Open Comment Post. 12 May 2019 (plus an explanation of recent blogging)....

Hey guys.

Want to give you an update on the focus of the F-35 and why I've been focusing on it.

I believe we're hitting a new critical mass.  Both budget wise and with regard to the actual performance of the plane.  More and more information is being presented that is showing that its not meeting expectations.  More and more info is coming out that is critical of how the program has been managed.

We've basically put procurement of other necessary equipment on pause so that this plane would have a clear lane to get its act together.

They still failed.

Once the new SecDef is confirmed I expect change to come swiftly.  Remember when Trump wanted to cut the defense budget but he got pushback from the Pentagon?  Well Daddy Mattis ain't there and Shanahan will kiss the ring and follow orders.

A storm is coming and I want to get out ahead of it.

Choices will have to be made and we're gonna swing toward what I believe we should be purchasing, what should be cut and what needs to wait till the tech matures.

Buckle up.  It's gonna be a bumpy but at times fun ride.

The "fine print" on the USAF standing up the F-35 Aggressor Squadron...

Love Tyler at the Drive.  Dude is down the middle with the F-35 and doesn't hesitate to give the good or the bad with the program.  His story on the F-35 Aggressor Squadron being stood up is good to go but I need to pop out the fine print that he dutifully posted.

UPDATE: 6:45pm PDT—

The USAF has now put out a release on the news. We were correct, they will be repurposing early-build jets for this role. Nine of them to start, all of which will come from Eglin AFB in Florida. Eglin is the schoolhouse for USAF F-35 training. This is probably a good thing because they can get creative and modify these jets specifically for the mission as they will never see combat.

Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson states:

"This move will allow us to repurpose early production F-35s to help train Airmen for the high end fight."


The release is not precise in its wording, but the aircraft may not be transferred until 2022, when new planes will replace them at Eglin. You can see the confusing statement below:

Aircraft transferring from Eglin AFB to Nellis AFB will not occur until newly produced aircraft arrive at Eglin AFB to replace them. New aircraft are planned to arrive at Nellis AFB beginning in early 2022.

This is in line with our thinking that standing up a unit like this as the force is trying to expand its front-line F-35 force will be more protracted than doing so with 4th generation fighters. It will also allow time for industry and the USAF to figure out the unique aggressor configuration for these jets. 

Story here. 

My take.

This allows the USAF an out when it comes to updating early built aircraft.  They get to call them aggressors, push the idea that they're performing important work while at the same time getting new planes that are of the latest standards without paying for the upgrades of the oldest models...planes that they said would be upgraded when the GAO told us that they were all but useless and would probably be discarded.

Pure genius.

Diabolical smart.

Even better?  It gives the illusion that the first planes bought by the service are good to go without admitting the painful reality that they were nothing but prototypes.

M60AX ...

The prototype M60AX, highly advanced version of the M60 development Teledyne-Continental Motors. Of the upgrades were listed powerplant AVCR-1790-1B, hydro-pneumatic suspension, improving the protection of turret and hull, and much more. That’s just by that time was M1 Abrams, so that neither domestic nor foreign military M60AX is not interested

Two French Marine Commandos killed during rescue mission....

The butcher's bill for this op?  Two good men died, four hostages (including an American) rescued.

Does the cost benefit analysis indicate that this was a fair exchange for the lives of two men that were highly skilled versus four hostages that MORE THAN LIKELY put themselves into a position thru ignorance or negligence or both?

I'm not sure.  I think it needs to be discussed.  As a citizen you have rights.  But you also have responsibilities.  Going to stupid places to hang out with stupid people has consequences that others should not have to die for.

Regardless (and we will have that discussion another day), may the memories of these two men be a blessing.

Procurement issues abound. Between not bidding contracts to massive deficiencies in the JLTV, Zumwalt and of course the F-35...

via Military.com

The Pentagon's purchase of $1.69 trillion worth of major weapons systems has been riddled by cost overruns, delays and other problems reflecting poor oversight, the Government Accountability Office said in its annual survey of Defense Department acquisitions.

