Modest Proposal. Cancel remaining MV-22's and buy Battle Hawks!

My bold, yet modest proposal is simply this.

Cancel the remaining purchase of the MV-22, give the remaining slots to USAF Special Operations so that they can beef up there numbers of CV-22's...and start buying Sikorsky Battle Hawks instead.

We need a medium lift helicopter that provides true multi-mission flexibility.

The Battle Hawk fills the bill.

We already see the trend with the UH-1Y.

Instead of buying the full planned compliment of AH-1Z, the Marine Corps truncated the buy and bought additional (or is planning to) Huey's instead.

We should build on this and get Battle Hawks.

If distributed operations become a reality then we will need to get the biggest bang out of our limited number of airframes.

It only makes sense.

European SPIE Rigging. Maybe the USMC needs to look at this!

SPIE Rigging is...exhilarating.  But I've always wondered if it couldn't be done better.

If it is a practical form of insertion and extraction then I think the Europeans might have hit on something.

Watch the whole vid but pay special attention at the 3:35 point.

Why is the US Navy so desperate to sell the F-35C to the RN???

Reports have surfaced that the Ministry of Defense in the UK is vacillating between buying the F-35B and F-35C.  Proponents of the both airplanes have been very vocal in their support of their particular airplane.

Critics of course have been heard too.  Those "flat earthers" want the Royal Navy to buy a non-stealth airplane.  Doesn't matter which one as long as it isn't the F-35.

But check out these photos from JeffHead.com...and the potential F-35B customers worldwide.  Make note of all the LHA's that are being developed/constructed/planned in the pacific region.  Understand that this list isn't complete either.  Singapore has announced that its working on the Endurance 1600, an LHA class warship.

The US Navy is realizing too late that its concept of operation----the big deck carrier is facing a period of transformation.  The F-35B will outsell the F-35C.

Cavour Class Carrier.

22 DDH- Japan.

16 DDH - Japan.

Juan Carlos - Spain & Australia.

Dokdo Class - S. Korea.

And that of course doesn't include the 11 US Marine Corps LHA's/LHD's that will be as capable as many countries aircraft carriers..

Many slam the concept of STOVL operations but the evidence is clear.  

Expeditionary operations coupled with cost savings make it essential.

We might be witnessing the opening rounds of the end of the super carrier.

IDF Caterpillar D-9

The IDF Caterpillar D9 is an armed bulldozer used for repair work.

The Combat Engineering Corps is in charge of operating this machine. The 'Tzama' Unit- a specially designated unit within the corps specializes in the use of this equipment.
This drill was held near the Gaza border where most of the D9 work takes place. It's armored frame keeps the soldiers safe as they work along the Gaza border.

That caption that the IDF attached to these photos only tell half the story.

The Israeli's also use the Cat 9's in the offense in urban warfare.

It's brutally effective especially against dug in positions.  The dozer blade acts as additional armor against weapons.

Why we don't employ them in a similar manner in battles like Fallujah is beyond me but it would have saved lots of lives...that and less restrictive rules of engagement.

DDG-1000 future of Navy Surface Warfare???

The DDG-1000 is the future of the Navy's Surface Warfare Fleet.

No if's, and's or but's about it.

Or so says Elements of Power.

Which seems to bring us right back to the idea of maybe a family of modern warships based upon the DD(X)'s original objectives isn't such a bad idea after all? Is the Navy angling towards an eventual CG-1000 or just slouching their way to greatness?

 The Zumwalt's have significantly more room in their hulls for new or additional systems, and more power available to run them. modular weaponization, and long range guided artillery for when you need it. IMHO, it would be almost be worth it alone just to tweak the noses of people who can't stand or fear the 'Tumblehome' hull design.  

He hits on the main objection that many state when talking about the DDG-1000 (besides some not liking the idea of naval guns returning)...the tumblehome hull.

I don't know squat about naval architecture so I'll take his word for it.  But I HAVE seen videos of comparisons between the tumblehome and conventional hull designs and it does appear to be superior.  I'll wait and see but Elements of Power makes a strong case for the DDG-1000 actually delivering while we're seeing the LCS class falter.

Sea Services Celebrate the War of 1812...

Thanks for sending me this website/info Joe!  Keep'em coming....

Makes you wonder what's going on with the US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard doesn't it?  I don't mean to belittle our history.

Its as precious to me as it is to any American that pumps blood colored red, white, blue and Marine green.

What has me curious is who's picking up the bill on this?

Would we have been better served by cancelling these celebrations and preserving an active Marine Infantry Battalion or two instead?

Or how about we keep a couple of Cruisers instead?

Or buy the Coast Guard a few more Cutters?

Regardless...the site is here and the vid is below...

Spirits from the past talking....

Want to hear something spooky?

Chilling?

Hear this tape of B-52 aircrews over Hanoi during Linebacker II.

I can't imagine a more helpless feeling.

You can't fight back...You have to complete the bombing run...You can't influence the battle....all you can do is sit there and take the punches that the enemy is throwing...

I make fun of the wing, but air combat must suck.