Saturday, March 22, 2014
FNSS 8x8 Pars
In service with the Malaysian Army....
The Brazilians are putting into service the VBTP-MR. The Russians have the BTR-82A, the Chinese are putting into service several different vehicles. The Poles have the Patria AMV, the Italians the IVECO Super AV, the US Army has the Stryker, the future AMPV and they're upgrading the Bradley.
Meanwhile the USMC is operating the AAV.
40 + years old.
IED vulnerable.
Antiquated weapon system.
No replacement in sight (realistically speaking).
But we do have expensive airplanes and helicopters! We need an Assistant Commandant for the Ground Combat Element.
Looking more and more like pre-WW2.
Thanks for the article Jonathan.
via Defense News.
via Defense News.
WARSAW — Ukraine’s government has decided to set aside an additional 6.8 billion hryvnia (US $697 million) for defense spending to mobilize troops, modernize weapons and improve the operational capacities of the country’s armed forces, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said.Crisis clarifies priorities....
With Ukraine’s military power considerably less imposing than that of Russia, the latest move could launch a much-needed string of arms modernization and acquisition programs, local analysts said.
The prime minister said in a statement that the need to boost his country’s defense expenditure is related to Russia’s military intervention in the Crimean peninsula.
“Today we are talking about protecting our country,” Yatsenyuk said.” All other expenses are not worth anything if the Ukrainian Army, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are not able to protect the state.”
The Failure of an Aviation Commandant exemplified by the ACV debacle
When Amos took over as Commandant, he had a few issues on his plate...
1. See the F-35 to completion.
2. Get the replacement for the ACV going and done.
3. Ensuring the health of the Marine Corps.
He failed on two of the three and the first is of dubious quality considering the cost of the plane and the utility it brings to the Marine Corps. As far as the second is concerned he has dithered and twisted and turned so much that its embarassing.
Quite honestly if I was industry (and if industry had anything motivating them besides greed) I would tell the Marine Corps to pound sand before they approached them with another ground vehicle program.
As far as the health of the Marine Corps is concerned? Its a mess. Marines are quiet. Yeah, let that sink in. United States Marines are quiet! Let me spell it out for you if you don't get it. The entire Marine Corps is pissed, Amos is hated and these reforms that he's put in are not sitting well with the rank and file.
But back to the ACV replacement. via USNI News.
In what has been described as a “drastic shift,” the Marines have decided to “resurrect” the MPC and designate it as ACV Increment 1.1 and acquire about 200 vehicles. The Marines also plan to develop ACV Increment 1.2, a tracked version, and to acquire about 470 vehicles and fund an ongoing high water speed study. Although ACV Increment 1.1 will have a swim capability, a connector will be required to get the vehicles from ship to shore.A name change to the Marine Personnel Carrier doesn't change the reality.
The FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 113-66) recommended fully funding the Administration’s ACV budget request. The FY2014 Omnibus Appropriations Act (P.L. 113-76) recommended a $14 million cut to the Administration’s ACV request due to program delay. The Administration’s FY2015 budget request for the ACV is $105.7 million in Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding.
Amos constantly stated that we only have one chance to get this right....unfortunately he failed when it came time to make a decision. Not because he made the wrong decision, but because he failed to make a decision at all.
Marines will get to shore in 50 year old vehicles, ride into combat in 7 ton trucks and get ripped apart by less advanced militaries driving modern combat vehicles.
The well fed, Marine Corps Aviation will enjoy the view as they won't be able to help while the ground element gets torn apart and SOCOM is too light to fight.
Maybe a US Army Heavy Brigade Combat Team will be able to pull an MEU out of the frying pan? Doubtful but we can hope. Amos is the WORST Commandant in the modern era of the Marine Corps.
Is China going to do a Crimea on the Spratly Islands?
Thanks for the link Dallas!
via Sunstar.com
What have we learned from the Crimea situation...
1. The US administration is not willing to even threaten force.
2. The US State Dept will only act in concert with allies. It will not act alone.
3. From Syria, we learned that even when force is threatened, unless terrorist are involved then its a poor, weak bluff.
4. US military currently is not capable of responding with speed of rapidly developing events.
Yeah. I could see the Chinese doing a sharp quick push for disputed areas and then following the Russian example of it being a "done deal" before Western leaders can react.
Russia and China will never attack the US directly, but our allies???? Yeah. They're screwed.
via Sunstar.com
An administration lawmaker on Friday urged the government to keep a tight watch on the series of recent provocative actions by China at the disputed territories in West Philippine Sea.Hmm.
Valenzuela City Representative Sherwin Gatchalian feared that China might eventually use its might to annex highly contested territories in the Southeast Asia in a similar way how Russia flexed its muscles after invading the Crimea Region in Ukraine
"[I am] wary of the fact that China could be taking a cue from Russia as far as dealing and resolving its maritime territorial conflict with the Philippines and its other Asian neighbors are concerned," Gatchalian said.
