#DidYouKnow that #ATLAS, a variant of the #AJAX Family of Vehicles, has successfully completed vehicle recovery trials? During these trials, ATLAS was able to pull a 61 tonne Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle (CRARRV) up a 45 degree incline. #GDUKNews pic.twitter.com/NMe0HnPfw5— General Dynamics UK (@gduknews) May 25, 2019
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Ajax Atlas completes recovery trials...
Is this the future Russian aircraft carrier...
First drawing of new russian aircarrier from closed part of St-Petersburg Naval Show 2013 (first in non-secret sources) pic.twitter.com/iBvIxNjVxB— MilitaryRussia.Ru (@DnKornev) May 25, 2019
KADDB Al-Mared 8×8 armored vehicle goes to war in Libya...
via LibyanExpress.com
Jordan has stepped in into the ongoing fighting on the outskirts of Tripoli as evidence has proved it has provided an unknown number of its indigenous KADDB Al-Mared 8×8 armoured vehicle to Khalifa Haftar’s forces.Story here.
The delivery of the armored vehicles is yet another boost for Haftar’s forces from a foreign country backing up his offensive against Tripoli, where about 3 million people reside.
Before Jordan, its ally and Haftar’s main supporter; the United Arab Emirates, provided Haftar’s forces with Nimr armored vehicles, many of which have been either destroyed or seized by the Libyan Army forces under the command of the Government of National Accord (GNA).
The UAE, not to mention the funding provided by Saudi Arabia and the support in all forms of France, is with Jordan violating the UN arms embargo by delivering military equipment, vehicles and weapons to an illegitimate body fighting the UN-backed GNA and bombing civilians in Tripoli, according to several Libyan officials.
What’s KADDB?
KADDB Al-Mared 8×8 armored vehicle is based on the TATRA’s 8×8 truck chassis, attached to a fully protected all-welded steel hull. It can withstand ballistic fire against STANAG 4569 Level 3, small arms up-to small arms 7.62×51mm caliber AP (Armor-Piercing) at 30 meters with 930 m/s.
The KADDB al-Mared has a crew of two and can carry eight fully equipped infantrymen at the rear of the hull.
It has firing ports on all sides for returning fire. There is also power-operated ramp at the rear of the hull which is used by the infantrymen to leave and enter in the vehicle.
KADDB arriving from Jordan to Haftar’s forces.
This war is heating up dramatically. I haven't been following it but the Libyan National Army is getting a MASSIVE influx of armor and other weapons from several different sources.
This place was sent spiraling by NOT the US but because France wanted to get into the regime change business.
Now you have not only France, but Turkey, Jordan and others playing in this war.
The region was filled with dictators of various stripe. The region wasn't what we in the West would call free but it was STABLE!
Now?
Now we're facing basically a regional war that stretches from the Middle East to North Africa. Drink that in. We are seeing a regional war that stretches from the Middle East to Northern Africa (and I'm being generous because Africa is also ablaze).
I don't know the thinking but what we're doing isn't working. The West in general needs to reassess.
Business Jet lands on dirt runway....how can Royal Flying Doctor Service get it done and military aviation is hesitant?
They said it couldn't be done - landing a jet on a dirt airstrip in the middle of the state's outback. Yet our new $13m @RoyalFlyingDoc Medi-Jet has done just that and 7NEWS was there to capture it. @JessAdamson7 #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/d4IPNPcVLC— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) May 26, 2019
Can't lie. I was waiting for that nose wheel to collapse but it didn't. Hope they were able to take off successfully too. Oh and did you check out that strip? Can't quite tell but it looks more primitive than many I see Bush Planes using.
How can the Royal Flying Doctor Service get it done but military aviation be hesitant?
Things are not "perfect" in China...student protests are a common occurrence...
“Once you study Marxism, you know real socialism and China’s so-called socialism with Chinese characteristics are two different things. They sell fascism as socialism, like a street vendor passes off dog meat as lamb.” https://t.co/RHzCKkketa— Darren Byler (@dtbyler) May 26, 2019
Despite efforts to paint China as being a paradise, it appears that at least students aren't buying it.
This is rather poignant.
