Aussie 1st Brigade and 31st MEU train. Question. Where is the 3rd Brigade?

Australian Light Armoured Vehicles prepare to depart before the major offensive of Exercise Hamel 2012 begins here, June 24. Prior to the main operations, Marines of Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, integrated with Australian Army units to engage the Army’s 1st Brigade for the multi-week scenario. The exercise certifies the Australian unit for deployment. Exercise Hamel is a multi-national training evolution between Australia and New Zealand, with this year being the first with U.S. Marine participation. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Interesting but the Australian's have designated their 3rd Brigade as their "Naval Infantry" so why aren't the Marines training with them?

Australia is about to come to a shocking revelation for them, but one I've been predicting for months.

The skills necessary for them to acquire in order to properly utilize the Canberra Class LHD, the Bay Class LPD's and other equipment like the LCM-1E will require them to form a Marine Corps.  Maybe not in name but in function.  The 3rd Brigade is looking like that force but this certification exercise (when did that become 'envogue' for units....certifying to become Special Ops Capable but certifying to deploy...really....say that shit out loud and see if it doesn't smack of bullshit) shows that the Australian Army but more precisely the Navy doesn't quite have its head in the game.

Maybe it has to do with getting all this new gear into service but I'm really surprised that the Admirals haven't pushed for the formation of even a token force.

Updated. The contenders for SOCOM ITV/GCV/GAARV programs.

Correction:  I stated that SOCOM was looking for an ITV/GAARV and GCV vehicles.  I should have stated Ground Mobility Vehicle instead of GCV!  My mistake.

Its time to update the list of possible contenders for the SOCOM ITV/GAARV programs.  These are two separate programs of record but I still believe that the GAARV will be rolled into the ITV program.  As it now stands the GAARV is looking at an air droppable, sling loadable or internally carried vehicle with a 3 foot ground clearance for use in flood zones/hurricane relief missions and for clearing rubble in a humanitarian assistance mission.

It doesn't require that the vehicle be carried internally inside the V-22 and it highlights the clearance requirement.  From the outside looking in, it appears that the days of SOCOM getting practically everything it wants is over and pressure (I believe) will be placed on Air Force Special Ops to get in line with the trigger pullers in the other parts of the building.  That means programs will merge.  So the contenders.

General Dynamics entry for Ground Combat Vehicle...originally an ITV called JAMMA...Much redesigned since its Force Protection days, it is designed for internal transport and lost out to a rehashed FAST ATTACK Jeep put forward by a retired Marine Colonel in S. Carolina.

General Dynamics Land Ordinance Prime Mover for 120mm Mortar.  The USMC operates a Fast Attack Vehicle version which seats 4(?).  This is an extreme darkhorse candidate that's controversial even within the Marine Corps.  Many see a bit of cronyism in this vehicle's selection (Google the news reports...this is the vehicle that beat the JAMMA...a vehicle I consider superior to this one) and it is nothing more than a throw back to the old FAST Jeeps that were used in the 80's and early 90's.

BC Customs ITV model.  Probably the favorite for USAF GAARV program--designed several years ago and tweaked for internal carriage.  Other versions have been used by Special Operations and the 101st Airborne and 10th Mountain (I believe...some conventional infantry unit used them in Afghanistan)...the design is tailor made for GAARV requirements.  From Approach and departure angle to ground clearance.  Questions remain about the ability of BC Customs to support a large order from SOCOM.  Teaming with an industry giant (or some company that's experinced with govt contracting/servicing) will probably be required.

Another work around that the Para-rescue guys came up with.  Transporting casualties on a trailer is practically unheard of but will be accepted if this vehicle comes into service.

An outside contender but one that I see as becoming more likely.  Jeep's aren't cheap...especially those built to SOCOM specifications...but compared to custom vehicles they're a down right steal.  Properly configured with weapon mounts, fuel and water storage and light armoring, these heavy duty jeeps could compete for the Ground Combat Vehicle contract.  That contract will not require internal carriage in a V-22 (probably CH-47) and Rangers will value mobility on the ground versus internal carriage by V-22.  Keep an eye on Jankel/Jeep.

