Friday, May 10, 2019
New Israeli Off Shore Patrol Vessel...
via Shepard Media.
Israel Shipyards will unveil a new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) design at IMDEX Asia in Singapore – dubbed the OPV-45 – as the company looks to gain further traction in potentially lucrative international markets.Story here.
According to the company, the OPV-45 is designed for a wide range of naval missions and can carry a variety of payloads as required to perform EEZ patrols and infrastructure security taskings, counter-piracy operations and fisheries protection, among others.
The vessel has a length of 45.7m and is capable of a sustained speed in excess of 24kt. For missions that require high-speed interceptions, the OPV-45 can embark a 7m rigid-hull inflatable boat.
The deck space can accommodate two 20ft containers that can be equipped for a variety of missions to enable rapid re-rolling and additional capabilities, with up to 24 crew depending on requirements.
In addition, the vessel can accommodate up to 24 extra people for missions involving special forces, or survivors during search and rescue operations.
Speaking to Shephard, Eitan Zucker, CEO, said that the Asia-Pacific market has ‘a large demand’ for OPVs of various types, with the OPV-45 ‘a very good solution’ for coast guards and law enforcement agencies in the region, as well as for navies with ‘a challenging’ budget.
‘We have discussed with some of them already, and are in a process of offering the required adjustments and “turn-key project” solutions to undisclosed potential customers in the region,’ Zucker explained.
The platform’s versatility enables it to be equally applicable for military and civilian or parapublic agencies, he continued, with multi-disciplinary systems allowing for its ‘easy modification’ and adjustment to each service’s requirements.
Currently, the OPV-45 can be manufactured in around 18 months for the first vessel, with this time decreasing to between 4-6 months for additional vessels. Zucker said that this short construction period makes it possible for customers to get several hulls in a short amount of time.
Zucker said that the OPV-45 sits between the Shaldag patrol vessel and Sa’ar corvette currently in the company’s portfolio, enabling a ‘full and comprehensive solution when it comes to coast, border and EEZ protection in all sea states and weather conditions'.
V-280...a return to the UH-1 utility/gunship...is what the USMC sees in a medium tiltrotor...
via Breaking Defense.
“I like where the Army’s going [with] the H-60 replacement,” the Marines’ top aviator said here. “We’re going to be partnered, we’re going to stay right on their wing as they begin to accelerate” the medium-sized variant of Future Vertical Lift.Story here.
---------------------------------
“It’s going to replace our H-1s” — the much-upgraded UH-1Y and UH-1Z variants of the Vietnam-era Huey — “in about the 2035 timeframe,” he said. “It would probably be a utility-attack variant that would escort the V-22. Currently today our Cobras — our premiere light attack platform — cannot keep up with the V-22 for escorting it into LZs [landing zones]. We accomplish that with our F-35s,” which are a scarce resource.
Beyond the escort mission, Rudder said, he sees FLRAA operating as a light attack aircraft that combines the speed and range of a fixed-wing turboprop with the versatility of a helicopter, able to operate without a runway from bare-bones Forward Arming & Refueling Points (FARPs) .
The story is about why the USMC wants the CH-53K. Luckily it goes beyond that and Rudder talked about what role he sees the FVL playing going forward.
I was confused on why they would want that platform but now it makes sense. The only question it really leaves is why the MUX is being pursued.
Regardless. This allows me to sit back a bit. But only a bit. Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin and the USMC are going to have to get the cost of the CH-53K in line with reality.
A reader talked about Marine culture and how its "semper gumby". He was right. Which leads to this reality.
If the CH-53K doesn't work right and/or isn't affordable then we CAN make do with CH-47Gs.
Thursday, May 09, 2019
Trying to find that "corrosion" story on the F-35 that I've been reading about in comments...
The title says it all. If you have the link then drop it in the comments!
Heroines of the Italian Resistance....
My God!
If you are not amazed and wow'ed by the bravery of these ladies then you have no heart, no sense and no perspective.
Simply incredible! Add these ladies to the list of people I'd love to chat with if I make it into heaven...
If you are not amazed and wow'ed by the bravery of these ladies then you have no heart, no sense and no perspective.
Simply incredible! Add these ladies to the list of people I'd love to chat with if I make it into heaven...
Chinese BlackHawk Clones become operational...
Images of the first two operational Z-20s were posted today with full PLA serial numbers. With the numbers LH953201 & LH953205 they are assigned to the 161st Air Assault Brigade within the CTC. pic.twitter.com/61LwEQ9XFE— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) May 9, 2019
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery? Consider me unimpressed and definitely not flattered. Sikorsky gave away the blue prints for a piddling few purchased helos. Pretty sad. China isn't beating us, we're beating ourselves for a few pieces of silver!
