F-35 By the Numbers

This is a serious piece of propaganda.

What stood out to me?

1.  100,000 flight hours fleet wide and they still haven't gotten this thing to work right?  We should be impressed and its still not ready?  They definitely didn't think that talking point thru.

2.  The early and in my opinion illegal IOC declaration (Dunford has forever tarnished his legacy with that move and the lack of clarity in Afghanistan/Iraq) is a serious bragging point for them.  I wonder why?  Everyone knows that in the way that it was done it's meaningless.  Maybe they expect to fool those in the public that don't follow the program?  Regardless they sure chest thump about the USMC/USAF IOC declaration.

3.  250 planes delivered now and 1000 plus by 2022?  That sounds stupidly optimistic but maybe they know something I don't.  I do know that they're wrecking the Marine Corps budget even more.  The longer the F-35 resides in limbo land the longer the trainwreck extends for the Marines.  Think about it. The Corps has been in budget funk land since 2003.  Why?  Because the F-35 is the logjam.  They can't clear other projects until they get the F-35 solved. The order has been set.  F-35 first.  CH-53K second.  ACV third.  They've stuck to that and if they can't remain on schedule then the CH-53K will be further delayed pushing back the ACV.

Other than that this vid will fool many.

UK in talks to buy MH-47G

via Shepard Media.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is in talks with the US Army in relation to standing up a new variant of the Chinook, a senior military officer revealed at DSEI 2017 in London.
The UK RAF currently operates the HC2/2A/3 versions of the Chinook. The MoD official confirmed that while the US does not currently export the model, the two countries are currently in discussion regarding the MH-47G.
The G model is currently operated by the US Army 160th SOAR special operations aviation regiment; the most recent of the 61 re-manufactured aircraft were delivered to the US Army last year.
Although it is still early in the negotiations, the official did state that the G-Model was an ‘aspiration’ aircraft to bring into the UK inventory.
Despite the early nature of the talks, an aircraft quantity could be anything from a dozen to 14 aircraft.

Story here. 

Britain is the most influential power in Europe?

via Sputnik

A leading think tank has suggested the UK is the most influential power in Europe and second only to the US around the world, based largely on its international diplomatic strength - although significant question marks hover over the true value of "soft" power in the 21st century.
Britain is the most influential power in Europe and second only to the US around the world, a report issued by the Henry Jackson Society think tank has concluded.

The report, which seeks to reject the "doom and gloom" surrounding Brexit, finds the UK remains a "leading" global power, and places it ahead of China, France, Germany, India, Japan and Russia in an "Audit of Geopolitical Capacity" — based on seven measures, including economics, technological prowess, military strength, cultural prestige, diplomatic leverage and demographics.

Story here. 

Royal Marines from Alpha Coy, 40 Cdo, continue with patrols across Tortola

Royal Marines from Alpha Coy, 40 Cdo, continue with patrols across Tortola to provide reassurance after the devastation caused by hurricane Irma.
Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines have deployed as part of the Lead Commando Group (LCG) to provide humanitarian assistance to British Overseas Territories.

Interesting.  They're on patrol and 1st/2nd line gear is almost non-existent? Brit Marines are either tougher than I thought or the reports of idiocy on those islands are overblown or they don't give a damn about force protection.

Hurricane Irma News. In rides the 101st Airborne (Air Assault)...

via Miami Herald.

Meantime, on the amphibious assault transport dock the USS New York — which was forged in part from steel salvaged from the World Trade Center — sailors took time out to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks near Florida while awaiting their assignment in post-Irma humanitarian relief efforts.

Separately, air assault soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division on Monday were moving about 370 troops, 40 vehicles and 35 aircraft to Alabama to be in position to provide search and rescue, medical evacuation and other services to Florida.

The aircraft included Black Hawk helicopters, some equipped to evacuate patients, others set up to move people and equipment, and Chinook, heavy-lift helicopters, Army Lt. Col. Martin L. O’Donnell said of the 101st at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Other U.S. military forces Northcom said were on standby for service — if Scott’s office asks FEMA to ask the Pentagon to provide it — included 76 fuel trucks from the Defense Logistics Agency at the Robins Air Force Base in Georgia and about 400 soldiers from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with 100 high water vehicles that can be used to locate and rescue people who may be trapped in flooding.

Story here. 

Let me get this out the way.  I'm happy to see the affected region get the help it needs.

Having said this, it was so fucking predictable.  The USMC after being burned so badly with the response to Hurricane Harvey AGAIN miscalculated and instead of being on the frontlines of the response find themselves in the backwater of the Virgin Islands.

YES!  I KNOW!  Chaos has broken out and all kinds of idiocy is happening on those islands (I worry that will be another black eye...haven't seen much news about Marines putting forces ashore to stabilize the situation and restore security...maybe leaving the FREAKING BATTALION LANDING TEAM BEHIND WASN'T SUCH A GOOD FUCKING IDEA HUH????) but the mainshow will always be what happens on the continental US.

Think about it like this.

An aircraft carrier is a force multiplier and NORTHCOM (really starting to have a visceral hatred for that Commanding Officer...she seems so lost) could easily source forces from the many bases located in the Southern US if she wanted to handle this in the most efficient way possible.

But no.

Instead of requesting and getting a full MEU to go to the VI, and sending a Carrier to augment that force, we're seeing interservice politics at play (and yeah I'm bitching because I sense that the Marine Corps is losing badly) and the carrier is off the coast of Florida and now the Army is pushing thru one of its "storied" units to assist.

We're losing the visibility war in this crisis.

I only hope the people in the region are getting the help they need in a timely manner.

Note:  It happened with Harvey and it's happening with Irma.  The chest thumping and the bragging about the response is happening before the crisis is over.  

