New Chinese Stealth Fighter.

This country would copy the fillings in my teeth if they were online.

They can't innovate, have no imagination and would be a backwater country if it weren't for greedy capitalist.

We created our own monster.  Time to pull the plug on this Frankenstein.

Italian aircraft carrier in Libyan mission

If I were British, I'd be jealous, embarrassed, ashamed, depressed and wondering what my leadership was thinking...

Its not too late UK.

A400M...wishful thinking abounds.

Ole Bill wrote this for Aviation Week this morning...

US interest in the A400M is likely to emerge mid-decade, according to EADS North America CEO Sean O'Keefe.  At the company's pre-Paris media seminar, O'Keefe noted that the USAF is likely to retire its oldest C-5A heavy transports before 2020.

"That leaves a hole in the big airbase, heavy-payload role," O'Keefe points out, and Boeing C-17s will be pulled into that mission - opening up the need for new tactical airlifters. "At that point, we'll have a hot production line", O'Keefe says, "and there isn't going to be any new US program."

However, Airbus Military is not going to do any intensive marketing until the A400M completes testing and gains its commercial type certificate, due next year.

Damn this guy is wishing on a star.

Boeing is slow walking C-17 production with an eye toward the same future that EADS sees with the A400M.

And the A400M will face the same issues it faces today.

Smaller payload than the C-17.

Shorter ranged than the C-17.

Slower than the C-17.

Worldwide acceptance and service.

Costs just a few mill less than the C-17.

And thats looking at it today.  Looking into the future I can see the C-17 getting stretched....Uprated engines...improved avionics...increased fuel efficiency measures...better aircraft defense countermeasures...a dedicated Special Operations version...

The list is endless and this clown from EADS thinks he's going to bust into the US market with an inbetween airplane that isn't as good as the industry leader and costs about the same?

Whatever he's smoking, I recommend he stop.  And I hope this type thinking is drug induced...if he's sober then they need a new CEO.

NOTE:

The weirdest thing about the whole A400 saga is the fact that when they first designed it and brought it to market, it was suppose to be a C-130 killer.

Lockheed Martin got nervous----started designing XL C-130's....the USAF was even starting to make noise about it because it was suppose to be the perfect plane to go along with the Stryker Brigades....

And then two things happened.

1.  The Stryker gained weight.  Alot of weight.  C-17 airlift type weight.
2.  The cost point of the A400 expanded to enormous proportions.

Now I can imagine Boeing executives are sitting back watching EADS spin like tea leaves and laughing there asses off.  The standard EADS model of building 'in betweener' aircraft bit EADS.  They deserve it.

Sea Shadow off to the junk heap.

I wonder what, if anything, they learned from this ship.  Read the details at FoxNews.

Pic of the day. June 18, 2011.

Forgot where I got this pic from but this Burke Ticonderoga is having a very bad day!

When some people state that the Falklands can't be defended, you might want to listen.

'Sharkey' Ward says that the Falklands are vulnerable.  

Commander Nigel 'Sharkey' Ward DSC AFC RN commanded RNAS 801 Naval Air Squadron from HMS Invincible during the Falklands War during April to June 1982, and was senior Sea Harrier adviser to the Command on the tactics, direction and progress of the air war. Commander Ward flew over sixty war missions, achieved three air-to-air kills and took part in or witnessed a total of ten kills; he was also the leading night pilot, and was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry. Cdr. Ward's main Sea Harrier mount during the Falkands War was XZ451, which was built on 18 June 1979 and was the first RN Sea Harrier delivered. Cdr. Ward also shot down an Argentine Air Force IAI Mirage V "Dagger" in Sea Harrier FRS.1, ZA175.

This from the Phoenix Think Tanks...

