Academy and ROTC 2014 grads offered free outs.

via AF Times.

The Air Force is offering future officers preparing to graduate from the ROTC program in 2014 the opportunity to walk away from their service commitments without having to repay their scholarships or monthly stipends, the service announced Tuesday.
Recent graduates in the Individual Ready Reserve who are waiting to enter active duty also may be eligible for release from their military service commitment, according to a release.
Cadets and graduates in the following career fields may apply for early release Jan. 6-24:
■ 13M Airfield Operations
■ 13N Nuclear and Missile Operations
■ 14N Intelligence
■ 17D Cyberspace Operations
■ 21A Aircraft Maintenance
■ 21M Munitions and Missile Maintenance
■ 21R Logistics Readiness
■ 31P Security Forces
■ 35P Public Affairs
■ 38P Personnel
■ 63A Acquisition
■ 64P Contracting

Uh wow.

And some tell me that hollering about a "hollow military" is premature!  Check out the fields that have opt outs.

Security Forces, Cyberspace, Intel????   Aren't those suppose to be near the tip? Or at least directly supporting the tip?

To make cuts like this is an omen of worse to come.

Art site you might want to check out.

The above illustrations and others like it are all over the web and I've wondered where they came from and who did it.

I finally found out.  Click here to check it out for yourself.  

Army amphibious cargo carriers 1960s..Blast from the past...

China has bitch slapped the US.

Shocking headline huh?

Check this out....via Philippine News.

The United States will not take sides in the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, new US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said.
"We don’t take sides and we are not a claimant state on any of these territorial features," Goldberg said in a press conference after meeting President Benigno Aquino III at the Palace.
Goldberg instead pushed for the peaceful and legal resolution to the conflict in the disputed waters.
"But at the same time, we strongly support the countries of this region coming together for a Code of Conduct, which will help set out the rules of the road or the rules of the sea, and will be a way for tensions to decrease. The same is true of any legal recourse that the Philippine government has taken," he added.

Now you could call this simple diplomacy.  You could say that its a complex issue and that several nations have claims on certain pieces of territory in the region.

I say bullshit.  

This was in response to whether or not the US supports the Philippines against Chinese aggression.

We blinked.

And just like a bully on a playground, if they sense fear, they will strike.  China just setup a ADIZ.  They just got this concession.

The US just got bitch slapped courtesy of our Ambassador in the Philippines.

Sidenote:  How do we keep doing this?  We respond well to the Typhoon then we make unforced errors like this.  If I was in the Philippine govt I would extract every last dime I could out of the US...especially when we can't seem to show any spine when it comes to the Chinese.

‘Absolute killer’ air-to-air missile readied for Russian 5G fighter jet

via Russia Times.

Russia is finalizing an advanced air engagement system combining “fire-and-forget” guidance and “single-shot kill” ability within a single air-to-air missile. The system aims to frustrate any missile evasion maneuvers enabling a target to escape.
The K-77M air-to-air missile with this advanced guidance system will be fitted on to the fifth-generation fighter jet PAK-FA (advanced frontline aircraft system, also codenamed T-50) and it will start to be delivered to the Russian Air Force by 2017.

The major innovation of the K-77M air-to-air missile is its guidance system, based on an active phased array antenna (APAA) of its own, Izvestia daily reports. With APAA onboard, the missile has zero reaction time to unexpected evolutions of the target, which means that once it locks on an aircraft, it would hit it no matter what aerial acrobatics the target would perform to shake off the inbound killer missile.

The APAA guidance system for K-77M missiles has been elaborated by the Detal design bureau, based in the town of Kamensk-Uralsky in Russia’s Urals. The enterprise is a subdivision of Russia’s state-owned Tactical Missile Munitions Corporation.
Mikhail Vershinin, chief engineer of the Detal design bureau, told Izvestia that the enterprise is currently looking for a contractor which would install a state-of-the-art production line at the facility so that the system could start to be manufactured as soon as 2015.

Read the whole story here.

Propaganda?  Maybe.  But they're putting together an advanced air system, not just the "shooter" like we are.  I lack confidence in the marketing scheme behind the F-35.  I despise the way the program is being rolled out and I question the thinking behind its warfighting concept.

Information does not win alone.  The right info combined with the right tools wins the fight.  Is the F-35 the right tool?  I don't think so. 

Terrorist launch battalion size, mechanized raid in Africa.

via Yahoo News.

Hundreds of Islamic militants in trucks and a stolen armored personnel carrier attacked an air force base and international airport on the outskirts of a Nigerian city before dawn Monday, officials and witnesses said, possibly leaving scores of people dead in one of the insurgent group's most daring attacks.
Two helicopters and three decommissioned military aircraft were "incapacitated" in the attack, said a statement from Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade, the Ministry of Defense spokesman. He said some army bases also were hit.
Twenty-four insurgents were killed and many were wounded along with two air force personnel, Olukolade said in a statement.

