Thursday, October 08, 2015
Tata Kestrel 8x8 Wheeled Amphibious Assault Vehicle...
Thanks to Jonathan for the link!
Pics and story via Overdrive.IN
I'll watch the progress on this vehicle and see if any changes are made in the future.
Pics and story via Overdrive.IN
The Kestrel weighs 22.5 to 26 tonnes depending on the configuration and it’s powered by a Tata Cummins diesel engine that makes 600bhp (608PS). Tata refuse to share the torque figures but claim it’s quite high. The Kestrel can carry up to 10 soldiers and a crew of two. Seats for the troops are equipped with an energy attenuating mechanism that shields them from the effect of blasts. The seats actually move and absorb the impact of the initial blast as well as the secondary slam down of the vehicle, reducing the severity of injuries to the spine and brain. In the style of the Russian army, the seating for soldiers is back to back, allowing them to use the 4 gun ports on each side.Hmm. I wonder if the water speed quoted is accurate. That seems kinda high just eyeballing the thing. The idea of putting gunports on a vehicle designed to swim from ship to shore seems like an iffy concept too.
The Kestrel has four-wheel steering on the front two axles and a relatively short turning radius of 19 metres. The double wish bone type independent hydro pneumatic suspension, along with the impressive wheel travel, provides excellent all terrain mobility and a fairly comfortable ride. Yes, though we did not get to drive the Kestrel, we did get a ride in it and found the ride comfort, acceleration, braking and overall performance to be quite impressive. All the eight tyres have run flat capability with central inflation (CTIS) as standard. The amphibious propulsion employs rear mounted twin waterjets that do not require any preparation before entering water. Only the Anti-Surge Vane is raised to ensure water flows over the roof. The Kestrel can achieve 100kmph on land and 10kmph in water.
I'll watch the progress on this vehicle and see if any changes are made in the future.
Be concerned. Russia is re-ordering the Middle East.
via Sputnik.
American defense planners should be concerned. Russia is re-ordering the Middle East and putting old alliances in jeopardy.
Egypt was successfully wrangled from the Russian grip but are now floating back toward them. Iraq, the nation where so much blood and treasure was invested is all but a lackey to them. Iran. "Nuff said.
But even if we ignore the propaganda value of this development (which I think we should) the optics of the latest meeting between the Russians and Israel should stun us all.
Not because the meeting occurred. The fact that it did is nothing but professional. Its what I would expect of mature military powers that are operating in close proximity to each other. It helps avoid accidents and establishing RELATIONSHIPS if the worse does happen.
The fact that the US isn't participating isn't a sign of strength. Its a sign of weakness. It doesn't illustrate a thoughtful Middle East policy, instead it appears to be a temper tantrum. We won't talk to you so your plan will fail.
We're on the sidelines while the entire Mid East is being transformed right before our eyes.
According to Alexey Drobinin, minister-counselor at the Russian Embassy in Israel, the meetings proved successful.Here.
"Russia will not take any action that will endanger Israel’s national security," Drobinin told Israel Radio.
"We understand that Israel has national security interests and we take these into account when we formulate our regional policies," he added. "There are over a million former Soviet citizens living in Israel and we need to take this into account."
American defense planners should be concerned. Russia is re-ordering the Middle East and putting old alliances in jeopardy.
Egypt was successfully wrangled from the Russian grip but are now floating back toward them. Iraq, the nation where so much blood and treasure was invested is all but a lackey to them. Iran. "Nuff said.
But even if we ignore the propaganda value of this development (which I think we should) the optics of the latest meeting between the Russians and Israel should stun us all.
Not because the meeting occurred. The fact that it did is nothing but professional. Its what I would expect of mature military powers that are operating in close proximity to each other. It helps avoid accidents and establishing RELATIONSHIPS if the worse does happen.
The fact that the US isn't participating isn't a sign of strength. Its a sign of weakness. It doesn't illustrate a thoughtful Middle East policy, instead it appears to be a temper tantrum. We won't talk to you so your plan will fail.