The 229-page report subtitled "Limited Use of Knowledge-Based Practices Continues to Undercut DOD's Investments" recommended that the DoD do a better job of checking out the design for a weapons system and what it's supposed to do before buying it.

"Completion of a preliminary design review prior to starting development" would be advisable, the GAO said in its 17th annual survey of defense acquisitions, released Tuesday. "This lack of knowledge and the effects it can have throughout a program's acquisition life cycle can increase the risk of undesirable cost and schedule outcomes."

The report included breakouts on 51 of the 82 major weapons systems examined, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Zumwalt-class stealthy destroyer, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and KC-46 aerial refueling tanker.

The GAO said that the DoD's program office for the F-35 is continuing "to address over 900 deficiencies identified with the aircraft's performance prior to the end of development testing."

The report cited as an example the development of "a new helmet mounted display, which will resolve an existing green glow effect that can distort a pilot's vision during night time carrier landings. Program officials expect installation of some of the new displays in 2019."

The Navy is still trying to figure out what to do about the two 155mm deck guns that had been planned for the three Zumwalt-class destroyers, the GAO report said. In development, the Navy found that the cost for a single round for the guns was roughly $800,000.

"Following an evaluation of five other munition options, the Navy determined that no viable replacement, guided or unguided, was feasible," the report said. "As a result, the guns will remain inoperable on the ships for the foreseeable future."

In January 2018, the Navy changed the primary mission for the Zumwalt class from land attack to offensive surface strike.

"According to Navy officials, the Navy's planned modifications to support the new mission will cost about $1 billion," the report said.

On JLTV, "the Army and Marine Corps recently concluded operational testing for JLTV and found the vehicles to be survivable for the crew and effective for small combat and transport missions," the GAO report said.

However, the services also concluded that that the JLTVs were "not operationally suitable because of their high maintenance needs, low reliability, training and manual deficiencies, and safety shortcomings," the report said.

For the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus air refueling tanker, one of several problems Air Force program officials discovered in development is that "the aerial refueling operator's screen does not provide sufficient visual sharpness and adaptation to changing background and lighting to allow for safe refueling in all environmental conditions," the report said.

Boeing is making software fixes without cost to the government, the GAO report said.

As in past surveys, the report hit on a lack of competition on contracts, and often no competition at all, as a factor in rising costs.

The department "did not compete 67 percent of 183 major contracts currently reported" on 82 major weapons systems programs, the report said.

Story here. 

Stunning.

I've been evolving to the position that there is massive waste in our defense budget and this is helping me move further in that direction.

It doesn't take rocket science or even a PHD.

We spend too much money and get too little return on our investment.  Most of this has been reported before.

Everyone knows about the 900 plus deficiencies of the F-35 (more than likely to be pencil whipped for completion of testing and then paid for in blood but that's a different issue).

Everyone knows about the Zumwalt but that might be a blessing in disguise. The Navy needs a new large surface combatant and the Mighty Z might be the arsenal ship we've needed all along.

Two things have me spinning.

The idea that we're not competing contracts is just plain un-American.  It's almost like members of the Pentagon are on the payrolls of certain corporations.

The second is the issue with the JLTV.  Am I the only one that didn't know things were that bad with that program?  It's a freaking truck and Oshkosh is dropping the ball?  Simply amazing!

Update and upgrade the Humvee.  Improve the suspension, add a bigger engine and get Plasan to build a special armor package for the beast.

The overall picture.

We've got to demand better.  Simply saying that our troops demand the best isn't good enough.  They need reliable equipment at a decent price.  Supporting the troops isn't/shouldn't be a license for corporations to fleece the taxpayer!

“Outrun the Eagles” - A Low Level Escape

April 1945- Minutes before, Franz Stigler and his comrades of JV 44 were high over Bavaria, ready to attack a formation of B-17s until the P-51s arrived. Outnumbered and outgunned by the escort fighters, Franz fled, but the P-51s gave chase.