Read the whole story here.

Something bad is going on in Africa.   Something real bad.

An officer estimated that the attacking force numbered around 500.  A light Marine Corps Battalion.  They conducted a road march to the airport in question inside trucks and a stolen armored personnel carrier.  That makes it motorized.  There actions on the objective, the destruction of a couple of airplanes/helicopters makes it a raid.

500 or so terrorist.  A motorized raid.  Lose around 24 "troops".  Get away clean.

That sounds like a successful mission.

SOCOM, USMC Africa partnership mission and AFRICOM are all dropping the ball Africa is turning into the next hot spot right before our eyes.

The fight inside you. via The Comic Blog.

Change of pace, but it was too awesome not to re-post...

Mystery vehicle revealed?

I've been hearing rumors about a vehicle at a location that I won't disclose (the innocent will remain unnamed...).  But while browsing the TRADOC site I came across this juicy bit of sweetness called the Modular Vehicle Demonstrator (MVD).  Is this the mystery vehicle that I've been hearing about?

Amos vs. his own generals?

Everyone knows that I'm a critic of Amos.

What I didn't know (but I'm pleased to learn) is that several Marine Generals seem to still have their sense of right and wrong intact.  They also appear to have the best interests of their Marines as part of their makeup.  Read this Marine Corps times story here, but (this is all about the Marine Major that passed info along to a unit that a threat to their unit existed...he's might be punished for how he informed that unit) this tidbit is too juicy.

“I fear that some momentum has built to pillory this officer for ill-considered execution of otherwise WORTHY and honorable intent. His performance in Now Zad during our deployment was stellar,” Kennedy wrote, referring to a particularly challenging district in Helmand province. “Am afraid he has been scapegoated by non-Helmand tested staff officers.”

There is a battle happening behind the scenes between those that would shape the future of the Corps.  Lets wish the Generals that are in the mold of Chesty well. 

Ultra Light Vehicle Research Prototype.

Hat tip to Circulotrubia.

TRADOC website here.

PL01 CONCEPT

C-130. The severely under-utilized airlifter.

Everyone knows the story about the C-130 that demonstrated that it could land on an aircraft carrier.

But the particulars of that event are what stands out.  Via the USS Forrestal website.

In addition to Flatley, crewmen consisted of Lt.Cmdr. W.W. Stovall, co-pilot; ADR-1 E.F. Brennan, flight engineer and Lockheed engineering flight test pilot Ted H. Limmer, Jr., safety pilot. The initial seaborn landings, on October30, 1963, were made into a 40-knot wind. Altogether, the crew successfully negotiated 29 touch-and-go landings, 21 unarrested full stop landings and 21 unassisted take-offs at gross weights of 85,000 pounds up to 121,000 pounds. At 85,000 pounds, the KC-130Fcame to a complete stop within 267 feet, about twice the aircraft's wing span! The Navy was delighted to discover that even with the maximum load, the plane used only 745 feet for take-off and 460 feet for landing roll. The short landing roll resulted from close coordination between Flatley and Jerry Daugherty, the carrier's landing signal officer. Daugherty, later to become a captain and assigned to the Naval Air Systems Command, gave Flatley an engine "chop" while still three or four feet off the deck.
Lockheed's Ted Limmer, who checked out fighter pilot Flatley in the C-130, stayed on for some of the initial touch and go and full-stop landings. "The last landing I participated in, we touched down about 150 feet from the end, stopped in 270 feet more and launched from that position, using what was left of the deck. Still had a couple hundred feet left when we lifted off. Admiral Brown was flabbergasted...."
The plane's wingspan cleared the Forrestal's flight deck "island" control tower by just under 15 feet as the plane roared down the deck on a specially painted line. Lockheed-Georgia's chief engineer, Art E. Flock was aboard to observe the testing.
"The sea was pretty big that day. I was up on the captain's bridge. I watched a man on the ship's bow and that bow must have gone up and down 30 feet." The speed of the shop was increased 10 knots to reduce yaw motion and to reduce wind direction. Thus, when the plane landed, it had a 40 to 50 knot wind on the nose.
"That airplane stopped right opposite the captain's bridge," recalled Flock. "There was cheering and laughing. Thereon the side of the fuselage, a big sign had been painted on that said, "LOOK MA, NO HOOK."
From the accumulated test data, the Navy concluded that with the Hercules, it would be possible to lift 25,000 pounds of cargo 2,500 miles and land it on a carrier. Even so, the idea was considered a bit too risky for the C-130 and the Navy elected to use a smaller CoD aircraft. For his effort the Navy awarded Flatley the Distinguished Flying Cross.

