Aviation Neck Down Strategy tossed without an after thought.

Proper planning prevents piss poor performance.

The USMC had such a plan.

Aviation was to be an all STOVL force.

The Navy didn't like it but oh well ... eat fish heads and rice and suck it up big boys....

That's what a GRUNT Commandant would have told the big Navy...Congress...and anyone else involved/concerned about Marine Corps procurement.

That's not whats happening now.

Read this ...from Defense Tech.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos confirmed today that the Marines are looking to operate some F-35C carrier variant Joint Strike Fighters. This is a big deal. If the Corps buys C, it will solidify the future of fixed wing tactical jets in the Corps if the troubled B-model gets axed. It also shows that Marine Corps aviators will keep flying long-legged (I mean long-range) strike jets off big deck aircraft carriers.

This sucks on too many levels.

It gives the vociferous critics of the B model new ammo.

It ignores the work of previous commandants that set a roadmap for future Marine Corps procurement.

Its done without explanation.  This makes no sense at all.  If we're not moving to an all STOVL force then why not procure F/A-18EF's now?  It would lower costs, receive Congressional support and serve as a bridge to the JSF.  Is this going to increase the costs of the B model?  It will...so why do it at all?  This is idiotic! 

B's only!

Think Defence on the Ocelot.

Lee sent this article on the now modular Force Protection Ocelot and the story that Think Defence ran on it (thanks Lee...I already subscribe to him but...).

And the 'but' is in regards to the Ocelot concept.  What is it to actually be?  The British forces already have the Panther...they have the Jackal....the have a range of light weight MRAP type vehicles.

How would this vehicle fit into the US structure?  We have the JLTV...we're considering uparmoring and resetting the HUMVEE...where does this vehicle fit?

In my opinion this appears to be a 'rapid fielding initiative' that took too long and is no longer applicable.

LAV-25 A2 as the Marine Personnel Carrier.

Thanks Mike...I never saw this...great find buddy...keep'em coming!

Mike found this brochure of the tech demonstrator model of the LAV A2.  A quick look at this reveals that after removing the turret, making a few modest upgrades/changes and you have your MPC.

The time for lengthy development schedules is over.  We have the blueprint already in service...time to sole source this puppy and get it done.

CH-53A Loops and Rolls.

If anyone knows where I can find the full video of this flight then please shoot me an e-mail.

A couple of points. 

Fastest helicopter in US service.

Most powerful helicopter in US service...I always cringed at the long flight times until I read the stats and heard the stories.  UH-1, CH-46 and AH-1 pilots would tell '53 drivers to slow down---even when they had a cabin full of Marines.

Amazing.

Swapping ships – Marines transfer mid-deployment

WHITE BEACH NAVAL FACILITY, OKINAWA, Japan-A humvee belonging to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is moved from the USS Denver (LPD 9) to the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), March 4. Elements of the 31st MEU switched ships mid-deployment, allowing the MEU to remain ready to respond. The transition comes midway through the MEU’s scheduled deployment to the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing theater security and conducting bilateral training with multiple nations. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains a force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region at all times., Capt. Caleb D. Eames, 3/4/2011 6:10 AM

 

WHITE BEACH NAVAL FACILITY, OKINAWA, Japan-A 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit humvee is moved from the USS Denver (LPD 9) to the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), March 4. Elements of the 31st MEU switched ships mid-deployment allowing the MEU to remain ready to respond. The transition comes midway through the MEU’s scheduled deployment to the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing theater security and conducting bilateral training with multiple nations. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains a force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region at all times., Capt. Caleb D. Eames, 3/4/2011 6:10 AM

3/5/2011  By Capt. Caleb D. Eames  , 31st MEU 

 

