A requirement to build armored assault vehicles for the Marine Corps.

I was surfing the internet and ran across this vid.  It immediately brought to mind the AAV upgrade, Amphibious Combat Vehicle and the Marine Personnel Carrier Programs.

I don't necessarily want designers to have military experience.  You don't have to have served in the Marine Corps in particular...but you should have to spend a week with the boys out at Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch.

Ideally you would act as a fourth crewmember and would ride over to the School of Infantry and experience (just for that week) what its like to pile  30 Marines into the back of an AAV.  You should also experience rides over the toughest terrain at Camp Pendleton.  You should have to experience a swim out to a ship in bad water.  You should know what the vehicle IS that you're replacing or upgrading.

Its a pipe dream but it would help if the guys that are working on Marine Corps vehicles volunteered for that type of work experience.  I bet both the Marine Corps and the manufacturers would be the better for it.

Costa fights zombies??

I don't know whats going on but every government around the globe seems to be gearing up for mass riots and social upheaval.  The latest being the Swiss...and now we have this vid from Costa.  When will life imitate art?

Oh and I first saw this on Soldier Systems but they took the vid down...wonder why?

7th ID is back.

7th Infantry Division was quietly reactivated on Oct 1st.

Its serving as an Administrative unit and is detailed to care and equip elements of the 2nd ID located at Ft. Lewis.  If you know anything about the 7th ID then you'll know that they have a proud history and participated in the amphibious assaults during WW2, fought in Korea and Panama.  Most interesting to me is that they were once designated a Light Infantry Division and were some of the Army's Jungle Fighters.

Two things should happen.  First the 7th should be brought back as a regular, not administrative unit and two, they should be brought back as Light Infantry.

No worries though.  This is just part of the game.  The 7th ID will come back if for no other reason as to play the budget game with an Army marker.

A green on blue incident in the making...

Cultural misunderstandings are why Afghans are killing our guys?  If thats the case then the pic below is a green on blue incident in the making.  Ask someone if you don't get it but check out the look on the faces of the "precious" children!

U.S. Army Sgt. Adam Serella, a narcotics patrol detector dog handler with the 3rd Infantry Division, takes time to bond with his dog, Nero, as local children look on during Operation Clean Sweep conducted in districts throughout Kandahar City, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tyler Meister

They fight like animals, like they're not even human...

via Grunt.com

Pic of the day. 160th at sea.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 9, 2012) An Army MH-47G Chinook medium assault helicopter assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., conducts deck landing qualifications aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) following the ship's visit for San Francisco Fleet Week 2012. This is the first time Makin Island has conducted flight operations with Army Chinooks. The U.S. Navy is reliable, flexible, and ready to respond worldwide on, above, and below the sea. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David McKee/Released) 121009-N-FH966-079

Are pelvic shots the new head shots?

Are pelvic shots the new head shots?

I keep reading more and more about how effective pelvic shots are.  If you get a hit you have a chance of severing the spine, breaking any number of bones and even rupturing an artery.  Additionally if you get a hit in this region you get an immediate mobility kill.  The guy might be inhaling bath salts, crack or high on meth but a shot to the groin will put down any rampaging idiot.

Additionally, bad guys are getting body armor.  Most body armor lacks protection for the pelvic region.

It was once two to the chest, the face gets the rest, but in light of body armor, the skull being a type of natural armor and the head moving so much, maybe pelvic shots are the wave of the future when it comes to gun fighting.

I'd love for the Marine or Army Marksmanship Units to study the issue, good data on this would be interesting.

Did you know? Scout Snipers were the original "Recon"!

via 1st Marine Division's History Page.

 The Division reactivated the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion on 8 June 2000 but the battalion was originally activated on 1 March 1937. It now calls the Margarita(33) Area home. Before 1944 Marine Recon was primarily scout/sniper units. In April 1944 a two company amphibious reconnaissance battalion was formed with the mission of conducting beach reconnaissance and hydrographic survey. Today the Battalion performs a wide variety of tactical and special operations in support of the Division.

So what I thought was a great new idea was actually a blast from the past.  Putting Scout/Snipers into the role of Battalion/MEU Recon would just be a return to the way that the real old skool Marines did things.

Interesting.  Surprising but interesting.

Representatives go BEAST MODE during Libya hearings!

This would be fun if Americans hadn't died during this incident.  The cover up has begun and I don't see how it can be viewed in any other way.  The idea that intelligence predicted this attack and action wasn't taken to protect these men is criminal.  People should go to jail...people HAVE gone to jail for less.  We are cursed to live in interesting times.

I just saw an AAV on the border of Syria during a Fox News report!

Fox News is reporting that US troops are on the border of Syria with visuals of an AAV rumbling in the desert in the background.  I know we have two MEU's operating in the area but if anyone knows which one got the call and how many forces are on the ground I'd appreciate it.  And no, if its an OPSEC issue keep it to yourself but I doubt it if we're seeing at least portions of the Ground Combat Element operating on Jordanian side of the Syrian border.

