Wow. They're shouting "Death to Israel" in France....

Entendre "Mort à Israël" dans les rues de France en 2019 est insoutenable.

Cet acte antisioniste et antisémite est intolérable.

Je m'étonne qu'une telle manifestation de soutien au terroriste Georges Ibrahim Abdallah ait été autorisée à Paris par la @prefpolice ! pic.twitter.com/uFLZS8zCJR

— Eric Ciotti (@ECiotti) June 26, 2019

Simply amazing.  I've read that anti-semitism is on the rise in Europe but to see a protest like this is kinda stunning (at least to me).

I know its alarmist thinking but if I was Jewish I'd get out now.  I know its fear mongering but I'm sure people of that faith had the same discussions and decided against it decades ago with dire consequences.

Forgive me but I view this thru the lens of our current immigration debate.  Immigration without assimilation leads to terrible terrible terrible unintended consequences.

Samaritans in America today could be setting the stage for serious heartache later.  I kinda think we're seeing bits of that in Europe.  We should take note.

Soviet 80s Future tank projects. Object “ 490” , Object “490A” (Rebel), “490A” with 152 mm gun (Boxer)

Hat tip to Damian Ratka's Twitter Page...

Damian posted this to a Twitter Page and while it's not long, I definitely 
believe its worth a look see.

Check it out here.

NOTE.  This is a Russian site so if you're "concerned" that you might show 
up on a watch list then steer clear...but its great info and I don't think you'll
get farm boys from the other side of Quantico banging on your door for taking
a look.

Criminal Justice News. How did an Alabama Jury come to this decision???

via Heavy.com

Marshae Jones is an Alabama woman who was shot in the stomach while five months pregnant and later charged with manslaughter in her fetus’ death after police said she initiated the dispute that led to her being shot.

Jones, 27, was indicted Wednesday by a Jefferson County grand jury, AL.com reports.

Police said that although Jones did not fire the shots, officials determined that she initiated the fight with the shooter, 23-year-old Ebony Jemison.

Jemison had been charged with manslaughter but the charge was dismissed after a grand jury failed to indict her.

Police say the 2018 shooting occurred during a dispute over the unborn child’s father.

Jones has been released from Jefferson County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Story here.

I am so confused.  I just don't understand it.  The rationale just doesn't make sense to me and apparently my old thinking of right and wrong just doesn't apply anymore...correction...what is wrong and a worst wrong no longer applies.

TRIGGER By Arquus via Jalopnik...

Interesting.  I didn't know Ford had a hand in these vehicles but according to this article by Jalopnik they do (here).

Three things though...

1.  Didn't SOCOM have a competition of some type for a light truck that was armored so they could conduct operations in "hazardous" places but remain somewhat covert?  I'll never forget some guy shooting a vehicle (small truck) with an AK-47 while another guy was sitting in it.  What happened with that?

2.  Toyota has this market cornered.  Don't know why the French are going in a different direction is beyond me, but if you want a light vehicle that blends in then you can't do much better than buying a Toyota light pickup.

3.  The French seem to be going all in on these civilian turned military vehicles.  What am I missing?  I just don't see the utility.

Either way the thing does look like a little beast.  Not quite my cup of tea but cool nonetheless.

RAF has smallest combat force in history...

via Daily Mail...

The RAF now has the smallest combat fleet in its history having lost nearly half its aircraft in the last twelve years, MailOnline can reveal.

Britain's new supersonic F-35 Lightning fighter jets have just completed their first operational missions – rooting out the remnants of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq in 14 sorties over the past ten days.

But following the retirement earlier this year of the last of the Air Force's beloved Tornados, the UK's 17 Lightnings are part of a forward available fleet of just 119 fast attack jets, down 43 per cent from 210 in 2007.

It leaves the air force smaller than at any time since its creation during the First World War.

The RAF said number of aircraft does not equate to capability and it has the jets it needs to meet its commitments.

But military analysts have warned that whatever the sophisticated capabilities of the fourth- and fifth-generation planes of which the fleet is now comprised, 'no aircraft, no matter how capable, can be in more than one place at any time'.

Story here. 

I have to wonder.

Not even talking about peer vs peer conflict, how long can an Air Force stay in the air with so few fighters?

More capable but fewer aircraft seems to be chasing a rabbit with no meat on the bones.  I don't think it will end well.

The Queen Elizabeth looks huge ....

 Hat tip to Salacious Montgomery Crumb's Twitter Page for the link!‏

 

Have you ever wondered just how big @HMSQnlz is?
As we mark the 2nd anniversary of the carrier's departure from dock in Rosyth, this video gives you a real sense of scale, as the @RoyalNavy flagship towers over Portsmouth as she arrived in porthttps://t.co/t1c87yzs0y#Defence pic.twitter.com/PVJ6EzLQAT

— Defence Equipment & Support (@DefenceES) June 26, 2019

No lie.  That ship looks massive.

Anyone care to make a wager on whether or not it ends up being the world's biggest helicopter carrier?  Not at first, but once the back breaking maintenance costs of the F-35 becomes apparent....

Open Comment Post. 27 June 2017

If the Rebels had weapons like this then why didn't they use them all the time?  A squadron of Y-Wings taking out an Imperial Destroyer?  Ion Cannons rock...

Naval History and Heritage Command Infographics!

Hey guys, just found this and its pretty awesome in my opinion.  The Naval History and Heritage Command has a series of infographics on a variety of subjects.  I grabbed the one below but there are several others that will be of interest to anyone into our Naval Forces.  Check it out here.

Gun guys! Help me out!

The above pic is from Botach and its in reference to the lanyard.  I'm not at all interested in the lanyard but the magazine sleeve is something that I'm really trying to locate (haven't seen one that has accommodation for a lanyard!).  Does anyone know who makes it?

Sorry for reaching out and taking up space on the blog but I've done Google, Bing and other searches to find the thing and no luck.

Many of you are into firearms too so I'm hoping one person can point me in the right direction.

Army Futures Command talks robotic vehicles...we've been here for decades!

via Army.mil

Similar to how a boxer with a longer reach finds it easier to hit an opponent, the Army is looking to punch through the standoff defenses of near-peer adversaries.

Army Futures Command is behind many of the Army's efforts to achieve that overmatch, which include over 30 projects within its Cross-Functional Teams that are responsible for tackling modernization priorities.

While speaking at the International Armored Vehicles USA conference Tuesday, Gen. John Murray, the AFC commander, noted robotic combat vehicles as one endeavor that could help Soldiers knock out defenses.

During a Joint Warfighting Assessment in May, Murray observed Soldiers and Marines conducting defensive and attack maneuvers using breacher vehicles with robotic capabilities at Yakima Training Center in Washington.

By fiscal year 2023, he said he expects "critical decisions" to be made on robotic combat vehicles after years of experimentation.

"If there's one single thing I think that will change fundamentally the way we look and the way we fight," he said, "is the possibility of deploying robotic combat vehicles in the future, either completely autonomous or semi-autonomous as wingmen."

This fall, proposals are also due from industry partners on their ideas for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle, which will replace Bradley Fighting Vehicles starting in 2026.

AFC officially stood up last year, he said, after the Army missed a generation of modernization while fighting for years in counterinsurgency campaigns. 

Here.

This is a personal sore spot.  We've been in this exact position for decades.  Shall I take you thru a trip down memory lane?

How many remember the Crusher?  High mobility?  Check.  ISR package?  Check.  Able to carry weapons?  Check.

How about the Oshkosh Terramax?  We were getting hit with IEDs during supply missions so the idea was for a logistics truck to go unmanned to lessen casualties.  Demonstrated mobility?  Check.  Able to navigate obstacles?  Check.

How about the Black Knight?  Demonstrated to the Army and performed well.  Did they bite?  Nope.

Frustration doesn't even come close.

I don't know what the Futures Command is suppose to do, but so far all I'm seeing is what's already been done.

Finnish Defence Forces Receive First Protolab 6x6 Protected Multi-Purpose Vehicle (PMPV)

via Defense Aerospace.

Despite its deceptively small proportions, the PMPV can carry two crew and ten fully-equipped troops, or a cargo payload of up to 10,000kg. It is narrower than standard combat vehicles, and its 2.55-meter width makes it suitable for urban operations. (Protolab photo)
VANTAA, Finland --- Protolab Oy is pleased to announce the delivery of the first Protolab 6x6 Protected Multi-Purpose Vehicles (PMPV) to the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF). Protolab is delivering four PMPVs to the FDF under a contract signed in 2018. The vehicles are being put through operational testing by the FDF as part of a wider modernisation programme to upgrade and enhance its armoured vehicle fleet.

The Protolab PMPV is exceptionally maneuverable and agile and can perform a range of mission roles including patrol, passenger and cargo transport, and command post. Amphibious and MEDIVAC variants are also available. The Protolab PMPV is a first of its kind 6x6 armoured personnel carrier developed to meet the mobility, protection and communication requirements of Special Operations Forces and paramilitary security forces.

The PMPV is designed from the ground up with integrated high level mine protection and ballistic protection according to customer-specified blast protection levels of STANAG 4569. The vehicle can be equipped with various customer required weapon systems.

The vehicle can carry two crew and ten fully-equipped troops, or a cargo payload of up to 10,000kg. Narrower than standard fighting vehicles, the vehicle's 2.55m width makes it suitable for urban operations, with advanced mobility both on and off-road. Powered by a Cummins 6.7l multifuel engine and meeting Euro 3 emission levels, the vehicle meets EU truck road regulations qualifying it for registration as a N3G class truck (off-road).

These design features make it an ideal fit for the challenges being faced by modern armies.

Story here. 

This is a kinda weird segment of the armored vehicle market.  I consider the top dawgs in no particular order the vehicle above along with the Russian Typhoon and the Nexter Titus (talked about in an earlier blogpost).

They seem to be ideal internal and low intensity warfare vehicles, but I'm having trouble trying to decide exactly what feature(s) should be considered to make one stand out from the rest.  Below is a pic of the Russian Typhoon that I believe fits into this category.

Arquus Scarabee goes airborne...

via Shepard Media...