WHITE BEACH NAVAL FACILITY, OKINAWA, Japan  — Elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit switched naval vessels as they disembarked from the USS Denver (LPD 9) and embarked aboard the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) in port, March 5.  The move was designed to keep the MEU available and ready to respond while still allowing the Navy vessels opportunity to maintain operational and maintenance cycles.
“We will be moving about 500 passengers, 100 pieces of equipment, 30 vehicles and six M777 Lightweight Towed Howitzers to the USS Harpers Ferry in the next 24 hours,” said 1st Lt. Charles Breaux, the team embarkation officer for the move.  “It takes a lot of cooperation between multiple members of the Navy Marine Corps team to get the job done safely and quickly.”
The process of moving people and materials to another ship begins with developing a plan.
“You have to understand the blue (Navy) and green (Marine Corps) sides of the equation to come up with a plan,” said Breaux.  “Then you verify that plan with all the different people on the ships involved and make sure that it will work correctly, and everyone understands it.”
Once the plan was in place, the ships then moored side-by-side at the White Beach Naval Facility, and the transition of Marines, Sailors, and materials began.
“It takes coordination between a lot of people to make this happen,” said Staff Sgt. Chad Schwan, the team embarkation assistant, of Watertown, S.D.  “We work with all the outside agencies, bring everyone together, and try to make the moving parts work like a fine tuned machine.”
The planners also worked with the Navy’s beach landing and landing craft air cushioned crews to ensure mission success.
“If we encounter challenges, well, retreat, hell,” said Schwan, quoting the MEU’s Battalion Landing Team 2d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment’s motto.  “Teamwork is essential to overcoming challenges.  There is no MEU without our Navy brethren, so we work together to get the job done.”
The ship-to-ship move involved several elements of the 31st MEU including portions of BLT 2/5; the BLT’s artillery and amphibious assault vehicle attachments; parts of Combat Logistics Battalion 31 as well as a contingent from the command element.
“It takes the coordinated effort of over 100 people on the Navy side, and just as many on the Marine side, to move passengers and equipment over to our ship,” said Lt. Daniel Tyler, operations officer aboard the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).  “It takes a lot of teamwork, foresight, and planning ahead, to making sure everyone is on the same page from start to finish.”
The ship is loaded with thought toward future missions as well as the ever-necessary consideration for a possible humanitarian assistance disaster relief contingency, said Breaux.  The 31st MEU has participated in four HADR missions in the last two years.
“In the end, the success story is that it all gets on the ship in the right order,” said Tyler.  “Everything gets where it is supposed to go, and the ships can leave on time and carry on with their mission.”
The transition to another ship comes midway through the MEU’s scheduled deployment to the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing theater security and conducting bilateral training with multiple nations.
Once the move is complete, the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) will head back out to sea and continue the remainder of the deployment.
The USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) now joins Amphibious Squadron 11, the group of Navy ships which regularly carry Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU during patrols of the Asia-Pacific region.  The other two ships of PHIBRON 11 are the USS Essex (LHD 2) and the USS Germantown (LSD 42), both underway at sea.
The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains a force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region at all times.

Pacific Horizon 11...the logistics effort.

I'm harping on the Pacific Horizon 11 Exercise because I believe it to be extremely important not only to the Marine Corps but also for the Navy and even the entire Defense establishment.

This Brigade level event is in my opinion the first 'post' War on Terror exercise and is a vivid example of the move away from the second land army thinking/necessity- back to the sea.

An amphibious assault vehicle with 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion drives onto a roll on/roll off discharge facility attached to USNS Sgt. William Button near Camp Pendleton, Calif. during Pacific Horizon 11, March 3. Pacific Horizon 11 provides 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group-3 the opportunity to exercise essential core competencies at the brigade level to rapidly respond to an emerging crisis with a flexible, full spectrum capability.

An amphibious assault vehicle with 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion drives onto an improved Navy ligtherage system attached to a roll on/roll off discharge facility and USNS Sgt. William Button near Camp Pendleton, Calif. during Pacific Horizon 11, March 3. Pacific Horizon 11 provides 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group-3 the opportunity to exercise essential core competencies at the brigade level to rapidly respond to an emerging crisis with a flexible, full spectrum capability.

USNS Sgt. William Button floats off the coast near Camp Pendleton, Calif. during Pacific Horizon 11, March 3. Pacific Horizon 11 provides 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group-3 the opportunity to exercise essential core competencies at the brigade level to rapidly respond to an emerging crisis with a flexible, full spectrum capability. 

 

An improved Navy ligtherage system prepares to dock to a roll on/roll off discharge facility attached to USNS Sgt. William Button near Camp Pendleton, Calif., during Pacific Horizon 11, March 3. Pacific Horizon 11 provides 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group-3 the opportunity to exercise essential core competencies at the brigade level to rapidly respond to an emerging crisis with a flexible, full spectrum capability.

 

U.S. Navy sailors and Marines unload equipment from USNS Sgt. William Button near Camp Pendleton, Calif., during Pacific Horizon 11, March 3. Pacific Horizon 11 provides 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group-3 the opportunity to exercise essential core competencies at the brigade level to rapidly respond to an emerging crisis with a flexible, full spectrum capability. 

It appears that New Wars was right about the Global Combat Ship (Type 26 Frigate).

Mike (we love you guy...where ever you are) over at New Wars was right when he predicted the troubles with the Type 26 Frigate.

Read his article here.

If the planners were to skip the Type 26 altogether and proceed directly to the lower end version of the Future Surface Combatant design, they might possess a vessel more relevant for future threats. Rather than hundreds of millions, vessels costing in the tens of million pounds seem the right answer for today’s threats. Most importantly, you could build a whole squadron of such vessels for the price of a single Type 26.

What brings me to this conclusion?

Read this from Defense Watch.

It looks like the Global Combat Ship is dead in the water, from the Canadian perspective at least. That also seems to go for any UK-Canadian collaboration on future ships.