He said that the similar openly aggressive and defiant actions that China is taking regarding the maritime dispute should be a cause of great concern especially for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The lawmaker warned that China might take a cue from Russia and could use its military might to enforce its claims and later justify its acts by invoking its inherent rights on its territorial claims.
What have we learned from the Crimea situation...
1. The US administration is not willing to even threaten force.
2. The US State Dept will only act in concert with allies. It will not act alone.
3. From Syria, we learned that even when force is threatened, unless terrorist are involved then its a poor, weak bluff.
4. US military currently is not capable of responding with speed of rapidly developing events.
Yeah. I could see the Chinese doing a sharp quick push for disputed areas and then following the Russian example of it being a "done deal" before Western leaders can react.
Russia and China will never attack the US directly, but our allies???? Yeah. They're screwed.
FA-18.com
Boeing has been slow. They've been a bit too "politically correct". But they've finally dialed into the idea that they need to fight to keep the FA-18 in production.
Taking a page from the Lockheed Martin playbook they've launched a FA-18.com website.
About damn time.
With continued problems with the F-35 all but inevitable, with allies and the US Navy continuing to have doubts about the plane....and with the USAF practically abandoning electronic warfare, its all but certain that more EA-18G's will be purchased.
Long story short. Better late than never...
Friday, March 21, 2014
ROTC Scholarship Opportunity...
I like guys in the gun/ammo business..they're patriots. Even better the AmmoMan had the gear during some of the dark days of the past (Sidenote: Expect those dark days to return. Obama's sanctions against Russia will probably include ammo and not just the Russian calibers either. They feed all calibers at low prices...).
I like those gun/ammo guys even better when they support the youngsters, the military and on top of all that they give back to the community.
Having said that, Eric let me know that he is sponsoring a scholarship for a deserving young guy or gal that's in ROTC to help them further their education.
Read the details here. If you know of someone that fits the bill get them over to the site and get their application in..cause when it comes to college expenses, every cent helps.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
More on the VBTP-MR
Many thanks to "Clan" for sending the link...
All photos are via PlanoBrasil.
I highly recommend you follow the link, turn on Google translate and enjoy a nice overview of where the Brazilians are with this vehicle.
If you look around the world, you'll find that Brazil is one of the few countries on the planet that is putting new vehicles into service right now. The Marine Corps and the US Army would be well served to follow their example.
Sidenote 1. The bottom photo is of the Elbit 30mm RWS turret. Notice how they've cleaned it up, put all ammo feeds and optics under armor? Its much more compact and much lower in profile. I like it. Whenever the Marine Corps decides on a new armored vehicle that is one thing that I would like chewed on a bit more. Is it necessary to have manned weapon stations or does tech provide us with a better solution going the RWS route.
Sidenote 2. Does anyone know which way the Brazilians are going with their weapon mount? I'm seeing a manned 50 cal mount, a 50 cal RWS and then a 30mm RWS. They aren't going with all three are they?
All photos are via PlanoBrasil.
I highly recommend you follow the link, turn on Google translate and enjoy a nice overview of where the Brazilians are with this vehicle.
If you look around the world, you'll find that Brazil is one of the few countries on the planet that is putting new vehicles into service right now. The Marine Corps and the US Army would be well served to follow their example.
Sidenote 1. The bottom photo is of the Elbit 30mm RWS turret. Notice how they've cleaned it up, put all ammo feeds and optics under armor? Its much more compact and much lower in profile. I like it. Whenever the Marine Corps decides on a new armored vehicle that is one thing that I would like chewed on a bit more. Is it necessary to have manned weapon stations or does tech provide us with a better solution going the RWS route.
Sidenote 2. Does anyone know which way the Brazilians are going with their weapon mount? I'm seeing a manned 50 cal mount, a 50 cal RWS and then a 30mm RWS. They aren't going with all three are they?
ATF. We finally learn why they wanted Ares Armor customer list...
via The Examiner
In related developments, legal sources advise Gun Rights Examiner that actions against EP Armory and Ares Armor were initiated in large part because of law enforcement interest in so-called “build parties,” including when such collaborative efforts would legally be considered “manufacturing firearms.” Concerns expressed by the California Department of Justice were also said to play an influential role in ATF’s decision to assert itself through the recent investigations and seizures.I stated that ATF had declared war on gun owners and I'm right.
They're going after build parties. Son of a bitch! The crazy thing is that I've seen federal law enforcement at a couple of parties I've been to. Not ATF but US Marshals along with local law enforcement. Its strange too because its a gathering of good guys (and a few girls) that are law abiding citizens. The mix is everything from military, retired military, firefighters, law enforcement, teachers, preachers...its just a huge slice of the American middle class.