Diving like a bullet, Franz pushed his jet to 625 mph, past its red line. As the earth neared, he tried to pull up, but the stick was locked in an “evil spell.” Pinned by Gs, Franz realized: “I just killed myself.”

Then, he thought he heard a voice: Kick the rudder! Franz obeyed, kicking the rudder pedals until the jet’s tail wagged and the control stick freed. Now, having regained control at “0” altitude, Franz finally outruns the P-51s.

As he blasts over a field, farmers watch as the jet’s exhaust burns the hay that they’ve laid out for their animals. With the Danube slipping past, Franz curses himself for flying so recklessly while thanking God for flying with him.

Artwork by Gareth Hector

Just an observation and not a judgement.

Isn't it funny how both sides of a war calls on God's aid?  

Houthis are eating up Saudi construction equipment operating without cover/support...

A massive #ATGMs massacre by #Houthis targeting #KSA tractors in #Jizan - the vehicles is totally uncovered by any securing force #Yemen #YemenWar pic.twitter.com/XVIR1WfyJ0

— Mohamed Mansour 🇪🇬 (@Mansourtalk) May 11, 2019

Ok.  I get the propaganda that the Saudis are putting out.  They've intervened in Yemen in order to blunt Iranian expansion (or so we're told).

But what are they extracting from the ground?  That ain't no new road they're building.  Looks like they're after some minerals.

Is there an economic/resource side to this story I've missed????

Livefist Blog is reporting that India is receiving a handoff of it's first AH-64Es...

BREAKING: First of 22 @Boeing_In AH-64E Apache helicopters handed over to the @IAF_MCC at Mesa, Arizona. pic.twitter.com/NuLzENCGVc

— Livefist (@livefist) May 11, 2019

The AH-64E is a sexy beast in that grey color scheme.  Wonder why the Army won't make the move to change from that olive drab?  With the move towards tilt rotors (presumably) they're gonna fly a bit higher and even for their attack helicopters the hiding in the trees and popping up to shoot is not as viable as it once was.

Algeria joins the Boxer club...

via African Military Blog.com

Algeria has announced plans to start producing the Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) under license by the end of 2020.

The high-density steel and other essential materials needed to produce the vehicle will be imported and assembled in Algeria, it is believed that the new locally produced Boxer 8×8 IFV will replace the BTR 60 and BTR 80 Armored Personel Carrier (APC) in the Algerian Military’s service.

The 8×8 Boxer IFV was developed by Rheinmetall Defense, it is a highly modular state-of-the-art armored vehicle which can perform a wide variety of roles. These include ambulance, armored personnel carrier, cargo, battle damage repair, engineering, and infantry fighting vehicle. 

Story here. 

For many here, when you say the word Africa, all that pops to mind is failed states, starving people and inept military forces.

Algeria is a bit different.

They're putting together a rather smart fighting force across all domains.  Am I talking about it being up to first world standards?  No.  But for the region they're doing just fine.

The Boxer is a fine IFV but I just think there are more practical AND just as effective (not to mention more affordable) options out there.

So why the Boxer?  It's about their homegrown defense industry.  The chance to build a high tech product at home and to gain technology/expertise.

It's a win win for Algeria but I must wonder if BAE or Patria couldn't offer the same "win" for a substantially better price.

F-35 News. Let's get to the problem with the parts issue. Is it sequestration or something else???

The debate on the F-35 continues to rage and one thing has been bugging the hell outta me.

One commenter is saying that sequestration is the cause of the parts issue with the plane.

I have a real hard time believing that.  See, Congress adds more planes than the Pentagon requests AND IF they wanted more parts it seems like all they would have to do is ask.

So what the fuck gives?

Check this out via National Interest.

On April 24, 2019, the Government Accountability Office released a scathing report concerning the impact of spare parts shortages on F-35’s operational readiness and “lower-than-required” performance.