Without Canadian participation, I can't see how this ship will escape the budget axe thats swinging over at the UK's Ministry of Defense.  I would almost bet that Canadian participation was seen as a shield against the possibility of it being cut.  That doesn't exist anymore.

Seems like the days of smaller, less complex ships is about to dawn.

Mike at New Wars must be smiling, laughing at those like me that doubted him and pouring himself another glass of what ever drink he likes (probably iced tea).

Has a new Special Ops Unit been created?

Galhran over at Information Dissemination has a post out on the recent retaking of a hijacked ship and of the forces that did the work.  Read the story here....but his parting statement is eye catching.

What is Bulkeley's "specialist boarding team?" I am not familiar with this new term. Is this Navy Special Warfare Command? SWOs in VBSS? SOF? Marines?

Who are these mysterious pirate fighters of the Indian Ocean? Inquiring minds would like to know.

I don't quite know what to make of this.  Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF), Force Recon and Navy SEALS are well known commodities.  Even a Public Affairs Officer (no insult intended) would have knowledge of those guys...so why the murky language?

This might bear watching.

2010 Gallery of USAF Weapons.

0510 Weapons


Tracking info on the USAF isn't as easy as with the other services for some reason.  I wonder why that is?  If anyone has sites that would provide info on them (and I mean straight from a PAO's mouth) I'd appreciate it.

407 ARH.

 

F-35C breaks sound barrier for the first time

via NAVAIR..

F-35C breaks sound barrier for the first time

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The first F-35C test aircraft (CF-1) flew faster than the speed of sound for the first time over a test range near the Navy and Marine Corps F-35 integrated test facility at Naval Air Station Patuxent River March 4.

During a test flight to expand the flutter envelope, CF-1 reached Mach 1.02 at 30,000 feet with U.S. Marine Corps pilot Lt. Col. Matt Taylor at the controls.

“It’s great to be part of bringing stealth capability to the big-deck carriers,” said Taylor. “We accomplished a large number of test points, and CF-1 handled great going past Mach 1. It was a privilege for me to take the F-35C over that milestone for the first time.”

CF-1 gathered enough supersonic flutter data for the team to continue supersonic envelope expansion in the near future.

Flutter is an evaluation of structural loads on the aircraft experienced at various speeds and while performing prescribed maneuvers. The test and evaluation team at NAS Patuxent River will expand the flutter envelope to demonstrate the required durability and reliability of the aircraft in advance of delivery of the aircraft to the fleet.

The F-35C is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear for greater control in the demanding carrier take-off and landing environment. Carrier suitability testing for the F-35C variant is scheduled to begin later this year with land-based catapult and jet blast deflector testing.

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program is in the system development and demonstration phase, focusing on delivering three different, new aircraft variants to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. The integrated test force at NAS Patuxent River is focused on testing and evaluation of the F-35B and F-35C.

F-35 AF-7 First flight

AF-7, the second F-35 Lightning II production jet, takes off on its first flight Friday, March 4, from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base. The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant flew for 1.3 hours. AF-7 is the second and final aircraft from Low Rate Initial Production lot 1.

Only the CH-53K can perform missions required of Israel's Air-Space Force.

via Flight Global...

Fleet pressure prompts Israel to rebuild scrapped CH-53

By Arie Egozi

With no immediate substitute for the Israeli air force's Sikorsky CH-53 transport helicopters in the frame, the service has decided to rebuild one aircraft which was cannibalised for spare parts and dumped in a scrapyard several years ago.
The need to reactivate aircraft 985 is one outcome following an Israeli CH-53 Yasur crash in Romania in July 2010.
Six Israeli crew members and one Romanian observer were killed when the aircraft came down during a joint exercise.
According to a report in the Israeli air force magazine, the service's 22nd maintenance unit will perform the rebuild, which will fit the aircraft to its modernised 2025 standard.


The upgrade, already being carried out on all Israel's operational CH-53s, will see the installation of 20 new systems, including an advanced electronic warfare suite, and a satellite communications fit to expand the type's operational capability.
The project will also introduce an altitude hold-and-hovering stabilisation system and a laser obstacle ranging and display capability.

Israel plans to continue flying its current fleet until it can acquire Sikorsky's new-generation CH-53K, under development for the US Marine Corps.

Only the CH-53K is designed for the type of missions Israel's Yasur helicopters are required to perform, the air force says.

Wow.

Can we see a future joint helicopter formed from the CH-53K?

It would make sense.

It would lower costs.

It would be extremely capable across the entire spectrum.

The only problem is that the US Army is aiming for an airplane even larger than the 53K...something approaching the size of the C-130....

My best guess is that the CH-47 will continue to be modernized and that the Joint Heavy Lift Helicopter project will die a well deserved death.

