Want to kill waste in the military? Think small stuff.

pic courtesy of Soldier Systems.

The above knife is featured at shot show and covered by Soldier Systems blog.  Nothing against the knife but according to Soldier Systems, this designer, custom knife has an NSN number.

They also state that they haven't been able to keep up with orders for them.

That has me wondering...we're so focused on high tech, cutting edge weapon systems and damning them for cost over runs (mostly caused by an inept procurement system) that we've ignored the many tin plated, ooh gee whiz I like that knife so lets order from supply mess that our logistics system has become.

Not picking on the knife shown.  It might be fabulous and the units ordering it might actually have a need for it...but the truth of the matter is obvious.  There is waste in the military but you should look at the small stuff instead of the large.

Vickers slings for Marines?  Really?  A custom sling?  Is that really necessary?  Is that being frugal?  Serpa holsters?  Really?  Say that out loud Marine Corps!  Is the Army doing it and if not should we?  Is it something we need that's unique to our amphibious mission?

IAR...otherwise known as the M-27.  The Army, SOCOM and foreign militarises haven't bought into the concept.  Is it really the way to go?

Experimentation should happen before products are bought.  If they can't be justified then they should be canned.

We've got to do better.

TEXTRON WINS!

Interesting.

Congratulations Textron!

UPDATE:
500 vehicles with an option for 100 more.  Service life of at least 20 years?  Modernization.  Upgrades over that time span.  Probable neck down of Canadian armored vehicles to this vehicle and the LAV III and CCV/Leopard 2 .... This is a big fucking deal! 

UPDATE 1:
This might be a knock out body blow to Oshkosh.  Take over rumors should start flying now.  I'm sure BAE, General Dynamics, KMW and maybe even Lockheed Martin are circling....

BAE must be stunned.  It had a clean sheet design and lost.  I can't wait to read the rationale behind the decision but heads must be getting ready to roll in the strategic marketing house.

Force Protection/General Dynamics.  Toast.  I didn't think the Timberwolf fit the bill and results bore that out.  Fresh blood is desperately needed in that design shop.

F-35 Flight Test Update. Jan- May 2012

The F-35.


Confounding the critics and performing well above expectations.  Read the charts and weep haters!
12-6-4 F-35 Flight Test Performance Jan 1 - May 31 2012 (1)

EADS Tiger HAD....

Mp Tigrehad2012

Inconvenience vs. Problems...not defense related but cool...

We should all learn the difference between an inconvenience and a problem.  Check out the guys over at Zen Pencils..it should give perspective...plus I like the prints...

Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle winner announced today.

Thanks Jonathan for the heads up!

Force Protection Timberwolf.

Oshkosh TAPV.

RG-35

Textron TAPV.

Well its that time.

The Canadians are about to announce the winner of their Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle competition.  No predictions on the winner...we'll all find out later today...but I THINK it'll come down to the RG-35 and the Textron TAPV.  This is a weird requirement though.  Combining the roles of recon and utility in one vehicle?  Seems....weird.

AMPV? Just roll with the Improved Bradley.

The AMPV program is designed to replace the M-113 in US Army service.

Goure of the Heritage Institute thinks that this program is even more important than the GCV...I agree...and because I agree its time for the Army to get on the ball and get'er done.  When we're talking about replacing the M-113, we're talking about replacing a family of those vehicles.

Of all the contenders in the AMPV program, only the Improved Bradley makes sense.  Its modular, its a single platform and the Army already has experience with it.  With budget cuts coming, with budget competition already here and with the threat of becoming irrelevant looming over all Army programs it is time to move quickly.

I said before, I'll say it again.  Get'er done.

SIDENOTE:  On the lookout for pics of the turretless Bradley (Bradley General Purpose Vehicle). 

baes_020079

Grunt Works on Facebook.

NOTE:  I'm not a fan of FaceBook.  Never have, never will be.  Additionally I'll never understand why entities continue to use that platform instead of getting a decent website up and running.  But (there is always a but) I make exceptions for the truly great.  Grunt Works fits the bill.  Check'em out....