What exactly is the UH-72 for anyway????

First we were told that it was a light weight utility helicopter that the US Army and National Guard needed for homeland security missions.

Now we're seeing it upgraded with what I consider to be almost combat kit.  Will someone tell me again what the UH-72 is for again. 

This is from EADS.

The first flight of the UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) equipped with the Security and Support Battalion (S&S Battalion) Mission Equipment Package (MEP) occurred in June at the company’s American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Miss.
The S&S Battalion MEP will greatly expand the Lakota’s use for reconnaissance, command and control and air movement operations in support of U.S. homeland defense and security missions with the U.S. Army National Guard.
The maiden flight with this mission package on a UH-72A version represents another milestone in the Lakota’s highly successful development for the U.S. Army and also demonstrates EADS North America’s ability to evolve complex systems to meet warfighters’ mission needs.
“This is a very significant milestone in the maturation of the UH-72A Lakota for the U.S. Army and National Guard user,” said EADS North America COO David R. Oliver. “The fleet of Lakota aircraft is approaching 40,000 flight hours and as the Army continues to fly Lakotas they’re realizing the versatility and reliability of the aircraft. The S&S Battalion first flight illustrates the continued expansion and validation of the Lakota’s capabilities.”

Excuse me.  But I have seen multi-million dollar command and control vehicles with the FBI, ATF, State and Local Police Agencies, FEMA and practically the whole host of alphabet soup departments in the US government.  Now the Army and National Guard need additional recon and Command and Control assets?

Ok, enough of the non-sense, what's going on with this program.

Back when the USAF was neat.

A C-130 demonstration team?  Amazing.  Photos via Lockheed Martin.

Marine Helos take off to support Pakistan Relief.

Questionable move.  Aren't these ships part of the theater reserve?  Seems like we're putting our forces at risk to aid a questionable ally.

Australian Air Force Heron.

Digital Camo F/A-18.

Its just a matter of time before our ships, tanks, and airplanes are all in digital camo.

USMC digs in on the EFV?! You damn right!

Michael Fabey has an article on the EFV over at Aviation Week.  Here is the punch line but read the whole thing...

But the Marines also make sound counter-arguments. True, the military really hasn’t needed to storm enemy shores with a vehicle like this since World War II, but that doesn’t mean the capability — or the threat of one — isn’t needed.
The U.S. hasn’t used an atomic or nuclear weapon since the World War II either, but few would argue the country needs to scrap all major programs dedicated to keeping that capability.
Further, the Marines point out, the proper Pentagon officials have already reviewed and blessed the EFV from a requirements and capability perspective. Of course, the Air Force also had made that argument for its CSAR-X program, which the service said was its second-highest priority procurement effort.
But when it comes to saving programs, no group is better than the Marines. No one need look any further than the V-22 Osprey for proof of that.

You damn right the Marines are digging in on the EFV and I need to repeat a couple of points.

1.  The AAV was first fielded in 1970's.  Its beyond time for a replacement.
2.  Forcible Entry is a necessary tool in the American Arsenal.  Just as the article points out, we haven't used nuclear weapons since 1945 yet we still have them.  Our Airborne forces have been allowed to atrophy, Air Assault is problematic...we need to be able to conduct Amphibious Assaults.
3.  The US Army will have gone through 4 generations of armored vehicles...the M-113, Bradley, Stryker and the upcoming GCV.

The Marines will win, it'll be nasty but we'll get the EFV. 

As a side note.  If a program manager needed wall to wall counseling, its the guys that have run this program.  If they get promoted after the missteps in this program then Officer selection is truly broken.

Israel should be nervous. Very nervous.

If a repeat of the 1973 war were to occur today there is every possibility that the Israeli nation could be defeated.  With Arab nations obtaining Typhoons, F-15s, F-16s, M1 Abrams, high speed anti-shipping missiles, MLRS, high tech attack helicopters and other advanced weaponry the technological advantage once enjoyed by the Jewish state has all but disappeared.

This latest sale to Saudi Arabia is troubling.  Who are they arming up to fight exactly and how many airplanes do they actually need for their air force?  Via FoxNews.

WASHINGTON—The Obama administration plans to sell advanced F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia but won't equip them with long-range weapons systems and other arms whose inclusion was strongly opposed by Israel, diplomats and officials said.
The proposed $30 billion, 10-year arms package, which would be one of the biggest single deals of its kind, has been a source of behind-the-scenes tension during months of negotiations. Israeli officials have repeatedly conveyed their concerns in private that the U.S. risks undermining its military advantage by equipping regional rivals with top-flight technologies.