Weird Iranian Armor.

Note:  This is another post that is courtesy of one of my Russian friends.  Unfortunately I cleaned out the in-box before I saved your name.  Apologies!  Also, a lot of people are commenting on the Ripsaw Howe and Howe Brothers rip off.  That's not the lead!  Check out the crazy turret on the wheeled armored vehicle!  How they came up with the "additional" turret for the TC is beyond me but I'd aim a anti-tank missile at that spot just for spite!

Ukrainian Mothers at war...

What you see above is the ultimate mobilization of a society at war.  Feminist will cheer when they see something like this.

Personally I cringe.  All I see is a pathetically easy target that has limited skills, is not dressed for combat and probably lacks the physical fitness for the rigors that come with it.  Additionally she has been placed in a situation without the proper kit to see her through the day.

Ukraine.  Another of those humanitarian disasters that's being conveniently ignored by the mainstream media.

Note:  I get so much information from readers, so many links, I have so much stuff in the queue that I sometimes lose track of things.  Unfortunately this is one of those.  If you're the guy that sent me these images then hit me up so I can credit you.  The story stood out, unfortunately the name did not.

Crossbreeding shows up in the Yamaha Wolverine..

The civilian ATV market was biased toward utility work and getting to out of the way places that you didn't want to/or couldn't take your truck.  Racing was focused on speed and jumps.

The military took notice and started using them.

Mil Spec features like bull bars (more for looks than utility from my arm chair), weird storage spaces and alternate engines became common.

Now the circle is complete and you have the new Yamaha Wolverine.  It has racing, utility and mil spec features all in one package. Pretty cool.  I might have to visit the local dealership to take a look-see.

On a sidenote.  I had a talk with a lady that has me thinking about finally pulling the trigger on becoming a reserve deputy on their Search and Rescue Team.  I live in hurricane country, have some skills and keep in shape so I think I might be able to help.  Additionally from what I can see those boys do good work locally looking for missing persons, and generally heading into places that most don't want to go.  

Sounds like fun.

"Attack On Titan" Live Action Official Trailer

I'm told that Season 2 Manga has some pretty intense surprises....but this live action version...I JUST DON'T KNOW!

I do enjoy watching the original anime with sub titles on Crunchy Roll so I guess I'll give the live version a shot.

Romanian IAR-330 Puma Helicopter on exercise with the 2nd Cav

JGSDF response to an attack on the disputed islands! (video)

The Japanese are taking the threat about Chinese action on the disputed islands seriously.  Other nations in the region with a claim are talking, but so far I've seen no planning to deal with the issue.

Note also that they're doing what I've been calling for...they're working their amphibious, airborne and armored forces together along with amphibious ships, and their version of sea lift to make the response a timely one.  Also note that in this planning Air Force and Naval units are supporting rather than supported actors.

We would be well served to remember...wars are fought over pieces of land....control of the air above or the sea surrounding it will definitely help the fight but in order to win an Infantryman must stand on that prized piece of real estate!

Ukraine is heating back up...did you really think this was over?

via Kyiv.

The military activity of Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continues increasing. Over the last 24 hours, the most heated area was the Pisky – Avdiivka stretch (including the Donetsk Airport and Opytne). During the day, the positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Pisky were shelled 7 times, including 4 fire attacks from 120-mm mortars.
Additionally, the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops in this area were attacked by a group of terrorists supported by 4 armored vehicles. As a result of the firefight, the enemy lost 2 motor vehicles and 1 armored combat vehicle (MT-LB). During the clash, the enemy supported their unit with two ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft units and several mounted grenade launchers (AGS-17 “Plamya” [Flame]), in an attempt to suppress the defensive fire of the Ukrainian unit.
The insurgents are commonly using the following tactic in their attacks: a group of 10-15 insurgents (less frequently, 25-30), supported by 1-2 mortar details operating 120-mm or 82-mm mortars (sometimes also supported with 2-4 armored vehicles), makes a concealed approach to the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops to reach the effective range, and delivers a brief fire strike. In these “raids,” the terrorists, in addition to small arms, are armed with heavy machine guns and mounted grenade launchers, which they are using in an attempt to quickly create fire superiority and suppress the retaliatory actions of Ukrainian units, which are mounting a defense at the advanced positions. Less commonly, the attacks use 2-3 groups, one of which is always employed for cover or fire suppression of the enemy.Shelling by Russian-terrorist troops was also observed in the vicinity of Opytne,Mayorske, Leninske, Troitske andKrymske (in 4 instances).

Read it all here.

My take?

Forgive the vulgarity but its really simple.  When Putin looks at Obama, Merkel and the rest of the Western leadership, all he smells is pussy.

Additionally, if Russian propaganda is what they actually believe, then they place the entire Ukrainian drama on the US State Dept, and think that they're acting to protect their interests.

The end result?  The Obama Administration is tied up trying to get a deal done with Iran.  They need Russia and Putin knows it.  That's why he can be provocative right now.  The sale of S-300's to Iran?  The intensified maneuvers/combat in Ukraine?