Is it just an ATF thing?
Are they really this out of control?
Read the entire article here.
V-22. Long range oversea rescue can finally justify its existence.
The V-22 has been the subject of its share of criticism from this blog with regards to its high costs and my belief that its current mission set can be performed by traditional helicopters at a much lower price.
I feel like it can't be justified when used in traditional missions.
But watching the attempt to locate the missing airliner it dawns that long range over sea rescue might be this planes bread and butter. A crashed airliner might finally justify its reason for being.
Consider this. Before the age of the helicopter the US Navy used flying boats to for a variety of missions. Anti-sub work. Anti-ship work. Long range resupply. Long range amphibious assault. And finally long range at sea rescue.
As things now stand, if one of those P-8's or P-3's goes down the only airplane capable of mounting a rescue is the Japanese US-1 seen above.
With the US Navy and USAF placing a greater emphasis on operations in the Pacific...with there being more long distance over the water flights about to take place, it only makes sense to have the Navy and Air Force bite the bullet and equip conventional units with V-22's for the sole purpose of rescuing air crews that go in the water at long distance over the water.
Additionally you'll need to co-locate KC-130's to provide refueling support and staff rescue swimmers/corpsmen & medics and proper hoists to the airplanes.
Its these little bits that haven't been considered that actually show how serious we are about operating in the Pacific. Littoral operations are easy. Blue water operations can get you killed...and lost forever.
At sea rescue of airliners. Another mission set for LHA/LHD's?
The news has been ignoring the crisis in the Ukraine...a crisis that will affect almost every person on this planet due to the impact that the economic sanctions on Russia will cause worldwide...and focused hard on the missing airliner.
So be it.
But in looking at the airliner incident one thing seems to have escaped the notice of everyone.
The Boeing 777 was carrying approx 300 people. An Airbus 380 can carry around 500+ as can a Boeing 747.
What happens if one crashes into the ocean and their are survivors?
Of course every ship in range will be dispatched to rescue survivors. Everyone will be doing there absolute best, regardless of nation or ethnic origin to save the passengers and crew. But are destroyers, cutters and merchant ships the best tool for the job?
No.
I contend that USN/USMC LHA/LHD's with attached Marine Units are best equipped to handle a downed large airliner at sea.
1. It has the helicopters to rescue people in the water at range.
2. It has LCACs that can travel rapidly to the scene that can rescue numerous people...perhaps the entire passenger list.
3. They have a fully stocked hospital, along with numerous beds and the personnel to treat the injured.
4. They can serve as an at sea base of operations for investigators to determine the cause of the accident and to recover pieces of the wreckage that are still afloat.
The USMC and USN should consider adding at sea rescue of large airliners to the MEU mission set. Yes its a unique mission but one day we're going to see a large airliner go down and passengers are going to be needing rescue. The big deck amphib is the best ship in the fleet to handle this occurrence.
Sanctions against Russia.
I'm listening to the President speak and he finally stated the obvious but no one is hearing it.
Further sanctions against Russia...which are going to happen...will negatively affect the world economy.
Globalization is dying. China's economy is faltering. Venezuela is almost in full scale civil war over economic conditions. Egypt, Syria, Libya and Ukraine revolutions were about the economy and if you're watching the Gulf States in the Middle East then you know that they're scared shitless because they're buying riot control vehicles like penny candy.
Its about the economy stupid.
Yeah. I'm gonna say it. Shit is gonna get real.
Further sanctions against Russia...which are going to happen...will negatively affect the world economy.
Globalization is dying. China's economy is faltering. Venezuela is almost in full scale civil war over economic conditions. Egypt, Syria, Libya and Ukraine revolutions were about the economy and if you're watching the Gulf States in the Middle East then you know that they're scared shitless because they're buying riot control vehicles like penny candy.
Its about the economy stupid.
Yeah. I'm gonna say it. Shit is gonna get real.
Philippine Navy/Marine Corps about to get AAVs?
The above image is from Modernize the Philippine Navy Facebook page.
I find the image interesting for a couple of reasons. First I didn't know that the Navy/Marine Corps of the Philippine nation was attempting such a drastic modernization program. Second, the AAV is becoming standardized as the west's standard assault vehicle for Marines.
I find no joy in that thought. The AAV is old. Very old and for it to suddenly gain popularity at this late stage will stunt development of new vehicles...besides depleting our own stocks.
On a side note I seriously have to wonder why the Philippines are seeking LPD type ships.
F-35 News. Spending frozen on the troubled jet.
