Modest proposal. Re-do Tanks along with AAV's...

Hey All.

I have a modest proposal.  While we're redesigning our AAV Battalions to operate two separate vehicles, I say that it would make sense and piggy back onto that development and add an additional class of vehicle to the mix.

As it is now we'll be operating AAV and Amphibious Combat Vehicles...Marine Personnel Carriers with crewmen designate (I'm assuming) to operate both vehicles under one unit.

How about we take whichever vehicle wins the Marine Personnel Carrier competition and add the gun designed for the US Army's MGS system to it!  With that being done, we can then disband Tanks and have direct fire come from the USMC's newly built Direct Fire Gun System (hate the MGS moniker and I love to differentiate our systems from Army if possible)

CAB

The new Battalions would be designated Combat Assault Battalions (I chose this for a couple of reasons...its already in use by the Marine Corps by elements in Okinawa...and will help preserve unit lineage)

So in the end what do we win.  We get all of mechanized assault under one roof.  We get reduced weight aboard our amphibious shipping...and finally our logistics tail from fuel to parts will be reduced.

Instead of operating M1 Tanks, LAV-25's (if we go with MPC then it only makes sense to retire these vehicles), whatever MPC wins the competition and the AAV and its follow on, we're down to just the MPC filling the roles of LAV, MPC (and its gun system) and the AAV.

Consider this a combat vehicle neck down campaign if you will.

What do we lose?  Command slots for Lt. Colonels and Colonels (not exactly a bad thing in a shrinking Marine Corps), but one other thing that isn't quite as good and might entail a bit of risk...we lose the shock action of tanks.  My thinking is that our airpower (F-35, AH-1Z, UH-1Y and Harrier) will be tasked with another mission...anti-armor if we're up against a first tier foe.

Its not perfect and this is just an outline sketch of an idea but I believe it could work.  But if it can't then we at least need to take steps to reduce the weight of the M1 and we need to work out whether they need to deploy with MEU's in greater strength, whether we move them to the Reserves or if we redesign them to make it all work out.  I like what the Jordanians did with their old Chieftans...an unmanned turret should save quite a bit of weight...

Updated Art of the Tactical Carbine is on sale...

CH-46's with the 31st MEU...

Another example of your forward deployed Marines in action...

A CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, makes an approach to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States' force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. Cole/Released)

Two CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, make an approach to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States' force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. Cole/Released)

Two CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fly over the Celebes Sea from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States' force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran/Released)

Piranha 3 for Marine Personnel Carrier Contest.

With the BAE/Iveco SuperAV 8x8 being practically vapor ware, the only competition left for Lockheed Martin/Patria Havoc 8x8 is probably this offering from General Dynamics Europe.  The Piranha Class 3 is in service with the Spanish Marine Corps and I believe is also being used by the Brazilian Marines.

Either way, I'm beginning to sense the same issues with the MPC that I saw with the EFV program.  A lack of focus, a lack of urgency and no drive from HQMC to get this project going.

As much as I am a fan of the F-35, we can't let the wing suck the air outta the room.  Question for those that doubt me on this...have you heard any word of the upgrades proposed for the AAV?  What about the RFP for the AAV?  Supposedly its out but I have yet to get my hands it.

We need a hard charging Colonel or General to get his hands on the ground combat vehicle situation in the Corps or we'll be riding AAV's into the 2030's.

F-35 Critics take it over the top.

ELP over at his blog has gone off the deep end when it comes to his critique of the F-35 program.  Why?  Because he uses the death of this unfortunate man to high light his disagreement with the program.  Check this out...

A South African farmer has been mauled to death by his pet hippo, after he was warned repeatedly that the animal was dangerous and could never be tamed.
Marius Els, 40, once described six-year-old Humphrey the Hippo as being "like a son" to him but was viciously attacked and killed by the beast over the weekend.
Els was bitten to death by the 1.2 tonne Humphrey and dragged underwater in the same river where he rescued the hippo as a calf.
Humphrey had become an internet sensation earlier this year after footage of Els riding and swimming with him became a hit on YouTube.
"Humphrey's like a son to me, he's just like a human," Els said at the time. "There's a relationship between me and Humphrey and that's what some people don't understand. They think you can only have a relationship with dogs, cats and domestic animals. But I have a relationship with the most dangerous animal in Africa."
However, Els was not unaware of the danger that came with petting a dangerous animal that can move at nearly 50 km/hr.
"Humphrey could rip a man my size apart with no problem - it's a little bit dangerous," he had said.
Humphrey also showed signs it was not as friendly as Els thought.
South African media reported that he chased a 52-year-old man and his seven-year-old grandson up a tree and killed calves that belonged to Els's business partner.
He also broke out of its enclosure often and chased golfers at the local golf club.

Over the top much?  Yeah.  Rabid hatred of a program?  Yeah.  Using the death of a fellow human being to advance your agenda?  Yeah and thats why this is so fucked up.

Disagree all you want but to use a persons death as a punchline to highlight your disagreement is just beyond the pale.

Shock Troopers! Too funny!

Pic of the day. Nov 15, 2011

A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook takes off from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Nov 5, 2011.
177th Fighter Wing – NJ Air National Guard
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht