Friday, October 26, 2012
Blast from the Past. JLOTS 2008. How the Army becomes relevant in the Pacific.
Major Hat Tip to THINKDEFENCE for the vid.
The US Army has a problem and I have the solution. How do they become relevant in the Pacific? First they accept the fact that they will not be the primary force. Second, they revitalize the 82nd Airborne and Light Infantry. If they want to get forces to the scene fast then they won't be traveling with Strykers. Last, they understand that in the event of major, sustained land action (whether hostile or humanitarian) they will be primarily facing a logistics operation. That's where the video is so instructive. JLOTS 2008 pointed the way. There is no need for the Army to reinvent the wheel. Just follow the playbook they've already established!
The US Army has a problem and I have the solution. How do they become relevant in the Pacific? First they accept the fact that they will not be the primary force. Second, they revitalize the 82nd Airborne and Light Infantry. If they want to get forces to the scene fast then they won't be traveling with Strykers. Last, they understand that in the event of major, sustained land action (whether hostile or humanitarian) they will be primarily facing a logistics operation. That's where the video is so instructive. JLOTS 2008 pointed the way. There is no need for the Army to reinvent the wheel. Just follow the playbook they've already established!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The next fitness trend...and the ladies are leading it. Ultra-fitness...
![]() |
Karina Akmens’s ultra sixpack. |
I don't even think there is a name for it but check out that chick's abs in the pic up top. That's a mix of a low body fat, hard core cardio, eating right and serious work. I don't think they (women) have a name for it but it seems like its all the rage. Women and six, 10, 12 or 24 packs.
I'm calling it ultra fitness and I don't know where it came from and I don't even know what to make of it. I find it fascinating though. Ladies and six packs...and they're not trying to get on stage...just a lifestyle choice (or so they keep saying on every site I see).
I don't have a website to point you too, just Google Karina's whole name and you'll see a ton of stuff on her, her workout and diet.
![]() |
different lady...didn't catch her name. nice abs though. |
Not a lust affair going on here guys. I'm not saying I want to bone, screw, fuck or have intercourse with these chicks. What I am saying is that I admire the hard work they put in to get those abs. Hmm. I posted the pics to inspire guys to bust ass. The original thought when I saw these pics was that hey, these women have a better core than I do so I'm gonna work harder in the gym. Any other thought tells more about you than you probably realize. Pervs.
UPDATE:
Here is what Huron Serenity wrote that prompted the above response...
Huron_Serenity has left a new comment on your post "The next fitness trend...and the ladies are leadin...":
So Solomon likes women that look a bit masculine, eh? Fascinating...
General Dynamics. What does the Tracked Styker tell us about the their Marine Personnel Carrier Entrant.
General Dynamics took a page out of BAE's playbook and dominated the AUSA meeting like BAE dominated the Modern Day Marine get together.
Totally out of the blue they came up with a medium tracked vehicle to add to their portfolio based on the Stryker. I'm trying to read tea leaves here but could we be looking at a strategy to get the Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle and Marine Personnel Carrier contracts?
What I mean by this is that they're playing the price shootout game. They leverage the massive Army buy by basing a family of vehicles off one variant.
Imagine this...the Tracked Stryker along (that will have further modifications like the driver moved further back, the vehicle widened and larger tracks placed on it) wins the Army's AMPV contest, with a few more modifications its made to swim and because of the Army's buy they'll be able to price compete on the Amphibious Combat Vehicle and with the work done to make the Amphibious Combat Vehicle they simply revert to wheels and enter the Marine Personnel Carrier Program with the same basic hull that swims.
I could easily be wrong but it makes manufacturing and design sense.
Totally out of the blue they came up with a medium tracked vehicle to add to their portfolio based on the Stryker. I'm trying to read tea leaves here but could we be looking at a strategy to get the Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle and Marine Personnel Carrier contracts?
What I mean by this is that they're playing the price shootout game. They leverage the massive Army buy by basing a family of vehicles off one variant.
Imagine this...the Tracked Stryker along (that will have further modifications like the driver moved further back, the vehicle widened and larger tracks placed on it) wins the Army's AMPV contest, with a few more modifications its made to swim and because of the Army's buy they'll be able to price compete on the Amphibious Combat Vehicle and with the work done to make the Amphibious Combat Vehicle they simply revert to wheels and enter the Marine Personnel Carrier Program with the same basic hull that swims.