I look at the results of this test and come away with a new appreciation for the C-130's short takeoff and landing abilities and a big question.

If it has been demonstrated that a useful cargo load can be landed on a space as short as an aircraft carrier...if its also been demonstrated that after discharging that cargo the plane can take off in even less space, then why aren't we using it to supply forward operating bases?

There is only one answer....The C-130 is being severely under-utilized.

Once again it appears that the old skool Marines and Sailors have solved problems that we insist require gear that is not in inventory.  Utilizing the C-130's STOL along with LAPPES should ensure the easy supply of a MAGTF or Stryker Brigade in the field.  We just lack the imagination to get it done.

NOTE:  I am well aware that carriers often move out at flank speed to put more air over the deck.  I also noted that the article mentions landing in 40 knot winds.  None of that takes away from the feat.  

FNSS. Future armor giant?

Many thanks to Mustafa for the link!

Remember me telling you that countries like Poland and Turkey (not to mention whats happening in Singapore, S. Korea,  and Brazil) are leading the way when it comes to armored vehicle development?  Well FNSS is one such example. What follows is a short product overview.  Check out their website here, its been redone and looks great.

152mm of ass kick coming through the woods...Blast from the past.

pic via WW2 vehicles.
The SU-152's first combat was at the Battle of Kursk where it was quite adept at destroying the German's heavy tanks. http://wwiivehicles.com/ussr/self-propelled-guns/su-152.asp

Philippines issues bid for new AAVs. No answers the call.

via PhilStar.

MANILA, Philippines - Defense officials declared a failure last month’s bidding for the supply of eight brand new amphibious assault vehicles worth P2.5 billion for the Marines.
The STAR learned that the bidding did not attract any offer from suppliers, and that only Samsung Techwin of South Korea purchased bid documents, but did not submit a bid.
In a letter to the Department of National Defense’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), Samsung Techwin said it might not be able to satisfy some conditions set by the bid documents, including the government’s position to seek a two-year warranty, a major cost driver.
Samsung Techwin said the amphibious assault vehicles are normally for combat operation, and that their suppliers are not willing to extend the warranty coverage beyond the first year.
“For our company to solely assume the responsibility for the 2nd year warranty will come at a high cost that will drive our price proposal way above the approved budget,” read the letter.
Samsung Techwin also believes that the government’s decision to increase the number of operation bases to four from two would also raise costs.
“The combined costs of the Harris radios and additional two operational bases cannot be accommodated in the budget,” read the letter.
Samsung Techwin also mentioned the need to clarify certain features of the Harris radios to be installed and the turnaround time, which it wanted increased to 90 days from 60 days.
“We deeply regret not joining the bid because we are sure to be disqualified anyway due to the previously mentioned reasons,” read the letter.

Not quite understanding the thinking behind the Philippine request.

Japan and others are simply taking AAVs from Marine Corps stock and having them refurbished at a fraction of the cost of new vehicles.  So why are the Filipino's wanting new builds?

It doesn't make sense, doesn't follow the trends in the region and they could probably double the number of vehicles obtained (maybe triple) if they followed the example of others.

Now is the time for the Philippine nation.  Forge stronger ties with the US, get military vehicles on the cheap from our motor pools AND modernize their military at pennies on the dollar.

One week with me being appointed defense minister, with the option of trading basing rights for new equipment and this would be a done deal.

Sidenote:  I don't understand and would love to know more about the AAV rights that are shared between BAE and Samsung Techwin.  If anyone has insight let me know.  How do two companies produce the same vehicle without controversy?  The only example that comes close is when the US had spec rights and shared the blue prints between different companies during WW2.

Boot PFC's actually tried the bullshit.

Do you remember sitting underneath the stars digging through another messed up meal, talking to your buddies about how you're so skilled in tactics that in the lousy economy you should get together and form up a team to take down drug dealers?  Its bootcamp bullshit that is best forgotten.  I never heard of anyone actually trying it.  Till now.  via Marine Corps times.

BEAUFORT, S.C. — Authorities have charged two Parris Island Marines in connection with an attempted armed robbery which left another Marine dead.
The Beaufort Gazette reports Beaufort police say 18-year-old Pfc. Sierra Danielle Powers and 20-year-old Pfc. Brandi Toniqua Hardy are charged with criminal conspiracy for their roles in the attempted robbery during a drug deal last Friday. Both are in jail pending bond hearings.
Deputy Chief Dale McDorman wouldn’t specify how Powers and Hardy were involved.
McDorman said two Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort privates arranged to purchase marijuana from another man. According to McDorman, it was during that deal that the Marines pulled fake pistols and tried to rob the man, who pulled a real gun and shot and killed 20-year-old Pfc. Jerrit Timberson of Fairview Heights, Ill.