The Russians have the West right where they want us.  We need them and they're willing to take the pain of sanctions to achieve their goals. 

USAF defangs the 82nd Airborne...closes its co-located Airlift Wing...

via Free Beacon.

Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, commander of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps, publicly expressed his opposition in February to closing the 440th. “Of all places in the world, why would we take that capability away from Fort Bragg?” he said at the time.
Tillis wrote a letter last month to Sens. Thad Cochran (R., Miss.) and Dick Durbin (D., Ill.), the leaders of the defense appropriations subcommittee, requesting a provision in next year’s defense bill that would halt the deactivation of the 440th. He noted that, “Pope AAF is the busiest airfield in the world for the performance of training requiring tactical airlift” and that the Air Force will incur additional costs by flying in planes from distant bases to train airborne units. The retiring of the 440th also comes during a period of global instability that could require the rapid deployment of airborne forces.
“This is not a parochial issue, deactivating the 440th is a tactical and strategic mistake that will impact the readiness of America’s rapid reaction and Special Forces,” Tillis said. “It essentially takes the ‘air’ out of ‘airborne.’”

Wow.

The USAF is obviously suffering from an interservice social disorder! 

KTH Institute of Technology Concept Pic of a Fast Heavy Landing Craft...

You can read the synopsis of the KTH Concept Study here.  From what I could make out, the Swedes were looking at some of the same concepts that General Mullen talked about.  A landing craft that was fast, could be controlled from the vehicle being carried and then return to the ship by means of pre-programmed instruction.

Pretty darn cool.

Fast Landing Craft Personnel. Is it time for the Marine Corps to take a new look?

Is it time for the Marine Corps to take a new look at the Fast Landing Craft Personnel?

I think so.  Consider.  The USMC is at the beginning of a REAL transformation of the Infantry Rifle Squad (I kick myself everyday for not seeing what MANY were telling me...).  In short every squad will turn into what we once called a "Super Squad".  The standards, training, manning and equipping will be second to none.

We need to get those units ashore, quickly and in fighting shape....and we might not have the luxury of using helicopters or tiltrotors to get the job done....add to it that we're going to be putting Marines aboard "other than" amphibious ships and we need a craft that can go fast, far, protect our Marines from the elements and deliver them ready to fight.

Which brings me to what I think is the ideal solution.  The Watercat M12.

I looked at several offerings from around the world...the LCM-1E, several offerings from BMT Camien and they all failed to impress.

The Watercat M12 will deliver 22 Marines at speeds up to 35 knots at almost 200 nm from shore.  They're small enough to be carried aboard most alternate forms of transport that the Marine Corps is considering and will provide the type of mobility that these units will  lack without a dedicated air detachment (which might not be available or the ships might not be able to accommodate).

The Watercat M12 deserves a look-see.  Borrowing one or two from the Finnish Navy to conduct experiments with Company Landing Teams or even Rifle Squads would go a long way to determining whether they would fit into our future operating concepts.

It would require teaming with the Navy and Military Sea Lift Command...maybe even SOCOM (still have issues with the teaming but its done so lets roll with it) to see where they would be useful, but its something that we should make happen.



SIDENOTE: Everyone is excited about the CB90. I view that more as a patrol boat than a fast landing craft. I realize that the Swedish Marines use it in the assault role, but I still contend that the Watercat M12 is more suited to USMC mission sets. Coastal Defense, Off Shore Patrol Duty etc...is falling into the turf currently occupied by the Riverines. While I still chaff at the Marine Corps abandoning that mission, the deed is done. In times of austerity purchases must be based on need not desire. The M12 fits the bill.

SNAFU! on Scribd...

Doing a bit of organization to the blog and our presence on Scribd is not being utilized as much as I'd like.

If you're following current military affairs, in particular the latest and greatest coming out of the Marine Corps then click here to check out various info that I've collected over the past few months.  I think it'll be worth your time.

Stop crying about Valencia being hit by a police squad car!

Are you still crying about Valencia being hit by a squad car?

Save your tears for the weak and the dying.  Check out his crime spree that day....via CNN...

