Engineering Funny.... “Marine Corps brass was insisting that the word ‘amphibious’ implied the ability to float…”

ACV Test Bed Vehicle

via Mobile Engineering.com

Early in my career, I was hired on as a contract worker at large company which had just received a multi-billion-dollar order to build amphibious, eight-wheel light armored vehicles for the U.S. marine corps. We toiled for several months on the project, burning through thousands of man hours before making an unfortunate discovery: our hull design was far too heavy.
Marine Corps brass was insisting that the word ‘amphibious’ implied the ability to float and in order to make that happen, we needed to eliminate a lot of weight from the design. Out of desperation management sent out a memo to everyone in engineering asking for suggestions on how to accomplish this.

This touched off a storm of anonymous suggestions such as drilling lightening holes in the hull, filling the tires with helium and my personal favorite, painting the hull with a lighter color. Management was not pleased with this response, but hey they asked!

Other "engineering funnies/mistakes/craziness" here. 

Maybe funny isn't the right word for this one but the solutions are pure idiocy/craziness and kinda funny!  Filling the tires with helium?  Are you shitting me!

On a more serious note it does illustrate what a heavy lift the USMC asked of engineers.  We want a combat vehicle that can float from ship to shore, yet be as capable as a land IFV/APC (or at least APPROACHING) that never has to cross deep puddles.

2nd LAR Battalion LAV-AT Live Fire Training....pics by Lance Cpl. Ursula Smith

SU-57 viewed thru Russian eyes...

Thanks to S300v4 for the link!

via Russian Military Analysis Blog.

The Su-57 is a high maneuverability air superiority fighter,
with a substantially reduced radar cross section compared to 4th
generation Russian fighters, designed to work as part of Russian air
defense to counter stealth aircraft near or within Russian airspace.
This fighter is meant to team with Russia’s sizable 4th gen air force, and VHF/UHF ground based acquisition radars, to establish local qualitative advantages and help close corridors in Russian air defenses.
The Su-57 is an affordable, producible option to bolster Russia’s air
defense network. It will pose a major challenge for any 4th gen
aircraft, and concern to stealth optimized 5th gen aviation. Yes it is a stealth 5th generation aircraft, but it is not a F-22 or F-35 clone,
and the design philosophy is not based around mission requirements similar to U.S 5th generation aircraft. This fighter is tailored to Russian needs, though it has features intended to make it attractive to an export market.

====================

Instead India was to receive an export version of the T-50, and in this scenario they backed out, leaving the development risk to Russia, with the option to come back and buy the Su-57 if Sukhoi proves successful. Why India believed they could co-develop a 5th generation aircraft program with Russia, gain experience and tech transfer, for a fraction of what similar such programs typically cost, remains a mystery. Similarly, some Western analysts and commentators began writing off the PAK-FA when India backed out, as though the $4 billion that Russia never actually received from Delhi was going to make or break Russia’s 5th generation program (a country that spends 1.5 trillion RUB on R&D and procurement per year). Many of these predictions of Russian next gen weapons programs entering ‘death spirals’ are simply wrong.

========================

Reasons for the delays found in defense news articles typically reference something about a lack of money, sanctions, or other analytical spaghetti thrown at the wall. There is no evidence that the PAK-FA program suffers from these problems. A simpler reason is that developing a 5th generation aircraft is not all that easy especially if you’re integrating a host of new capabilities, from an AESA radar, to a low observable air frame (or at least an attempt at one), a new engine, flight control system, etc. Suffice it to say Sukhoi encountered challenges – here are a few visuals to illustrate:

Story here. 

Mahesh asked that I do a blog post on this conversation.  No problem, here it is.

What was the bait on the hook to get me to bite?

I've been wanting to know why so many got it wrong when it was assumed that this program would die once the Indians backed out.

I now have that answer.

This conversation is kinda specialized.  I really haven't been keeping up with the SU-57 so its up to you guys to give this one a go.

I'll be watching from the sidelines.

Open Comment Post. 1 June 2019

Korps Mariniers in the Belize jungle...

Onze mannen tijdens de Initial Skills Phase diep in de jungle van Belize. Leren leven, overleven en later het vechten in dit gebied. pic.twitter.com/YQ8cfziuum

— Korps Mariniers (@korpsmariniers) May 31, 2019

Royal Marines parachute into Denmark....

via RoyalNavy.mod.uk.

Royal Marines performed a stunning sunset parachute drop over Denmark as the UK’s key military deployment of the spring moves up a gear.

Leaping from just 800 feet, the men of the elite Pre-Landing Force, 30 Commando, landed outside the small town of Varde in western Jutland.

