Sprint anti-ballistic missile system....via Up-Ship

Check out Up-Ship's take on things here.  Very interesting stuff.  We've been doing this stuff for a long time but it appears that institutional memory has been lost.

The Lame Duck Commandant....

via Foreign Policy

"If you fail to maintain the spiritual health of the Corps," Amos recalled Mundy saying, "you will have failed as the 35th commandant."

&

"Amos runs the risk of being a lame duck, and that's something that would be unique for a commandant," the Republican staffer said. "I think a lot of people look at this, and where they see smoke, there's fire. At this point, a pattern has developed, and I think people wonder whether he can effectively lead the Marine Corps."

Read the entire article but its clear.

Amos' troubles haven't gone unnoticed and the only reason why he remains in office is because he has stretched out the proceedings and its to the point where its easier just to let him walk out the door rather than push him.

But there is something even more troubling going on.  Except for the Marine Corps Times, the other "thought factories" of the Marine Corps have been silent.

I expect nothing from USNI Blog and of course that bitchette Jeanette Haynie came through with an ass kissing, commandant loving post.

But Seapower Magazine, Marine Corps Gazette, BlackFive, and others have remained silent.

I find that ominous.

Like I said.  USNI Blog is a bought and paid for operation that takes politically correct stances on every issue.  I expect them to toss a finger in the air to get their bearings.  SPM, MCG, B5 and others are usually much stronger.  If they could remain silent through this ordeal then morality is being dumbed down with success.

The spiritual health of the Marine Corps is not good.

Amos failed as the 35th Commandant.

DARPA Captive Air Amphibious Transporters (CAAT)

I thought that this craziness was put into the trashbin of bad ideas a long time ago.  Apparently I was wrong because Marine Corps Times is doing a teaser article about their Monday coverage of an upsized model of this thing.

We've seen this craziness before!

Its real simple so I don't know why DARPA, the Marine Corps and Navy is wasting time on this outlandish ideas that won't bear fruit.

1.  We need a LCU replacement.  There are several on the market that are high speed, have a decent if not great carry ability and are long ranged.  This needs to be a priority.

2.  We need a decision on the AAV.  If its an interim MPC with AAV upgrades, a rebadged non-transforming EFV, or a drastically upgraded AAV that gets rebadged as the new ACV doesn't matter.  Just make a fucking decision!

3.  The LCAC has served us well.  Get on with the upgrades!

4.  Don't forget about the other amphibious workhorse...the DUKW.  Get it modernized, get it on the same program as the mythical drastic AAV upgrade.  Big compact engine.  Digitized.  More powerful jets.  Increased load carrying!

I'll take a look at the MCT article on Monday but it won't be with excitement about the possibilities.  No, I'll be marveling at all the money they're wasting chasing a concept that we won't use.

Prepping tip. Milling your own 80% lower...via Modern Survival Online.

God bless YouTube.

Most people go to YouTube to watch the latest silliness that other humans are putting online.  Whether its newscasters "rapping the news" or the latest music video, most people don't use it to gain knowledge.

It doesn't work that way for the firearms/prepper/self defense community.

We use YouTube for increasing knowledge.

Take for instance milling your own 80% lower.

Check the laws for yourself, but it appears that these weapons that you mill yourself do not have serial numbers and will not show up on any databases.

I know many people that have upwards of 5 to 10 80% lowers that they intend to pass along to their children.  If you're a prepper act fast.  Rumor has it that this is another one of those great things that the authorities found out about that is about to get slammed shut.

Tilt Rotor Gunship...via Graham Warrick.

@one_bell concept for attack variant of V-280 Valor tiltrotor for @USArmy Joint Multi Role/Future Vertical Lift

Ya know, one day the powers that be are going to get it in their heads that converting utility helicopters into gunships is a bad idea.

When that day finally arrives we're going to see some marvelous and efficient, purpose built tilt rotor gunships that will probably revolutionize aviation.

Quite honestly I don't know why Army Aviation isn't all over the tilt rotor movement.  Sized properly they could cut dependence on the USAF by at least half.  Everything from CAS, to long distance resupply to even some forms of Airborne forcible entry ops could be done in a single service format if they just took the tilt rotor plunge.

Chinese Coast Guard and Philippine Coast Guard set to clash.

via Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will send coast guard ships to Panatag Shoal (Scarborough), located off the coast of Zambales province, if China "persists" in harassing local fishermen in the area, according to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
"In case CCG (Chinese Coast Guard) Vessel will still persist [in using] water cannon [against our fishermen], response should be calibrated. We will have the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) so as to maintain white to white response and not to heighten the tension," Gazmin told government station PTV-4 on Thursday, February 27.
White to white means coast guard to coast guard operations as opposed to gray to gray meaning navy to navy. The PCG, a civilian unit, is under the Department of Transportation and Communications.
Sending navy ships to disputed waters could provoke China.
This is the lesson of the 2012 months-long standoff between Manila and Beijing in Panatag. The Philippines was said to have committed a mistake when it sent a warship – then the newly acquired BRP Gregorio Del Pilar – to deal with Chinese fishing boats. (READ: PH's 1st mistake in Scarborough).
Panatag, which is within the country's 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone, is now practically occupied by the Chinese Coast Guard.

