Only in Peru.

That's a frog that's trying to eat a bat.

Read about it here.

Blast from the past. A-7F

Check out the numbers on the A-7F and marvel.  The plane was developed in 1985 and was meant to replace....the A-10 which at the time was being criticized by the USAF for being too slow!  via Wikipedia.

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot

• Length: 50 ft 1/2 in (15.25 m)

• Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in (11.81 m)

• Height: 16 ft 11 in (5.16 m)

• Empty weight: 23,068 lb (10,463 kg)

• Max takeoff weight: 46,000 lb (20,865 kg)

• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofan dry, 26,000 lbf (120 kN) with afterburner

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 1.2

• Range: 2,302 mi (2,000 nmi; 3,705 km) maximum with four 300 gallon external tanks

• Service ceiling: 55,000 ft (16,764 m)

Armament

• Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan gatling gun

• Hardpoints: external with a capacity of over 17,000 lb of ordnance,

HMAS Canberra.

Thanks to Tom for correcting me!

J-31 to be an "export" only fighter.

via WantChinaTimes.

The J-31, China's second prototype fifth-generation stealth fighter, designed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, will be produced for the export market instead of for China's air force and navy, according to Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong of the PLA Navy in a People's Daily report.
While the Washington-based Strategy Page said the J-31 has the potential to become a future carrier-based stealth fighter for the PLA Navy, Zhang said it is unlikely the plane will serve aboard Chinese aircraft carriers. Unlike the J-20 designed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, the J-31 was never a development program intended for the Chinese military, Zhang said.
Like the FC-1/JF-17 Xiaolong or Thunder multirole fighter designed jointly by China and Pakistan, the J-31 will be most likely be a model intended for export to China's allies and strategic partners, which may include countries like North Korea and Iran. Chinese fighters are a much cheaper alternative to US fighters for developing countries, even those which are able to buy military hardware from the United States.
A model of the J-31 was first displayed at the Zhuhai Air Show in Guangdong province last November, where it was described as a fighter to open China's overseas market. It was called the "Advanced Fighter Concept," according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The model was displayed again at the opening of the Beijing international Aviation Exposition on Sept. 25, under the new name of "China Concept Fighter." Sources from AVIC told People's Daily however that the "China Concept Fighter" is not the J-31.

The J-31 is for export only?

An interesting development.  It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.  Additionally its shocking to note that a F-35/F-22 clone is deemed not good enough for Chinese forces.

Interesting indeed.

US Army considering 30mm Cannons on Strykers.

via Military.com

"The Stryker needs to get up-gunned; a World War II weapon system on a Stryker? It needs a bigger gun," Carabello said. "It needs something that is a better platform than a MK 19 or a .50 caliber machine gun."
The need is now greater, officials maintain, since the Army is cutting the number of MGS Strykers from 27 to 10 per SBCT.
Currently, Training and Doctrine Command is working with Stryker program officials on a plan that could mean mounting a 30mm cannon on to the remote weapons stations on Stryker infantry carriers.
This would give much greater firepower and still not require a turret be mounted on the Stryker, Army officials say. The plan is to purchase a company set of 30mm cannons, test them, and also try to determine should they be issued for every Stryker of have one per company, officials said.
"Looking at the fire fights we have had on a continuous basis … we see the need to be able to provide an overmatch in the close fight as well for the purpose of ensuring freedom of maneuver and action of our infantry squads," McMaster said.
A .50 caliber machine gun can be very effective, "but you don't get a round that blows up and ends firefights," McMaster said.
Lightly-armed IBCTs also need mobile protected firepower such as a light tank for forced-entry style missions, Army leaders began saying earlier this year.
The conventional Army's primary unit for that mission is the XVIII Airborne Corps' 82ndAirborne Division, "but all of our IBCTs are pretty strategically mobile," Brig. Gen. David Haight, chief of infantry at Benning.
"So in the early hours and days of forcible-entry missions, we need a light-tank force that can facilitate movement and provide those light forces with additional protection and firepower."
The 82nd Airborne Division was equipped with the M551 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance Airborne Assault Vehicle until the mid 1990s. Developed during the Vietnam War, the Sheridan resembled a light tank and featured a 152mm main gun capable of firing standard ammunition or the MGM-51 Shillelagh antitank missile.
The Sheridan was used in the Invasion of Panama in 1989 and Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1991, but it was considered ineffective since its lightweight, aluminum armor was thin enough to be pierced by heavy machine-gun rounds, and the vehicle was particularly vulnerable to mines.
Army officials were considering the Stryker MGS, but it has proven to be less effective in off-road operations.
Maneuver officials say they would want a platform that could be air-dropped from a C-130 aircraft. It should have a base armor package capable of defeating 14.5mm ammunition. Once follow-on forces arrive, addition armor packages could be bolted on as necessary.
One option could be to take another look at the Armored Gun System, a 105mm light tank that the Army had considered as a replacement to the Sheridan in the mid 1990s.
It met the requirement in 1996 and still does, according to Benning officials, who described the AGS as "old technology that kills T72 tanks."