“The F-35 supply chain does not have enough spare parts available to keep aircraft flying enough of the time necessary to meet warfighter requirements. According to prime contractor data, from May through November 2018, F-35 aircraft across the fleet were unable to fly 29.7 percent of the time due to spare parts shortages.”

The global F-35 fleet showed only 45-52 percent readiness—with only 34 percent rated Fully Mission Capable. For comparison, most Air Force units have readiness rates of 70 percent and, prior to stepping down, Secretary Mattis mandated a military-wide goal of 80 percent readiness.

F-35 parts are separated into four different types of packages: those assigned to local bases, packages for operational or wartime contingencies, “afloat” packages for carrier deployment, and more extensive packages for regional depots.

Reportedly there is a backlog for 4,300 F-35 parts—or “600 parts a month” according to Vice Admiral Matthew Winter in a recent congressional briefing—which is causing long delays for necessary parts to reach frontline units. Depots are not expected to make up the backlog until 2024.

As a result, operational squadrons are improvising fixes.

“From May through November 2018 F-35 squadrons cannibalized (that is, took) parts from other aircraft at rates that were more than six times greater than the services’ objective. These high rates of cannibalization mask even greater parts shortages, because personnel at F-35 squadrons are pulling parts off of other aircraft that are already unable to fly instead of waiting for new parts to be delivered through the supply chain.”

The spare-parts shortage has its roots in several factors related to the rush to declare “initial operational capability” and to deliver aircraft to the over half-dozen program participants as quickly as possible. This has come at the expense of furnishing the necessary parts to a network of regional supply depots.

As a program official told the GAO: “planning for this network is 3 to 4 years behind the need because the program was more focused on producing the aircraft than on sustainment” and they “did not realize the complexity of setting up the network.”

Early low-rate-of-production F-35s were delivered without basic capabilities and structural fixes planned for later implementation, meaning that these limited-capability early jets require unique spare parts, complicating the supply-chain. Reliability issues in these older aircraft leave only 30 percent of them rated as “Available” and just 5 percent as “Fully Mission Capable.”

The reports note: “there are at least 39 different part combinations across the fleet. Additionally, DOD’s training and operational squadrons are flying F-35 aircraft with three different blocks of mission software—2B, 3i, and 3F—with Block 3F software having the full warfighting capability.”

The confusion of parts manifested itself dramatically when Marine F-35s deployed to the carrier USS Wasp in 2018. Out of 882 “afloat package” parts received by the unit for the mission, 382 (43 percent) turned out to be incompatible. The parts included pilot harnesses, breath masks, antennas, valves, and panel assemblies.

To obtain the necessary spares, the embarked squadron undertook an apparently typical “solution”—raiding 187 parts from the Iwakuni F-35 base, leaving it with only 43 percent of the parts it needed.

Contractors also struggled to provide appropriate numbers of parts in need of more frequent replacement: “…quantity of parts within their parts packages were not fully reflective of the actual demands…based on updated information about the reliability of certain parts and how frequently they needed to be replaced.”

The report also highlights that the shortage is partially due to contractors taking an average of a half-year (188 days) to repair faulty F-35 parts, two to three times longer than expected.

Unfortunately, there’s a significant possibility the spare parts shortage will get worse before it gets better due to heightening tensions between Washington and Ankara.

Turkish companies manufacture roughly 7 percent of F-35 parts, and Turkey itself plans to purchase over 120 F-35s.

Story here. 

Long story short?

This has nothing to do with sequestration.  This has everything to do with planners pushing to get as many jets into service as quickly as possible and saying to hell with the parts issue.

This isn't a Congress problem.

This is a Joint Strike Fighter Program Office problem.

F-35 News. USMC F-35B crash caused by manufacturing defect...

via Stars & Stripes.

The crash of a Marine Corps F-35 that temporarily grounded the entire fleet of next-generation jets in 2018 was caused by a manufacturing defect in a fuel tube made by a United Technologies subcontractor, according to congressional investigators.