Timeline of events
Tucson Police Sgt. Pete Dugan told CNN that Valencia was involved in several incidents there the day he was struck.
At 6:45 a.m. on February 19, Valencia allegedly robbed a 7-Eleven in Tucson with a metal object in his hand. Authorities said he was dressed only in his underwear. He was charged with theft.
A little more than an hour later, police said, Valencia set a fire at a church for which he was charged with arson of an occupied structure.
Just after that he entered a home and stole a car, police said.
Authorities said he drove to a Walmart in Marana, where he allegedly stole a .30-30 rifle and ammunition. He fled the store with Walmart employees in pursuit.
Police encountered him in a business park walking down the road. An officer told him several times to drop the rifle, Lt. Tim Brunenkant with Marana police said in an email containing a timeline of events.
Valencia, police said, walked away from the officer, turned a corner and stopped. Valencia pointed the rifle at the officer then walked away again toward a Coca-Cola bottling plant and another business.
"As Mario Valencia briskly walked towards Sargent Controls (local manufacturer), Officer Michael Rapiejko uses his marked police car to stop the dangerous situation Mario Valencia created," Brunenkant wrote.
Brunenkant also said by phone that before Rapiejko's encounter with Valencia, the suspect had pointed the rifle at his head multiple times and threatened suicide before fleeing.
Rozema said that Valencia's firing of the weapon, his refusal to obey the first officer's commands to drop the gun and the pointing of the gun at the officer were key.
"And so you have another officer who sees and seizes an opportunity to end the threat and put an end to the situation," the chief said.

Judge each event on its own merits.

When cops fuck up then slam'em like a piece of cold meat....When they do good, stand up cheer and tell them good job.

Hey boys...you did good!

Sidenote:  This might be nitpicking but I have an issue with the officer that was following behind "relaying" information.  I wish someone would interview him and find out what he was thinking.  It wasn't shown in the video but if this guy pointed a weapon at police and he failed to take action then do we have the police equivalent of "cowardice under fire"?

Pic of the day. Helocasting from a RoK CH-47...

US Marines and UK Paratroopers on exercise at Ft Bragg

US Marines and UK Paratroopers on exercise at Ft Bragg...rough cut, no narration.

Sputnik's rundown on the new Russian armor coming online...

via Sputnik...

The new T-14 Armata platform-based Main Battle Tank (Object 149) is looking to become the star of the show for the parade's mechanized portion. In development since 2009 at Uralvagonzavod, the tank, comparable to the latest Western analogues and in some measures superior, reportedly features an unmanned remotely controlled main turret, is armed with a brand new 125 mm smoothbore cannon, has a fully automatic loading system, a crew compartment separated from the ammunition container, and composite multilayered armor protection. Set to undergo state trials in 2016, Uralvagonzavod is expected to supply over 2,300 of the new tanks to the military by 2020.

Read it all here.

In a funny way this is good news.  It will spur development in the West...especially if the Russians start selling this gear around the world.

ST Kinetics' radical M-113 Upgrade...

Ya know, unless they put wings on this thing I don't think you can do much more to it!

ACV 1.3 to be delayed?

via Military.com

The Marines will have to wait another decade to increase the speed of its amphibious troop carriers, Marine Corps officials said Tuesday.
The service is pushing forward with plans to build about 200 new Amphibious Combat Vehicles that will ultimately replace the older, Amphibious Assault Vehicle fleet.
High-water speed has been a key requirement since these armored troop carriers are designed for forced-entry operations. Marine officials, however, have decided to postpone a decision on the requirement until 2025, Marine officials said at the 2015 Sea, Air and Space conference hosted at National Harbor, Md.
"High-water speed is still an important requirement for us. We are just going to have to figure out how to go about doing that," said Marine Maj. Gen. Andrew O'Donnell, assistant deputy commandant for Combat Development & Integration.
The ACV is the service's top modernization priority, but it will not immediately replace the AAV. The Corps will upgrade 392 AAVs to compliment the new ACVs.
The Marines are considering using Landing Craft Air Cushion ships to carry two ACVs at speeds up to 40 knots until they get within 12 miles of shore, Marine officials said. Leaders also talked of using Heavy Lift Barge Carriers to service as "mother ships" for LCACs during such operations.
This was part of a larger discussion on the Navy and Marine Corps vision of sea-basing – a concept that the services have been developing to create floating staging bases for amphibious warfare operations.

I wonder...

Is this police action justified?

Read the story here.

The quick and dirty.

Man stole rifle from Wal-Mart.  Man walks down street and fires off a round.  One deputy is following in his car calling out info to arriving deputies.

One deputy disregards the advice given and runs the guy down.

SNAFU!'s take?

This is solid.  He already demonstrated that he would discharge a weapon in a residential area.  We don't know if elderly people or children are about.

A police car CAN be used as a weapon.

The police acted to protect the lives and property of the citizens of the community.

THIS IS A GOOD "HIT".

Ripsaw EV-2

I thought this thing was dead and buried....

First F-35 Jets to Lack Ground-Combat Punch of 1970s-Era A-10s

via Bloomberg.

The first F-35 jets ready for combat won’t be able to protect forces in ground combat as well as the nearly 40-year-old A-10s the Pentagon wants to retire, according to the Defense Department’s chief weapons tester.
Compared with the lumbering A-10, known as the Warthog, the initial F-35s made by Lockheed Martin Corp. will be handicapped by limits on how many weapons they can carry, flying at night and spotting targets as well as how long they can remain over them, Michael Gilmore, director of operational testing, said in a statement prepared for a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing and obtained in advance by Bloomberg.

For those of us that are following the program this isn't news.  For the rest of the media and the public?  They're probably stunned.