NAVISTAR GCV.  Interesting vehicle.  I lack visibility on this truck but I wonder about it.  Not its ballistic protection but more in how it would function in the GCV role.  A real deal truck, operating heads out, communicating with your machine gunner will be difficult unless they totally redesign it.  As it currently sits, its a bigger dark horse than the jeep.

If I missed a vehicle in this comp hit me up.  But I'm becoming more convinced than ever that the SOCOM Internally Transportable Vehicle, Ground Combat Vehicle and Para-rescue programs will be collapsed into at best two programs.

I could be wrong and maybe all three will be funded.

We'll see.

For your review.  The updated RFI for the GAARV.  Fascinating reading.

Treating Colonel's like PFC's.

Colonel Wesley Fox.  Winner of the Congressional Medal Of Honor.

via Marine.mil.

Amos said it is important for the Corps to get back to true north.
The Marine Corps University now provides all lieutenant colonels and colonels in command a new ethics course, “Developing Ethical Leaders.” These leaders will bear the responsibility for ensuring the Marines under their charge receive and understand this course as well.

I wonder what Colonel Fox would say to this?

I would bet body parts that he would get on the horn with someone and let them know where they could take this course....additionally I bet he would wonder why the Marine Corps would promote anyone to the level of Colonel or Lt. Colonel and then require them to take this course in order to be an ethical leader or to teach ethical leadership!

The Marine Corps is broken.  Only a change of command at the top will fix it.

M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System set for cabin upgrade.

When Afghanistan is issued an after action report and lessons learned, artillery will once again be shown to have been vital.

And in keeping with that theme, the US Army is set to give the M270 a major upgrade to its cabin.

DALLAS, June 26, 2012 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a $27.1 million contract from the U.S. Army for the first phase of a three-year development program that will increase crew protection and update the Army’s fleet of Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270A1 mobile rocket launchers.

 

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will upgrade, assemble and test seven prototype vehicles. Phase one is expected to be followed by a production contract for the Army’s entire fleet of 225 vehicles.

 

During this initial phase, Lockheed Martin will replace the launcher’s cab, which expands interior volume by 40 percent and incorporates new energy-absorbing seats that provides additional protection from mine blasts and improvised explosive devices. The company will also move the fire control panel to provide commonality with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher and enhance survivability through extensive armoring in the new cab.

 

“These improvements will ensure the M270-series launcher remains relevant, effective and reliable while protecting crews from new and evolving threats well into the middle of the 21^st century,” said Scott Arnold, vice president of precision fires in Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business.

Seems like BAE and Lockheed are becoming the best of "frenemies" when it comes to contracts of this type.  Its gonna be fun to watch.  If anyone has an image of the new cab shoot it my way.

SOCOM's request for information on an Internally Transportable Vehicle is out.

Photos from Soldier Systems

Interesting.

SOCOM's request for information on its "desired" ITV is out.  You can read it here, check it out for yourself but the requirements are pretty tough.  What caught my eye immediately is that casualty evacuation is right at the top of the requirements.

That indicates (at least in my opinion) that we're seeing a merging of the Para-rescue unique requirements with those of SOCOM.

2. Casualty Transport. The vehicle shall be configured to carry three (3) litters (T), six (6) litters (O), attached to the framework of the vehicle such that the casualties will not extend horizontally outside the vehicle and rescue personnel will have access to all patients.

I complained earlier that the US military could have 3 or more ITV's.  Seems like SOCOM is attempting to do its part to fix that.

But I wonder if SOCOM isn't tipping its hand a bit.  Check out this section that covers approach and departure angles.

h. Approach Angle. Vehicle shall have an approach angle to an obstacle of not less than 50 degrees (T), 75 degrees (O).

i. Departure Angle. Vehicle shall have a departure angle of not less than 45 degrees (T), 75 degrees (O).

If you're driving a standard truck type vehicle then you're not going to make this requirement.  They're looking at HUMVEE performance specs that can fit in the back of a V-22.

This looks like its tailor made for  BC Customs.  What do you guys think? 

On reflection it also explains some of the redesign work that's been done on the former Force Protection Jamma, now General Dynamics unnamed vehicle....