The defect "caused an engine fuel tube to rupture during flight, resulting in a loss of power to the engine," the Government Accounting Office said this week in a report on major weapons systems that referred to the September crash in South Carolina. The Pentagon told the watchdog that it identified 117 aircraft - about 40% of the worldwide F-35 fleet at the time - with the same type of fuel tubes that had to be replaced.

The disclosure was the first official information about the crash since the Pentagon program office in late October issued a status statement while the Marine Corps was still conducting its investigation. United Technologies Corp.'s Pratt & Whitney unit "is fully responsible" for "the propulsion system and has the lead in working" the failure analyses, according to the statement at the time.

Story here. 

Amazing.

They want to ramp up production yet they're not able to build jets without defects that cause crashes?

I fear what will happen when they're pumping them out at a rate greater than 48 per year.

It's past time for them to slow down, get their shit together.  Oh and taking the F-35C off the table would be a tremendous help too.  Why waste time building such a small number of aircraft.

The Navy wants out and we should let them.  The USMC can buy F-18E/F and E/A-18 for the carrier and electronic attack mission sets.

Missed Sea Air Space 2019? No worries. Naval News has you covered!

Great coverage of the event is here.  Check it out.

What is this contraption that the Brits put on the front of their sub - S 92 Talent (Trafalgar-class) ???

Thanks to S300v4 for the pics!

43rd Mechanized Brigade (Netherlands) doing work!

KF41 Lynx displayed...the real news is that the Germans are gonna consider offering their version of the 50mm discarded in the 80's...

Everyone's all fired up because Rheinmetall displayed the KF41.  That's not the real news.  via Janes.

Rheinmetall is investigating the possibility of offering the RH503 50 mm cannon that it developed in the 1980s as the main armament for its KF41 Lynx for the US Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) programme.

Philipp Tomio, Rheinmetall’s vice president and capture manager for OMFV, said on 9 May that the RH503 now fires a 50 mm round, greatly increasing its muzzle energy and lethality compared with a 35 mm weapon.

Rheinmetall is also spending much effort to ensure that the turret of the KF41 Lynx can accommodate a 50 mm cannon, said Tobias Baumart, vice president and capture manager for the Australian Land 400 requirement.

Yeah.

I hope HQMC is paying attention.  

The US Army has set the new standard in IFV firepower and its not the 30/35/40mm cannon.  Its the 50mm.

What should concern everyone is we've been down this road and don't know where it will end.  Beyond the 50mm is the 57mm.  We've seen that trialed on vehicles all over the place.  Beyond the 57mm is the 60mm hypervelocity gun we saw on Israeli Shermans.  Beyond the 60mm hypervelocity gun is the freaking 75mm cannon we saw on the AAI Rapid Deplyment Force / Light Tank (RDF / LT).

What will be the new upper limit for IFV firepower?  I have no idea.  What should be obvious to all is that the 30mm is as dead as disco.

About F-35 Corrosion Issues....

Thanks to Mitchell for the links!

I was monitoring the discussion about the F-35 corrosion issue and reached out to my readers for my information on the subject.

Quite honestly it was all new to me and I missed it entirely.

Luckily Mitchell hit me with a couple of articles that I believe lay out the issue beautifully.  Additionally they help explain why the USMC has spent so much money on infrastructure for the F-35 (I call them damn near cathedrals...well in Marine land they ARE freaking cathedrals!).

via Defense News.

Babione called decreasing the number of manufacturing defects on the F-35 a “huge, huge priority,” and for good reason. The company has had a couple of high-profile quality escape issues that have grounded operational F-35s , or had the potential to set back the number of planned aircraft deliveries.

Most recently, in September, the Defense Department temporarily halted F-35 deliveries for a month after it found Lockheed had not applied a primer in certain fastener holes, as per requirements. The error, though minor, needed to be corrected to prevent future corrosion on the aircraft and could have kept the company from delivering all planned 66 F-35s last year.

Story here. 

via Autotechnology.

