Meet the LCS module handling system.

Absolutely Awesome!  Thanks CT for the info!

Hey all.  We've been talking about the LCS a bit more especially in light of CDR Salamander's recent article (he has another one up on USNI Blog).

One of the issues that I had was how are they going to move these modules around.  CT got me the answer and now you do too.

Its the MOBICON SYSTEM.

Go here to get the details on it.

Very interesting.  If.  IF the Navy is able to standardize this in a big way, meaning fleet wide then we might be seeing a mini revolution in logistics.  I'm still not sold on the LCS as a war fighter or humanitarian vessel but it might become a test bed for future capabilities.

And maybe that's where its real value lies.

ANGLICO at Exercise Joint Warrior

Did you know that the Bi-annual Exercise Joint Warrior is going on right now?

Did you know that USMC, British, French, Sweden, Italian and other nations are participating in this exercise in Scotland?

Awesome.  The vid is from the Royal Navy.

Italian Naval Aviation.

No.

I don't speak the language, but the videos are self explanatory.

The Italian Navy appears to be an extremely capble force.

Royal Navy Wall Papers.

The Royal Navy has it all over the other services in the UK when it comes to "advertising" itself.  The USMC matches that effort but in one instance the RN is better.  Their site is more easily navigated.  The Marine Corps should follow this example.

Module systems primer?

via CDK Mobile Systems.

The CLT system is a self loading handling and transport system for ISO Containers and Military Tactical Shelters. When attached to the ends of a container, it lifts them up to ride height using its own on-board diesel engines, so they can be towed by standard military vehicles. The lift height is adjustable at each end to enhance loading up aircraft and ship ramps. CLTs are used by Military Forces in more than 20 countries including the USA.

As part of the JHSV program, CLTs will be used to pick up ISO containers on the supply dock, load them up the vessel ramp and set them in place for transit, and unload them at their final destination.

I was surfing the net and ran across this news item.

It could be old news but its new to me...If containers are to be the basis of the mission modules onboard future Navy ships then this is probably the base of that system.

CDK Mobile Systems has a large portfolio of container moving gear that would lend itself to easily swapping out mission modules at any port in the world...even rather primitive facilities.




It seems like another one of Mike Sparks ideas isn't so crazy after all.  With the private industry showing the effectiveness of containerized shipping, is it time for the Marine Corps to become fully containerized?

I mean even more so than it is already.

Instead of tents, perhaps containerized command posts with all necessary generators, computers and communications gear inside pre-loaded and ready to be put into action.  It would certainly be less man power intensive.

Just a thought.

The S&W Shield.

I don't understand the gun market anymore.

I have a Glock 26.

Its compact.  Holds 10+1 with standard mags but I bought a grip adapter so I can use Glock 19 mags with it (15+1).

Now everyone is rushing toward basically what I consider wheel gun specs.  A mag with 7 rounds plus 1?  It doesn't make sense to me.

This gun will probably be a best seller but I'm still confused.  How many rounds/mags are enough?  I've walked out the door with my modded Glock 19 mags in my G26...used standard G26 mags...and then if I'm headed toward a wild and wooly part of town I'll take one modded G19 mag with two of those same mags as backup.

What is the right number?  Do you even need a backup mag?  Oh and before you bombard me understand I realize that the biggest point of failure is your magazines but do you actually need a backup if you properly maintain your weapon and mags?

Just curious.  Time to do more Google searches.

The All Americans (82nd Airborne) down range.

Photos by Sgt. Mike MacLeod

Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division kick up dust while returning to their base in southern Ghazni province, Afghanistan. While agriculture is the most important industry there, much of southern Ghazni is arid desert.

A combined team of paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team and Afghan police move toward a compound to search for a suspected weapons cache in the early morning of April 8, 2012, in southern Ghazni province, Afghanistan. The police and paratroopers have been training with each other for several weeks.

A combined team of paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team and Afghan police prepare to rush a compound for a suspected weapons cache in the early morning of April 8, 2012, in southern Ghazni province, Afghanistan. They are using the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle as a shield against potential enemy fire.

A paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team returns to his base in Afghanistan's southern Ghazni province in front of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP, April 8, 2012. His brigade took over the Polish mission in the area in early April.

I'm geeking out over the "Prometheus" movie...

I'm really geeking out about the new "Prometheus" movie.  Check out these new graphics that they've released on the fan site.

Kinda cool (IMO).