Philippine Marines receive first KAAVs
via Shepard Media.
In April 2019, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) received four Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicles (KAAV), an amount that constitutes half the PHP2.423 billion ($52.6 million) order that Manila placed in 2015.Story here.
The KAAVs were built under license by Hanwha Techwin in South Korea, and the first batch was originally contractually scheduled to be delivered last August, with the second quartet due in December 2018.
Their AAV7A1 hulls were manufactured by BAE Systems in the US, while Hanwha installed components and subsystems. The vehicles delivered to the Philippines were finished in an olive green paint scheme.
To fulfil this order, Hanwha had to restart its production line, and it is believed the delay in delivery related to obtaining requisite license permissions from BAE Systems.
This represents the first time that South Korea has exported the KAAV, although a large number estimated at around 160 were assembled by Samsung Techwin for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (pictured). However, South Korea donated ten older LVT7A1 vehicles to the Indonesian Marine Corps in November 2009.
This is beyond interesting. The idea that Hanwha would restart their production line is tantalizing enough but the real story is what are the S. Korean Marines going to do for their follow on vehicle?
I don't expect the S. Koreans or the Japanese to settle on the USMC's ACV.
They're gonna go fully tracked.
The form that takes will be interesting and I'm watching with anticipation. One or both will come up with something formidable. Can't wait to see what it is.
F-35 News. In every parody there is a bit of truth!
Just plain wow!
In every parody there is a bit of truth. Watch it quick but the F-35 on fire and then exploding is a bit curious to post but the USAF did it!
Like the X-Files says...the truth is out there.
Wonder who is gonna lose their job over this one!!!
Hat tip to The Aviationist. I don't usually follow the USAF so thanks for doing the leg work for me! Hey relax bro! I'm linking to your site so the readers can get your take on things!
USS Blue Ridge Aerial Video in the South China Sea....Video by Jim Ong
I was strolling thru DVIDs and ran across this aerial shot of the USS Blue Ridge, an Amphibious Command & Control Ship. It got me wondering. Every LHD and now LPD is capable of acting as Flag Ships for amphibious assaults.
So what is the new role for these ship (before they're retired cause they're old as hell)?
I wonder cause I don't see them (and really never have...at least since Desert Storm) acting in their stated role.
My proposal?
How about adding even more antenna, computing power, dedicated personnel and making them our new "cyber assault platforms"?
I'm still a bit dazed and confused about the USMC's concept for adding cyber specialist to platoons and even squads. I've always viewed this as more a strategic type weapon.
If we can take these ships and make them our mobile cyber/electronic warfare platforms...serving the function of providing a protective bubble around a couple of assembled MEUs that are getting ready to go ashore that might be a winner.
A ship that can stand off shore and conduct powerful electronic warfare along with blasting the enemies cyber capabilities might be something that could prove useful in the future.
Of course I could easily be spitting in the wind and it might not be practical but I haven't had my first cup yet.
A brilliant man, a hero and a man that used his enemies hate against them!
I'm in awe.
If I make it to heaven I'd love to talk to this dude. I bet there is alot more to this story.
Super Hornet Block III is zooming thru testing!
#SuperHornet Block III is on schedule to deliver in 2020. With the @USNavy, we have tested next-gen conformal fuel tanks, the advanced cockpit system, and infrared search and track. #SAS2019 pic.twitter.com/UN05igHCiA— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) May 8, 2019
Nice! Very nice!
Personal Opinion?
The F-35C should die immediately. It's always been a boutique system whose only reason for existence is to keep alive the idea that all three service operate the same aircraft.
If the Marine Corps were smart it would reinstate its electronic warfare ability and buy a couple of squadrons of E/A-18s and fill its' carrier role by buying two seat Super Hornets that should be beyond valuable as close air support platforms.
Debate time. Is this dude spot on or dead wrong?
I'm pro diversity— ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) May 7, 2019
I'm anti forced diversity
I'm pro woman
I'm anti feminism (3rd wave)
I'm pro free speech
I'm anti hate
I'm pro charity
I'm anti forced redistribution
If any of this doesn't make sense to you, then you've been indoctrinated well.
Opinion time.
I just want to see where everyone is on this. I'll keep my opinion to myself and let you guys hash it out (keep it civil). Is this dude spot on or dead wrong?