Hmm.

Wonder how I missed this.

Its interesting that at least one publication has identified the Elbit UT-30 as the weapon system of choice.  Nothing against Elbit but there are better systems available like the Canada Rheinmetall Lance or the Pence 30.

The thought that Big Army is also talking about a Airborne Light Tank again is thrilling.

If the Army keeps this up I might have to setup an alert for news from that service. 

Another sweet AR build by Keuch!

Yeah.

Another sweeeeet build (You're getting big into silencers huh Keuch?  I thought your days of hiding in the bushes waiting for the bad guys were over! ;).

I like it.  Wouldn't change a thing!

F-35. An eye opening fact...

The fact?  via Bloomberg News.

The Pentagon’s projected price tag of $391.2 billion for a fleet of 2,443 aircraft is up 68 percent from the projection in 2001, as measured in current dollars. The number of aircraft also is 409 fewer than called for in the original program.

Read about issues with quality control here. 

Massacre in Kenya.via TotallyCoolPix. WARNING! GRAPHIC.

 Click here to see the entire photo essay.

TERREX Marine Personnel Carrier

Thanks Daniel!

Marines Would Be 'All In' In Major War

via Defense Daily.

With plans to shrink in size, the Marine Corps will remain capable of acting in a major combat operation but there will be some limitations, and will potentially be unable to engage in routine theater security operations, a senior general recently said.
Maj. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, who is heading up the service’s force posture review known as the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), said there will be “some risk” in a major war given the reduced size resulting from budget constraints.
“If we had to go in to a major combat operation, the Marine Corps would be all in,” McKenzie said at an event hosted by the Navy League last week. “Everybody goes. Nobody comes back till it’s over. There’d be no rotation.”
The military branches are currently developing their QDRs that are due out during the first part of next year. Marine Corps leaders have said they intend to trim the size of the Marine Corps to 182,000, a reduction of about 20,000.
McKenzie said the QDR will reflect a Marine Corps committed to the overall military strategy that calls for a greater focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
“We will protect our shift to the Pacific,” he said.
As far as weapons programs, McKenzie identified the Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) as the two biggest priorities to shield from budget cuts. The Marine Corps is already acquiring the F-35B, its variant of the jet designed for short-take off and vertical-landing (STOVL).
The ACV is currently in the early stages of defining requirements, and was created after the cancellation of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle in 2011 because of cost increases.

Wow.

I hope everyone realizes exactly how powerful the statement that "everyone goes, no one comes back till its over" actually is.  I need a clarification on what he considers a major war though.  I wonder if that includes the initial invasion into Iraq?

Second, I'm really getting tired of the talk about the ACV being the second biggest priority for the Marine Corps.

That's pure bullshit.

I'm to the point where I'll take the Marine Personnel Carrier now and hope for the ACV later.

Under the leadership of this crowd, we'll probably get neither.

US Army looking at G-Code Holsters?

KitUp! is reporting that the US Army is looking at G-Code Holsters.

They make quality stuff (or so I've heard) and this would be a good step toward getting the military back on the same sheet of music.

The USMC should piggyback off whatever holster the Army settles on (if it meets specs and I'm sure it will).  Lets hope that G-Codes are as good as I've heard and that they can handle the ramp up in production if the Army goes that way.

Sidenote:  Civilian shooters are definitely ahead of the military.  If gun control ever passes and the gun community is forced underground then you'll see alot of innovation being kept to that small group of gun enthusiast.  All the materials are already in hand too.  Kydex, Leather Works, Gunsmithing, and now 3d Printing etc...  We could look at a situation where federal agents assault the wrong compound and are confronted with gear and tactics that have been developed and honed by vets but kept out of view of the wider public.  The results would be devastating.

