F-22, the F-35 and the Range LIE!

My buddy ELP has a new post up on why the F-35 doesn't need the F-22.  I'll let you read the post but the passage that has me wanting to put my fist through a wall is this....

While not a long range bomber like the B-2, the FB-22 would be survivable and carry enough payload and have enough reach for a wide variety of operations. This, combined with the USAF displaying some common sense and getting in on the U.S. Navy UCAS-N program would provide great future options (and deterrence) in the Pacific Rim. The Federal Budget may be in such dire straits that it won’t be able to afford a long range bomber program in the coming years.

Budget concerns aside (which I agree with), the myth of the long ranged F-22 and its proposed derivatives is something that must be slain.  Figures from Wikipedia (yes, I know Wiki isn't reliable but hey..it'll do for the purposes of this exercise)....

F-22
Combat radius: 410 nmi^[195] (471 mi, 759 km)

F-35
Combat radius: over 590 nmi (1,090 km) on internal fuel<sup>[178]

Oh and to add a little pain to the F-22 advocates out there...GUESS WHAT!  Even the F-35B will be longer ranged than the F-22 if they're both in stealth configuration.

We can have the conversation about these airplanes, but a little truth would be appreciated.</sup> 

101st conducts an Air Assault in Afghanistan.

Is it me or does it seem as if our heavy lift helicopters (CH-53 and CH-47) appear to becoming the true jack-of-all trades?  The medium lift helicopter while still valuable, just doesn't seem to have the utility of the larger types.  Perhaps a truncated buy of MV-22's and an enlarged buy of CH-53K's wouldn't be such a bad idea...especially since the K is being touted as being capable of operating in contested air space.

Oh and back to the 101st and the US Army.  CH-47's operating in the Air Assault role?  Maybe they need to rebalance the force as well.  More troops on the ground in fewer lifts?  Sounds like a plan to me.

Galco copies Crossbreed...

I'm a big fan of Crossbreed Holsters....I've carried everywhere and have never been 'made' as carrying.  Oh and trust me...there is no doubt in your mind when you've been made.  Its not so much in a person's words...I've never had a person run around with their hair on fire saying he's carrying concealed...its more in the eyes, and the body language you receive.  With the Crossbreed, I've never had that problem.

With so many people getting into the concealed carry movement, I guess it was only a matter of time before the big boys started copying them.  The latest that I'm aware of is Galco.  This is their latest offering and it fits the Crossbreed template.  I don't know if it has the same comfort but like I said, it follows their pattern.  If you've tried it, then give me a review!

US Navy CB90's making waves...

NEO exercise in Yuma.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz.-2nd Lt. Luis Spradley, platoon commander with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, runs to his objective while a CH-53E Super Stallion takes off from Kiwanis Park in Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 22, 2010. The Marines, based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., set up a security perimeter for the training operation, designed to keep control of the situation and ensure the safety of onlookers., Lance Cpl. Jakob Schulz, 10/22/2010 1:33 PM

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz.-Cpl. Zachary Givens, left, squad leader, waits for orders from 2nd Lt. Luis Spradley, platoon commander with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, at Kiwanis Park in Yuma Ariz., Oct. 22, 2010. Both Marines are stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Lance Cpl. Jakob Schulz, 10/22/2010 1:31 PM

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz.-Shortly after dropping off Marines from E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, a CH-53E Super Stallion departs from Pat Williams Park in Brawley, Calif., Oct. 22, 2010. As part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course here, different aircrafts transported Marines for the noncombatant evacuation operation, which simulates extracting American citizens from an American embassy in hostile territory., Lance Cpl. Aaron Diamant, 10/22/2010 1:28 PM

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz.-Shortly after dropping off Marines from E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, a CH-46 Sea Knight departs from Pat Williams Park in Brawley, Calif., Oct. 22, 2010. As part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course taught at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., different aircrafts transported Marines for the noncombatant evacuation operation, which simulates extracting American citizens from an American embassy in hostile territory. , Lance Cpl. Aaron Diamant, 10/22/2010 1:28 PM

CMC's Planning Guidance.

CMC 35 Planning Guidance FINAL

EFV---Power. Projected.

First image of a v-hulled HUMVEE from BAE

BAE put out this photo of what I assume is going to be their version of a v-hulled HUMVEE.

BAE UK sticks in the knife...Boeing will win the Tanker contract.

Talk about a mis-timed announcement.  This is BAE UK and the British government twisting the knife they just stuck in our backs....read it here....

Samlesbury, UK – BAE Systems has formally opened a new state-of-the-art titanium machining facility at its Samlesbury site in Lancashire. The robotic facility will be used to manufacture detail and assembly components of the Aft Fuselage, Vertical Tail and Horizontal Tail for the F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft, further reinforcing BAE Systems’ key role in the world’s largest defence programme.  

What an arrogant bunch of bastards these guys are.  First you reduce your buy to less than that of Tier 2 partners and then you brag about your share of the work??????

Congratulations, you just guaranteed Boeing a win in the Tanker contract.

Headquarters Marine Corps...1st MEF (Forward)...Wake the HELL UP!!!!

Battle Rattle published some pictures that I can't object to strongly enough.  They show the moments before and after the death of a Marine Corps NCO.

How these pictures made it into the public realm is beyond me but if anything in this war should be censored then its the showing of a young Marine in a poncho with his buddies saying good-bye to him.

Battle Rattle is wrong...but they're journalist and I assume don't know any better.  Headquarters Marine Corps and 1st MEF (Forward) are professionals.  They have no excuse.  Get off your ass Senior Leadership and start yanking film.