2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion (2nd AABN) well deck ops...pics by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Markus Castaneda

What's with that new Russian Self Propelled Artillery?

Major hat tip to s300v4!

I've personally been focused on the MBTs and IFVs that Russia is soon to roll out.  Its in my wheelhouse so I guess that's natural...but what about the new self propelled artillery that Russia is also teasing?

On this I have no idea.  Hopefully an artillery guy can point out what's new (at least from what little we can see), what's different, how they're deviating from past practices, etc...

One thing we can "spot" because of the above pic is the relative size.  This is one HUGE vehicle!  Check out the BTR behind it, the utility vehicle to the left and the mobile strategic missile in the background.  My guess?  Its an autoloader.  It looks like it has a  203mm gun...which would be a throwback to when artillery was taken seriously...yeah...this thing could be a beast!

UPDATE:  Galvars thinks that we're simply seeing a modified 2S19 MSTA.  I disagree.  Check out the pic below.  Pay careful attention to the barrels.  We're seeing something more powerful and more substantial in this new vehicle.  I could easily be wrong but I don't think so.

Close-up pics of the Armata Main Battle Tank...

Major hat tip to Mr. T!

Did you notice the vision blocks all the way across the front of the vehicle?  I wonder if that means the driver and the commander are side by side? with the gunner behind them?  Additionally I only saw one spot that might indicate a hull mounted camera (in the front) and none in the rear.  Laser dazzlers (and not the "eye safe" kind) will be all the rage when facing these beasts.  Why use a missile when an accurately aimed, industrial size laser pointer can get an "operational" kill?

Washington D.C. is vulnerable...

This doesn't appear to be a "probing" type thing but the totality of what we know indicates one thing....Washington D.C. is vulnerable to small unit attacks.

We've seen individual gunman twist this city into knots (to include some drunk Secret Service agents) with little difficulty.

The crazy thing?  The bureaucracy seems to be making the situation worse.  There are so many conflicting areas of responsibility that cooperation means that proper and effective response to threats is difficult (this is my opinion...I'm sure authorities and many of you will disagree).

After this latest incident I'm convinced than ever.  If terrorist get smart, bold and can put in place the proper logistics, they can basically shut down the North East United States.

"Rosomaks on the road" via Defense 24..

More than 120 soldiers and 20 military vehicles, including transporters, Wolverine was moved by road from the barracks 12 Mechanized Brigade in Szczecin to the training center of the United States Army in Germany Hohenfels

What is the General Dynamics Peacekeeping Security Vehicle for?

  Peace Keeping Security Vehicle.

CSBA Think Tank calls for B-1R Type Fighter/Interceptors....UPDATED!

Everyone has been talking about the end of the manned fighter.

In my opinion they're wrong.  We've talked about it on these pages in the past but a quick and dirty is this...the future is going to belong to B-1R sized Fighter/Interceptors.

Why?

Simple.  That's where the tech is headed.  You're not going to be talking about engagements at 50 or 100 miles but at twice that.  You're going to need to be able to generate enough energy to power your lasers, electron beams and whatever else the brainiacs are working on.  You're going to need an AESA array that can reach out, coupled with datalinks to satellites  in orbit to help with targeting.

But if you don't believe me then check out the report below...

  CSBA Trends in Air-To-Air Report

UPDATED:  
But of course if we're being honest what the authors of this study are actually calling for is what the boys down in Australia Air Power already dreamed up.  Remember the F-111 Missilier Concept????  Click on image to enlarge.  Why did I include this?  Simple.  The USAF will never go to super large fighters that are bomber sized.  They could be pushed into an F-111 sized fighter/interceptor though...and the plane could deliver the desired performance, range and power generation in something that USAF traditionalist could accept.

2nd CAV's Stryker Mortar Carrier during live fire exercise in Romania (pics)...

USAF Plans for Radical F-35 Upgrade Reveal Obsolescence via Defense Aerospace...

via D.A.

Foreign buyers of the F-35A may not be aware that the US Air Force is already looking to upgrade its radar, avionics and engine because – a year before its IOC - the current aircraft already cannot match “rapid technology development by potential adversaries.”

Read the whole thing here.

We've been given hints about this problem but the "fan boys" dismissed it as being rabble rousing.

The truth is much more stark however.

The USMC and our allies are in the midst of a procurement trainwreck.  The hope is to buy the F-35 now (in the case of the Marine Corps) and to clear at least one item off the books so that they can move on to buy more important...much needed gear.

Between the maintenance issues and the necessary upgrades to make the plane COMPETITIVE with current threat weapons those dreams are nothing but nightmares.

Even the biggest fan of the program has to be asking himself WTF! 

Indie movies might save the Star Trek franchise...

I watched the latest Star Trek movie abortion and was appalled.  For long time fans it was just a terrible remake of a perfect television show from the classic.

But these indie movies...if they could ever get financing could actually save the franchise.  Hollywood doesn't get it, but the actors that played on the shows and the fans do.  Indie movies that deal with sci-fi?  Yeah.  That's the ticket!

Sidenote:  If only someone would do a GOOD remake of Space 1999 I'd be in heaven.

Piloted Aircraft Annual Review 1954

Russia's new light tracked coupled armoured carrier, DT-3PM via English Russia.

More pics here.

The Russians really are gearing up for a fight up North.  Additionally it looks like they want a mechanized, combined arms fight.  The 2nd Infantry Division, the 10th Mountain Division and Marine Corps units are suppose to be equipped to fight in arctic conditions but I just don't know.  Exercises in Norway was always on the list of things to do for the boys at Lejeune but its fallen off and last I heard only reserve units were making the trek.

One thing is certain.  Putin isn't investing this much money in cold weather gear without intending to use it.