This is gonna be good.  These specs aren't DARPA hard but they're pretty tough.  One other thing I want to point out is SOCOM's mission profile for the vehicle.

a. Mission Profile. Vehicle shall have a mission profile of 40% cross country, 30% trails, 20% secondary roads, and 10% primary roads.

That my friends is 70% use out in the boonies (counting secondary roads...I'm not sure how SOCOM classifies secondary roads is it US or third world standard) and perhaps up to 90%.  These trucks won't rack up hundreds of thousands of miles but you can bet the miles that they do get will leave these trucks beat the hell up.  The money in this award won't be in the actual building of the vehicles but in maintenance and service over the life of the contract! 

UPDATE:
The USAF Para-rescue vehicle RFP (Guardian Angel Air-Deployable Vehicle) is here. 

Forgotten history. The Aleutian Islands Campaign

I've been trying to bone up on my military history and instead of focusing on the "well reported" aspects of World War Two, I've been trying to read about some of the untold stories.

Amphibious assaults are of great interest so when I came across the Aleutian Island Campaign I was beyond hooked.  I was curious beyond belief.

Wikipedia has this passage on the battle for Kiska Island...

On 15 August 1943, an invasion force of 34,426 Allied troops landed on Kiska. Castner's Cutthroats were part of the force, but the invasion consisted mainly of units from the U.S. 7th Infantry Division. The force also included about 5,300 Canadians, mostly from the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 6th Canadian Infantry Division, but included the Canadian component of the 1st Special Service Force, also known as the "Devil′s Brigade".
The invaders landed to find the island abandoned. Under the cover of fog, the Japanese had successfully removed their troops on 28 July. The Army Air Force had bombed abandoned positions for almost three weeks without suspecting the Japanese were no longer there. The day before the withdrawal, the U.S. Navy fought an inconclusive and possibly meaningless Battle of the Pips 80 mi (70 nmi; 130 km) to the west.
The Japanese may have been gone, but Allied casualties on Kiska nevertheless numbered 313. All were the result of friendly fire, booby traps, disease, or frostbite. As with Attu, Kiska offered an extremely hostile environment.

Cracked magazine has a different take on it

When a Japanese task force of 500 marines swiftly invaded the U.S. occupied island of Kiska, the Americans decided to take it back with 35,000 men, having done the math and determined that bringing 70 times more troops than the enemy is the precise amount to say "fuck off."
On August 17, 1943, The U.S. Army stormed the beach of Kiska with a force of 95 ships, 168 aircraft and thousands of Captain Americas. They bombed the beaches with planes, destroyed the garrisons with heavy artillery and then the soldiers charged in, shooting everything that somehow still stood.
The allies took the island and suffered 122 casualties.
When the dust settled and the Americans stopped to reload, pat themselves on the back, count the bodies and have the compulsory talk about their girls waiting for them back home, they suddenly realized that they couldn't find any enemy corpses. Either that Japanese task force was comprised entirely of Predators or they had been bamboozled.
 Who Fucked Up?
The U.S. intelligence officers win the prize. After sending a plane and taking photos over Kiska, it looked a whole lot like it had been abandoned. And it had been--the Japanese had left the island two weeks before. Still, the decision was made to send in the troops and bring that nothing to justice rather than delaying the operation and checking to see that the enemy were actually fucking there. Good job, gentlemen.
It all could have been an amusing mistake, but only if you forget about the 122 dead. How do you lose over a hundred men in a battle with no enemy? Well, the losses included 24 from friendly fire, a stray mine destroying a ship and 47 men vanishing in the dense jungle. Though that last one actually lends credence to the Predator theory...

Either way you look at it whether serious or with a bit of humor this is a part of forgotten history that isn't taught or much talked about.  This campaign deserves more study.  I can't wait.

Waste of the taxpayers money.

Derrick Slaughter, a U.S. government contractor, teaches techniques and procedures to counter roadside bombs to U.S. Marines and Sailors of Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as part of sustainment training ashore, June 22, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Derrick Slaughter, a U.S. government contractor, teaches techniques and procedures to counter roadside bombs to U.S. Marines and Sailors of Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as part of sustainment training ashore, June 22, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility

Derrick Slaughter, a U.S. government contractor, teaches techniques and procedures to counter roadside bombs to U.S. Marines and Sailors of Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as part of sustainment training ashore, June 22, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Tell me something.

Why isn't the Intelligence Officer giving this briefing?

How about a couple of the bubbas working in EOD?

How about a couple of combat experienced Marines that have deployed to Afghanistan, that have recieved the latest intel on what the enemy is doing?

But no....we have a governement contractor.  Nothing against the guy.  He's doing what he can to help get the Devil Dogs ready but still.  This knowledge is already in house.

Amazing!  But you do know what this is right?  Another case of cover your ass courtesy of the Department of Defense.  Idiots will label this as the Marine Corps in general and the DoD in particular doing all it can to prevent IED injuries and deaths.  Anyone with common sense will label this as waste.

Spiderman.

It looks like its going to be better than the previous movies and much better than Batman.  I wonder how many resets we're going to have to go through with these movies? 

A160 Hummingbird shot down?

The US Army shoots it down that it is.

Check out the story from Wired.

This month, the Army planned to deploy to Afghanistan an unusual new drone: an unmanned eye-in-the-sky helicopter programmed to use high-tech cameras to monitor vast amounts of territory. But now the drone might be lucky to be deployed at all, as the Army has moved to shut down production — possibly ending the program forever.
That drone would be the A160 Hummingbird, which the Army planned to equip with the powerful Autonomous Real-Time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance Imaging System, or Argus. But earlier this month, the Army issued a stop-work order — one step away from termination — to the drone’s developer Boeing. The reason? A high “probability of continued technical and schedule delays,” costs and risks that have “increased so significantly that program continuation is no longer in the best interest of the government,” said Donna Hightower, the Army’s acting product manager for unmanned aerial systems modernization.

Is this because the war in Afghanistan is winding down?

Is it DARPA hard and costing the Army too much time and money?

Or is it simply a bad idea and this is the best for all concerned?  I'll bet its all three.  But I would also guess that Boeing made a fundamental error...they should have made this optionally manned to iron out the problems instead of going all robot all the time.

I still have to wonder what a rotary winged UAV brings to the table that a predator doesn't...integrating the A160's payload onto an Air Force UAV can't be that hard.

Ambush Exercise.

U.S. Marines and Malaysian soldiers conduct an ambush exercise during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Malaysia 2012 in Beraus, Malaysia, June 17, 2012. The bilateral military exercises occur between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Timor Leste joined the exercise for the first time this year.

Royal Marines (45 Commando) and another Foxhound pic.

Royal Navy personnel from the Commando Helicopter Force and Royal Marines from 45 Commando are pictured taking part in Exercise Scottish Lion in the South West of Scotland.

More than 750 Royal Marines and supporting units, plus three warships, Sea King and Chinook helicopters waged war in and around the Galloway Forest in a week-long exercise to prepare 45 Commando for front-line duties.

The Arbroath-based green berets are now the nation’s ‘lead commando group’ – ready to deploy around the globe if required – having successfully completed Exercise Scottish Lion.

A Foxhound Light Protection Protected Vehicle is pictured at Camp Bastion, Helmand, Afghanistan.

Foxhound was delivered to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan for the first time on 2nd of June 2012.

Originally procured as an Urgent Operational Requirement, Foxhound was designed specifically to protect against the threats faced by troops in Afghanistan - for example, its V-shaped hull helps it withstand explosions caused by an improvised explosive device.
Its size and agility allows troops to carry out a wide range of tasks in environments that may restrict larger, heavier vehicles. Foxhound is ideal for the Partnering and Mentoring role required for Transition, being able to access urban areas with increased protection.
The vehicle incorporates state of the art technology from a range of areas, including from non-traditional defence sources such as the UK's world-leading motorsport industry, drawing a significant number of SMEs from across the country into the supply chain.
Its engine can be removed and replaced in just 30 minutes and it can drive away on only three wheels.
The vehicle was designed, developed, and built in the UK by FPE and Ricardo plc, together with Team Ocelot partners Thales, QinetiQ, Formaplex, DSG and Sula. Construction of the vehicles will take place throughout the UK.
The L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) is a 7.62 x 51mm belt-fed general purpose machine gun which can be used as a light weapon and in a sustained fire (SF) role.
In the SF role, mounted on a tripod and fitted with the C2 optical sight, it is fired by a two-man team who are grouped in a specialist Machine Gun Platoon to provide battalion-level fire support. In SF mode, the GPMG, with a two-man crew, lays down 750 rounds-per-minute at ranges up to 1,800 meters.