Stop Press: October 10^th, 2010.
·        The Argentine navy just harassed another trawler at the limit of Falklands territorial waters, without ‘our garrison’ putting in an appearance – the Typhoons were nowhere to be seen. Is this evidence that the Argentine Navy (and hence other Argentine vessels) can come and go as they choose without detection or interception? How capable is our current surveillance of the EEZ?  Are we relying on a fighter aircraft that has little or no surface surveillance capability?
·        It is understood that the Nimrod MPA cannot operate from the Mount Pleasant runway because of the latter’s “uneven surface”.  Our principal land-based maritime surveillance aircraft, postulated by the Royal Air Force as having a worldwide capability, appears therefore to be unsuitable for and incapable of satisfying the Falkland Islands EEZ airborne surveillance need. (Perhaps there is another explanation for this serious shortfall in land-based air power operational capability. If so, it should be explained.)
·        Subject to satisfactory answers to the above questions/problems, it would appear that yet again the public and the government are being kept “in the dark” by an air force that claims better operational capability than the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm but ‘when push comes to shove’ is unable to match words with deeds.[2]
·        These questions need to be answered.
Planned Argentine Military Resources
The British Government should take serious note of the major military air procurement program now underway in Argentina.
·        An order for up to 128 F-15C and F-15E Strike Eagle fighters has been made from the USA with delivery due to begin in the 2017/18 timeframe . The F-15C Eagle’s passive IRST sensor system, used alone or in concert with existing F-15 sensors, provides unprecedented on-board situational awareness while detecting, identifying and engaging enemy targets at extended ranges. The IRST system’s high-angle accuracy also provides the ability to track closely-spaced targets at maximum ranges. This information can be used alone or combined with other sensor data to further enhance the pilot’s situational awareness.
·        A further order for Landing Craft Air Cushion Vehicles (LCACs) – hovercraft – has been made. They are seagoing vehicles with the capacity to deliver stores and ammunition to the islands from the mainland at high speed – and remain invulnerable to attack by SSN torpedoes.
·        The latest version of the Mirage F1 air to air fighter aircraft has also been ordered from France and there are amphibious warfare oriented Hind gunships in the pipeline from Russia. Hinds are combat-proven against light sea surface and land vehicles.
Such a major military air resources build-up can have only one aim in mind: retaking the Falklands. (The purchase of the LCACs in particular is a very good indicator of this.)

Read the rest and get depressed.

If a warrior is telling you that you're vulnerable, you might want to check your six.

UK, one of your warriors is trying to tell you just that.  It might be wise to listen.

Note:

Interesting that hostilities (limited though they may be) have occurred as recently as late last year.  A history check would lead one to note that limited activities as are described in the article led up to hostilities back in 82.

Blast from the past...the "Original" BlackHawk...S-67.

Back in the late 60's the US Army and Marines had to opportunity to have a work horse of a helicopter...the original Black Hawk, the S-67.  Stats from Wikipedia...

Specifications (S-67 Blackhawk)

Data from Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters,^[3] Attack Helicopter Evaluation^[15]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: Up to 8 troops^{[citation needed]}
• Payload: 8,000 lb (3,600 kg)
• Length: 74 ft 2 in (22.6 m)
• Rotor diameter: 62 ft (18.9 m)
• Height: 15 ft (4.57 m)
• Airfoil: NACA 0012 Mod
• Empty weight: 12,525 lb (5,681 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 24,272 lb (11,010 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× T58-GE-5 turboshaft engine, 1,500 shp (1,100 kW) each
• Rotor system: 5 blades on main rotor, 5 blades on tail rotor
• Fuselage length: 64 ft 1 in (19.5 m)
• Fuselage height: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
• Stub wing span: 27 ft 4 in (8.33 m)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 230 mph (370 km/h) in dive with ducted fan
• Maximum speed: 193 mph (311 km/h)
• Range: 220 mi (354 km)
• Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (5,180 m)

My recent "Blasts from the past" have focused on helicopter projects because as usual, we're getting fawning press about the X-3, and criticism of the US helicopter industry which has in the past (and is presently) cutting edge in every way.

The problem is that the US government in general and the US military in particular are sticking to outdated technology and attempting to wring more performance out of physics limited designs.

Currently Piaseki has cutting edge technology ready to insert into our legacy airframes and it is left to rot.

We have had ducted fan concepts, pusher concepts, compound helicopter concepts and more, yet we're sticking to models that have little performance improvements since the 70's!

Nothing is wrong with innovation in the US...the X-3 is a joke when compared to even past attempts.  The joke is the Department of Defense that complains about industry and thinking that industry is going to jump when they've been burned before.

Blast from the past....D-2022 Ducted Assault Transport.

The Bell Aero Systems D-2022 Ducted Assault Transport is another 'blast from the past' that never even made it to mock up stage.

Its a shame.

USS Bataan is still blacked out.

UPDATE:

The USS Bataan is still blacked out according to its FaceBook Page.

This is highly unusual.  Whats more mystifying is that this simple problem has been ongoing since the 13th of this month.

Something is going on with the USS Bataan.  What exactly I don't know but remember this post?

UPDATE 1:

Phil asked a very important question.  He asked if the other ships in the Expeditionary Strike Group 2 were blacked out.

From what I gather from open sources is that the Group has split up.  I'm going to burning up this computer tonight to try and nail down exact locations.  One thing though.  Bataan is waaaay ahead of the curve when it comes to social networking.  LSD 41 has updated its website since Oct 2010 and the Mesa Verde is still trying to get its act together (or so it appears online).  More info to you when I get it.

My new ring tone...

Blast from the past...XH-51A

2nd Force Recons conduct helo-casting training.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, pull their fellow Marine into a combat rubber raiding craft after jumping out of a CH-53 helicopter aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations., By Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:06 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare to push a combat rubber raiding craft out of a CH-53 helicopter aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations. , By. Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:13 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares to jump out of a CH-53 helicopter into the ocean aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations. , By Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:27 PM

USMC - wins...UK Ministry of Defense - loses.

The title of this post indicates the outcome of the UK MoD's decision to sell Harriers to the US at bargain basement prices.

We win.  They lose.  BIG.  From the Sun (via Phoenix Think Tank).

Ex-Security Minister Admiral Lord West said that whoever was behind the "joke" £34million sale was "as mad as a box of frogs".
UK taxpayers forked out more than £1BILLION for the iconic jets - up to 40 of which are going to the US Marine Corps for the knock-down price.
Lord West, 63, stormed: "We're in a land of complete madness. Selling these Harriers in this way - well, what a stupid, extraordinary decision.

"It makes one feel that whoever is behind this is as mad as a box of frogs. We're in the extraordinary place where we rely more and more on the US.

This is how freedom ends.

If you depend on another for your protection then you're not a Man...or a nation.  You're a slave or in the case of a nation a protectorate.

The UK has/is in the process of losing all leverage with the US.

Its not yet too late to turn this around, but its getting close.

But in the meantime, the UK can be proud of one fact.  Between the US purchase of the Harriers and the Australian fleecing them on the buy of the Albion class ship, they're at least strengthening allies.

Argentina to the UK. The Falklands are ours!

via Defense Management.

A reassertion of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands by Prime Minister David Cameron has been described as nearing "stupidity", by Argentina's President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Cameron told MPs that "as long as the Falkland Islands want to be sovereign British territory, they should remain sovereign British territory - full stop, end of story".

But responding, Fernandez said Britain was "arrogant" and that Cameron had put forward an "expression of mediocrity, and almost of stupidity".

She said Cameron used the word "full stop" in a way that suggested "he could put an end to history".

"I want to tell you in the name of all Argentines, that the Argentine people never believe in full stops, when it comes to human rights, much less when it comes to the rights of sovereignty to our Malvinas islands," she said.

And the President added: "We are going to get them back, through international rights and peace."

So much for the UK's soft power approach.

Not having Harriers and Carriers is going to bite the UK in the ass.

MC-130J Combat Shadow II

AM General's HMMWV Upgrade Concept.

Thanks for the heads up on the vid Michael!  As far as the vehicle is concerned....looks good.  I'm going to send AM General an e-mail and see if they'll provide a little info on it.

A USMC Unit from WW2 that you never knew existed.

Every Marine can probably name the Marine Divisions from WW2.  Identify the Marine Raiders.  The legendary figures from that time.

But how many Marines know that during WW2, the Marines had a Parachute Battalion?  I didn't.  This is its history.

Silk Chutes and Hard Fighting US Marine Corps Parachute Units in WWII

I read a story that the Marine Raiders were open to the idea of Marine Special Operations linking to its history.

Of course Force Recon, can also make the claim of being Marine Special Ops fore fathers. 

My question is this.  If Marine Raiders and Force Recon can both claim to be forerunners of Marine Special Ops then why can't Marine Parachute Units?

USS Bataan to Syria? Special Forces to Libya?

Purify my Heart (thanks bud) gave me a heads up that the USS Bataan was steaming toward the Syrian coast.

Quite honestly, I didn't know what to make of this news.  A Google search revealed two things.

First, from Debka File:

This huge concentration of naval missile interceptor units looks like preparations by Washington for the contingency of Iran, Syria and Hizballah letting loose with surface missiles against US and Israeli targets in the event of US military intervention to stop the anti-opposition slaughter underway in Syria.
Moscow, Tehran and Damascus, in particular, are taking this exceptional spate of American military movements in and around the Mediterranean as realistically portending American intervention in Syria.
This concentration of US might also the effect of deterring the Turkish government from going through with its decision to send Turkish troops into Syria. The plan was to create a protected buffer zone where the thousands of refugees in flight from the Assad regime's military crackdown would be kept safe on Syrian side of the border and out of Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyep Erdogan is averse to be seen working hand in glove militarily with any US interference in Syria. At the same time, Western intelligence sources in the Persian Gulf are sure Washington is coordinating its military movements with Ankara and that Erdogan quietly agreed to place Turkish bases at US disposal for an operation in Syria.
debka file's military sources also report that Monday, June 13, Hizballah began shifting the long- and medium-range rockets it had stored in northern Lebanon to locations in the center of the country. Western military sources first thought the Lebanese Shiite group was taking the precaution of keeping its arsenal safe from a spillover of violence from Syria. Tuesday, however, they learned that Iranian intelligence had advised Hizballah to remove its rockets out of range of a possible American operation in Syria.
Tuesday, Iran capped these events with three separate warnings to the Obama administration against military interference in Syria.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said Tuesday: "The Americans are not allowed to launch a military intervention in any country of the region including Syria."
He accused "Israel and the USA of standing behind the riots in Syria, Iran's closest ally in the Arab world… with particular aims…of provoking terrorist groups in Syria and in the region to carry out terrorist and sabotage operations."
Another spokesman warned: "Western attempts to set the model of Libya in Damascus are doomed to failure."
Iranian Vice President Reza Rahimi accused the United States of preparing and executing "the slaughter of Muslims" worldwide.
Iran's ground forces commander Brig. Gen. Kioumars Heidari added this threat: Any new military move by the US in the region will impose heavy costs on the country far greater than the costs it paid in Iraq and Afghanistan."

The story from Debka File (read the whole thing) has some pretty troubling info in it (if its true).  The idea that we're going to open up a new front in both Syria and Libya (how they got word about a Special Forces deployment---if true---is beyond me) is beyond troubling.  Its crazy.

The idea that we're once again acting at the behest of another nation is (in my opinion) insane.  In this case Turkey!  Amazing.

Like I said, its troubling and from what I gathered in my search, Debka File has extreme credibility in some circles...less in others---so I just don't know.

I do know that the story has been picked up by alternate news sites and is spreading like wildfire on the net.

Its up to you to decide or you can do like me and watch it all unfold.

Sidenote:

One curious thing.  The USS Bataan's Facebook page indicates that they've experienced problems with their e-mail system.  Is this a 'civilized' way of blacking out a ship?

UPDATE:

Seems that Debka was right about at least a portion of the story.  This from the Telegraph;

Government sources told a leading Turkish newspaper that soldiers could be sent in to Syria to set up a "safe haven" under plans being considered should the flood of those fleeing the fighting worsened.

"We would close the border but we cannot turn our back," a Turkish official told the newspaper, Hurriyet. "If chaos starts, then we will have to form a security zone or a buffer zone inside Syrian territory."

And to show that there is a bit of coordination going on behind the scenes we have the brave and bold UN secretary trying to flex his nonexistent muscles.  This from the Washington Post.

Speaking to journalists in Brazil, his last stop in a South America tour that included Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay, Ban called on Syria’s president to “stop killing people” and told reporters that he’d urged Assad to “engage in inclusive dialogue and to take bold measures before it’s too late.”

If you've observed UN Secretary's then you'll realize that they always beg and cajole but never make definitive, almost threatening statements unless the pie is already baked and they've been given an indication of support from either or both the US and the EU...and probably with a nod from Russia and China.

Something is going on behind the scenes regarding Syria.  Our administration and the wonder kids in Europe have been behind the eight ball and wrong on every count so far.  No reason to expect them to get this right either.

Three current wars...Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.  Two ongoing humanitarian disasters (outside the US) ...Haiti and Japan.  A crushing budget deficit.  Extremely high gas prices.  Wild fires, flooding, drought and a heat wave within our own borders.

And these clowns appear to be plotting another military action in Syria.

AMAZING!

11th MEU, EFSS and AAVs. Photos by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a 120mm mortar into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a 120mm mortar into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a tactical vehicle into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15.The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a tactical vehicle into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

I had seen pics of the Marines in the Old Corps doing this with Jeeps and Howitzers and other gear when using the LVTP-5.

And if there ever was a shortcoming in the EFV design its the fact that it can't be used in a logistics role...a role that AAV/LVTPs have been performing since WW2.

Seabasing Systems.