Saturday, April 29, 2017

FNSS adds armor & new turret to their Medium Battle Tank

Thanks to DWI for the link!


Do you see what I see?at

1.  The whole lineup gets beefed up side armor.

2.  That's a new turret on the Kaplan-30.  I definitely need to learn more.

3.  Cockerill 120 on the Medium Battle Tank?

Below are more graphic illustrations of vehicles that will be displayed IDEF 2017.



Friday, April 28, 2017

Tiger Mk-1 hit by a ‘Lovecraft’ round

Pic via ZeeDesertFox Tumblr Page.

Artists impression of a Tiger Mk-1 hit by a ‘Lovecraft’ round, of the Eldritch series of munitions, a modification of the standard R.A.F. RP-3 air to ground rocket.

Centauro on the march (pic)


Romanian 282nd Mechanised Brigade (pic)


Jimmy Van Drunen's Hawk 1 Demo Apache Pic


Open Comment Post. April 28, 2017.

PAK-FA given the SU-34 treatment...concept art found by MicMac80

War drums in N. Korea have gone from being beaten to pounding...

I've been telling the tribe that the situation in N. Korea is much different than we've seen in the past.  I pointed to a few things of note in previous post and I'll do a quick recap...

1.  Japan notified its citizens that they have only 10 minutes to reach safety after being informed of a missile attack.

2.  The US forces in the region HAVE NOT returned to a normal state of operations...as a matter of fact we see additional forces being rushed to the area.  Side note:  Rumor has it that some dependents are being flown home...haven't verified that.

3.  PACOM commander testified before Congress.

4.  The entire US Senate was called to the White House for a briefing from the SecDef, DNI and SecState.

If that wasn't enough then check out what Trump said in an interview...via NBC News.
The U.S. could be headed toward a "major, major conflict" with North Korea over that nation's nuclear and missile programs, according to President Donald Trump, although he still hopes a peaceful resolution can be reached by applying diplomacy and economic sanctions.

Trump made his remarks Thursday in an interview with Reuters, saying: "We'd love to solve things diplomatically but it's very difficult."

A little more than three months into his presidency, Trump has made a resolution of the North Korean nuclear threat a top priority. He is responding to the Pyongyang regime's repeated tests of ballistic missiles, it's purported attempts to soon test another nuclear device and its bellicose words.
If that doesn't convince you then how about Putin and Abe's view of the situation. via Bloomberg.
 Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the crisis over North Korea’s nuclear program is deepening after the issue dominated talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Moscow.

He and Abe believe the situation on the Korean peninsula has “seriously deteriorated,” Putin said Thursday after the Kremlin meeting. “We call on all states involved in the region’s affairs to refrain from military rhetoric and seek peaceful, constructive dialogue.”

Abe said he and Putin spent a long time discussing North Korea during the three hours of talks that also focused on resolving a seven-decade long dispute over four islands seized by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. The issue has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a peace accord.
I find the meeting between Abe and Putin interesting.  Another one of our close allies is seeking if not an alliance but warmer relations with Russia?  If Japan can do this so can we.  We don't need to kiss Russian behind, all we need to do is not to expect them to kiss ours.  Mutual respect stated for the world to hear would be all it takes to defuse this drama.  A friendly US, Europe and Russia could do alot to help put out some of the fires we're seeing worldwide.

But back on task.

N. Korea is turning into something different.  Keep an eye on that region.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Military Preparations underway to deal with N. Korea?

via The DC Caller.
A senior administration official said military preparations are underway in the chance that they become necessary regarding North Korea.

All 100 senators were invited to attend a rare, closed-door briefing by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis at the White House Wednesday so the administration could communicate “the seriousness of the threat posed by North Korea.” An official who briefed reporters next door while it was underway said North Korea is a “brutal, unpredictable and capable regime that possesses an increasing possibility of destruction.”

“What you’ve seen is a really integrated effort to prioritize diplomatic and informational aspects of national power, but also what you will see soon is using the economic dimension of national power, as well as the military preparations that are underway,” the official said.

The official said there is a new level of threat posed by the “unacceptable and erratic and unlawful behavior of the Kim Jong Un regime.”
I find this interesting...a few points...

1.  Everyone is talking about the Senators that left the meeting saying it was a nothing burger.  But I heard on MSNBC a Senator claim that it was a sober and eye opening explanation of the issues at hand.

2.  Japan has suddenly warned its citizens that they have 10 minutes to seek shelter after being notified of an incoming missile strike.

3.  The US military posture in the region HAS NOT been relaxed.  Additionally we know that a couple of subs, a carrier battlegroup, Navy SEALs and other forces not identified are still in the region.

4.  The N. Koreans just conducted a massive artillery exercise.

5.  The PACOM commander testified before Congress yesterday.

All this points to the N. Koreans being almost convinced that something is brewing.  Same applies to the Japanese.  Your instant response is why aren't the S. Koreans responding then?  I have no answer.

Understand I'm just using open source to try and piece together what's going on.  I could easily be wrong.


Open Comment Post. April 27, 2017.


CH-53K cost too much? In step Congress Critters to pressure Israel into a purchase...


via WTNH.com
WASHINGTON D.C. (WTNH) — A group of Connecticut and New England lawmakers are trying to persuade Israel to buy Stratford-based Sikorsky helicopters as they work to modernize their military.

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME) along with Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), John Larson (D-CT), and Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) sent a letter to the Israeli Minister of Defense Wednesday, encouraging the country to consider buying CH-53K King Stallion helicopters.

“As the most powerful U.S. helicopter, the U.S. Marine Corps will rely on the CH-53K to complete an array of missions on land and at sea for decades to come, as they have done successfully with CH-53 predecessors for over half a century,” the lawmakers wrote. “The strong track record of CH-53 predecessor aircraft for both our countries make us confident that the CH-53K will meet Israel’s rotary requirements for rescue operations, transport missions, and tactical troop lifts. As our strongest ally in an unpredictable region, Israel stands to strengthen our strategic partnership with the continued use of common airframes. We thank you for your consideration of this premier aircraft and look forward to continuing to ensure that Israel remains a secure and stable state with the support of the finest defense systems available.”
This is so nasty and disgusting that I can't see straight!  Democrat Congress Critters (and I apologize to decent wild animals for calling them that) pen a letter to the Israeli Minister of Defense?  To sell an overpriced helicopter? Do you think they have a clue about the IDF's defense needs?  Do you think they care?

Disgusting, amazing and totally expected.

What I'm NOW looking for in a flashlight...

used for example purposes only....I have no opinion on this light....

On an earlier blog post I asked the question...what makes a flashlight tactical?  The responses were all over the map and in the end I guess it really doesn't matter.  What does matter?  How I plan on using it.  I want something small and lightweight that I can have at my side during times of darkness.  Do I need a crenelated bezel?  I'm not a kubaton dude.  I've never tried to learn that stuff so no, I don't think I'll be using my light to try and do strikes (if I did then I'd simply by an old 3 D-cell Maglite).  Basically my use will be classified as "everyday" carry.

Even better though is that we have people in our tribe here at SNAFU! that are still in the business of putting bad guys down...both here in the states and overseas.

Tony made the following statement that needs to be highlighted...
Sol 

I don't know about definitions, but I can explain what a low light course taught me.

1. Have a flashlight that uses non rechargeable batteries. No electronics in the battery to mess up and have it die for no reason. I'm sure this is based on the least common denominator on people who will spend $200 on a light and bitch about paying 30 instead of 20 for a good battery. Kinda like the idiots open carrying a $1k pistol with a $20 Uncle mikes holster.

2. To blind someone's vision at night you need over 80 lumens. They can't see past the light or to their side. Note most lights produce high output for 1 or 2 min then start dropping depending on their discharge rate. Surefire is actually pretty bad about this to advertise higher output.

3. The electronics of the flashlight need to be durable. This is why Surefire has a good rep. It was made to be a gun light first so it can take a beating. Also why they don't use rechargeables or if so single unit batteries not multi packs.

4. Loud clickers suck. Even if someone doesn't see the light yet they may hear the clicker.

5. Strobe settings are worthless because they are not random enough. You brain picks up on the pattern very fast.

6. Crenelated bezels look cool, but throw one in your pocket for a few hrs and it's not comfortable. Oh and for those that say man up a few weeks later your pocket is tore up and useless.
I'll be taking this advice to heart.  I'm scouring the Battery Junction website to find my new pocket carry flashlight.

Exercise RUGGED BEAR at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre....pics by Master Corporal Malcolm Byers