Disregard.  150 Special Operations personnel.  The images were file photos.  Still interested in seeing if an MEU gets a call.  Sounds like the Rangers are about to heel stomp some throats in the Middle East...again.  150 troops?  Yeah thats gotta be Rangers....or maybe MARSOC?

The Dew Line misses the point of the attack on Camp Leatherneck.

Dave over at the Dew Line is parroting talking points and misses the bigger issue surrounding the attack at Camp Leatherneck.  Read the whole thing but check this out...

"Within 36 hours we had eight jets on the line ready to go," says Maj Gen Glenn Walters, commander of the 2^nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The only issue that slowed down the USMC response was gaining diplomatic clearance to fly the aircraft over to Afghanistan, he says.

A total of 14 aircraft were deployed in two groups. The first group consisted of eight jets while the second included a total of six Harriers.

The Marines deployed the aircraft quickly, "because we can't let the enemy dictate that tempo," Walters says.

Nonetheless, while Marine air operations quickly recovered from the Taliban attack, it does call into question the wisdom of basing such expensive assets in areas where they could be left vulnerable to enemy attack. Say these weren't Harriers, but F-35Bs--that would have cost a ton of money.

First Dave is missing the point that the attack could easily have occurred at Kandahar Airport.  Destroy a couple of C-17's and one 747 on the tarmac and you have a much larger loss in money terms.  The failure wasn't in where the aircraft was based, the failure was in the force protection plan for these high value, low density assets in theater.  There are no front lines so basing (yes I'm repeating myself) isn't the issue.  NOT AT ALL!

Second, Dave is trying to do a quick jab at the STOVL concept.  Honestly I'm a little disappointed.  I didn't think that he bowed at the alter of Sweetman and Aviation Week but apparently he's either a true believer or is drinking the Kool-aid.  The concept is valid, that is not at question.  The question is whether or not the US government will fund it or not.  But again, the concept is valid and is being employed by the USMC, Royal Navy, Italian Navy and Spanish Navy.  Additionally the Indian Navy and Thailand are (or were) using Harriers and the Japanese and S. Koreans (and even possibly Singapore) are all interested in the F-35B.

I won't give up on Dave yet but that was a surprising attack from an unlikely direction at Marine Corps doctrine and the F-35B.

NOTE:
I'm impressed by how fast the Marine Corps was able to reconstitute VMA-211.  Very impressed.

A bad day at the drop zone.

Thanks for the vid Dwi!



This guy brain locked.  I don't know what military this is but  all I have to say is QUICK RELEASE BUCKLE!

Awesome! Lockheed Martin Havoc interview coming soon!

Finally!

I was beginning to believe that it just wouldn't happen but I'm working with the folks over at Lockheed Martin to nail down a time for a talk with their project people about the Havoc MPC.  Go over the spec sheet here and hit me with a few questions that you'd like for me to ask the brain trust over there.  It'll happen late this week (Fri) or next.  I'm looking forward to it!

31st MEU Scout Snipers teach allied Marines how to construct sniper hides.

Cpl Russow is spot on.  Making the switch from operating in the desert over to the jungle will make a wimp out of many a man.  Alot of guys that are hard as wood pecker lips will melt when it comes to operating in the jungle.  I don't know why but its entirely different.  Another thing that the Marine Corps will be facing (at least in the Infantry community) is that individual equipment optimized for desert ops will utterly fail in a jungle environment.  Quite honestly I can see massive changes in Marine Load Bearing items happening very soon.  Not to beat a dead horse but has anyone considered running a Serpa Holster through the Endurance Course on Okinawa to see if it will work after getting banged around, filled with mud and submersed in brackish water?  Will the service pistol function with as little protection as the holster provides?  Or is it an item that was optimized for desert and urban warfare?  Yeah.  Cpl Russow is right.  The jungle is a bitch.

Oshkosh better duck!

BAE-EADS merger is dead.

I don't know if that's good or bad news.  What I do know is that Oskhosh Defense better duck.  Both BAE and Lockheed Martin will be coming after them with long knives.  No, make that swords.  BAE will be looking to solidfy its position as the number two armored vehicle maker in the US and a global defense giant through which all Western defense projects must flow.  Lockheed Martin will be looking for facilities to expand into the armored vehicle market and to keep BAE at bay.

The real fight was never between EADS and Boeing.  To be honest that was just a side show for the financial industry.  They think in a linear fashion and that's all they could see.  No the real fight was always between BAE and Lockheed.  They're the Godzilla and Mothra in the room and this is a monster match that I can't wait to see.

SkyNet is coming online...