31st MEU pic of the day...

Today's Debate. Does the UH-1Y Huey fit into current/future Marine Ops?

Does the current UH-1Y fit into current and future Marine Ops?  Putting aside nostalgia, when you look at plans for the Sea Base and SPMAGTF-CR and then glance at the UH-1Y the helicopters shortcomings become obvious.

Its short legged...with a combat radius of about 150 miles...It has a small payload...maxing out at just under 7000 pounds (not sure if that's internal or external)...it can only carry 8 combat troops...and its slow flying at just under 190 mph.

So if you attempt to plug this airplane into future Marine Corps concepts of operations then it won't be able to fly from the sea base (and do actual work), can't keep up with planned Company Landing Teams and will be left at the launch point when SPMAGTF-CR's go into action.

But to be honest the same applies to the AH-1Z.

The Marine Corps has put into service two aircraft that don't fit with future ops.

What would?

The AW 609.

Did you know that the Italian military is exploring the idea of a weaponized AW 609?  We gave away the next "Huey" and the JMR project is just doing what has already been done.

Ain't life grand?

This cop had to be possessed.

Thanks to William for the link.



Ya know this kinda thing makes me truly believe in demonic possession.  I'm hardly a bible thumper but what else explains this....  I'm not talking about the head spinning, vomit spewing stuff in the movies but barbaric acts that defy human understanding and explanation.

There is no justifying this.  There are no excuses.

But even more I can't believe that this was an "oh shit" moment.  The reaction after the deed is just too calm.  The lack of adrenaline, the disregard for the camera.

The pics of the Golani Brigade's destroyed APCs...

via Jerusalem Online..

Nine months after one of the biggest tragedies that had occurred during IDF’s operation Protective edge in Gaza, Channel 2 News has revealed images of the Armored Personal Carrier (APC) that was bombarded in the Gazan neighborhood of Sajaiya.

The two images that were revealed do not shed full light on exactly what had occurred during the APC incident. At a first glance of the images it is already clear that the photos were not taken at the place that the vehicle was hit, rather elsewhere, after being dragged away from the horror scene.

M-113's in frontline combat?

Not even the US Army is that stupid. When I first heard about this I was peeved.   I held the IDF to a much higher standard.  Now, after seeing these pics, I'm just pissed...and I'm a supporter of Israel.

The IDF better get hard core again and forget the politically correct BS or Israel will be pushed into the sea.

China's Jiaolong AG600 sea plane.

What if I told you that the USMC/USN operated a sea plane that was C-130 sized, could transport Marines at distance, could land and take off at sea state 4 and that they were looking at cargo, pure troop carrying, anti-sub and rescue variants?

I know I would cheer.

Having said that, now consider that its not US naval forces that are acquiring such a plane but the Chinese.  via Defense News.

"Amphibious planes like the AG600 would be perfect for resupplying the new artificial islands that the Chinese are building in the SCS," said Richard Bitzinger, coordinator of the Military Transformations Program at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
"At the same time, these islands would be excellent bases of operations for the AG600 to engage in maritime patrols of claimed territories."

Wow.

You're an American trapped in Yemen? Don't call the US govt...call India instead....

via FreeBeacon.

The State Department is telling U.S. citizens fleeing the fighting in Yemen to contact the government of India or an international NGO dedicated to migrant rights for help, according to the website for the abandoned U.S. embassy in Sanaa and statements by Indian government officials.
The Chinese Navy last week evacuated hundreds of people from the war-torn country. Russia, Canada, and France are also reported to have recently conducted evacuations of their own.
The website of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Yemen posted two messages on Monday laying out options for American citizens looking to flee the country. The first noted that, “The Indian government has offered to assist U.S. citizens who want to depart Yemen for Djibouti. This potentially includes flights out of Sana’a and ships from Aden. U.S. citizens wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should contact First Secretary Raj Kopal at the Indian Embassy in Sana’a at 00967 734 000 657.”
A second message stated that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was working to arrange a flight out of the country to Djibouti at some point this week, and directed American citizens needing assistance to contact the IOM.

Uh.  Wow.

This is.....sad.   I don't quite get it.  Other nations are capable of evacuating their citizens and they have forces that are several magnitudes less capable than our own.

Its kinda obvious that people in the State Dept are brain dead when it comes to optics.

Submarine guys are playing dangerous games again...

The above clip is from the movie "Hunt for Red October" and it definitely applies if my suspicions about a UK attack sub are confirmed.  Check this out from Foxtrot Alpha...

Royal Navy submarine suffers £500,000 damage after 'hitting ice' http://dailym.ai/1C1TsAw  via @MailOnline

Read the story here.

Brit attack subs?  Russian icebergs that are shaped like destroyers?

Yeah.

This shit could get interesting.

Macabre and sad but SoG told it in a funny way...

Shepherd of the Gurney's is back and his latest is MACABRE...a whole lot of sad...but told in a funny way.  If you've ever wondered what its like to work in an ER and some of the stuff you get to see then head here.  Oh but a tidbit...

Open wound + flies = party!
So you know things aren't going to be fun on your shift:
A) When the radio call report is "infected leg, with maggots".B) When said patient arrives with the leg involved wrapped in a plastic trash bag to the thigh.C) When the paramedics are taking hits off their SCBA breathers.D) When the patient is assigned to your zone.E) When, as part of the meet-and-greet, you have to remove the bag to visualize the situation.F) When the funk miasa coming off the leg would knock a buzzard off a pile of guts, and you haven't even gotten the socks and pants off yet.G) When you finally get to the base layer, and are greeted by a menagerie of several tens of thousands of little brown rice grains, all doing the entomological version of "The Wave", in a pile an inch thick. Bless their hungry little hearts.H) All of the above.

Its a good read!