Silva vs. Sonnen...

The only man to really threaten Silva...this should be good but I'm still betting on Silva.  Thank goodness for MMA...even the NFL is getting wimpy...

Piranha 5 with Lance turret. Marine Personnel Carrier Contender?

CCV

General Dynamics is/was entering the Piranha 5 with Lance turret for the Canadian Close Combat Vehicle contest.  Does this give us an indication on how they will proceed with the Marine Personnel Carrier program?

I would guess it does.  It might mean that they're moving forward and standardizing on the Piranha 5...obviously for the MPC they'll have to make sure it swims but I just don't see the design house really pushing hard on that effort.  More than likely they'll push its mine resistant features, modularity and the fact that its already in service worldwide (at least in the model III form).

If its a cost shoot out then they might have a chance.  A small chance but a chance none-the-less.

CH-47 deployinig CERFP team.

Textron victory lap...

Textron Canada posted this vid this morning and I'm just getting to it now.  Was this a victory lap? 

Want to kill waste in the military? Think small stuff.

pic courtesy of Soldier Systems.

The above knife is featured at shot show and covered by Soldier Systems blog.  Nothing against the knife but according to Soldier Systems, this designer, custom knife has an NSN number.

They also state that they haven't been able to keep up with orders for them.

That has me wondering...we're so focused on high tech, cutting edge weapon systems and damning them for cost over runs (mostly caused by an inept procurement system) that we've ignored the many tin plated, ooh gee whiz I like that knife so lets order from supply mess that our logistics system has become.

Not picking on the knife shown.  It might be fabulous and the units ordering it might actually have a need for it...but the truth of the matter is obvious.  There is waste in the military but you should look at the small stuff instead of the large.

Vickers slings for Marines?  Really?  A custom sling?  Is that really necessary?  Is that being frugal?  Serpa holsters?  Really?  Say that out loud Marine Corps!  Is the Army doing it and if not should we?  Is it something we need that's unique to our amphibious mission?

IAR...otherwise known as the M-27.  The Army, SOCOM and foreign militarises haven't bought into the concept.  Is it really the way to go?

Experimentation should happen before products are bought.  If they can't be justified then they should be canned.

We've got to do better.

TEXTRON WINS!

Interesting.

Congratulations Textron!

UPDATE:
500 vehicles with an option for 100 more.  Service life of at least 20 years?  Modernization.  Upgrades over that time span.  Probable neck down of Canadian armored vehicles to this vehicle and the LAV III and CCV/Leopard 2 .... This is a big fucking deal! 

UPDATE 1:
This might be a knock out body blow to Oshkosh.  Take over rumors should start flying now.  I'm sure BAE, General Dynamics, KMW and maybe even Lockheed Martin are circling....

BAE must be stunned.  It had a clean sheet design and lost.  I can't wait to read the rationale behind the decision but heads must be getting ready to roll in the strategic marketing house.

Force Protection/General Dynamics.  Toast.  I didn't think the Timberwolf fit the bill and results bore that out.  Fresh blood is desperately needed in that design shop.

F-35 Flight Test Update. Jan- May 2012

The F-35.


Confounding the critics and performing well above expectations.  Read the charts and weep haters!
12-6-4 F-35 Flight Test Performance Jan 1 - May 31 2012 (1)