Rome, March 20 - Italy has frozen spending on its F-35 jet fighters program, pending a parliamentary review of military spending, says Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti. Her comments during a television interview with La7 Wednesday night, came several days after Premier Matteo Renzi said that defence spending - including the budget for the F-35 program - was under review. This could include three billion euros in potential savings for defence budgets. The government could decide to trim its Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets' budget, which is currently about 11.8 billion euros over 45 years beginning in 2015. "Today we suspended payment of installments," on the F-35, Pinotti told the program The Barbarian Invasion. "We are having a moratorium, pending the results of an inquiry by Parliament," she added.A certain blogger I know told me I was full of shit when I posted news that the F-35 would be cut to 45 jets by the Italians.
He went through a long song and dance about how this was just a minor thing and that they would be back in the fold buying 90 odd jets shortly.
That blogger failed to take into account current economic conditions worldwide.
Globalization is breaking down. Economies around the world are on the verge of bankruptcy. In short. Everyone is is in a hurtlocker and defense spending is the first sacrificial lamb of the masses.
The Netherlands was first, Italy is second, and I predict that the frugal Canadians will be third. But they won't be the last. Even the USAF will be hit with the reality bat and the F-35 order will be cut.
I say again.
The death spiral is here.
VBTP-MR in full rate production. A beautiful sight...
The above photo is from Forcas Terrestres.
I marvel at what the Brazilian military has done and what the USMC has failed to do. What is it that has me so jazzed about the Brazilians? They recognized a need. They identified the specs of the vehicle that would meet those needs. They selected a contractor, worked with them to get production in country, assembled the plant...and now the fucking vehicle is getting built.
Meanwhile, the USMC had to do 3 years of study to identify an enduring need, approached industry to build prototypes AND THEN when decision time came---punted.
Indecision is not a desirable leadership trait.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
KMW's Mungo Large Capacity Vehicle...
Thanks for the link Mr. T!
Note: Earlier I did a post on the Mungo being the only vehicle that "off the shelf" met the requirements put out by the US Army for an Ultra Light Combat Vehicle. It was pointed out that the legacy Mungo had problems off road. Its to be expected with an internally transported vehicle (inside CH-47), but the new Mungo LCV seems to have worked the problem. I remain convinced that the Mungo is the only off the shelf vehicle that will meet army specs.
Note: Earlier I did a post on the Mungo being the only vehicle that "off the shelf" met the requirements put out by the US Army for an Ultra Light Combat Vehicle. It was pointed out that the legacy Mungo had problems off road. Its to be expected with an internally transported vehicle (inside CH-47), but the new Mungo LCV seems to have worked the problem. I remain convinced that the Mungo is the only off the shelf vehicle that will meet army specs.
Republicans will NOT save the defense budget...
via Defense One.
Best case scenario? Sequestration continues. Worst case. Cuts are even deeper.
The Republicans will not save the defense budget which means that if it isn't flowing now, it will be difficult to get that program later.
What does that mean for the USMC?
We're fucked. Amos dithered with the ACV/MPC programs, pushed forward the F-35 and the MV-22 at the cost of everything else and I am seriously questioning the wisdom of it all.
All you airpower zealots better be right because if you're not history and future Marines will curse you and todays JCS.
A group of Republican lawmakers are proposing to slash the civilian workforce at the Defense Department by 15 percent, a move they estimate will save $82.5 billion over five years.Lets see. The defense hawks on the republican side are the like of McCain, Graham, and a few others that escape my memory. Fiscal hawks are being led by the odd couple of Rand Paul and Ted Cruz.
The Rebalance for an Effective Defense Uniform and Civilian Employees, or REDUCE, Act would cut nearly 115,000 jobs from the department, from the current 770,000-person workforce down to about 655,000. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., who introduced the measure, said the Defense workforce has become unnecessarily bloated over the last decade.
Best case scenario? Sequestration continues. Worst case. Cuts are even deeper.
The Republicans will not save the defense budget which means that if it isn't flowing now, it will be difficult to get that program later.
What does that mean for the USMC?
We're fucked. Amos dithered with the ACV/MPC programs, pushed forward the F-35 and the MV-22 at the cost of everything else and I am seriously questioning the wisdom of it all.
All you airpower zealots better be right because if you're not history and future Marines will curse you and todays JCS.
The Mungo Group Vehicle...only off the shelf solution to the Ultra Light Combat Vehicle requirement
Quick.
Off the top of your head. Name the vehicles on the market today that meet the Army requirements for an Ultra Light Combat Vehicle (read about the ULCV program here).
The British Warthog in its former form could fill the bill, but they've armored that puppy up to such a degree that I don't think it can be airlifted by a UH-60.
So if the Army is serious then they are looking at a competition of one. Only the combat proven Mungo meets the specs. Ain't that a kick in the pants.
30mm Mk 44 is no longer good enough for the IFV threat.
Warfare Technology Blog has a post where he compares the "popular" weapons setups for Western IFVs.
Suffice it to say that the 25mm on the LAV-25A2 and the proposed 30mm on the canceled EFV and future ACV are no longer good enough.
Read the article here.
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