate (front) 450 – 600 progressive/wheel  
• Spring Rate (rear) 450 – 600 progressive/wheel  
• Troop Seating Capacity to include litter carry 7 personnel or 5 personnel & 2 litters  
• Weapons carry/mount capability Stand 360 degree ring, 3x180 degree pintals  
• Sensor suite FLIR & Night Vision Lights Out, Telescopic Mass  
• On board Pressurized Air System  
• Rydroboost Brake System  
• Rydic Steering  
• TactiCAM camouflage system  
• 10,000 Winch System (removable to front or back)

DefenseTech and a couple of other websites have the ArmorWorks special ops truck highlighted at the Marine Week expo.

I got curious because I had never seen it.  I knew of ArmorWorks but had no idea that they were working on this type of vehicle.

Mystery solved.

The Hyena is out of the UK branch of ArmorWork, this is good news for them and even better news for that country.  The UK appears to be the new home for specialized special ops vehicles...or they're at least working to carve out that niche.  

F-35 at sea...the takeoff's

Spudman!  My boy...thanks for the heads up...got slammed at work so I'm late to the table...

Wasp

A 1000 yard stare

A soldier from A Company, 1 Rifles looks on wearily following an engagement with the enemy during a joint helicopter assault with the Afghan Uniformed Police (AUP) in Helmand, Afghanistan.

Photographer: Sergeant Alison Baskerville RLC

A Rifleman puts down covering fire over a wall as his patrol from A Company 1 Rifles comes under heavy fire during a joint helicopter assault with the Afghan Uniformed Police (AUP) in Helmand.

Photographer: Sergeant Alison Baskerville RLC