I could easily be wrong but it makes manufacturing and design sense.
Suppression. Not destruction?
I noticed in the video that the USAF Chief of Staff is talking about suppressing enemy defenses instead of destroying (or "dominating") them. Is this a nice way of saying that Air Dominance is no longer an Air Force goal?
NOTE:
Before anyone adds a couple more weird statements to this post, I recommend you check with the USAF and get their definition of Air Superiority, Air Supremacy and Air Dominance. I'm just the messenger. Oh and for you guys that consider yourself "air guys" and don't know the difference--get a clue---I'm a ground guy and I know what's what.
A Marine and His Horse
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Tracked Stryker. A pic.
Hat tip to Bruce for pointing me to Vuurwapen Blog.
Hmm.
I can't tell much from this angle. I'll contact Andrew and see if he has more pics of this.
Shepard has a good article up on this vehicle now. What caught my eye immediately were the narrow tracks, but GD says they're already looking to replace those. Other than that I still don't know. To be honest I still have misgivings about basing a tracked vehicle on a wheeled vehicles platform. Generally, wheeled vehicles are larger than tracks when having the same internal volume because of the room that is required to house the wheels suspension system. If GD has cracked the code and is using the extra space given because of the switch to tracks then good. If its the same then they might have been better served starting with a clean sheet.
Definitely need to get my hands on the data sheet. This should be interesting.
![]() |
via Vuurwapen Blog |
I can't tell much from this angle. I'll contact Andrew and see if he has more pics of this.
![]() |
via Shepard Media. |
Definitely need to get my hands on the data sheet. This should be interesting.
USMC stands up first operational F-35B unit!
via...Aviation Week????
IOC for the F-35B is 2012, calendar year!
Great job Commandant. Now get me a MPC, and ACV!
The U.S. Marine Corps is preparing to begin operations for the first operational F-35 squadron next month at MCAS Yuma, Ariz., and officials are optimistic for a mid-month standup despite some challenges ahead.Stealth has finally come to the Naval Services.
Key to starting up squadron operations will be a small but growing cadre of maintainers, pilots and aircraft, says Col. Kevin Killea, aviation requirements branch head for the Marine Corps.
The first F-35B is expected at Marine Fighter Attack Sqdn. 121 in early November, with the second slated for delivery mid-month. These will be the first low-rate-initial-production aircraft delivered from prime contractor Lockheed Martin to the Defense Department, and these aircraft will include the 1B software. A total of 16 F-35Bs, the number needed for full operational capability, are expected at the base within the next year, Killea says.
Six pilots have been tapped for early operations at Yuma, as well. They are currently in various stages of training; some are already qualified to use the 1A software and simply need to get “difference training” between the two blocks. Killea says small group tryouts are slated for November to determine which two of five pilots in the first 1B class at Eglin AFB, Fla., where pilot training is handled, will be among those first six pilots selected for ops at Yuma.
But to begin operations, the Marine Corps must continue to implement a foundation for the squadron’s infrastructure at the base, including delivery of the Autonomic Information Logistics System (ALIS) Block 1.03. Last month, Maj. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, F-35 deputy program director, pointed out that the squadron will not be able to properly stand up without this system. ALIS is a comprehensive system of hardware and software used to manage the F-35, including health and diagnostics of each aircraft, supply tasks and mission planning. The 1.03 release is critical for Yuma because it includes the security features needed to conduct classified operations; Killea notes that Eglin is using ALIS 1.02 because the training base doesn’t need to access classified flight data. An operational squadron, however, cannot function without it.
Lockheed Martin has had problems with ALIS 1.03 owing to security vulnerabilities. Killea says that the work “has come a long way in the last couple of months,” and what could have been a six-month slip was compressed to allow for standup of the squadron next month.
The Marines still decline to outline a specific initial operational capability (IOC) date for the F-35B. IOC will require 10 F-35Bs available for ship- or land-based deployment and surge options. That also will include the appropriate number of pilots and two-shift maintenance operations, Killea says.
IOC is tied somewhat to release of the Block 2B F-35 software. But Killea says the Marines will withhold an IOC declaration until all of the needed capabilities—such as basic close-air-support and interdiction activities as well as initial air-to-air and data-linking—are delivered, whether they are included in Block 2B or a subsequent release.
IOC for the F-35B is 2012, calendar year!