Finnish Army’s mechanised exercise Arrow 19
The force on force training in Arrow 19 has started. It's about enhancing the interoperability between Army`s mechanized units and service branches as part of mechanized units´ offensive. The effective and fast execution is vital. #arrow19 #maavoimat pic.twitter.com/ccAXSPyZ7D— Panssariprikaati (@PanssariPR) May 8, 2019
I'm really becoming a bit fascinated with the Finnish Army. If you aren't keyed into their Twitter pages then be advised that it's worth a look see.
MQ25 gets a new coat of paint
#MQ25 gets a new coat of paint – with a little flight test orange on the side. #SAS2019 pic.twitter.com/C5ZbGrbXO7— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) May 8, 2019
This is the incredibly strong soldier morale of China’s PLA. They fear nothing via People's Daily, China Twitter Page...
This is the incredibly strong soldier morale of China’s PLA. 🇨🇳They fear nothing. pic.twitter.com/AZeMaTzhuC— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) May 8, 2019
A muddy obstacle course shows that the Chinese Soldier fears nothing? I'm not even close to impressed.
I've been personally vacillating. I wander between the old saying that the warhorses were saying during the Cold War. "They keep telling us that Russian Soldiers are ten feet tall and bullet proof".
I wonder if I'm doing the same with the Chinese. Then I look at different sectors of their defense industry. It's not the individual soldier that is fearsome. It's their industrial might that rivals our own...in many ways surpasses it due to ignorant leaders that gave away our industrial capacity so they could take advantage of cheap labor while at the same time feeding the beast that is set to devour us.
Man for man I think we win. But it will be hordes of Chinese ships, planes and armor we're facing.
In the Korean war we faced a numerically superior enemy and were sent on the longest retreat in US military history.
How would that turn out if we're faced with a numerically superior enemy with technical equality?
CH-53K Propaganda Vids...
You have to give Lockheed Martin credit. Serious credit on at least one front. We, the public want to know about their programs/aircraft. For better or worse they're actually telling us their story. While I might disagree with the tune they're singing at least they're singing. BAE was once just as open (the European division, the North American division has always seemed rather closed) and the only other manufacturer of note (that I can pull out the brain housing group right now) is General Dynamics. Those guys have historically been front and center but have tailed off lately.
So while I used the title as click bait, the reality is that they're doing what ANY corporation would do. They're telling us the good, downplaying the bad. It's unusual for me to heap praise on those boys but well done. Just do me a favor LM. Fix your stuff. The pics and videos are great but its got to work.
So while I used the title as click bait, the reality is that they're doing what ANY corporation would do. They're telling us the good, downplaying the bad. It's unusual for me to heap praise on those boys but well done. Just do me a favor LM. Fix your stuff. The pics and videos are great but its got to work.
Wednesday, May 08, 2019
Depressing News. V-22 Fleet Wide Readiness Rate Hovers At 52%
via Aviation Week (behind paywall).
The readiness rate for the Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey is at a dismal 52% and will not hit the target of 80% set by former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis “soon enough,” according to the tiltrotor aircraft’s program...Jesus.
I thought we had turned the corner on the MV-22. I thought that beast was finally performing but now we see this.
Disappointed doesn't begin to describe it.
This is down right depressing.
My issue? Amos pushed an aviation centric Marine Corps but from my chair we seem to be failing miserably. Obviously we don't have the CULTURE, maintainers or probably most importantly the money to achieve what they desire.
What's better. To have 10 flyable airplanes or 20 airplanes in your inventory with only half flyable?
We keep increasing our capacity but seem unable to sustain it. I've been beyond hard on Marine Air. It's probably been over the top, but you must admit that something is wrong with this picture.
Let's run down the check list.
1. We have MV-22's that are maintenance hogs and have a readiness rate just a tad over 50%.
2. From what I understand the same applies to the CH-53E.
3. We have a crazy expensive CH-53K coming online with hundreds of deficiencies that have to be sorted and STILL haven't justified buying 200 when the legacy number of E's was about 150.
4. We're continuing to buy F-35Bs with their own problems and while deployments have been glorified, the reality is that it too has numerous problems that have yet to be resolved. Oh and it too has readiness issues and is a maintenance hog.
Marine Air is NOT setup on a glide path of success. We're building in failure due to decisions being made today.
My hope?
I hope the new Commandant commissions some kind of hardcore study to see what the problem is. I hope he does a real assessment of whether or not this air centric Marine Corps is actually doable. I pray that he makes some hard decisions on the course of Marine Air and sets it on a path toward success.
From my lips to God's ears.
What do we all know? Hope is a useless emotion. It takes work to make things work!
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