Wednesday, August 01, 2012
We know what the ARMA 8x8 turret isn't.
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| Lance Turret. |
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| Mizrak-30 Turret mounted on an ARMA 8x8. |
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| PENCE CLAW |
First the turret mounted on the ARMA 8x8 isn't a version of the LANCE turret. Second. The MIZRAK-30 doesn't seem (at least from what I've seen) to be a development version of the LANCE. Last. Rheinmetall teamed up with the Turkish company Aselsan to develop the PENCE CLAW. If you look at it closely the PENCE CLAW does have a couple of design features that show its lineage. The similarities are probably stronger beneath the skin though.
Research continues.
14th Air Support Operations Squadron.
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| Airmen enter an obstacle course as they take part in a combat mission readiness evaluation at the Pre-Ranger Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. The Airmen are being evaluated for various skills to ensure that they are ready for deployments with the 82nd Airborne Division. (U.S. Air Force photo by Val Gempis) |
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| Army unit patches hang next to Air Force name tapes and uniforms at the 14th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Bragg, N.C. To match their Army counterparts, tactical air control party Airmen wear different uniforms in theater and in training. At the squadron, Airmen here have their own cage-locker, where they store gear and uniforms for use in training and real-world emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Alexander W. Riedel) |
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| Maj. Christopher Wright, left, 1st Lt. Bradley Dewees, center, and Capt. Tyler Harman check their location on their maps during a mission combat readiness evaluation at Fort Bragg, N.C. The Airmen are air liaison officers assigned to the 14th ASOS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Val Gempis) |
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| Staff Sgt. Kyle Terry, second from left, listens to instructions from the jumpmaster during a pre-jump exercise with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. Tactical air control party Airmen from the 14th Air Support Operations Squadron support 82nd Airborne Division operations by providing a liaison to close air support. Terry is a joint terminal attack controller and has completed multiple deployments to Afghanistan in support of Army operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexander W. Riedel) |
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| Uniforms and equipment sit inside a locker of a TACP Airman assigned to the 14th ASOS at Fort Bragg, N.C. TACP Airmen have their gear ready at all times to provide air and space power expertise and integration to the 82nd Airborne Division. (U.S. Air Force photo by Val Gempis) |
Rolling Air Frame missile upgrade and small boat threat.
The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $51.7 million contract for low rate initial production of the Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2. The contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to more than $105 million. RAM Block 2 features enhanced kinematics, an evolved radio frequency receiver, a new rocket motor, and an upgraded control and autopilot system.I wonder if the threat from small boats isn't a bit overblown.
"This next-generation RAM will enable U.S. and allied naval warfighters to defeat the more sophisticated threats emerging around the world today," said Rick Nelson, Raytheon Missile Systems' vice president of Naval Weapon Systems. "Through Raytheon's collaborative relationship with our German partner RAMSYS, we continue to improve and expand the capabilities of RAM."
The contract award follows a series of key milestones, including successful guided flight tests for RAM Block 2. The program is preparing for another intercept test later this year, as well as initiation of government developmental testing in support of fleet deployment.
"RAM has been fired in more than 300 flight tests with a 95 percent success rate," said Nelson. "We intend to bring the same or even greater reliability to RAM Block 2."
About RAM
RAM is a supersonic, lightweight, quick reaction, fire-and-forget missile providing defense against anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopter and airborne threats, and hostile surface craft. For more than 35 years, the U.S. and Germany have worked together developing and maintaining RAM. Development, production work and funding are shared between Raytheon and RAMSYS.
The Navy already has in its arsenal a NUMBER of systems that are capable of dealing with the small boat threat but we're still being hit with the idea that our carriers and large amphibs are vulnerable.
I just don't believe it. The only weakness in our system is the human element in the form of restrictive rules of engagement and how Commanding Officers interpret them. Long story short. If you're on a ship and they person running it has stars in their eyes and love to be called by thier first name when talking to the boss then you're probably screwed. If he's old skool Navy and protects his ship then you have a better than fair chance of surviving.
Javelin Thrust 2012
Pure craziness. Not the training. That's good to go, but the confusion on operational philosophy is annoying. All the rage was once distributed operations with a focus on small unit tactics. That even extended to amphibs with distributed Amphibious Ready Groups and Mini-ARGs. Now we're seeing an emphasis on Marine Expeditionary Brigades ... first with Bold Alligator and now with Javelin Thrust. The Marine Corps is confused when it comes to future direction.
Tueller Drill. Why you're screwed in crowds.
Mad credit goes to Ferran for reminding me of this! Thanks dude!
If you're one of those people that flock to crowds then let me allow the developer of the Tueller Drill explain why you're basically screwed Also remember that this was developed in the 1980's. Fast forward to today where you have mob attacks...crowd craziness and a social scene that is becoming more unruly. If you carry and you're not bumping up on condition red everytime you go out then you're waiting to become a victim.
SIDENOTE:
If you're not working on unarmed self defense techniques then you're beyond fucked. You have to be able to disengage from the threat and then respond. If you can't put up a credible unarmed self defense then life will be very interesting for ya.
If you're one of those people that flock to crowds then let me allow the developer of the Tueller Drill explain why you're basically screwed Also remember that this was developed in the 1980's. Fast forward to today where you have mob attacks...crowd craziness and a social scene that is becoming more unruly. If you carry and you're not bumping up on condition red everytime you go out then you're waiting to become a victim.
SIDENOTE:
If you're not working on unarmed self defense techniques then you're beyond fucked. You have to be able to disengage from the threat and then respond. If you can't put up a credible unarmed self defense then life will be very interesting for ya.