After a 90-minute flight in a C130 Hercules from RAF Brize Norton, the Plymouth-based commandos jumped over their dropzone using special low-level parachutes, landing on their target with pinpoint accuracy at twilight.

The drop is just one element in the opening stages of the two-month-long Baltic Protector deployment, led by Britain and involving more than half a dozen nations which border either the Baltic or North Seas.

With a cluster of British vessels at its heart (flagship HMS Albion, support ship RFA Lyme Bay, helicopter support vessel RFA Argus, frigate HMS Kent and military ferry MV Hurst Point, numerous helicopters and hundreds of Royal Marines spearheaded by 45 Commando from Arbroath in Scotland), the deployment is the biggest test yet of the Joint Expeditionary Force.

The force was established seven years ago to demonstrate the resolve of the military of northern European nations to operate side-by-side in the event of an international incident or crisis – everything from responding to a natural disaster through to conflict.

Story here. 

Hack Shows Extent of Private Data US License-Plate Readers Collect

via Sputnik.

The companies that sell car license-plate readers used by US authorities to track drivers within its borders collect far more information than most would think possible ‒ and fail to adequately protect that personal data, as a recent hack shows.


These license-plate readers collect and store information including peoples' locations, zip codes and even MP3 files, presumably from individuals' computers. Invasive technologies and the "surveillance state" they reveal are a major privacy concern, technologist Chris Garaffa told Sputnik.

On Thursday, a hacker using the name "Boris Bullet-Dodger" contacted technology news website the Register, providing internal data belonging to Perceptics, a US company that designs "vehicle identification and license-plate recognition products to serve border control, commercial vehicle enforcement, electronic toll collection and security industries," according to its website.

"These license-plate readers — these are terrifying," Garaffa told Radio Sputnik's By Any Means Necessary host Sean Blackmon. "They exist when you go through a toll. If you don't have to stop, they have them on there. Cops have license-plate readers on their cars. Truck companies have these license-plate readers, and they all have to connect back to DMV [Department of Motor Vehicle] databases. So, these license-plate generator readers are constantly taking data from your car when you're going down the street or when they [law enforcement] are driving down the street and you're parked at home," Garaffa added. 

Story here. 

For most of my readers you're already out there.  No need to be too concerned about this type of thing. 

Why?

Because you were in the military.  If you were in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines...Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves or worked for a "trigger" govt agency (FBI, CIA, US Marshals etc...) then you're already probably indexed and cataloged.

Literally.

From your DNA to fingerprints and everything in between.

Add in the fact that many of you are on Tricare or use the VA and continue to work for public agencies today (and I include major corporations in that) then you can basically forget it.

Oh and let me add something else.  If you blog (like yours truly), comment frequently on blogs, use Twitter, Facebook (God save you....your info is on the black market for sure), Instagram and others then that just adds to it.

Factor in the other must have for guys like us....CCW lic...Drivers Lic...membership in certain organizations (from the VFW, Marine League, NRA etc...) and you're basically an open book.

But this shit still irritates.

You know what the biggest mistake the public made on the war on terror?  To allow ONE horrific event to unleash a cascade of events that ultimately is making us slaves to the govt.

Big data is here.

When we allowed the Patriot Act to go into law without proper debate and limitations...when we chose security over freedom...is the day that we started to lose it all.

The crazy thing?  A fucking Russian newspaper is telling us the news.  Fuck me!  We live in interesting and ironic ass times.

Bear plays spiderman....

Bear easily scales side cliff pic.twitter.com/z6uIuaDAql

— Domenico Calia (@CaliaDomenico) May 31, 2019

Climb a tree?  Screw that!  You're bear food if you do.  Never knew they could do this.  Simply amazing.  Bears are studs!

Netherlands Fractal Pattern Uniforms...

The new Netherlands Fractal Pattern (NFP) camouflage pattern that will enter service with the Dutch Armed Forces. Three variants will be produced (NFP-Green, NFP-Tan and NFP-Navy), with a fourth pattern under consideration (NFP-Artic). NFP-Multitone will be used for equipment. pic.twitter.com/AnAHZ3Q6Oj

— Oryx (@oryxspioenkop) May 29, 2019

Is this the same as digital?  Looks the same.  Seems like that's the flavor going forward (yeah I know...everyone talks about multicam/OCP but that's mostly the US Army and Europe...not many others).

Rafael has a new website...

Here.

F-35 News. Pentagon: Turkey’s S-400 Acquisition to Be Devastating to F-35 Program

via Sputnik.