General Dynamics Land Systems-UK showcases PIRANHA 5 at DSEI

via General Dynamics Press Release.

LONDON, Sept. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ExCeL Exhibition Centre -- At Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), General Dynamics Land Systems–UK and General Dynamics European Land Systems are showcasing PIRANHA 5, General Dynamics' 8x8 platform that is a candidate for the British Army's Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) Programme.

PIRANHA 5 is a highly mobile and protected platform with a payload of over 13 tonnes, providing significant growth potential throughout the life of the platform. It is modular by design and can be reconfigured quickly to accomplish a wide-range of mission objectives.

General Dynamics Land Systems–UK will demonstrate PIRANHA 5's innovations in electronic architectures, mobility and protection.  It has proven its success in competitive trials around the world, and has been selected by Denmark and Spain for the modernisation of their Armed Forces.  PIRANHA 5 is currently in production for the Danish Army.

Kevin Connell, vice president of General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, said: "The PIRANHA family of vehicles are highly reliable and in active service with Armed Forces worldwide.  We can deliver PIRANHA 5 vehicles quickly to the British Army to meet the planned Initial Operating Capability for the MIV programme from an existing production line, before transferring production to our Merthyr Tydfil facility in South Wales, creating significant employment right across our extensive UK supply chain.  PIRANHA 5 is the best-value-for-money solution to the British Army's MIV requirement, supporting British industry and jobs."

Local production.

More and more the key to a successful defense sale.

Open Comment Post. Sep 12, 2017

The Singaporean Army, the most technologically advanced in the region got a warning about being high tech.

via Senang Diri

On 27 July, it was reported that 300 drones failed to fly during a National Day Parade rehearsal the previous Saturday (22 Jul'17) due to a technical problem with the GPS guidance.

Also on 27 July, social media reported that an app linked to the SGSecure movement - which aims to raise the level of security awareness and national resilience among people in Singapore - had earned a dismal One Star rating (Five Stars reflect the best user experience). This was after citizen soldiers complained of being coerced into downloading an app which they found had little relevance or value.

That same day, Amazon Prime was launched in Singapore. Within 24 hours of its launch, a flurry of complaints marred the online shop as customers vent their frustrations that Amazon Prime failed to fulfil its promised two-hour delivery window.

A bruising week for technology in Singapore, no doubt.

Story here. 

In light of the recent natural disasters in the US and the rush by all US services to become even MORE tech heavy I think this serves as a warning to us all.

Tech makes our lives easier but it also makes us more vulnerable.  The same applies to warfare.  The search continues for push button, painless war. But I believe it is not to be.



 Robert A. Heinlein saw this coming and warned about it in a subtle way with Starship Troopers (the book, not the movie...the training in the book was brutal...we need a real deal movie adoption of the book!), Singapore got that warning in July.

Hopefully we'll get it in peacetime and not war.

NOTE: Senanag Diri gives a cleansing statement at the end of his article saying that this tech is necessary.  I agree to a certain point.  Past that point (and I don't know what it is) and the extra juice just leaves you open to enemy action...either cyber, kinetic or both.

Royal Australian Navy Blast from the Past - HMAS Melbourne with HMA Ships Vendetta and Voyager as aircraft operations are conducted

It is so easy to forget how powerful some of our allies navies were.  The Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy if they kept the same numbers as they did after WW2 into the 50's were powerhouses.

Thales Introduces the F90MBR Modular Assault Rifle

via Defense Update.

Thales is launching the F90MBR – a new assault rifle at DSEI 2017. The weapon represents a new generation of the F90 currently in service with the Australian Defence Force. The Modular Bullpup Rifle is NATO interoperable and is suited to support the modern integrated solider systems. At a total weight of 3.25 kg it is one of the lightest weapons of its class. NATO compatibility is supported by the tri-rail system and magazine compatibility, that ensures interoperability with existing NATO weapons and ammunition. It is fitted with ambidextrous controls to enable fast reaction times and rapid target engagement.

Story here. 

Bullpups.  Everyone is so hot about bullpups but outside of Personal Defensive Weapons for Aircrew, maybe Tankers and select other personnel they make no sense.  Even worse?  They're always bulkier than a normal battle rifle.

To each his own I guess but we know the real deal.  The Aussies are gonna probably go with that Canadian company that sells a M4 clone or HK that does the same.

For better or worse the M4/M-16 has won the rifle wars for at least the next 20 years.

NATO prepares to jump with both feet into the N. Korea fight.

via Reuters.

 North Korea’s “reckless behavior” is a global threat and requires a global response, the head of the NATO military alliance said on Sunday.

NATO has not been directly involved in the crisis, which saw Pyongyang carry out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test a week ago, but has repeatedly called on North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

“The reckless behavior of North Korea is a global threat and requires a global response and that of course also includes NATO,” NATO head Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with BBC television.

Story here. 

Wow.

Talk about having a WTF moment!

So let me get this straight.  The US is defending S. Korea, even though the S. Koreans could handle N. Korea by themselves, but we're also defending Japan, even though Japan and S. Korea could totally obliterate N. Korea together...and now NATO is piling on to help the US defend S. Korea and Japan even though those two nations aren't part of NATO?

I guess when you call a fight today, everyone rushes to get a piece of the action.

Watching how NATO sells this to the Europeans will be a fascinating. My bet is that they will have it shoved down their throats no matter what. Whether they like it or not, NATO will participate.  Ya see NATO has to be seen as being relevant.  If NATO did not get a piece of a fight against N. Korea then people like me that yell about wasted exercises against a Russia that doesn't want a fight would hold sway.  If they get a piece of N. Korea then it'll be "see we told you that we were needed" and they think that will put us in cage.  They're wrong but I'm betting that's the thinking.

Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter Illustrations....