I hope the Philippine Government knows what its doing.

The Chinese Coast Guard isn't the same as everyone else's....its a pure military organization that is designed to harass, interdict and incite violence on the high seas.

The Chinese want war and will use any  excuse to push territorial claims.

The Ferengi among the American people that only see trade, the amount of money the Chinese lend and nothing else should have a care.

The Chinese are playing for blood.  They don't give a rats ass about our values and consider us decadent, obscene and beneath contempt. Whether we like it or not the second cold war has begun.

Skunk Works ARES

Porn....

Gun porn you pervert!  Yeah...that's sweet!  Take a good look boys and girls.  That non-descript, grey man that you see carrying around the notebook cover or Ipad case might actually be  carrying some serious firepower. I love it when society's conventions can be used to enhance our personal security.  Afterall.  Who looks twice at a guy with a notebook cover?

Bring back the X-32?

Bring back the X-32 as a low risk option to the F-35?

Tailor it to the down and dirty missions that you don't want to risk the F-35 in such as a real Close Air Support Platform, a real littoral patrol fighter and a real continental defense fighter?

I don't know but ELP Blog takes a look.  Check him out here.

Is the only replacement for the AAV a modernized new built AAV?

I'm just tossing this out there as a question.  Don't take this as having lost faith in the Marine Personnel Carrier....if anything its really questioning whats been going on inside HQMC when it comes to this whole AAV replacement affair.

Did anyone consider just making some simple hydrodynamic improvements to the AAV (understanding that it might require a redesigned hull), putting in a compact 1000 horsepower MTU diesel engine, a RWS of sufficient killing power and maybe lengthening the hull?  How much more water speed can we get with improved water pumps on the market today...or even if simply upsized the legacy ones on the vehicle?

I just wonder if anyone actually considered that.  Or did we get so wrapped around the axle about a hydroplaning tracked vehicle that we couldn't back off that position until funding woes forced our hands.

Closeup pics of Norways upgraded CV90-30.

A quick look-see shows rubber tracks, Kongsberg RWS and the press release talks about these vehicles being fully digitized.

One thing is for certain.  The crew is going to have a world class view of the battlefield.

If I'm not mistaken this is going to have the same hunter killer setup as our Abrams tanks.  It really looks like both the gunner and the TC are going to have individual electro-optical sights to search for, designate and then kill targets.  I'm heading off on a tangent here but if the US Army is serious about getting the 82nd Airborne a tank then the CV90-120 with a similar electronics package might just be the ticket.

Update:  I've been informed that...

Kongsberg weapon station with sophisticated sensors which gives an alternative surveillance/target acquisition system which can be controlled from the crew compartment as well as by the commander or gunner.

Very interesting.  So the infantry commander has the capability of getting a birdseye view from inside the vehicle before he dismounts?  Additionally he can direct fire at targets of interest for his men...not just relying on the skill and knowledge of the TC?  Sweet.

Norway set to receive the most advanced CV90-30 to date.

via BAE Press Release.

"With the new CV90, we are buying the world’s most advanced armored combat vehicle family. Already proven in combat, we are now taking it to the next generation with state-of-the-art survivability, lethality, digitisation and mobility."

Awesome vehicle.  Norway is ensuring the safety of its forces in all operations...from full scale combat against a peer foe---all the way to humanitarian assistance/disaster relief in hostile areas.

Remember "Blackhawk down"?

That whole episode started from an attempt by the US to provide humanitarian assistance to the Somali people.  The enemy got a vote and it turned into a fight.

All the talk about not needing a AAV replacement because we won't be fighting land wars is so insane that I won't even respond to fortune tellers pushing that theory.

What happens when a terrorist org gains nation state weapons?

The above image is from Marvel Wiki.

The comic put forward the idea that the Advanced Idea Mechanics organization (AIM) was a criminal group made up of scientist whose goal was to dominate the world and rebuild it according to their desires.

Moving past fantasy and fast forwarding to today the question has to be asked.

What happens when a terrorist group acquires nation state weapons and is able to conduct unrestricted warfare on the high seas?

Check this out from the Jerusalem Post.

The Israel Navy assumes that Hezbollah has gotten hold of advanced Russian- made Yakhont antiship missiles, a senior navy source said on Tuesday.
The source added that the Lebanese terrorist organization is making constant efforts to get hold of advanced weapons.