SkyNet is coming online.  Autonomous Ground Combat Vehicles are being delayed to prevent the public from becoming alarmed.  SkyNet is your friend.  All Hail SkyNet ;))

Tongue in cheek guys.  Relax.

Blast from the past. Forgotten/Unknown Marine armor.

via Grunt.com

The Marine Corps has a very rich armor history.  I found that to be quite surprising.  I always assumed that being primarily an infantry force, that wouldn't be the case.  But it is.  The pics above show some of the vehicles that I've found and also some of the vehicles that I can't find a designation of.  The top two vehicles are complete mysteries but the bottom one is the Ontos.  Whoever came up with the idea of mounting six 106mm recoil-less rifles to a "mini" armored vehicle should have been tested for crack.  That's one of the craziest things I've ever seen, but apparently it worked well in Vietnam.  AMAZING.

The Lockheed Martin Havoc as I see it currently.

What does Lockheed Martin's teaming with Patria for the Marine Personnel Carrier Contest tell us?

Lockheed wants to be a player in armored vehicles.
Lockheed sat on the sidelines during the MRAP craze.  I think that they rightfully thought that it was a dead end when it comes to armored vehicle development.  Plus MRAPs are really truck based.  I think that because of that fact MRAPs will never become fully developed as combat vehicles.  8x8 are another case entirely.  If vehicle manufacturers are ever able to crack the code and get MRAP type protection in a real combat vehicle then they'll onto something special.

Lockheed read the requirements.
Lockheed read the requirements and sensed the changing winds of procurement when it selected Patria to team with.  Looking at the requirements plainly, the Marine Corps wanted a vehicle that would provide inland mobility, could cross rivers with ease and in a pinch could swim from ship to shore.  Money would be a factor but so would performance.

The Patria AMV is combat proven.
Lockheed somewhat got slick with the pick of the Patria AMV.  It is well known by any and all who follow armored vehicles.  Polish units have used the AMV (Wolverine in Polish service) to great effect.  Its reputation is well known inside the Marine Corps and many Marines have had a chance to get a close up look at the vehicle down range.

The Problem.
Lockheed Martin has a problem though.  The procurement winds are changing again and they might not be in a position to take advantage of them.  Quite simply, BAE has them by the short hairs.  Why?  Because Paul McNeary reported that BAE is working on not only the AAV Upgrade but also an Amphibious Combat Vehicle based on the AAV hull form AND a new hull.  Additionally they're developing an MPC that looks to have outstanding sea keeping qualities.

The Rub.
The MPC if it comes down to a proven combat vehicle that provides outstanding cross country performance WITH little risk, then the Lockheed Martin HAVOC wins.  If it becomes a price shoot out, and if programs merge then its going to be a rough road for not only the HAVOC but for all the contenders.  Margins.  Return on investment.  Domestic content.  All these issues could make the vehicle so expensive that its not worth building.  Remember, all the companies involved except for General Dynamics will have to establish a production facility (BAE might not have to ... I'm not up to speed on whats going on with their plant in Sealy, TX), they'll have to work out getting suppliers on board etc.  This could easily be a case where the maintenance contract is worth more than the manufacturing.

Conclusion.
I like the Havoc.  Marines that have gotten a chance to run the vehicle like it.  To be honest though I seriously worry that the Marine Corps is on the verge of terminating the MPC program and going with a savagely upgraded AAV renamed ACV much like they did with the change from LVTP-7 to AAV.

Geez! Civilian shooting techniques popping up in the Corps!

I've never shot the close combat course so I'm just going off what I'm seeing in this short video but if what I'm seeing is true then the Marine Corps needs to get a handle on its shooting quick!  Like real quick!

Check out the video carefully.  Did you see it?  At the 00:21 second mark you can see the Marine scanning around him.  Cool you say?  I say bullshit!  Civilians are taught to shoot the "target" and then scan.  Cops are taught that.  Marines should scan with weapon and not just eyeballs.  And this looking over the shoulder crap is straight out of the 100's of schools that are popping up all over America.  Its BS.  You scan with your weapon so that you can engage a threat if found.  I can guarantee you're going to lose time.  Once you get past the startle reflex and then recover enough to use your weapon then you're probably halfway to your wife getting a check from Uncle Sam and your kids not getting to know daddy.

We're seeing image over substance creep into the Marine Corps---just like a $50 dollar Vickers Sling----its just not the Marine Corps that the public knows and loves.  I blame that on "trendy" leadership.  Whatever the case its time to knock it off.

Photo Release: First production-level F-35B arrives at NAS Patuxent River

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. - BF-17, part of the third lot of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP 3) F-35B Lightning II aircraft, arrives at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., Oct. 4. BF-17 will temporarily add to the complement of F-35B and F-35C test aircraft at the F-35 Integrated Test Facility before heading to its destination at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter designed for use by U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings to enable air power projection from amphibious ships, ski-jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River, Md., prior to delivery to the fleet. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin)