Thursday, January 16, 2020

Thurs Funny. Scottish Reporter gears up to handle the vicious "Drop Bear"

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Egypt opens HUGE military base on the Red Sea..





Note.  If Egypt ever falls under fundamentalist power then Israel, the US, and the rest of the Western Powers are gonna have a huge problem on our hands. For better or worse they're a revamped regional power in both the Middle East and North Africa.  They're a reborn power player in two regions...

Iron Fist 2020 Exercise is coming soon...



I'm wanting to see so much but it might be a bit too soon.  I'd love to see the Japanese working out hard with their new bought AAVs, MV-22s, and perhaps even a few of their mobile gun system (don't know how big its suppose to be this year).

It won't happen but I'd love to see the ACV rolled out to participate in this thing (even if the AVTB has to do the work and not Fleet Marines), the CH-53K participate in a limited way (I know its still undergoing testing but it would still be nice) and a few deck launched MLRS shoots along with (yeah this is a huge no way but I'd like it anyway), the Navy's new MV-22C at least doing a flyby.

Alas I think it'll probably be quite scripted (no way around that considering the density around Pendleton), with lots of small boat ops, probably a big showing by MARSOC/SOCOM and an emphasis on Command/Control (MEF is back in a big way so expect more tabletops than actual running and gunning).

Still gonna cover it, still gonna watch it with great anticipation.

Poland's Toyota based Airborne Landing Trucks...







Story here.

Another article here.

Interesting vehicle.  Looks like they took a Toyota truck and heavily modified it...rather they heavily modified the shell.  What's interesting is that they had another vehicle that I was sure was destined to be their new Light Strike Vehicle (the Wirus 4x4).

Another question.  They're ordering a whole bunch of trailers wit this thing. Wonder what they look like.

SIG SAUER MG 338 Machine Gun



Jesus!  That's a man-portable box of pain!  This is huge!  Even better?  MARSOC is testing the damn thing for SOCOM and the USMC!~

SIG SAUER...they're on a roll!  Good for them.  I really believe they're back.

Bow Down...LSU Football just had the single greatest season ever!

Russian government resigns! UPDATE...Whoa...Did Putin just acquire ALL POWER in Russia?

Holy shit.  Story here.  Just saw this on my feed and I gotta dig into it a bit...back in a while...

via RT
 Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced that the government is resigning. The statement came shortly after President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual state-of-the-nation address.

Accepting the resignation, Putin asked the ministers to function as a caretaker government until a new one is formed.

Before announcing the resignation of the cabinet, Medvedev met with Putin to discuss his state-of-the-nation address, which took place earlier on Wednesday, the Kremlin’s press office said.

In his address, Putin proposed several amendments to the constitution.

Medvedev explained that this cabinet is resigning in accordance with the Article 117 of the Russian Constitution, which says that the government can offer its resignation to the president, who, in turn, can either accept or reject it.

“In this context, it is obvious that, as the government, we must provide the president with a capability to make all decisions,” which are required to implement the proposed plan, Medvedev said. 

Putin also said that he plans to create a position of the deputy secretary of Russia’s security council, and offer it to Medvedev.

Ok.  This is ominous.  Putin controls everything now (and many said he had control all along) and it's official.

I saw an earlier report that he wouldn't change the constitution so that he could serve another term.

Well no shit.  He don't have to now does he?

Just plain wow.

Integrated HUD/EFVS System Advanced Passive Millimeter Wave Sensor Technology

HMAS Choules’ embarked MRH-90 Maritime Support Helicopter @ Operation Bushfire Assist..


Western govts are gonna have to get a handle on the use of their military forces to assist in domestic emergencies.

I get it.  Its frowned on in most places.  People are nervous about overreach.

But we've seen too many instances where civilian first responders are overwhelmed and well equipped forces are sitting on the sidelines instead of immediately jumping to assist.

We saw a slow reaction in the US when a couple of hurricanes almost swamped Houston/Beaumont (luckily the Coast Guard was up and moving immediately...only later did we see a reserve AAV Company moving...they all did good work but was late) and now we see the same in Australia.

The emergency is almost over and only in the last phases did we see the military finally starting to move.

It extends far and wide too.  We saw wildfires in Italy (I think it was Italy, maybe another south european nation) and other emergencies in states worldwide.  The only country that seems extremely comfortable with the civilian/military divide is France...and that's mostly to deal with violence, not natural disasters.

The curious thing?

Until recently if there was an emergency anywhere the first thing you would see is an Amphibious Ready Group with 2k Marines steaming toward the region to render assistance.

We've laid down that gauntlet and China seems to be inching toward picking it up.

The divide between civilian and military needs to be there...but common sense should prevail.  Using those well equipped forces during emergencies should be a no brainer and hesitation shouldn't be allowed.

PARS III 8x8

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Interesting.

I've seen the Pars III used a bit (I believe) in Yemen (don't quote me on that) but otherwise its almost a no show for the Turkish intervention in Syria.

Anyone know what gives?

How are the reports of its performance in battle?

Russians have officially begun work on their next generation bomber...

Thanks to Filippo for the link!




Apparently this is going to be a long range "missile carrier" and not a penetrating bomber.

Just makes too much sense to me.

The biggest lie the US military foisted on the general public was the idea of penetrating fighters and penetrating AD/A2 defenses.

Why send a Marine where you can send a bullet?

Why send an airplane where you can send a missile?

Story here but much to my surprise the above pics are from the Russian Ministry of Defense so this vapor ware is starting to form up it seems.

Canadian Water Bomber Transport Ship (concept art)...


Story here.

The story is about fighting wildfires and how Canada/Australia should team up to buy joint equipment.

I immediately flexed to a military application.

Many on these pages are anti-seaplane.  I get it but don't agree.  Is there a military application to a ship and planes of this type?