Exercise Balikatan 2012

Ok.

I understand WHY they're doing it but it still annoys.  The USMC is not a meals on wheels organization.  We are NOT the Salvation Army with guns/jets and armored vehicles.

We are a war fighting organization.

Time to emphasize that fact.

Aviation Week must be pissed.

Thanks for the link SFERRIN.

via Spudman over at F-16.net  read the whole thing but check out these tidbits...

Here are the transcripts of the proceedings and a few nuggets of gold.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Bus ... arings.htm

The transcripts for the LM presentation have not been put up yet, but here is some info from the Defense Department's reply to the APA/RepSIM info:

1. A lot of classified info could not be discussed.

2. 11k pages of data is shared with Partner nations PER MONTH about the JSF.

3. The "fuel leak" from the first Eglin AFG flight was rainwater that has seeped into the panels.

4. The F-35 has been tested up to 9.88G

5. Up to 650 parameters use to ID a potential threat. For comparison's sake, the F-22 has a third of that. Talk about Situational Awareness.


 A few more things between the lines in that transcript:

- AIM-120 PK is significantly higher than the 50% when fired by the F-35 during simulations
- F-35 consistently wipes the floor with Su-35's in high detail simulation even with expert pilots on the red team
- The 2 missile (1xIR , 1xRadar) combo touted by APA so often does not work as well as APA "guesses" it does due to F-35's signature reduction measures (IR and Radar)
- Confirmation that even though you know F-35's are in the area (low band radar), you can't engage them which is the whole issue when fighting stealth aircraft
- F-35's MADL automatically routes the datalink between aircraft so as to not fire the beam directly at the enemy when connecting to the aircraft up front

You know they're banging their heads against walls over at Aviation Week...begging mommy to make the mean ole' airplane stop.  I have never in my life seen such a concerted effort to kill a US military project in my life.  We might be seeing the first signs of industrial espionage by a domestic publication, via Information Warfare to favor foreign competitors over our own domestic production base.

Israel keeping tabs on the CH-53K

Two of the best air arms in the world are keeping a close watch on the CH-53K...the first of course is the USMC.

The second is the Israeli AF.  via Israeli Defense.

Israel is closely following the development of the Sikorsky CH-53K heavy helicopter, which will replace the Yasur CH-53 helicopter used by the Israeli Air Force (IAF).
While the IAF continues to upgrade the Yasur helicopters, which are planned to fly at least until 2025, there are those in the air force that are thinking of the future. For the moment, it seems that the helicopter’s only substitute is the new Sikorsky model.
This week the US Navy, the first client of the heavy helicopter, examined a proposal by Sikorsky to construct four pilot models for testing purposes. According to the original plan, the new helicopter is intended to enter operational use in 2019. The US Marine Corps has already committed to procuring 200 CH-53K helicopters.
The tri-engine helicopter will be extremely advanced. Its flight system will be a fly-by-wire (FBW) model, and it will be equipped with the most advanced systems. The helicopter is designed to carry payloads at a total weight of more than 12 tons when taking-off from areas with a height of 1800 metes.
As previously stated, the IAF is following the program and is hoping that its test pilots will already be able to perform test flights in the US in 2015.

I've always been amazed at the success of the CH-47.  Don't get me wrong, its a fine airplane and has unique capabilities but pound for pound I always considered the CH-53 better.

The Israeli's seem to agree with my assessment.  Which leaves me with only one question.  Will the USAF decide to purchase a few for SOCOM and its rescue force?  It would make perfect sense and would fill a gaping hole in their capabilities.

Time will tell.

F-35 Airstart Testing

Pic of the day.

A U.S. Navy SEAL with Naval Special Warfare Group 1 fast ropes from an Army MH-47 Chinook helicopter onto the aft deck of the fast combat support ship ROKS Hwacheon (AOE 59) March 20, 2012, in Jinhae Harbor, South Korea, during Foal Eagle 2012. Foal Eagle is a combined U.S.-South Korea field training exercise held annually in South Korea to ensure the operational readiness of air, space and cyberspace operations in the Korean theater of operations. (DoD photo by Sgt. Aaron Rognstad, U.S. Army/Released)

F-35A Flight with External Stores

11th MEU

Photos by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

 Following photos by Cpl Chad Pulliam

Internally Transportable Vehicle vs. Arctic Cat

Arctic Cat Stats

DIMENSIONS
Overall Length (in./cm) 129/327.7
Overall Width (in./cm) 60/152.4
Overall Height (in./cm) 79/200.6
Wheelbase (in./cm) 85/215.9
Ground Clearance (in./cm) 10/25.4
Dry Weight (lbs./kg) 1363/619.55

TOWING/HAULING
Rear Box Storage Capacity
(lbs./kg)
1000/454.5
Towing Capacity (lbs./kg) 1500/680.4
Underhood/Side Storage
Capacity (lbs./kg)
25/11.34 — NA

ENGINE
Displacement (cc) 695
Engine Type SOHC, 4-stroke, 4-valve w/EFI
Bore & Stroke (mm) 102x85
Cooling System Liquid with fan
Fuel Capacity (gal./liters) 8.2/31
Alternator Capacity (amps) 25
Speedometer Analog
Odometer Digital

ITV Stats

Weight	curb 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) MGW: 3,800 kg (8,400 lb)
Length	4.080 m (160.6 in)
Width	1.512 m (59.5 in)
Height	1.940 m (76.4 in) reducible to 1.40 m (55 in)
Crew	1
Engine	diesel
Payload capacity	900 kg (2,000 lb) cross country
Suspension	4x4
Fuel capacity	75 litres (20 US gal) fuel: diesel/JP MPG: 17
Speed	max 105 km/h (65 mph)
Steering system	four wheel

Simple question.

With much cheaper vehicles available that provided the same level of protection (none)...that are capable of towing the exact same mortar system around...that cost MUCH MUCH MUCH less (yes I'm repeating myself...the ITV cost over 100,000 200,000  dollars a piece, the off the shelf ATV around 16 grand...militarize it and you might be up to 40 K)...

How did we end up with the ITV?

Why isn't someone in jail?

And are we still buying these?

SIDENOTE:

Hey Marines, if you happen to be in the UK or training with Royal Marines do yourselves and the USMC a favor and refer to this vehicle as the ITV and NOT the Growler.  Informational video follows.