Hezbollah has the Yakhont.  Otherwise known as the P-800.  Consider it the daddy of the Russian/Indian Brahmos anti-ship missile.

Any ship operating in the Mediterranean sea, Red sea, or Persian Gulf or even Indian ocean could be a potential target of well laid ambush.

Thats civilian and military shipping.

Want to shock the oil markets?  Hezbollah sinks a couple of oil tankers.

Want to send a message to the great or lesser satans?  A US Amphib or the British Queen Elizabeth carrier would make juicy targets.

Shit just got beyond real.  If the Israelis are right then Hezbollah is a bigger threat than most small nation states.

Rolled sleeves are back! via 1st Marine Division.

Rolled sleeves are back. 

From the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps:

Sergeants and Corporals,

SgtMajor Barrett and I have now spoken to the majority of you about our efforts to "Reawaken the Soul of our Corps." Each time that we have talked with you, we come away with a strong belief that you "get it." You understand that our renewed focus on the four enduring principles of: DISCIPLINE; ADHERENCE TO STANDARDS; ENGAGED AND CONCERNED LEADERSHIP (24/7); and FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE TO ORDERS, is key to resetting the Corps and getting ready for tomorrow's fight. You understand that those 4 principles define what we have called "The Soul of the Corps." They have been with us for over 238 years...it's always been that way.

As we complete the mission in Afghanistan, it's critical to understand that there will be no "peace dividend" for America's Marines...there will be no operational pause for us. The world that we will live and operate in over the next two decades will be a dangerous one; there will be plenty of work for those who wear our cloth.

As we have travelled throughout our Corps, many of you have let us know how important your identity as a Marine is to you and the Marines you lead. I can't tell you how many times we have been asked the persistent question "Commandant, are we ever going to return to SLEEVES UP?" I've thought a lot about this over the past 2 .5 years; I realize that it's important to you. Sleeves up clearly and visually sets us apart.

WE HEAR YOU MARINES!

Because of the persistence of you, my Sergeants and Corporals, this evening I am publishing a MARADMIN that will return us to SLEEVES UP status when wearing our Desert CAMMIES in non-combat areas. This will take effect on 9 March when we transition to our summer warmer weather uniforms. Get the word out Marines.

Thank you for your leadership in some very challenging times!!!

Semper Fidelis

CMC/SMMC

I would love to give Amos a "damnit you finally get it" atta-boy on this but the reality is a bit simpler.

The next Commandant would have reversed this decision in his first 5 seconds in the big chair and everyone knows it.

This was an attempt to "Army-ize" the USMC and people were pissed.

When you wear a flight suit instead of cammies and don't roll sleeves its easy to NOT know the part of Marine Corps culture where this is part of the identity.  I would bet that he thought he was doing junior Marines a favor and was attempting to be popular.

Sidenote:  I see the SgtMajor of the Marine Corps has finally stuck his head back up out of his sniper hide.  He's been missing in action for over a year and a half. 

Basic military bearing and discipline is a thing of the past.

via Army Times.

A soldier who hid in her car to avoid saluting the flag — and then flaunted it on Instagram — is the latest service member to come under attack via social media and be accused of dishonoring her service.
Pfc. Tariqka Sheffey, whose Instagram handle is “sheffeynation,” posted a selfie with a caption that reads:
“This is me laying back in my car hiding so I don’t have to salute the 1700 flag, KEEP ALL YOUR ‘THATS SO DISRESPECTFUL/HOWRUDE/ETC.’ COMMENTS TO YOURSELF cuz, right now, IDGAFFFF.”
The image was distributed via Facebook and also sent to Army Times. Angry service members, Gold Star mothers and spouses have called for the soldier’s removal from service.
“Any soldier who refuses to salute the flag is in the military for the wrong reason, and should be removed by dishonorable discharge with loss of all benefits,” one Facebook commenter said. “If they won’t salute it, they damn sure won’t fight for it.”
Sheffey is a member of the 59th Quartermaster Company, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, at Fort Carson, Colo., post spokesman Dee McNutt confirmed Tuesday.

A few things.

This soldier was not properly trained if this is her attitude.

Next.  It appears that military bearing and discipline is a thing of the past.  We better hope that our Army is not called on to engage in ground combat for at least a few years because quite honestly it appears broken.

We worried about the return of the hollow force?

Its already here.

Oh and what should the punishment be?  I'll take reduction in rank, confinement to barracks, forfeiture of pay and two weeks of sand bag duty...remember....this wasn't corrected on the spot by a NCO, SNCO or Officer.  This has now become a case of bringing discredit to the entire US Army.

The plain truth on why the F-35 is being forced on the US Navy.

via Reuters.