Amazing.

I'd love to hear the particulars of this incident.

The old saying is true both in and out of uniform.  Don't hang around stupid people doing stupid things.  

F-35 cuts are now inevitable. Especially since military pay cuts loom....

Note:  No graphic with this one.  Just a story from the New York Times.

In a speech last month, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned that without serious savings in this area, “we risk becoming an unbalanced force, one that is well compensated but poorly trained and equipped, with limited readiness and capability.” Meanwhile, Gen. Ray Odierno, the Army chief of staff, told a hearing: “The cost of a soldier has doubled since 2001; it’s going to almost double again by 2025. We can’t go on like this, so we have to come up with [new] compensation packages.”
The Wall Street Journal reported recently that military commanders have agreed to a plan that would curb the growth of pay and benefits for housing, education and health. But it must still be approved by Mr. Hagel and President Obama. In past years, Congress has approved pay raises and benefit improvements and resisted rollbacks. It is possible that politically savvy Pentagon leaders may be hitting the personnel issue hard right now to force lawmakers to end the sequester or to otherwise soften its blow to the overall military budget. Personnel costs are not the only ones rising. Weapons procurement has risen 88 percent from 2001 to 2012.

Bush started it.  Obama continued it.

The use of the military as a political prop is now about to come back and bite all those who benefited from that exposure.

Pay and benefits are about to get meat axed.

Quite honestly if its an across the board (meaning federal govt) type thing then its a bit more comforting but its still going to come as a shock to many.  If the editorial board at the New York Times is now speaking out about cutting pay and benefits then you can bet that big ticket items like the F-35 are going to be the first things to go.

Sequestration is going to continue.  The F-35 will be cut.  So will pay and benefits.

The saddest part of this entire saga is that the JCS has failed us all.  The Hollow Military is here.

Top Tanks. Who didn't make the list and why.

An update and quick run down/explanation of why a few well known tanks didn't make the list...

Chinese Type 99.

We're entering a strange period in military intel.  Either they don't know much about this tank or they're not passing it along.  This tank didn't hit the list because we don't know much about it.  We can see the obvious.  ERA Tiles.  Angular sloping.  Big gun (assumed to be a Russian model), but other than that, its pretty much a blank.

AMX 56 LeClerc.

I wanted to include the LeClerc.  I really did.  But name one thing it leads the pack on.  Quite honestly I expected to see it at the top of my expeditionary list but it fell because the French did not include it in its latest combat ops in Northern Africa.  So its not expeditionary.  Firepower?  Run of the mill.  So is it capable in ways we don't know?  We don't know.  Its been in service for years but is still a mystery.

T-90.

This one is simple.  I'll never trust Russian tanks until I see some type of move ahead in tech.  Have you seen the insides of a tank that got penetrated but didn't burn out?  Human goo.  Its almost merciful when the Iraqi tank crews suffered catastrophic explosions of onboard ordnance.  I need to see more before I hold these tanks in high regard.

Any others that should have made the list but I forgot about?  I don't think so.

Which brings me to the juicy bits.

Don't be led astray by optics, guns etc.  Take a look at the Altay MBT.  Guess who is partnered with Turkish industry.  BAE.  Perhaps the number one armored vehicle house on the planet.  Guess who is in Poland.  BAE.  Many of these new tanks like the Altay and armored vehicles like the Anders have a Brit/US pedigree.

Get over it guys.  The little guys (meaning countries) are coming.  And they're coming in well designed armor that will take the market by storm.  Can't afford the LEO, Abrams or Challenger, but still need top line stuff?  Check out the Toyota of armored vehicles coming from Turkey or Poland.  The armored vehicle segment has been neglected by the Western traditional military powers and a new breed are going to take the reigns.

UPDATE:
I'm getting complaints about the CV-90120T being listed as the best expeditionary tank.  I've gotten e-mails that call it a mobile gun system, others call it a APC with tank gun attached and others are simply calling it an enhanced IFV.

It doesn't matter.

We can do the "change" thing and call it all of the above, but if we were to flash back to the past, then a vehicle like the CV-90120T would be called an infantry support tank.  Tank being the operative word.  Anyway you slice it (in my opinion), if you have a vehicle mounting a tank caliber gun, operating in any of the tank classic roles then you have a tank.

CV-90120T?  Tank.  Commando 105mm wheeled vehicle?  Tank.  Anders 105mm?  Tank.

SPz Puma in Abu Dhabi

Marine Corps aircraft at the Dubai AirShow. via Army Recognition.

I still have mixed feelings about US Marines in particular and US Military Personnel in general acting as "salesmen" at these airshows.