F-35 News. China is re-shaping its clone. What does that tell us?

Photo via Chinese Military Review blog.

Above you see a photo that the Chinese Military Review blog calls a refined model of the J-31 developed by AVIC.

What does this tell us?

Just spitballing here but the Chinese have full access (whether we like it or not) to the F-35's specs.  They probably were able to steal the results of its testing and know its true capabilities.

Does this indicate that the F-35 isn't as stealthy as is being claimed?  Does it mean that they desire a higher level of stealth than is available in its current form?  Are they having trouble with the stealth coating and are trying to refine the shape to get it up to standard?

I have no idea.

I'll let you aviation guys fight this out, but I find it interesting.  Could we finally see the Chinese move...even if its just a little (and I understand that some will say that this is just an attempt to make the J-31 look more like the F-22)...from stealing to innovating?

Time will tell.

Which is better...Discipline or Motivation?

F-35 News. US concerned about a lack of exports.

via World Tribune.

WASHINGTON — The United States, alarmed by poor exports, plans to enable foreign allies to customize the Joint Strike Fighter.
Officials said the Defense Department has approved a proposal that would offer foreign countries the right to change mission data on the F-35 fighter-jet. They said the step could accommodate demands by foreign partners in the $1 trillion program for input in the aircraft’s mission computer.
We together, jointly, will build there the brains of the airplane for them,” JSF program manager Chris Bogdan said.
In a briefing in late October, Bogdan said military personnel from foreign clients would work in JSF facilities to develop individual software packages. He said data packages would be prepared for clients in two different regions, one of them believed to be the Middle East.
“In the future we will have many labs where our partners are going to do some of their own work,” Bogdan said.
The arrangement marked a revision of a decades-long policy of refusing to customize U.S. fighter-jets. Officials acknowledged increasing anger among JSF’s partners, particularly Britain, Italy and Turkey, over the Pentagon’s refusal to transfer technology for the F-35.
“They go to different places and they fight in different ways,” Bogdan said.
As a result, most of the JSF partners have refused to submit significant orders for the fifth-generation aircraft. So far, only Israel, not a partner in JSF, has ordered a squadron and plans to procure an additional squadron.

First we had talk of the program office floating the idea of allowing allies to do block buys of the airplane.  Now this.

I don't know whats going on behind closed doors but the desperation is getting thick enough to cut it with a knife.  2015 will be an interesting year for F-35 watchers.

Chinese Fire Support Frigate (Rocket).

All images and info via PLA Photo Blog.

China Navy renovated the frigate that was obsolete, fire support ship equipped with Tarenso rockets instead of anti-ship missile will be or have been enrolled

So they've done the common sense thing and simply taken an old frigate, added MLRS pods to it and re-designated it a fire support ship.  The only real issue (because I think its a great idea) is re-arming it at sea.  Against a proper target it could expend its "ready to fire" load in a few minutes.

Breaking! Russian tanks cross into Ukraine.

via Reuters.

(Reuters) - A column of 32 tanks, 16 howitzer artillery systems and trucks carrying ammunition and fighters has crossed into eastern Ukraine from Russia, the Kiev military said on Friday.
"The deployment continues of military equipment and Russian mercenaries to the front lines," spokesman Andriy Lysenko said in a televised briefing referring to Thursday's cross-border incursion.

Read the entire story here. 

US Navy Riverines wearing berets now?

Above you see a photo of what appears to be a re-enlistment ceremony for Coastal Riverine Squadron 4.  Congrats to the sailor and best wishes to him, his family and future.

What has me saying huh to the whole thing are the berets.  Is that now authorized in the Riverines?  Also notice the insignia on it.  Additionally check out the patches on their left shoulders.  "Don't tread on me" popularized by the Navy SEALs.

Despite being combined with Master at Arms for the port security mission it really looks like they're pushing real hard to be a quasi infantry force.  I don't know if I'll be watching them but they have peaked my interests.  I wonder what the end goal is.

Blast from the past. General Vaught saw the SEAL controversy coming...

More ABC US news | ABC Health News

The quote?

“Now I’m going to tell you, one of these days, if you keep publishing how you do this, the other guy’s going to be there ready for you, and you’re going to fly in and he’s going to shoot down every damn helicopter and kill every one of your SEALs. Now, watch it happen. Mark my words. Get the hell out of the media.."
LT GEN James Vaught

What kills me about this?

A couple of things.  First the way that the media laughed at the General.  Age confers wisdom, his service (exemplary no matter how you define it) DEMANDS respect..  He said nothing funny, was correct in his assessment and those bastards had the gall to laugh at him?  Each and every one of them needs to be throat punched.

Second.  McRaven started this.  He encouraged the spirit of SEALs covering the morning pages.  HE LED BY EXAMPLE!  Yet no one is saying it.

This is a culture problem and until they face it, correct and remove anyone that has engaged in it (meaning people that disclose secrets are punished to the fullest extent of the law) then we'll see this issue continue.

Go here to see the original story.