Great job Commandant. Now get me a MPC, and ACV!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Hamas now has FN2000 Assault Rifles. What else leaked out of Libya?
via the Firearm Blog.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad al-Quds Brigades in Gaza has acquired a number of FN FN2000 rifles complete with grenade launchers. Given the relatively few potential sources of these rifles, the most obvious explination is that former Libyan rebels are exporting the weapons they captured during the civil war.Hamas by any other name is Hamas.
Its my bet that these weapons leaked out of Libya and are in the hands of these terrorist. The more troubling question should be what else got out. Khaddafi was a fan of modern weaponry and what he couldn't buy outright he bought on the black market. There is obviously more to the Libya story than we're being told. Rumor has it that 10,000 Surface to Air Missiles-Man Portable are out and about. How long before the bad guys setup at the end of a runway and take a shot at an airplane during takeoff or approach? I'd bet valuable body parts that I cherish that bad news on this front is coming down the pike.
The next Assistant Commandant?
Hell Yeah!
An added plus...he know the battlefield AND the Washington DC jungle. We should be well served in the coming budget wars AND see a movement back to Marine Corps fundamentals.....something that we've seen deteriorate over the past few years.
Somebody hit a home run. Do I see the retired General's clubs fingerprints on this selection?
Quite obviously my approval isn't needed but this is good news. This guy rocks, is hard as woodpecker lips and will get the job done without the associated bullshit.Lieutenant General John M. "Jay" Paxton Jr. USMCCommanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force; and Commander, United States Marine Forces Africa
Life MemberLieutenant General Paxton is the Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force; and Commander, United States Marine Forces Africa. Prior to his current assignment he served as Director for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff and before that as the Chief of Staff for Multi-National Force Iraq in Baghdad. Additional General officer assignments include Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Western Recruiting Region, and Assistant Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, Programs and Resources (Director Programs).
Lieutenant General Paxton graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York with Bachelor of Science and Master of Civil Engineering degrees. He was commissioned into the Marine Corps in 1974 through Officer Candidate School. A career Marine infantryman, the general has commanded Marines at every level from platoon through division and has served and commanded in all three active Marine Divisions (1st Bn, 3d Mar; 2nd Bn, 4th Mar; 3rd Bn, 5th; 1st Bn, 8th Mar; 1st Mar; 1st Mar Div). Lieutenant General Paxton has also served as an operations, plans and training (G3-S3) officer within Fleet Marine Force units at the battalion, regiment, division and Marine Expeditionary Force levels.In addition to service in Iraq, Lieutenant General Paxton has operational tours supporting stability efforts in the Bosnian conflict with Landing Force Sixth Fleet (LF6F) and in Mogadishu, Somalia as United Nations Quick Reaction Force (QRF), both while commanding Battalion Landing Team (1/8). Other staff and joint assignments include the Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Navy, Amphibious Operations Officer and Executive Officer Crisis Action Team (CAT) at UNC/CFC/USFK in Korea; and in Strategic Plans Branch, Deputy Commandant Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters US Marine Corps. Supporting establishment commands include Company B, Marine Barracks 8th & I as a Captain and Marine Corps Recruiting Station New York, New York as a Major.In addition to The Basic School, Lieutenant General Paxton’s professional education includes United States Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School (non resident), United States Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, and the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He was a Federal Executive Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution as a Lieutenant Colonel, as well as a Military Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations as a Colonel. He has also been a Marine Corps Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Seminar XXI.(Updated as of March 2011)
An added plus...he know the battlefield AND the Washington DC jungle. We should be well served in the coming budget wars AND see a movement back to Marine Corps fundamentals.....something that we've seen deteriorate over the past few years.
Somebody hit a home run. Do I see the retired General's clubs fingerprints on this selection?
Northrop Grumman Medium Assault Vehicle-Light
The Northrop Grumman Press Release...
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) unveiled its offering for the U.S. Special Forces Command Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 competition today at the Association of the United States Army conference in Washington, D.C. The Northrop Grumman vehicle is known as the Medium Assault Vehicle – Light (MAV-L).SOCOM has deep pockets and all the big boys are coming out to play. I can tell the thinking is that this will lead to buys by state and federal departments all over the US and possibly overseas. Again, BAE is taking a background role in what should be its "thing"...I wonder why.