According to Military.com, the initial problem took place during autumn of 2017. Between September 21 and October 20, Lockheed Martin stopped shipping F-35 fighters to the government due to corrosion present in fastener holes of jets that had already been delivered and were in for repairs. Tracking the source of the issue led Lockheed to realize an error had taken place in its plants. There was supposed to be an anti-corrosion primer on the fasteners, but it wasn't applied.

About 200 planes were affected and the government and contractor decided on a plan to retrofit the jets and ensure corrosion doesn't become an ongoing risk factor. The plan to fix a majority of the planes will take 24 months, with a nonspecific amount of the remaining jets being addressed over the following years. A statement from the Department of Defense and Lockheed explained that the resolution ensures the craft will remain affordable and effective. However, getting to that point required complicated back-and-forth discussions.

Even after the logistics of corrosion prevention were remediated, another factor reared its head: cost. Disagreements over which of the parties involved should spend to have the planes retrofitted led to a second delivery pause, between late March and the beginning of May.

Story here. 

You might look at this and say no big deal.

But I ask you to consider this.  The USMC is talking about operating these airplanes aboard ship.  Typically you have aircraft topside.  In the heat and humidity of where the ship happens to be.

Additionally we're talking about doing Expeditionary Base Operations.  How sold are they on this concept?  I don't believe for one minute that the heavy lift CH-53K is being sought to support the Ground Combat Element.  I believe they're looking at it as a rig to haul spare engines, other parts and fuel to those EBOs to support F-35s ashore.

Bringing this thing full circle...how are maintainers going to keep these airplanes operational when aboard ship or ashore in an expeditionary environment without the climate controlled cathedrals that they have at their bases?

How precise are we asking maintainers to be when turning wrenches on a plane?  So precise that if they ding the paint then they're looking at corrosion problems?

Stealth is more expensive than I ever thought.  What I never knew is that this paint issue would rear its head.  I had questioned the cost of the new hangars being built but was shouted down and didn't fight back.

Now I know the dirty little secret.  The F-35B won't ever be a real replacement for the AV-8B.  I considered it the only platform that could credibly claim to be a step forward but have to consider whether the juice is worth the squeeze.

Sidenote.  Weren't we told that the paint on this thing was of a different quality than that found on previous stealth aircraft?  Weren't we told that its so tough that they use it for a floor mat and pull it up periodically to test it and its passed every time?

One last thing.  The articles are from 2018.  This portion of the Defense News story is a must read.

Speaking to reporters at Lockheed’s media day on Monday, Jeff Babione acknowledged that low observability, or LO, capabilities in particular are posing a challenge to the company.

They're talking about how panels fit together.  Drink that in.  Just last year they were STILL having quality "escapes" and they blamed it on the number of aircraft they're having to produce.

But now they want to produce even more?

Whoever signs off on the F-35 ramp up should be tested for crack....

Super Hornet with air to air load-out...pics by Simon Schibli Photography on Flickr...

Is it just me or are we seeing the US Navy and Marine Corps flying their planes with a bit heavier air to air load-out than in the past?

Just a bit curious and you aviation guys can help me with this. The first question is why do they fly so often with asymmetric weapon loads?  Why put a sidewinder on one wingtip and not the other?  Additionally why did the Navy choose to go with a fuel tank infrared instead of placing it in front of the cockpit like we've seen on the F-14 and numerous allied and Russian aircraft?

Don't hate me.  I didn't know so I asked.  Lost the e-mail to the guys that would break stuff like this down so I'm tossing it to the aviation guys in the audience.

One thing hits straight between the eyes.  Those conformal fuel tanks will be a welcome addition.  Range will increase and that's a good thing...especially since they appear to finally be locked on to the coming fight with China.

Australian Army M1A1 Abrams MBT in action during Exercise ChongJu in Puckapunyal, Victoria

BLT 1/4 Marines, ARDB Celebrate One Year Anniversary.....Video by Lance Cpl. Cameron Parks

2nd AABn Gunnery....Video by Lance Cpl. Skylar Harris