Revolutionary helmets???
That's perhaps a bit snarkey. Let me restate. The experience that BAE is gaining from this project should help on work being done for the F-35 alternate helmet. Good stuff but hardly revolutionary. Thanks to Grim for bringing me down a bit. Hate Weds....like he hates Mon.
Landing Craft Wallpaper.
If this isn't the most beautiful landing site anywhere in the world I'd like to see it. Your Landing Craft wallpaper...
Yeager is right when he talks about big dot front sights.
That's ok. Let's talk and see what happens.
My contention is this. The close in fight is being bastardized by 3 gun matches. Instead of studying and learning from history, doing legit lessons learned from those that have survived those encounters we're instead following gear trends/cool boy fashion and equipping our pistols for a fight that they shouldn't be used in.
And this applies to civilian defensive carry users and the military. Police are operating off a totally different set of principles here.
But back to the subject. What's the hottest trend with pistols today?
But that's designed for the wrong fight. That's a setup for 10 to 50 yards. Its not a setup for the ranges that most gunfights occur at....3 to 7 feet.
For that fight James Yeager is right. A big dot front sight is best. Forget the 3 dot alignment just concentrate on front sight and put the attacker down. But how did we get to the point of using holographic sights on our pistols?
Is a Marine going to purposely clear a house with his pistol? Unless he's an MP in one of the Law Enforcement Battalions probably not. So when will the pistol come into its own? As his weapon of last resort engaging enemies at close range. If you're caught in a bad situation with the enemy closing in would you waste rounds unless you knew they were hits?
Same with a civilian. The situation is similar but different. How are you going to justify feeling like your life is in danger with the crimminal over 25 feet away? You probably can't ( there might be a circumstance where you can but more than likely not) and that makes the holographic sight movement a false one.
Give Yeager credit. On this one he's as right as rain.
Otokar Arma 8x8. The bar is getting raised.
The wheeled 8x8 market is heating up and the Otokar Arma 8x8 might be the best of the sleeper vehicles out there. Consider this. Turkey (which probably should be considered one of the BRIC countries) has a robust defense industry, they're supporting it to the hilt and they're more than willing to team up with any and everyone willing to advance their state of the art. With comps in S. Africa and the UAE, you can bet that the price will be competitive and the armor protection up to snuff.
Not much info is available on the turret but it reminds me of a German offering. I'll try to find out more.
Lockheed Martin Air and Missile Defense Radar...the answer to ballistic missile attacks on surface groups.
I continue to marvel at how easily the news has been taken that China is willing to use ballistic missiles against carriers. The Russians pitched a bitch and even Ronald Reagan backed off on Pershing 2's, yet the Chinese have drastically escalated the stakes in naval warfare and no one bats an eye. The US Navy considered conventional ballistic missiles for use against hardened land targets and the PUSSIES INSIDE THE PENTAGON killed the idea before the enemy could.
Amazing.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Someone You Should Know: Gunnery Sergeant Timothy P. Haney
Real hard.
Crazy hard
...and then there's Marine Corps Hard. Gunny Haney is Marine Corps hard. Listen to his act of valor here.
3D Printing. Why a magazine ban is now a joke.
Read it at his house but I have a much more basic question.
How do you limit magazine size when this is possible? A Glock Mag is tailor made for this process and I can take the sizing on a 33 round mag and plus size it up to a 50 rounder without problem and circumvent any attempts by authorities to limit my capacity. That's taking it to extremes but you get the idea.
Technology is making us slaves and technology is setting us free...how do you limit the spread of knowledge especially in a community as tight knit as the shooting community is? The gun grabbers have already lost. They just don't know it.
Even the beaches are sweet at RIMPAC.
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| BELLOWS AIR FORCE STATION (July 28, 2012) A landing craft air cushion
delivers personnel and equipment during a training exercise as part of
Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise. Twenty-two nations, more
than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000
personnel are participating in the RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to
Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest
international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training
opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative
relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes
and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise
in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass
Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Daniel Johnston/Released) 120728-N-RJ303-158 |
Even the beaches are sweet.
JLTV and the Marine Corps.
The problem is that the program makes little to no sense.
Not only are upgrades to the HUMVEE possible, but they're also desireable. Instead of operating a wheeled fleet with another vehicle added to the mix we should instead upgrade what we have and make sure that MRAPs in storage are available to be rushed to theater if needed.
Question. Has the US Army or Marine Corps put forward a compelling reason for why the JLTV is needed? Extend that to all the other armored programs and it becomes ugly. The only armored vehicle programs that are needed are the Army's M-113 replacement and the Marine Corps' MPC/AAV upgrade/ACV.
Everything else can and should be canned. That includes the JLTV.
Bradley upgrade? Yes. Ground Combat Vehicle? No. JLTV? Fuck no! Humvee Upgrade? Yes. ACV/MPC/AAV Upgrade? Yes. Stryker Upgrade? No. M-113 Replacement? Yes.
Until the ground services are able to come up with compelling and common sense solutions to the armored vehicle fleet then my suggestions/recommendations are just as viable as what you're seeing coming from HQ Army and Marine Corps.
Mistral class LHD (BPC) Amphibious Assault Ship, Force Projection & Command Vessel DCNS
The Republic of Georgia should do two things. First protest the sale of these ships to Russia through every diplomatic contact they have and second...they should buy the most powerful anti-ship missiles available and promise to sink these ships if they appear over the horizon. We just made another allied country more vulnerable because of a lack of strength toward Russia and France. We fucked this one up badly.
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