We're on the sidelines while the entire Mid East is being transformed right before our eyes.
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
All eyes on Russia/Syria, while in Yemen the ass kicking continues!
We're all focused on Russia/Syria but the Saudi/GCC getting throat punched continues in Yemen.
Theory. The Russians are simply seeking to maintain the status quo/return the region to stability in Syria (with the benefit of gaining a new base and being seen as a reliable ally)....but the fighting in Yemen could start a whole new crisis.
Consider. The King seems near death (according to the latest reports we've seen), and if the adventure in Yemen was designed to "aid" his handpicked successor to the throne ascend without opposition, then that plan is as dead as disco. Which means we could see a power struggle erupt, and the result would be that the Kingdom is thrown into chaos. Various players in the Middle East will attempt to influence the outcome which means instability the likes of which we haven't seen.
It's just a theory so time will tell. Your watch list? Russia, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan (refugee crisis is under reported and a threat to the King), and the Kurds.
We truly cursed....'cause we live in interesting times.
What the hell is the Kalibr Missile the Russians are firing?
If you're like me and you've been watching news coverage of the Russian missile strikes in Syria, then you've had one question.
What the hell is this Kalibr Missile the media is talking about!?!?
Well its simple and goes to show how much rebranding is going on within the Pentagon. The Kalibr Missile is simply the original name of the Russian missile that was given the NATO code named "KLUB".
Lack of clarity is a minor problem, but a problem none-the-less. Hopefully we'll get more matter of fact reporting in the future.
Russian military activity in Syria...
Hey guys.
The main stream media seems to just be catching up to the facts on the ground in Syria. Interesting, only because we've been waaaaaaay ahead of them.
The Russians are supporting a ground offensive being conducted by the Assad Loyalist and the Iranian Quds Force? Called it! The issue of the airspace not being deconflicted? Called it! The fact that the Russians have established a de facto "no fly zone" over much of Syria? Called it. Seeing Russian Marines land in Syria? We saw it! Noting the fact that the Russian Special Ops are hookin and jabbin? Saw it!
Between my searches, the tips YOU GUYS (!) sent to the website and the collective brainpower of all MY READERS (!) we've been seeing this stuff develop while to the masses it's all new.
The current stage of the conflict isn't of interest. We need to try and look at the patterns and figure out what comes next. This is just the opening round. What's round 2?
The main stream media seems to just be catching up to the facts on the ground in Syria. Interesting, only because we've been waaaaaaay ahead of them.
The Russians are supporting a ground offensive being conducted by the Assad Loyalist and the Iranian Quds Force? Called it! The issue of the airspace not being deconflicted? Called it! The fact that the Russians have established a de facto "no fly zone" over much of Syria? Called it. Seeing Russian Marines land in Syria? We saw it! Noting the fact that the Russian Special Ops are hookin and jabbin? Saw it!
Between my searches, the tips YOU GUYS (!) sent to the website and the collective brainpower of all MY READERS (!) we've been seeing this stuff develop while to the masses it's all new.
The current stage of the conflict isn't of interest. We need to try and look at the patterns and figure out what comes next. This is just the opening round. What's round 2?
15th MEU does the French version of the "Tarzan Course" in Djibouti...photos by Sgt. Steve Lopez
Note: I call it the French version of the "Tarzan Course" because I don't know of any other circuit in the US military that comes close to what I'm seeing here -- outside of the Quantico O-course.
Bonus coverage! They also did the Water Obstacle Course. This looks like a serious kick in the nuts! Instead of bringing Cross Fit to the USMC, perhaps more attention should have been turned toward adding a "Tarzan Course" at each base and a Water Obstacle Course at the big bases on each coast.
Bonus coverage! They also did the Water Obstacle Course. This looks like a serious kick in the nuts! Instead of bringing Cross Fit to the USMC, perhaps more attention should have been turned toward adding a "Tarzan Course" at each base and a Water Obstacle Course at the big bases on each coast.
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