A senior military official said it did not make sense to cancel the Navy variant outright, since that would drive higher cost of the remaining airplanes to be purchased by the Air Force and the Marine Corps, and could unsettle international partners on the program.

Read the entire article here (just a rehash of yesterdays news).

Make no mistake about it.  For the first time the unvarnished truth about the F-35 and the Navy was just said publicly.

Long story short?

The Navy doesn't want it.  The program is nervous about costs.  The program is worried about losing partners.  So everything must die so that the F-35 can live.

My prediction?  More proof that Navy leadership will continue with as low a rate production as possible to keep the shit wagon going.  They will push all purchases to the right when they're able and in the end the F-35 will never be an important part of carrier aviation.

This airplane is the modern day F7U.  It might look futuristic.  It might even be kinda cool, but it will never be a suitable airplane for its proposed role.  Like the F7U the F-35 will be left on the beach more times than it makes it to the ship.

Note.  I would pay good money to know who the "Senior Official" was that made such a matter of fact statement.  I'd also pay good money to know if he got reprimanded for the crime of daring to speak the truth and not spewing the program office talking points!

Armored Personnel Carrier/Infantry Fighting Vehicle Interiors. It matters alot!

Take a good look at the pics above.  What you're looking at is the interior of the AAV.  Make note too that old skool vehicles even had a "row" between the exterior seating to jam even more Marines inside the vehicle.

For the devil pups out there, this is why your Drill Instructors always pushed as many of you into as tight a space as possible.  I've heard, and definitely don't know if its true but supposedly upwards of 50 people were transported in these vehicles in emergency situations.

But back on task.  Did you notice something else?  The current seating is totally inadequate when it comes to dealing with current threats.  Yeah it has add on side armor but do you see a spall lining in these vehicles?  Talking about seating, you don't see seats suspended from the ceiling that would help lessen G-forces in case of an IED blast.  You don't see designed storage.

What you do see is a vehicle that was designed in the 1960's with that generations design concepts.

Driving a 1960 Mustang might be awesome as hell (especially if its cherry....) but when you do that with armored vehicles its something else entirely.  Now check out the pics below.

Thats the interior of the FNSS Pars 8x8 recently put into service for the Malaysian Army.

Notice the difference?

Yeah.

Replacing Marine Corps armor is a big deal and long past due.  I want the Marine Corps to be cost effective for the United States people, but at the same time I want our Marines to have the tools they need to win.

If tiny, backwards Malaysia can see the need to upgrade their armored forces then why can't the USMC?

Note:  I'm getting the impression that the MPC/ACV decision is once again being kicked down the road.  Meanwhile we also have the AAV upgrade in limbo.  Marines are facing the prospect of once again utilizing MTVRs as infantry carriers  if they go ashore.  That's unsat.

What the fuck just happened. New info on 2015 budget.

Aviation Week has Hagel's outline of the 2015 defense budget.  Check out this passage....

I have also accepted the Army’s recommendation to terminate the current Ground Combat Vehicle program and re-direct the funds toward developing a next-generation platform. I have asked the leadership of the Army and the Marine Corps to deliver new, realistic visions for vehicle modernization by the end of this year.

What the fuck does that mean?  What the fuck just happened?

Is the Marine Personnel Carrier back on or not?  Not a peep of it is in Hagel's presentation.

What about the ACV?  The AMPV?  The JLTV?

Shit just got weird. 

Will the Marine Personnel Carrier buy put the LAR Battalions on the chopping blocks?

Who here remembers the roots of the current day Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions?  Devil puppies sit down.  Grown folks are talking!

A quick recap.

War in the Middle East was all the rage.  Marine Corps leadership was concerned that the USMC would get involved in a war in the desert against highly mechanized forces and be either truck, helicopter or foot mobile.  In the environment envisioned that would just not do so they bought LAV-25's off the shelf, called the battalions Light Armored Infantry (LAI) and we were set.

Or so we thought.  The problem?

Too light on infantry to hold ground.  So back to the drawing board, a change in name and we have the LAR we know and love today.  If we were being honest we'd call them Cavalry units and be done with it but that's another discussion.

Now to the issue at hand.  If we're going to be cutting units.  If we're going to have to lose forces, and if the MPC is coming online, then does it make sense to keep the LAV-25A2 and the LAR Battalions?

I don't know.  Just throwing it out there.

Capt Fanell talks China via Cdr Salamander.

I won't spoil it.

Go here to listen to his take (starts at 18:55).

Long story short.  China is getting ready for war.  We're already behind the 8-ball and if Capt Fanell is even half right we're in a hurt locker that we can't might not be able to get out of.

I have tried to be non-political, but the current administration is so immature in their world view that its actually a danger to our national survival.

2016 can't get here soon enough.