Marines go 'green' for helicopter support training

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.-Marines from Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, rig a 1,000-pound cement block to the bottom of an MV-22 Osprey during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Nov. 8. The training allowed both the landing support specialists on the ground and pilots in the air to train for night helicopter support operations., Pfc. Timothy Childers, 11/8/2011 1:27 PM

Photo release: First F-35C catapult launch at NAS Patuxent River

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – Navy test pilot Lt. Chris Tabert flies F-35C test aircraft CF-3 off the TC-7 steam catapult at NAS Patuxent River Nov. 4. The launch was the first time the test catapult here launched an F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Previous catapult testing occurred in Lakehurst, N.J. The F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. Initial carrier trials for the F-35C are scheduled for 2013. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River before delivery to the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo)

Out fucking standing!

I bet the asshats doing all that laughing in the background shit themselves!

Too awesome!

The American Jackal...courtesy Supacat and LM!

Looks like Supacat and Lockheed Martin are teaming up to bring the Jackal Fast Attack Vehicle to US shores.  I personally will not be surprised to see it in a Special Ops compound in the near future.  Awesome vehicle.

First F-35C catapult launch at NAS Patuxent River

Wow. The US has an even more advanced stealth helicopter!

Read this article from Sean Meade at Aviation Week here, but this caught my attention...

initially planned to use Ghost Hawks, highly classified helicopters nicknamed "Jedi rides" that emit zero electromagnetic radiation and are invisible to radar.

However they were replaced with older Stealth Hawks after the White House abandoned plans to have F-18 "hornet" jets fly patrols over the helicopters and it was deemed too much of a risk that the Ghost technology would fall into enemy hands.

Wow.

So much for the lack of progress in US helicopter development.  Something tells me that all we're seeing is a whole bunch of old tech flying over the battlefields.  Time to take a trip to Ft. Campbell with my night vision devices to see whats really flying.

Williams Foundation supports F-35B's for Australia's LHD's!

Thanks Phil!

Awesome article and I don't know how I missed it but suffice it to say that some in Australia (in positions of influence) are already aiming toward converting some of those F-35's that the Aussies are about to buy into F-35B's for their LHD's.

Great move.  Smart move.  A no brains move.  Read it for yourself below.

Big Ships Big Challenge Oct 2011

Red Arrows pilot dies in ground mishap.

A terrible tragedy. 

Via SkyNews...

A Red Arrows pilot has become the second team member to die in a matter of weeks after he was ejected from his aircraft while it was on the ground.

Pictures from the scene at RAF Scampton, in Lincolnshire, shows part of the canopy of the Hawk T1 jet is missing.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said an investigation was under way and confirmed the plane was not airborne when the tragedy happened at 11am on Tuesday.
The pilot was airlifted to Lincoln County Hospital, but his injuries were so severe he could not be saved. His family have been informed and he is due to be named on Wednesday.

Read it all here.

Modest Proposal...C-27 as the next carrier on board delivery plane!

My modest proposal.

Lets consider the C-27 as the next carrier on board delivery plane.  Radical you say?  I say why not!  We've conducted tests with the C-130 on board carriers and unless NAVAIR has destroyed those test results then we already know the issues facing us when it comes to making this work.

Consider this.
1.  The C-27 is supposedly rated for rough field landings.  Modification to make it carrier capable shouldn't be too challenging.
2.  Its heavy, but with heavier aircraft arriving on board our carriers everyday, the added capacity that the C-27 brings over the current airplane become readily apparent.  We need an airplane that can carry F-35 engines and the current airplane is having difficulty. 
3.  Its already in the supply chain due to the work that the USAF and Army have done.  Just like the X-47B, all we have to do is pick up on the work that others have done and carry it across the goal line.

Yeah, it might seem radical but we've done it before but with much bigger. 

Pic of the day. Nov. 8, 2011.

An RAF Regiment Gunner provides force protection to Army colleagues during a casualty evacuation, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The RAF Regiment Sqn formed a four man unit as part of the Medical Emergency Response Team.

This image was a winner in the Royal Air Force Photographic Competition 2011.

Photographer: Sgt Martin Downs (RAF)

Havoc 8x8 Armored Modular Vehicle video

Team Havoc! Lockheed-Patria 8x8 Product Card.

I'm not a fan of this concept but to be honest the more I look at this offering the more I like it.  If a vehicle can ever be called pure dee bad ass then I think this one does.  I luv this 8x8!  Plus its open ocean amphibious! 

MFC Havoc Product Card

Marines strengthen amphibious capabilities during Exercise Dawn Blitz

An amphibious assault vehicle with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion convoys through Camp Pendleton's training area during Exercise Dawn Blitz, Sept. 30. During the exercise, 3rd AABn conducted a beach landing on Gold Beach and pushed inland in an attempt to get secure location. Dawn Blitz is the third in a series of exercises this year focusing on Marine expeditionary brigade level proficiency and readiness.

