I'm still a bit jaded on the Kydex everything trend that I see but I kinda like this one. Still have my doubts about Kydex being superior to 1000 Denier Cordura Nylon when it comes to pouches and such but we'll see.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
JLTV. Still only 3 competitors.
Not much to say on this.
After all the lead up.
After all the effort to get more companies to compete in the JLTV competition...we're still down to only 3 viable solutions.
In my opinion only Lockheed Martin, BAE and General Tactical Vehicles are viable solutions. Either one of these offerings will work.
So we're back to another price shootout.
The Pentagon better hope that manufacturers don't catch on to the game they're playing. If they do then the troops will be riding bicycles into combat because gold platted systems (that get added on to) with a pauper's paycheck don't mix.
AM General BRV-O...looks like a HUMVEE Upgrade to me....
OshKosh L-ATV...
Navistar...
My buddy CB challenged me in the comments and stated that the other competitors were worthy and that I shouldn't dismiss them.
I included the links above so that you could evaluate them for yourself. I smell the stench of Army procurement woes creeping into this program. Instead of a separate HUMVEE upgrade and JLTV program, it looks like we're seeing programs merge...much like the GCV and M-113 replacement comp is.
CH-46's for sale...
Hmmm.Three Latin American nations have expressed interest in purchasing former US Marine Corps (USMC) CH-46 Sea Knights, it has been revealed.The aircraft, which are being retired to the boneyard by the marines in favour of the V-22 Osprey, have been subjected to a series of upgrades prior to retirement because of the Osprey's late introduction. The upgrades have given the Sea Knights increased airframe life making them ideal candidates for refurbishment and new roles overseas.
'Although it hasn't got the capability of the CH-47 Chinook, the CH-46 is still a very capable helicopter for troop transport and search and rescue, particularly with its tandem-rotor stability,' said Earl Godby, head of business development for maintenance, modifications and upgrades at Boeing Defense.
'The marines spent $1.2 billion upgrading the fleet and there is still plenty of life left in them, most of them have around 10,000 hours on them but they have a 17,000 hour airframe life.'
Godby said that despite the type's age, the aircraft are still achieving serviceability levels of in excess of 80%.
Several Sea Knights have already been refurbished and modified by the US Navy's Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for use by the US State Department Air Wing, although Boeing has not been involved in this project. Boeing would however be involved if a request was made through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) scheme for the type.
How many flight hours does a helicopter ramp up per year????
Being extremely generous, lets say they get 1000 flight hours per year.
That's an additional 7 years we're throwing away by getting rid of these helos now. That just doesn't sit well with me. This is another reason to slow the purchases of the MV-22's...get full service out of these CH-46's and win a couple of things here.
Save money now...
Reprogram that money to either save a Infantry Battalion or two or maybe buy those CH-53K's...
Or just save that money for the taxpayers and send it back to the treasury. Getting rid of equipment before its fully used up is not the Marine Corps way.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Hawker Hunter and Vigilant Sub...
 |
Veteran Hawker Hunter jets have returned to RNAS Yeovilton to help train warships fend off air attack.
Three of the one-time fighters – which were based at the Somerset air station for nearly a quarter of a century – are flying from there in a trial run, working with Hawk jets to test the Fleet undergoing training off Plymouth. |
and....
 |
The most powerful weapon in the Navy’s arsenal, ballistic missile
submarine HMS Vigilant, sailed for the first time in more than three
years today.
The nuclear submarine departed Devonport to begin trials after a £300m revamp which means she is effectively a new boat inside. |
Maybe we can get the Brits to sell us the ballistic sub! We got the Harriers (which were practically brand new...did you know they just got finished upgrading them?!?!?!?!) for a song...We got such a great deal that the British Ministry of Defence embargoed their personnel from discussing it! Forgive me Grand Logistics, Grim, Darren and TD! Couldn't help myself!
Army Civilians “Shaping the Fight” – Sniper Weapons
Great vid and it provided information I didn't know.
I thought that these were developed and supported solely by uniformed personnel. I didn't think civilians were involved at all.
But let me add that knowing that civilians would be a focus of the film, I decided to play a drinking game. Every time someone said "warfighter" you had to take a shot....
Feeling good now!
Time to upgrade these puppies...
 | ||
| The U.S. Air Force accepted F-22 tail number 4192 at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Ga., site on March 23, 2012. This F-22 Raptor was then flown to Joint Base Langley-Eustis (Va.) where it will be based. |
*stretched fuselage for more fuel and weapons and maybe a WSO.
*fully developed avionics upgraded to F-35 standards.
*big wings, subsonic engines for a ultra high flying, ultra long endurance strato bomber.
and that's just off the top of my head and I'm not a jet guy. These all might be impractical but hey, I'm trying and so should the USAF. I'm convinced that drones, while useful in a COIN, are less relevant in other scenarios.
Time will tell but we should maximize all the systems that we have in hand now.
Royal Navy and Marines Cold Response pics.
 |
| Landing Craft from HMS Bulwark prepare to disembark Royal Marines
during the amphibious Exercise Cold Response in Norway. Photographer: LA(PHOT) Martin Carney |
 |
| Landing Craft from HMS Bulwark are lined after disembarking Royal
Marines during the amphibious Exercise Cold Response in Norway. Photographer: LA(PHOT) Martin Carney |
 |
| Royal Marines are pictured during the amphibious Exercise Cold
Response in Norway. Photographer: LA(PHOT) Martin Carney |
 |
| HMS Illustrious (foreground) and HMS Bulwark are pictured near Harstad, Norway during Exercise Cold Response.Photographer: LA(PHOT) Martin Carney |
 |
| HMS Illustrious and HMS Bulwark (foreground) are pictured near Harstad, Norway during Exercise Cold Response.Photographer: LA(PHOT) Martin Carney |
At an academy near you. Condom Olympics?!?!
Read this over at Military.com
At the beginning of the school year, gay pride events at a military academy with titles like "condom Olympics" and "queer prom" would have been unthinkable. This week, they're a reality.No comment.
Sea King Rescue Helo...
You see it back there don't you??? Oh, the hottie's name is Helen Skelton...she's on some tv show....
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