JLTV unsuitable for USMC operations.

Thanks to Jonathan for the link!

Hummer recap

via Janes

Key Points
· The size and deployability of JLTVs is questioned by the Pentagon's director of operational test and evaluation
· Testers found that USMC amphibious assaults would suffer from the added time needed to deploy JLTVs
Pentagon testers have found that Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) prototypes are slow to deploy from ship to shore and, therefore, leaves US Marine Corps (USMC) units "vulnerable to threats".
The Director of Operational Test and Evaluation annual report on the previous year's testing, released on 20 January, found that during developmental test/operational test (DT/OT) events, USMC units with JLTVs were able to execute amphibious assault missions, but were hampered by the new trucks' lack of deployability.
"The JLTVs have large visual signature and their slow manoeuvre time from ship to shore prevents a Marine Expeditionary Unit from executing assault missions with tactical surprise, increases the time to close combat power ashore, and renders the unit vulnerable to threats," the report said.
"Testing showed that JLTVs are slower to load, prepare for fording, and transition to manoeuvre ashore than HMMWV [Humvees]" that they are meant to replace, the document said. Testers explained that the issues were caused by the JLTV's overall larger size (vehicle suspensions are dropped so they can better fit in amphibious ships) and "delays that occur while awaiting suspension mode, and other vehicle adjustments" such as adjusting tyre pressure.
A spokesman for the Army Program Executive Office for Combat Support & Combat Service Support declined to comment on whether the office has developed a plan to address deficiencies outlined in the report.
The DT/OT events occurred in April 2014, with US Army and USMC units using CH-47F Chinook and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters for an air assault mission, and a USMC unit using Landing Craft Utility vessels for amphibious assault missions.
Testers found that units with JLTVs - and organic armour assets - can execute air assault missions.
However, "the three JLTV contractor vehicles were more difficult to rig, de-rig, and load weapons due to vehicle height and lack of vehicle handholds and footholds than HMMWV," the report said. "They had limited space to carry crew, mission essential equipment, weapons, and their sustainment load because of the small interior compartment."

It should be obvious to all that the USMC is looking for a graceful exit from this program.

This study is just another excuse to do what should have been done two years ago.  I'm not a fan of Textron but since they teamed with Granite, the upgrade option to the Humvee is a no brainer.

Put the JLTV out of its misery and sole source an upgrade for Marine Corps Humvees.  If nothing else it'll take another piece off the table when it comes to the procurement trainwreck.

F-35 Close Air Support Testing Vid.

Step up all you JTAC bubbas....especially you John.

I watch this video and I just can't get thrilled.  I get the impression of medium altitude bomb drops...not close air support in the classic sense.  I could be wrong, but this doesn't look like what we were promised when they said that this airplane would replace the AV-8B and the A-10.

NOTE:  Some are saying that all munitions in the future will be precision type devices so flying low is unnecessary.  Others are saying that real professionals will not care what type of airplane delivers the munition as long as it lands where its suppose to.  If that's the case then we need to go to an all UAV force for close air support and save ourselves a ton of money.  If its as some are saying then the B-52 can replace several hundred F-35's in this job and be relevant again.  That's the problem when you're defending a flawed F-35.  To make the argument that it will be fine at providing close air support, you're at the same time pointing out that its not needed for that role!

China's Navy continues to close the gap...via Navy Recognition.

Photo via Navy Recognition.

Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a wholly owned subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC, the largest shipbuilding group in China), launched on the same day near Shanghai three new vessels for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy): The fourth Type 071 landing platform dock (Yuzhao-class LPD), the twenty-first Type 054A Frigate (Jiangkai II class) and the fifth Type 815G ELINT/SIGINT vessel.

On the same day China launched 3 military vessels (representing over 32,000 tons combined) showing to the world its naval shipbuilding industry's might.

Type 071 landing platform dock

Type 071 (Yuzhao-class) LPD are the main amphibious platforms of the PLAN. They displace 20,000 tons, measure 210 meters long and 28 meters wide. The ship complement is 120 sailors.

Each Type 071 has the capacity to accomodate one marine battalion, including 500 to 800 troops, and 15 to 20 amphibious armored vehicles. The well deck may hold four Yuyi-class LCAC.

The ship is armed with one 76 mm gun and four 30 mm close-in weapon systems. 

The head of Type 071 class, Kunlun Shan (hull number 998), was launched in December 2006 and commissioned in November 2007. The second vessel of the class, Jinggang Shan (hull number 999), was launched in November 2010 and commissioned in October 2011. The third Type 071 LPD Changbai Shan was launched in September 2011. All three vessel are deployed with the PLAN's South Sea Fleet.

Go over to NVLRec website to read the whole thing.  One thing is certain though.  While the US Navy and Marine Corps are attempting to sell the public on the idea that a ship fleet that numbers less than 300, with a number of them being what we once considered non-combatants is viable, the Chinese are building a proper go-to-war fleet.

Not only are they building real deal Destroyers and Frigates...vessels designed to do the dirty work in any conflict...but they're also building an impressive power projection navy.  Once they get their LHDs into service you will see outward nervousness on the part of many of our allies in the region.

We desperately need to orient away from a Marine Corps that is biased toward counter insurgency (SPMAGTF-CR) and back to a balanced middleweight force (MEU) that is able to handle the full range of military operations.

Why are we tip toeing into the Ukraine conflict?

via Defense News.

WASHINGTON — American soldiers will deploy to Ukraine this spring to begin training four companies of the Ukrainian National Guard, the head of US Army Europe Lt. Gen Ben Hodges said during his first visit to Kiev on Wednesday.
The number of troops heading to the Yavoriv Training Area near the city of L'viv — which is about 40 miles from the Polish border — is still being determined, however.
The American training effort comes as part of a US State Department initiative "to assist Ukraine in strengthening its law enforcement capabilities, conduct internal defense, and maintain rule of law" Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Col. Vanessa Hillman told Defense News.

This is another example of why I so despise the current crop of military leaders.  They've gobbed onto this training concept with both hands and refuse to let it go...no matter how many times we see it fail...in Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali...where we've tried to teach people to fight the way we do they always fail in combat.

Not only does the failure of the country's forces that are being trained tarnish us, but it also draws us into the conflict which means that we have what we're seeing now...a much less stable world.

This also explains why I haven't heard from a certain person that will go unnamed.  I'm sure he's up to his elbows in this mess.  I'll try and get you all a behind the scenes look at this but confidence is not high.  I'm sure this stupidity is cloaked behind a "need to know" wall. 

SIDENOTE:  This will probably be the nail in the coffin for any type of peaceful outcome.  How can I, a blogger see how inflammatory this move can be but the people in the State Dept and Pentagon be so blind.  One last thing.  The reason why this conflict is getting so much airtime on my pages is because I see this as being the most consequential war happening at this time.  The fight against ISIS?  People will die but its essentially craziness in a handbag...deploy our force of B-52's against those primitives in round the clock unrestricted bombing and they'll get back in their hole.  We don't have that option in Ukraine which makes it much more dangerous.

Panorama of the aftermath of fighting at the Donetsk airport.

Thanks info-infanterie for the link!

Today in Marine Corps History. The Battle of Khe Sanh began.

  The Battle for Khe Sanh

via Marine Corps Historical Division...

The second battle for Khe Sanh began on 20 January 1968 when Marines from the 3d Battalion, 26th Marines attacked a North Vietnamese battalion between Hill 881 South and Hill 881 North. More than 100 of the enemy were killed. This week's publication is _The Battle for Khe Sanh_, by Captain Moyers S. Shore, II. First published in 1969, this was one of the earliest records of the battle and siege of Khe Sanh Combat Base.

The battle of Khe Sanh was taught to every Marine in boot camp not that long ago.  Its the story of Marines under almost constant fire, living in hellish conditions and with the assistance of some extremely brave airmen fought and won where the French had failed.

Its one of those "finest hour" stories that is known only inside the military (note also that this was a truly joint service fight...the US Army, Air Force, Navy...everyone showed up, everyone fought and everyone bled).

One of the sidenotes to the fight is the battle for the hills surrounding the base.  If those battles are analogous to what company landing teams will face (and that is my fear) then we're looking at sending future Marines into meat grinders.

This history is a must read. 

Ok. What the hell is going on with Ukraine?

via Washington Times

Russian military forces are crossing into eastern Ukraine in larger numbers, according to Phillip A. Karber, a Georgetown University professor currently on a fact-finding tour of the region.
“Things are really heating up — five Russian armored task forces crossed the border in last 60 hours, a force of about 75 main battle tanks, 100 infantry fighting vehicles, 100 other armored vehicles and fifty artillery systems,” said Mr. Karber, also head of the Potomac Foundation.
The increased Russian military operations come as both the United States and the NATO alliance so far have not supplied urgently needed lethal weaponry to the Ukrainian military, Mr. Karber said in an email dispatch to Inside the Ring. However, after a delay of 10 months, the U.S. Army Europe recently sent a delegation of officers to Kiev to assess Ukraine’s military needs.
“Intense combat is breaking out all across the front — from Mariupol in the south to Luhansk in the east,” Mr. Karber said.

What the fuck is going on?

Five armored task forces are operating in Ukraine?  I hate to sound like the Russians on but where is the proof?  Everyone in Europe has a cell phone and they couldn't keep this large a troop movement secret.

On the other hand we're getting these types of reports at an increasing pace.  I don't know whats happening but something is brewing.

That quiet endgame that I was expecting might be off the mark.  This thing could get nasty if people miscalculate.  Read the entire article here. 

British Army on exercise in Poland (pics).

So does this mean the Ukrainian conflict is actually a proxy war?

via Kyiv Post

The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has presented the Ukrainian Border Guard Service with a prototype of the Ukrainian-made 'Kozak' armored personnel carrier (APC), at a base in Kyiv
"To date, the United States has delivered dozens of armored pick-up trucks and vans to the Ukrainian Border Guard Service. The 'Kozak' is larger and offers a higher level of protection. Delivery of the prototype helps fulfill one of the commitments noted in the June 4, 2014 White House Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine," reads a statement posted on the embassy's website on Tuesday.
The "Kozak" is the first prototype of its kind designed by "Practika" Kyiv enterprise. Meeting Ukrainian Class 4 armor standards, the vehicle is built on an IVECO chassis and includes a v-shaped armored hull to guard against anti-personnel mines or other explosives.
"The prototype is analogous to a light version of a U.S. Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle," reads the statement.

So we're buying the Ukrainians armored vehicles and since we're sourcing them from Ukrainian industry we're propping up that country.

Russian is supplying the rebels, separatists or whatever you call them with arms and munitions.

Isn't this the classic definition of a proxy war?  Have I missed the fact that the West is at war with Russia? 

UPDATE:  Ukrainian President says that Russia has 500 tanks, APCs, IFVs and other armored vehicles inside his country....read it here.

USAF General defends the Long Range Strike Bomber...

via National Defense Magazine.

“There are publications out there that are already saying, ‘You don’t need this. It’s too expensive. It’s not going to work.’ We don’t even know what it is yet, per se,” Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration said at an Air Force Association breakfast in Arlington, Virginia.
“It’s already starting. … They are already out there, the usual suspects that have been against every modernization, every recapitalization out there. Don’t listen to them ladies and gentlemen,” he said.
Harencak answered those who have suggested that the bomber’s mission could be carried out by other systems such as remotely piloted aircraft, or stand-off missiles

Interesting.  The USAF appears to be hyper sensitive to criticism of the LRSB. That is thrilling.   I don't think that talking points and propaganda will see this program survive a terrible defense budget environment.

Singapore Army at Exercise Thunder Warrior 15.

Embassy vehicle shot in Yemen. Evacuation to the airport iffy.

via ABC News.

Two U.S. officials confirmed to ABC News that a U.S. embassy vehicle was shot at in Sanaa on Monday near the U.S. embassy. No one was injured in the attack and it remains unclear who was responsible for the attack. One official indicated that the international airport in Sanaa remains open -- a key option if a decision is made to move personnel out via commercial aviation.
“The situation is obviously deteriorating,” said Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, of the situation in Yemen. McCain added that the security situation in Yemen reflects what he sees as a “total failure” of the Obama administration’s Middle East policy.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, labeled the situation in Yemen “extremely dangerous” and said the collapse of the Hadi government “would be a setback for out counter-terrorism efforts.”

I'm surprised that we haven't had news of US Marines already starting an evacuation.

The decision making cycle from this administration begins with our forces having to play catch up instead of having events develop according to our time table.

I would scratch any idea of a convoy of State Dept personnel making it to the airport for evacuation at this point....and I'm sure that's why the MV-22 is being emphasized.  Landing at an airport is optimal for that airplane.  The narrow confines of an embassy?  Not so much.  I wonder how many planners wished they had the agility of the CH-46 during operations like this!

KAMAZ 63969 undergoing blast/cannon fire testing via English Russia.

They've really refined this vehicle since I first laid eyes on it.

UK to cut its Army to 60,000?

Thanks to Tom for the link!

via Daily Telegraph

Sir Nick told MPs: "There are already paper exercises going on in looking at what an Army of just 60,000 would look like because of the financial crunch that the department is going to be facing."
Last year the Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen Sir Nick Houghton, said he would “fix my bayonet and fight to the last," to prevent further Army cuts.
More cuts to the Army were last night attacked as “foolhardy in the extreme”.
Military leaders fear a defence review scheduled for after the election will see a repeat of 2010’s biting austerity cuts to the military budget.
The Office for Budget Responsibility has predicted the Chancellor's tax and spending policies will require an austerity programme in the next Parliament much bigger that the one implemented by the current Coalition. The defence budget, unlike overseas aid, is not ring-fenced for protection.

When Tom sent this to me he added this missive...More people are signing up for ISIS than they are for the British Army!

But this leads to a bigger question.

What happens when the country that says that it has a special relationship with us is no longer to "punch above its weight"?

They're buying F-35's but are having trouble maintaining the Typhoon fighters they already have in service...and speaking of the F-35...if they're having to cut their Army this much then how will they be able to sell the idea of buying the super expensive US jets while they kick people out of their Army?

We've seen the F-35 destroy the Air Force of the Netherlands...instead of 85 they're buying 35.  We know whats happening with the rest of our allies (and I'm still waiting to see how many the Italians buy).

Is it not time to kill this project before it totally eviscerates the defense forces of our allies?  Wouldn't it be better to sell affordable airplanes like the F-18 and Gripen so that they can still deploy ground forces to deal with issues that seem to pop up on an almost daily basis?

The long sad story of the AAV Replacement via Defense Industry Daily.

What is the one service specific vehicle that the USMC operates that is not duplicated in the other services?

If you said the AAV then you're right.

The Marine Corps operates (and has done so historically) vehicles and aircraft found in the US Navy or Army for generations.  The old saying of Marines getting other services hand me downs comes from this tradition.  A-4's?  US Navy.  M103 Heavy Tanks?  Army.  UH-1?  First an Army program that was navalized for Marine Corps use.

The only vehicle that started out as a purely Marine Corps project to serve a specific Marine Corp need is the AAV.

Which makes the difficulty in fielding a replacement embarrassing AND frustrating.  Defense Industry Daily covers the issue and you can read it here.

N. Korean soldiers caught kissing on the DMZ. via Kish Kim Military Photos.

North Korean soldiers kissing caught on CCTV of South Korean army near the DMZ / photo NOT by Kish Kim

Preps underway for embassy evacuation in Yemmen.

Thanks for the heads up William!

via CNN

Two U.S. Navy warships moved into new positions in the Red Sea late Monday to be ready to evacuate Americans from the US embassy in Yemen if an order comes to do so, CNN has learned.
So far, there has been no decision to evacuate the embassy. The USS Iwo Jima and the USS Fort McHenry were moved "because they will be in the best position if asked," by the State Department to evacuate the embassy, a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the planning tells CNN. So far there has been decision to evacuate the embassy, and no request from the State Department for military assistance.
If an evacuation is ordered, the first option would be to have embassy personnel drive to the commercial airport in Sanaa and fly out, the official said. But in the wake of an embassy car being fired Tuesday, the safety of the roads in the capital is now being constantly evaluated, the official said. If embassy workers did drive to the airport it is likely some sort of air cover would be provided, under the current plan.
Other detailed military planning for various options has been finalized, the official said. Those options would be used if a request for military assistance were made.
If helicopters and V-22 aircraft from the ships are sent to Sanaa, it would be a complex operation that could last for several days to fully evacuate "several hundred Americans" from the embassy, the official cautioned. "Nobody should think this would be easy."

FUCKING THANK YOU!!!!

The idea of having to evacuate an embassy is bad news.  The fact that planners are using a Marine Expeditionary Unit and NOT a SPMAGTF-CR indicates that this is serious.

SPMAGTF-CR failed its first real test.  When the possibility of shots being fired finally happened it was sat on the bench and the first team sent in...the MEU.

Pic of the day via Aero-Pictures.

Marine Air continues to ravage the Corps. Next villain? CH-53K.

via Janes.

The US Navy (USN) is to begin negotiations with Sikorsky for the low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter, the service disclosed on 8 January.
According to a notice posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website, Lots 1 and 2 will be negotiated for two and four LRIP helicopters respectively. The intended contract will be initially issued as an Advance Acquisition Contract (AAC) in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 for long-lead items in support of the subsequent production buys.
The announcement of the imminent commencement of LRIP negotiations follows the official roll-out of the CH-53K in May 2014. The operational evaluation (OPEVAL) phase of the programme is expected to begin in early-2017, with the first of an expected 200 production helicopters due to be delivered to the US Marine Corps (USMC) from about 2019.

My take on this?

The Marine Corps is working hard to clear the trainwreck that the F-35 caused/is causing and yet programs that are must have need to be walled off and protected.  

The CH-53K just got anointed as a favored son. 

What is still left on the table?  Almost every ground combat weapon system/vehicle.

Consider.  HQMC has pushed the Navy to put into service ships that its having to figure out how to use everyday in the fleet (JHSV, MLP and AFSB)...has an airplane that is set to deliver much less than promised, is expensive and is looking like a maintenance hog (F-35)...has cut Tanks, Artillery and Infantry Battalions to the bone...and has left the one vehicle that is Marine Corps specific to languish (AAV replacement).

F-35 News. War on the Rocks Blog asked the tough question. Is stealth worth it?

via WOTR.

“Physics probably favors detection and the ultimate demise of stealthy systems.” So predicted the Hart-Rudman Commission in 1999. Sixteen years later, it’s time for the Department of Defense to ask tough questions about whether to continue investing scarce resources into stealth technology. Foremost among those questions is this: Are we sacrificing too much capacity in a quest for an exquisite capability, a capability that may not offer the edge it once did and whose efficacy is in decline?

Read it all here.

Finally.  Questions that should have been asked five years ago are being asked now.

"...Exquisite capability...whose efficacy is in decline?"

I love it!

Sidenote:  Pay careful attention to the talk about the LRSB.  You heard it here first.  That plane will not make it into production.  I guarantee it.