Northrop Grumman teamed with BAE Systems and Pratt & Miller Engineering for the GMV 1.1 pursuit. The MAV-L is modular, transports up to seven operators, and is air transportable in a MH/CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The vehicle is built specifically for the special operations forces and is designed to function worldwide on any battlefield.
"Our clean-sheet approach and purpose-built solution applies innovation from across our industry team. We deliver an affordable solution that meets the warfighter's mission requirements and a great new capability," said Tom Vice, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Technical Services. "We're fully committed to providing the Special Operations Command with the most modular and agile vehicle capable of top performance in any operational environment."
BAE Systems is a leader in vehicle design, manufacturing and through-life support of military wheeled vehicles and their associated systems. The company's Sealy, Texas, facility has served as the manufacturing site for tens of thousands of tactical vehicle programs and many survivability and mobility upgrades to various tactical platforms.
Pratt & Miller Engineering is a respected industry leader in the defense, automotive, motorsports and powersports industries. Their work provides clients with innovative, high-performance engineering and manufacturing solutions.
"The capabilities of our partners combined with Northrop Grumman's decades of experience integrating C4ISR systems into land forces sustainment and military platforms, ensure that our customers receive a vehicle as capable and flexible as their mission requirements," said Frank Sturek, deputy director of land forces sustainment and MAV-L program manager, Northrop Grumman.
Special Ops could have been there in 3 hours. F/A-18's in 1.
via National Review.
On September 11, at about 10 p.m. Libyan time (4 p.m. in Washington), Ambassador Chris Stevens and a small staff were inside our consulate in Benghazi when terrorists attacked. The consulate staff immediately contacted Washington and our embassy in Tripoli. The White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, and numerous military headquarters monitored the entire battle in real time via the phone calls from Benghazi and video from a drone overhead.Wow.
Our diplomats fought for seven hours without any aid from outside the country. Four Americans died while the Obama national-security team and our military passively watched and listened. The administration is being criticized for ignoring security needs before the attack and for falsely attributing the assault to a mob. But the most severe failure has gone unnoticed: namely, a failure to aid the living.
By 4:30 p.m. Washington time, the main consulate building was on fire and Ambassador Stevens was missing. In response, the embassy in Tripoli launched an aircraft carrying 22 men. Benghazi was 400 miles away.
At 5 p.m., President Obama met with Vice President Biden and Secretary of Defense Panetta in the Oval Office. The U.S. military base in Sigonella, Sicily, was 480 miles away from Benghazi. Stationed at Sigonella were Special Operations Forces, transport aircraft, and attack aircraft — a much more formidable force than 22 men from the embassy.
In the past, presidents had taken immediate actions to protect Americans. In 1984, President Reagan had ordered U.S. pilots to force an airliner carrying terrorists to land at Sigonella. Reagan had acted inside a 90-minute window while the aircraft with the terrorists was in the air. The Obama national-security team had several hours in which to move forces from Sigonella to Benghazi.
Excuse me. I'm going to go punch walls.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Spectre Special Ops Vehicle Brochures.
NOTE: General Dynamics Land Systems is producing a wide and narrow track version of this vehicle.
Spectre Wtc
Spectre Ntc
Spectre Wtc
Spectre Ntc
WTF! A tracked version of the Stryker?????
Check this out from Defense News.
Donald Kotchman, vice president for Heavy Brigade Combat Team at GD Land Systems, said the company has developed a tracked version of the Stryker that builds upon the company’s decades of work producing the Abrams tank, as well as the more recent double-V-hulled Stryker. While the tracked version is not aimed specifically at the AMPV program, Kotchman said that “depending on how the requirements flow for the AMPV, then it would be finalized to be in that competition.”Go to DN to read the entire article but that's crazy! I can't even begin to imagine what they've worked up but it sounds...interesting.
The “Stryker TR” was designed to fill a gap in the company’s combat vehicle line, Kotchman said, since it had not offered a medium tracked vehicle up to this point.
The armor market is really going to be worth watching for the rest of this year and next.
CTA 40mm Cannon.
Thanks for the brochure THINK DEFENCE.
I still don't know about the US Army going with a 40mm cannon on their Bradley's but the mockup of it shown inside the brochure does seem "right."
CTAI Brochure
I still don't know about the US Army going with a 40mm cannon on their Bradley's but the mockup of it shown inside the brochure does seem "right."
CTAI Brochure
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)