Amphibious assault vehicles with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion conduct battlefield formations while convoying through Camp Pendleton's training area during Exercise Dawn Blitz, Sept. 30. During the exercise, 3rd AABn conducted a beach landing on Red Beach and pushed inland in an attempt to get secure location. Dawn Blitz is the third in a series of exercises this year focusing on Marine Expeditionary Brigade level proficiency and readiness.

Marines with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion inspect their amphibious assault vehicle for operability after conducting an amphibious landing on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton during Exercise Dawn Blitz, Sept. 30. Dawn Blitz is the third in a series of exercises this year focusing on Marine expeditionary brigade level proficiency and readiness.

An amphibious assault vehicle with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion convoys through Camp Pendleton's training area during Exercise Dawn Blitz, Sept. 30. During the exercise, 3rd AABn conducted a beach landing on Red Beach and pushed inland in an attempt to get secure location. Dawn Blitz is the third in a series of exercises this year focusing on Marine Expeditionary Brigade level proficiency and readiness.

JAGM: Proven on Fixed-Wing

From PIGs to HOGs the Scout Sniper way

A Marine enrolled in the Scout Sniper Basic Course, clips vegetation to add to his ghillie suit during a stalk exercise on Oct. 15 at Camp Barrett. Marines enrolled in the course have three hours to cover 600yards.

A Marine enrolled in the Scout Sniper Basic Course, uses vegetation to blend in with the environment during a stalk exercise, Oct. 15, at Camp Barrett. Marines must inch their way across 600 yards using a technique called “skull dragging.”

A Marine enrolled in the Scout Sniper Basic Course, observes his terrain as he plans a course across 600 yards in a stalk exercise, Oct. 15, at Camp Barrett. During this stalk exercise, Marines had to move from 800 yards to within 200 yards of an observation post undetected within a time frame of three hours.

A Marine enrolled in the Scout Sniper Basic Course, attaches his rifle to his ankle as he prepares to inch his way across 600 yards in a stalk exercise, Oct. 15, at Camp Barrett. When a Marine first checks in to Scout Sniper School he is referred to as a PIG, or professionally instructed gunman. If successful, he will graduate in nine-weeks and will earn the title HOG, or hunter of gunman.

 

F-35 Maturity Flights

U.S. Air Force pilot Lt. Col. Dwayne Opella and Lockheed Martin test pilot David Nelson fly F-35A aircraft AF-6 and AF-7 from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for maturity flight software testing.

Pic of the day. Nov. 7, 2011.

A U.S. Marine amphibious assault vehicle exits the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill to transport Marines attached to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force to Matuntugo, Colombia, in support of Amphibious - Southern Partnership Station 2012 Nov 5. (Photo by: Spc. Juancarlos Paz)

Scimitar Mk2 in Afghanistan.

Jonathan sent me this article about 3 British soldiers surviving an IED attack in Scimitar Mk2. Thanks Jonathan...but to be honest I didn't know what a "Scimitar" was...low and behold its a recce vehicle thats been in service forever plus one day.  Read the article here but the good part...

The members of 1st Battalion, The Queen’s Dragoon Guards were unhurt because their new 35-ton Scimitar Mk2 combat vehicle has been specially designed to absorb IED blasts.
The Welsh Cavalry trio were on patrol in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand, when they were hit by the explosion last week.
Vehicle commander Lieutenant Peter Gordon-Finlayson said the massive blast stunned the crew for a few moments before they realised they had survived.
Scimitars, deployed in Afghanistan only two months ago, are part of the British Army’s new CVRT – Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked fleet – which have had improved plates of armour attached to protect crew against blasts.
Lt Gordon-Finlayson 26, from Marlborough, Wiltshire, said: “It felt like a car crash, and it took me a few moments to take it all in. But the training soon kicked in for all of us."

Interesting.  I thought for sure this vehicle was south of 20 tons but at 35 tons its an absolute beast!  Its practically in Bradley and Puma territory size wise.

Boeing bangs the gong about delivery of Super Hornets

Well they're trying to get better.

Boeing still doesn't have a clue when it comes to social media.  But they're trying...sorta like an old man trying to learn what the "interwebs" are all about.

Funny to watch but painful at the same time.  But enough of that, Boeing rightfully bangs the gong on the successful completion of the Super Hornet contract to Australia.

Congratulations.

Hornady Critical Duty...

Tactical-Life posted this video on Hornady's new offerings for 2012.  What stands out on the video is the new Critical Duty line of ammo.  Supposedly it offers barrier penetration without over penetrating once it hits flesh.  I can't wait for someone to test it out.  Consider me intrigued.

One other thing has me miffed though.  In the comments section Mike wrote this...

I love my guns, but promoting the shooting of elephants. Fuck you Hornady!! I’ll never buy one of your products again, grow some balls!

I can't lie, I had to respond to it but my issue is that if you watch the video it was simply a vid of what appears to be a rampaging elephant.  Environmentalist have been so successful that they don't realize that many of the wildlife sanctuaries that have been set up are allowing some species, including elephants to grow to so many animals that they are heading into inhabited areas where they are a problem.  I just don't see that short scene as promoting the hunting of elephants. Mike and the other tree huggers that have never stepped into a wooded area outside of central park in New York need to get over it.