During a protest the participants are posting farewell notes if they disappear? Sometimes I think we don't value our freedoms as much as we should.
Italian Cavour vs Trieste vs QE....the problem of the L-Class Carrier vs LHD...Cavour
 |
| Cavour |
I've been watching a few threads on Twitter regarding the Cavour vs Trieste vs QE.
In my opinion it boils down to the L-Class vs LHD debate, and how some are trying to upgun an LHD into the carrier class. Let me explain. First check this out....
A COMPARISON BETWEEN ITALY'S TRIESTE LHD & BRITAIN'S QUEEN ELIZABETH CVF (Thread)— Nicholas Drummond (@nicholadrummond) May 26, 2019
Yesterday, Italy launched its new Trieste LHD. It is 245 metres in length, displaces 33,000 tonnes and costs €1.1 billion. It will serve alongside the Cavour which is a similar type of ship.
1 pic.twitter.com/rp9YrhGge2
I love Nicholas. He's a solid dude. But on this subject I think he's off the mark. The reality is that the Trieste is should NOT be compared to the QE. It's a dedicated LHD. FULL BORE LHD and from what I've read it will be focused on traditional LHD mission sets. Getting Italian Marines (and Amphibious Army units) across the beach.
It retains the ability to do that thru vertical insertion and surface assault. It's not an America Class competitor. It's pure. No hybridization at all.
So why are we seeing this debate/comparison taken up? I think it has to do with only one thing. The layout of the islands. That simple innovation that the Brits carried out (good on them by the way) has inspired others to follow their lead and because it bears a striking similarity to the QE, many automatically assume that it's similar.
Displacement alone tells the tale. The QE is heavier than the America Class and MUCH heavier than the Trieste.
Aircraft carrying capacity is also an indication. The QE can in overflow carry over 30 F-35s. The Trieste only 15 during normal ops (and I imagine even that is pushing it) and supposedly up to 20 during overflow.
In short. The QE is a pocket carrier (in the American scheme), the America a hybrid and the Trieste a pure LHD that can flex.
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Have to admit that the QE looks majestic sailing into port...
Welcome home @HMSQNLZ— Proud of Portsmouth (@PortsmouthProud) May 25, 2019
We’ll never tire of this magnificent sight!@RoyalNavy @VAdmNickHine @HMNBPortsmouth @MODPolice @SercoGroup @QHMPortsmouth @NavyLookout @PortsmthNewsHub @ShippingMag @BAES_Maritime @The_NFF @Navynewsnet @of_fleet @CaptDavidGeorge @hthjones @TugmasterRob pic.twitter.com/78VKN8XRFq
Have to admit that it's a majestic looking ship....
Blast from the past...F-111 was a beast!
If long take off runs are/were your bag, this is sure to appeal.— Chris Bolton (@CcibChris) May 25, 2019
Maximum bomb load - 51. 48 under the wings and 3 in the weapons bay. The only downside is that the wings cannot be swept in this configuration as the outer pylons do not swivel. pic.twitter.com/i0CffC7xwm
MC-130's down low between the hills...
USAF MC-130 pic.twitter.com/z0I2zaoQLM— peter lewis (@welshi233) May 22, 2019
Jesus! I must be jaded. Military Twitter(correction, military fanboy Twitter) is all abuzz about this short vid but I only give it a duh. I mean seriously, this is what they do right?
Blast from the past via DTR Magazine....
Follow DTR Magazine on Twitter folks...you'll get a chance to see some pretty interesting info/conversations. Tell him I sent ya!
Hands up who remembers the 120mm Armoured Mortar System demonstrator at Mt Bundey during Ex Phoenix 98?— DTR Magazine (@DTRmag) May 25, 2019
And hands up who was there on the day this image was taken?
Yes to both for me! 🙂@AustralianArmy pic.twitter.com/JpJLpBuDq5
Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) tested with a 40mm cannon...via Defense 24...
via Defense 24
The vehicles may also potentially use more armament than their predecessors. US media outlets recently announced that a 40 mm cannon is being tested on the ACV platform. The gun, over the course of the test programme, was being used against a myriad of different targets, from infantry (at longer ranges than usual), pick-up trucks, to heavier vehicles or UAVs. The cannon is to be able to hit and neutralize any of those threats. This would translate into creation of a set of better defensive abilities for the landing operations.Story here.