Mommy make the bad man stop and the former Defence Department Assistant Deputy Minister

Read the whole thing from the Montreal Gazette, but this is the operative paragraph....

As part of the Harper government’s efforts to promote the F-35 stealth fighter, a top Conservative MP is criticizing a respected retired public servant who has advised government on defence purchases.
Edmonton MP Laurie Hawn, who’s the parliamentary secretary to Defence Minister Peter MacKay, has been sending out emails promoting the F-35 purchase and attacking critics of the deal, including former Defence Department assistant deputy minister Alan Williams.
The email, which has circulated among retired and serving Canadian Forces members as well as journalists, also attacks a retired Australian air force officer who has raised questions about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and an Australian aviation analyst who has done the same.

I've been amused and annoyed at the tactics employed by F-35 critics.

Let me assure you that the mailing lists for these notices are large..surprising...and if you follow the "FACTS(?)" provided and then read stories put out by so called journalist after the fact then you'd be more than disgusted.

Suffice it to say that a critic of the program got tarred with the same brush as supporters have for a couple of years now and he's running hoping that Mommy makes them stop.

Suck it up big boy!

Post of the Week...

via Live Proud...

Charlie Sheen 47, is all over the news because he’s a Celebrity drug addict. While Andrew Wilfahrt 31, Brian Tabada 21, Rudolph Hizon 22, Chauncy May 25, are Soliders who gave their lives this week with no media mention.

Supercruise...whats the definition?

From Strategypage...

The F-22 is still one of only three aircraft (in service) that can supercruise (go faster than the speed of sound without using the afterburner.) In addition to the F-22, the Eurofighter and the Gripen can also supercruise.

Huh?

The Eurofighter and Gripen can super-cruise?

What then exactly is super-cruise? 

And how is it that the SU-27 family isn't on this list...What about the later blocks of F-15/16's?

Is it even viable?  The F-22 can buts it has much shorter legs than the much derided F-35 (I laugh at those who slam the F-35 for being short ranged yet talk about the F-22 being more suited to long patrols over the Pacific...can't they read...the F-35 can fly much further on internal gas).

What is fuel consumption like in S/C?  Has its use been wargamed?  Besides the launch of A2A and A2G weapons during the cycle to give them extra hmmph then what good is it really?

Golan MRAP...why didn't it succeed?

I'm looking back at the history of the MRAP program and one vehicle keeps popping up as "looking" like a winner yet failing to gain substantial orders.  The Golan.

Does anyone have specific information on why it wasn't chosen and why the manufacturer failed to seek sales elsewhere?  It would be appreciated.

Sunday's Must Read..."The ARG at the Vortex of Change"

Second Line of Defense writes....

Lessons Learned From Operation El Dorado Canyon
During Operation El Dorado Canyon in Libya in the late 1980s, the United States conducted a strike against the Libyan government in response to the state-sponsored bombing of a disco in Berlin that resulted in the injury of over 200 people, and cost the lives of two individuals. Much of the accolades that followed the successful raids on Libya revolved around the long-range, EF-111 and FB-111 bombers, along with the KC-135 and KC-10 aircraft that conducted long-range refueling operations while originating operations out of the United Kingdom.
Less talked about was the role of the Naval Forces off the coast of Libya that also participated in the raids.  Well over 30 Naval strike aircraft participated in the raids as well, and the Naval Force was also on stand-by to conduct search and rescue operations as needed with helo-borne forces.  The Naval Fleet provided command and Control as well, and the security of the airspace was guaranteed through the use of carrier-based F-14 Tomcats that were in position to react should something arise.

What is more important is what did not take place. Had there been an unforeseen emergent air threat that resulted in significant delays, the bomber force that had transited the Atlantic would have been unable adjust to the extended operations, and would likely have had to turn back toward England without dropping their ordnance. In an equivalent scenario in today’s day and age, that would most certainly be viewed as a strategic failure and then subsequently be plastered all over the mass media as exactly that.

What is more important is what did not take place. Had there been an unforeseen emergent air threat that resulted in significant delays, the bomber force that had transited the Atlantic would have been unable adjust to the extended operations, and would likely have had to turn back toward England without dropping their ordnance.

What the Naval Services provided operational commanders during Operation El Dorado Canyon is exactly the same thing the ARG provides today– the ability to react to change and absorb operational friction across a spectrum of operational conditions.  That is something that typically doesn’t make the history books. Instead of a single-focus, long-range strike capability, the USN-USMC team provides operational commanders with a series of strategic, operational and tactical options that a one-dimensional bomber force cannot provide.

Read the whole thing and consider it carefully.  Quite a bit of truth lies in this short article.  

British SAS captured???

 


I can't imagine how this happened. On this one, I'll wait to hear the details before I comment.

Pacific Horizon 2011 - AAV B-roll

Video by Staff Sgt. Brian Buckwalter