The GPMG can be carried by foot soldiers and employed as a light machine gun (LMG), although it has largely been replaced by the lighter 5.56 x 45mm Minimi in this role in most regiments. A fold-out bipod is used to support the GPMG in the LMG role.

The US Army .... gettin' it done.

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Zarlenga, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, fires his M4 carbine at insurgent forces June 15, 2012, near Joint Security Station Hasan, southern Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod, Task Force 1/82 PAO

Spc. Justin Mullen, combat medic with 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, scans his sector during a patrol in Enjergay, Afghanistan, June 2, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brendan Mackie

Spc. Shane Marks, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, provides security in an overwatch position during Operation Southern Strike II in Afghanistan, June 6, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brendan Mackie

The X-37C and a new ride for Military Astronauts.

DefenseMediaNetwork has an intriguing story on the X-37B.  To be honest it was pretty standard fare until he dropped the X-37C concept on me.

The X-37B is winning nothing but praise from the aviation community but its missions are cloaked in secrecy.  By all accounts its performing magnificently.  So while our civilian space agency is floundering, our US Air Force is moving ahead and getting the job done.

A manned, larger version of the X-37 is a no brainer and the Air Force is supposedly heading that way.

Outstanding!  Read the whole article here.

Exercise Mailed Fist 2012

200 Flights For BF-2

Lockheed Martin test pilot Dan Canin was at the controls for the 200th mission of F-35B BF-2 on 21 June 2012. The flight was from NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.

The GATE.

A new Chinese stealth fighter??? The F-60???

Thanks for the link Joe!

China Defense Mashup is speculating that the mystery fighter on the rails is actually a new stealth fighter...the F-60!  Go here to check it out!

*If this is actually a new fighter then Navy and Air Force plans for modernization just got binned! We will have to come up with a new plan and quick.

*It dawned on me that if this is true then the British should be patting themselves on the back and handing out sales brochures for the meteor missile.  Ratheon should be busting butt to develop a new family of air to air missiles too.  Interesting times...I can't wait to see this verified!

NASA's Space Launch System.

NASA is currently in a jacked up state and it hurts to say that because the retired Marine General in charge of the place was one of those straight shooters that I admired.  How things change with politics and a boss that doesn't care about American exceptionalism.  Anyway, one of the programs that NASA is supposedly pursuing is the Space Launch System.  I hadn't heard about it but its Saturn V on steroids.  Check it out here and here.

Blast from the past. A couple of awesome light aircraft that the USAF ignored.

Everyone is excited (well a few people are anyway) about the possibilities that a Tucano or AT-6 could bring to the USAF...particularly in the Special Ops realm.

Few remember that the USAF has had some pretty awesome clean sheet designs that they refused to even fund...

How about the Ratun Ares Concept?



Or if that does nothing for you then how about the SM-27 Machete?

I'm not throwing stones at the Air Force on this.

I happen to believe that future air support will require larger, higher performing aircraft in order to be successful and survivable.  But the point remains.  If this is a valid requirement then we can do better than the Super Tucano.

Military exercises in US cities.

I've noticed many Marine Corps and especially SOCOM exercises that are taking place in and around local communities.

I've always questioned why.  The Marine Corps and SOCOM both have elaborate mockups that mirror local towns and cities so the training in civilian areas just doesn't make sense.

Additionally I've seen an uptick in the number of training evolutions that are conducted with federal law enforcement agencies.

Why a civilian law enforcement agency would seek to train with the military also escapes me.

The tactics are different.  When a Marine Squad assaults a building it isn't done with protecting civil liberties...it isn't done with the idea of preserving evidence.

That my friends is a fact!  NO MATTER HOW MANY CLASSES ARE GIVEN ON COMBAT POLICING, YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE DYNAMICS ON A BATTLEFIELD.

So with all that being said, can someone explain the uptick?  Can someone explain the rationale?

Maybe the tinfoil hat crowd isn't so crazy afterall.  Especially when it seems like the Army is getting into the game.