Turkey’s deployment of Russian S-400 air defence systems would be devastating for the US F-35 fighter program, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Security Affairs Kathryn Wheelbarger said at an event on Thursday.

"Completion of this transaction would be devastating, not only to the F-35 program… It would potentially rupture Turkish interoperability with NATO, a key aspect of the defence of the Alliance and let’s be clear — the S-400 is a Russian system designed to shoot down an aircraft like the F-35. And it is inconceivable to imagine Russia not taking advantage of that collection opportunity," Wheelbarger said at the Atlantic Council in Washington.

Story here. 

1.  I checked.  This is being widely reported now.

2.  I KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP!  Whenever there is gonna be bad news for the F-35 program you can see the propaganda amp up.  We've seeing that this past week.

3.  The talk is now that the Turk purchase of the S-400 MUST NOT HAPPEN.  Yeah right.  This has turned from a simple diplomatic row into a measuring of dicks contest.  At this point I don't see how EITHER SIDE can back down.  If the Turks do then they lose face in the entire Middle East and will be seen crumbling to US pressure.  If the US does then the same applies in reverse.  The time for diplomacy was months ago but that window has closed.

This is getting a bit fun to watch.  More to come I'm sure.

LATE Open Comments. 30 May 2019

Sorry guys.  Got caught up in a few things today.  Back to normal (hopefully) tomorrow!

Chile set to procure Canadian Coyote LAVs

via Janes

The Chilean government has given green light to the procurement of a dozen second-hand Coyote 8×8 armoured scout vehicles for the navy's Marine Corps, military sources in Santiago told Jane's .

Deliveries are expected to take place during 2020, but could start in late months of 2019. The value of the transaction for the light-armoured vehicles (LAVs), coming from Canadian Armed Forces surplus, has not been publicly disclosed, as it is still being negotiated to include new engines and other spare parts.

A derivative of General Dynamics Land Systems Piranha II that anticipated features of Piranha III, developed to fulfil Canadian requirements, Coyote is a fast, 7.6-tonne armed scout vehicle aimed for reconnaissance of territory where opposition is expected.

Maybe its the Marine in me, but I love the idea of small nations...maybe struggling a bit economically and needing to be SMART with every penny, looking at vehicles going out of service in larger countries and picking over the stock to get the best deal.

In my opinion this is a brilliant move by the Chilean Marines.  Having said that, the Canadians have rode these vehicles hard so I'm hoping they get a REAL GOOD INSPECTION as well as the listed upgrades/spare parts.

Well done.

Trophy Active Protection System coming to a USMC M1A1 near you!

Thanks to John for the pic!

Good on Marine Tankers!  Even better on HQMC.

Everytime I get close to raging about the aviation centric Marine Corps they draw me back in with moves like this.

I heard about it but I doubted the truth.  I believed that sunshine was being busted off the behind  of the GCE.

Thankfully I was wrong.

As far as moving on from the M1A1 to the M1A2 SEP V3? 

Don't see the need.

The US Army is the heavy force.  They'll have more than enough top line tanks to handle the heavy armor fight.  If we're faced with that then roles and missions means that we'll guard their flanks while they do that heavy lifting.

The Trophy APS and other upgrades to the M1A1 will see it viable into the future.

A great move for Marine Tanks, and perhaps the beginning of the return to being good stewards with the tax payers money.

Boeing in Deutschland...

Boeing website here (gonna need a translation service...it is in German).

Everyone is predicting an easy CH-53K win but I doubt it.  The Germans are cost conscious with regard to military spending.  I don't think they'll pay the price for what the CH-53K offers.  Additionally Boeing is making the case that the CH-47 can lift any and everything a military force requires from its helo force.  So far Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin hasn't found an answer to that meme.

My prediction?

CH-47 over the objections of the German Air Force.  It'll be based on cost, not necessarily performance.

Type 16 from the Japanese Western Army (pic)...

Okinawa Governor Warns of Civil Unrest if US Doesn't Give Up Local Marine Base....They're becoming a bit tiresome....

via Sputnik

Should the US prolong its military use of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, it could see civil unrest in the region, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki recently wrote in a letter to US officials.

"If the US continues to use [MCAS Futenma], it may give rise to anti-base protests against all US military bases in Okinawa, or even an overall anti-US movement like what was seen in the past," Tamaki noted, recalling the turbulent days of the early 1970s when Japanese demonstrators unified under an anti-American stance.

"If that happens, such movements would have a significant impact on the Japan-US Security Arrangements as well as the Japan-US Alliance including operation of Kadena Air Base and White Beach Naval Facility."

Story here. 

The protests around USMC bases in Okinawa are becoming a bit tiresome.  The bleating of their politicians has become irritating.