Northrop Grumman confirmed that ACV was being tested with the Bushmaster II Mk 44/S cannon in “stretch” configuration. The gun makes it possible to utilize the Mk 310 Programmable Air Bursting Munition (PABM) rounds. Mk 44/S is a 30 mm gun in its standard variant but it may be rapidly converted to the 40 mm calibre. ACV was tested with the “Stretch” 40 mm gun at least once, as reported by the US media. The tests took place during a recent conference gathering the Bushmaster cannon users. ACV is using the MCT-30 turret manufactured by Kongsberg.
Poland can also be find among the Bushmaster user group (Mk 44 Bushmaster II). The weapon is being utilized on the Rosomak APC. The “Stretch” variant is used on the WB Electronics/HSW ZSSW-30 turrets that are to become the armament on the newly delivered Rosomak APCs and Borsuk IFVs.
The available data suggests that USMC has not directly defined use of the 40 mm calibre as a requirement. The US Marines however, are interested in the Mk 44/S gun and the option of utilizing programmable rounds. Potential transition to the 40 mm ammunition is also being considered. The ability to maintain and manufacture the “Stretch” gun is to be established at the Polish HSW S.A. facility, within the scope of the offset arrangements made during phase I of the Wisła programme.
Missed this but I cheer.
HQMC is taking a look at a 40mm cannon.
Good God! The Marine Corps is getting its groove back! This would be a nice long term "interim" caliber. Effective for the foreseeable future and we can keep an eye on what the Army is doing with the 50mm.
Someone is working this problem to perfection. Love it!
Friday, May 24, 2019
First US Army brigade of M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks to be delivered "sometime this summer"....
First @USArmy brigade of M1A2 SEPv3 #Abrams main battle #tank|s to be delivered "sometime this summer":— Christian Pingel (@ct_pingel) May 22, 2019
https://t.co/fU4qjO4r9O
Marines conduct a notional raid on a Polaris MRZR 4 vehicle during exercise Northern Edge....photo by Cpl. Rhita Daniel
 |
| FORT GREELY, Alaska (May 22, 2019) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Juan Morales, front right, a platoon sergeant, with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 7, conducts a notional raid on a Polaris MRZR 4 vehicle during exercise Northern Edge (NE), May 22, 2019 at Fort Greely, Alaska. Approximately 10,000 U.S. military personnel participate in exercise NE 2019, a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces that prepares joint forces to respond to crises in the Indo-Pacific region. |
Chinese 124th Amphibious Mechanized Infantry Division amphibious exercise via China Defense Blog...
They're training hard and aren't exhausting their men and material around the world defending the interests of others.
They're getting ready.
Are we?
New photo of the Scarab, light armored reconnaissance and engagement aid developed by Arquus...via Vincent lamigeon Twitter...
Une nouvelle photo du Scarabée, blindé léger de reconnaissance et d’aide à l’engagement développé par Arquus. Possible successeur du VBL pic.twitter.com/AyQh7bUxx9— Vincent Lamigeon (@VincentLamigeon) May 22, 2019
I guess we have to debate the Trump "potential" pardons...
BREAKING: Former Marine Commandant tells Trump that pardoning troops accused of war crimes 'relinquishes the moral high ground' https://t.co/IPHx6anxup— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) May 21, 2019
Hmm.
We have no choice but to dive into this muddy water, but I'm unsettled by the whole thing.
I have questions.
Is it wrong for the President to pardon men that risked it all for this nation? That fought when few others would for this land of ours? That did the hard thing instead of expecting others to do it instead?
Are we a people that aren't capable of giving such men a second chance?
I don't buy the "moral high ground" bit for one minute.
We've launched air strikes and killed family members of terrorists because they were considered a high value target and the people around them were listed as collateral damage.
We've traded terrorists for a deserter that got his fellow soldiers killed.
I'm not sure but I'd bet we've even paid money to terrorist in the vain hope that we could advance our goals.
So spare me the moral high ground.
This is murky at best and a pardon isn't exoneration. Let their God judge them.
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