Blast from the past. Last Shuttle Launch. via FuckYeahSpaceships

Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers. New CGI.

PAK-FA T-50 to the S. Korean rescue?

What if the Russians bid the PAK-FA T-50?

What if the Russians allow the S. Koreans to stuff it with S. Korean engines and electronics?

The S. Koreans already operate a Russian Helicopter.  Have knowledge on building the F-15SK.

This could be the scenario that helps them save face and one up the entire region.  You would have the S. Koreans with a stealthy airplane that has the performance of the F-15 with the sensor capability of the best in the region.

And it would be stealthy.  Add some Meteor Missiles to the plane and you have a long range archer, a close range knife fighter and an overall brawler in the heavyweight class that is as nimble as a featherweight.

It would rule the Pacific.

Chile. A country to watch in S. America. via Chilean Defensa.

Thanks for the link Lucas!

All pics via Chilean Defensa.com

Chile is sporting Leopard 2, M-109A6's, what appear to be upgraded Marders and upgraded M-113's?  They're a country to watch.

F-35 Paid Advertising disguised as articles.

I've been pounding on the table saying that Lockheed Martin is the slimiest organization that I've ever seen.

I've called the F-35 program the biggest fraud committed against the US people since the Stock Market Meltdown of 2008.

Now we have the latest example of paid advertising courtesy of a lady called Jennifer Curra. Check out the list of articles with her name on them...

Eagle Attacking Deer Caught On Camera 
Diahann Carroll Says, “We’re All Very Grateful” 
White Supremacist Town In This Day And Age? 
Anna Chlumsky: From Child To Adult Star 
Jordan Spieth Not Like Many 20-Year-Olds 
Selena Gomez Won’t Perform Due To “Anti-Gay’ Visa 

And now we're suppose to believe that she's dipping her toe in the F-35 debate?

Really?

Seriously?  

What we're seeing is astroturfing.  Lockheed is flooding the zone trying to generate false momentum for their airplane.  They're scared that they're going to lose...and they are.  I just hope I'm the one to push them over the edge.

J-20 Mighty Dragon Stealth Fighter Jet via Chinese Military Review

Hey Boeing! Boycott the S. Korean so called competition.

News is out that the S. Koreans are invalidating their own competition and are going to do the whole thing over again, but this time add more weight to stealth.

I'm not surprised.  The AVIATION section of Lockheed Martin, along with their public relations outfit are unbelievably slimy.

I have some advice for Boeing.

YOU WON.  THEY'RE CHEATING.  IF THEY KEEP CHANGING THE RULES THEN DON'T PLAY!  Quite simply just boycott S. Korea.

The results are a forgone conclusion.  The F-35 couldn't beat you in a fair contest.  Don't give them the pleasure of winning in a rigged one.

Cross decking. Another lie about the F-35.

Cross decking.

The idea that if the allies all operate the same aircraft then we can operate off each others aircraft carriers.

The idea was born with the British and French.  They've been going through massive defense cuts longer than we have and one of the proposals was to operate mixed fleets of aircraft off each others boats.

At one time it had the Brits buying Rafales...this proved to be cost prohibitive and then the idea was to buy Super Hornets.  I personally believed that this led to the first switch that the Brits did to the F-35C.  Cats and traps and this time the idea was that they would team with the USN and operate off US carriers and we off their boats.

Flash forward and now that they're back buying F-35Bs they're suddenly all gung ho to operate off our amphibious assault ships.

Its a joke.

Its a lie.

Its a useless capability.

And its all for show.

First the Brits won't buy (even if they stick to plan) enough F-35's to send any over to US ships.  Next British and American ships operate together only in a few places.  The US is shifting to the Pacific and the Brits don't have a large presence there.

The only cross decking that will happen is what we're already doing.  Refueling and supplying their ships at sea and maybe doing publicity shots.

A combat capability?  Not even close.

Blast from the past. Old Skool Ingenuity via TAC Blog.

US Soldier Reenie Feltner with cut down M1 Carbine, early 1970, Vietnam

I thought I was pretty good on Vietnam era unit patches but that one has me stumped.  I've seen similar but not quite exactly the same one.