Either you want us there protecting your ass or you don't.  Pick one.  But if you ask us to leave don't come crying when the Chinese crush you into the ground and scatter your bones at sea.

This is why so many Americans want to see US forces brought home from all these overseas bases.

We're not appreciated, nor are we desired.

Its like being in a bad relationship.  If its obvious its not working then its best to leave.

Canadian Army's LAV 6.0...perfecting the iron triangle...

via Canadian Army Today.com

The LAV 6.0 is a refinement of the lessons gained from a decade of experience in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Over 350 of its predecessor, the LAV III, were damaged during the mission, three dozen beyond repair, from small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, and improvised explosive devices.

To develop the mandatory requirements, the project team drew from more than 1,600 lessons learned since the LAV III was first introduced in 1999, including 300 interviews with crew commanders, gunners, drivers and maintenance technicians to identify 700 improvements.

“We looked not only at the technical aspects, but also the TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedures), the way the vehicle was being used,” Larrivee explained in an interview in 2014. “We also looked at what was being developed on newer vehicles.”

The result was what he called a “perfect triangle” of protection, mobility and lethality with the electronic architecture to integrate into a digitized network as part of the Army’s future concept of adaptive dispersed operations.

Though it was labeled an upgrade project, little of the original LAV III remains. The LAV 6.0 addressed protection with a double-V hull with energy attenuated seating; mobility with a new suspension and driveline and a more powerful 450 horsepower Caterpillar engine and larger Michelin tires; and lethality through improved turret components and layout.

What was retained, in addition to the 25mm M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon, turret drive, heater, and automatic fire suppression system, are the core design elements and functionality that have made the LAV the backbone of the Army’s combat vehicle fleet. 

Perfecting that triangle, however, was no easy task. Enhanced armoured protection with the same mobility meant a larger vehicle. The baseline weight of the LAV III that deployed to Afghanistan was about 36,000 pounds – it surpassed 42,000 with add-on armour. After the Army added new belly and side armour, an enhanced weapon station and attenuating seats as part of the LAV Operation Requirement Integration Task (LORIT) program in 2009 to address the threat of IEDs, the vehicle weighed in at 52,000 pounds with personnel and kit piled on.

The LAV 6.0 begins at a baseline weight of 45,000 pounds and increases to 63,000 with the full combat package of added armour protection and ammunition.

As the gross vehicle weight grew, though, GDLS-Canada had to enhance the suspension and drive train. “That combined to produce a vehicle that was in a much heavier weight class,” acknowledged Steve Child, senior engineer for product and technology development. “We then started looking at how to redistribute the weight in the vehicle to better support the loads and to move the platform in terms of functionality for both weapons and protection systems.”

Story here. 

Full disclosure.

I'm a General Dynamics Land fanboy.

Having said that, let me also add that I'm looking for some great things from this company going forward.

I already here ya saying...but what about those competitions that they lost. Easy I say.  It wasn't a failure of product (they have vehicles in their portfolio that would easily be considered as state of the art, and top of the class) but more a failure in interpreting the solicitations being brought forward by the  various govts.

Regardless, the Canadian Army seems pleased with their steed.  Good on them and GD.

F-35 News. US may suspend training of Turk pilots....

via Reuters.

The United States is seriously considering suspending training for Turkish pilots on advanced F-35 fighter jets as Ankara moves ahead with plans to purchase a Russian missile defense system despite objections from Washington, sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

The two NATO allies have argued for months over Turkey’s order for the Russian S-400 defenses, which Washington says are incompatible with the Western alliance’s defense network and would pose a threat to American F-35 stealth fighters which Turkey also plans to buy.

The two sources, who are familiar with Turkey’s role in the F-35 program and who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a final decision had not yet been made.

The deliberation follows signs that Turkey is moving ahead with the S-400 purchase. Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on May 22 that Turkish military personnel were receiving training in Russia to use the S-400, and said Russian personnel may come to Turkey.

Turkish pilots have also been training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. It was unclear whether a decision to suspend their training would mean they would have to leave the country, or would be allowed to remain at the base until a final decision is made about Turkey’s future in the F-35 program.

Story here. 

I asked why we were still training Turk pilots and now they finally are moving on the issue.

Took them long enough.

It does raise the question though.  What if this had gone differently?  What if the Turks waited till they had their F-35s and THEN bought S-400s.

What would the response be?

What if an F-35 buyer decides later to buy S-400s?  What do we do then?  Its been stated that operating this airplane alongside Russian air defense is a hazard to the plane's secrets so what do you do?

Just throwing that out there but I am curious.