Vehicle manufacturer Arquus is developing specialist trailer technology to enhance the capability of the Scarabee 4x4 light armoured vehicle (LAV) to support airborne operations, company officials have disclosed to Shephard.

Exhibiting the LAV to the international market for the first time at the Paris Air Show on 17 June, Arquus informed Shephard the upgrades would be suitable to undertake airborne insertion evaluation with a series of tactical transport aircraft including Airbus Defence and Space’s A400M.

Company officials said it was ‘too early’ to discuss specific timeframes for airborne insertion evaluation with the A400M. However, sources confirmed a single A400M would be capable of carrying up to three Scarabee LAVs, each one equipped with the new trailer which could be used to haul specialist equipment and capabilities.

The trailer, which has been designed with an integrated rechargeable battery to extend the mission endurance of small unit teams, could be used to carry a remote controlled weapon station or radar solution, company officials disclosed to Shephard. Alternative utility could see the trailer re-roled for troop transportation and cargo resupply missions, it was added.

A technology demonstrator of the trailer is due to be completed at the end of 2020 in response to emerging customer requirements, company officials claimed.

Story here. 

 

Lithuanian military receives first two Vilkas (Boxer) IFVs...

via Defense Aerospace.

One of Lithuania’s new Boxer infantry fighting vehicles fires a Spike anti-tank missile during evaluation trials. Lithuania has ordered 88 Boxers from Germany’s Artec. (Lithuania MoD photo)
On June 25 first two of 88 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) “Vilkas” were delivered to Lithuania. After a year of intense testing in training areas and testing centres of Germany and the Netherlands, serial production of the squad-level fighting vehicles for the Lithuanian Armed Forces has started.

IFVs “Vilkas” have been made by a German manufacturer ARTEC, according to the requirements of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The vehicles have Israel-made turrets, 30 mm MK-44S cannons and “Spike LR” anti-tank missiles, other specialised equipment and electronic systems.

The first IFVs “VIlkas” will be delivered to the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Battalion in Rukla to carry out acceptance procedures and after that formally given for using in the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

Story here.

I have to wonder why a small military force would go for what is arguably the most expensive IFV on the planet.

There are other good options out there but I guess the co-production scheme actually held sway.  I have no visibility on the process but I'm betting that Patria or General Dynamics Europe could have sold them AMV-28s or Piranha Vs for a better price.

Czech military signs contract for 62 Titus 6x6 Armored Vehicles...

via Defense Aerospace.

Deputy Minister of Defense for Armaments and Acquisitions Section Filip Říha and Milan Stupka, Managing Director of Eldis Pardubice, Ltd., signed a contract for the supply of 62 wheeled TITUS 6x6 armored vehicles on Friday June 21, 2019.

The contract covers 42 wheeled armored vehicles in command post version, and 20 others in the artillery coordination of fire support (MKPP) variant, and includes logistic support and training. The value of the contract is 6,072 billion crowns including VAT (€237 million—Ed.), and deliveries will take place in 2022-23.

"We have successfully completed a project that has been addressed since 2015. Our army acquires new combat vehicles that will be produced in the Czech Republic and will significantly contribute to the modernization of our ground forces," Defense Minister Lubomir Metnar stressed.

“In order to adapt to the conditions of the modern battlefield, we need a new armored vehicle that will enable us to reinforce command and control capabilities of deployed units, both within our country and abroad. TITUS will replace obsolete equipment and will equip units from the 4th Brigade Task Force,” said Army Commander General Aleš Opata.

TITUS vehicles were developed on the Czech Tatra 6x6 chassis and fitted with a combat extension from the French company Nexter Systems, from which Eldis acquired exclusive licensing rights related to delivery, production and service.

This vehicle gets little attention but as far as the "truck to armored vehicle" market segment, I think its probably at the top of the class.

What has me particularly jazzed is that its capable of carrying a decent number of troops.  Almost makes me think that OSHKOSH is missing the boat by not doing the same with the MTRV.

More Littoral Combat Ship INSANITY!

Thanks to Filippo for the link!

Navy's newest Littoral Combat Ship damaged after smacking into a moored ship in Canada: https://t.co/cI0AnhKlxT

— Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 26, 2019

Filippo said he was speechless.

I'm fucking shocked.  Are you shitting me? 

The Navy didn't even do us the courtesy of smacking into a Chinese warship...no they picked on a Canadian merchant ship.

Just plain awesome.

Mi-28NM...via Joseph Dempsey's Twitter Page from Russian Airplanes Website...

Some are saying that the nose has changed but I just don't remember and don't have time to Google it.  Still some pretty awesome pics though. Question for my Russian readers.  Is the KA-52 dead now?

BAE press release says its building an ACV-30...

Press release...

“The ACV has proven to be a versatile platform capable of numerous configurations to meet current and future mission requirements,” said John Swift, director of amphibious programs at BAE Systems. “With this award, BAE Systems will be able to develop a family of vehicles that will deliver the technology and capability the Marines require to accomplish their mission in support of our national security.”

The contract calls for the design and development of the command (ACV-C) and the 30mm medium caliber cannon (ACV-30) variants. The ACV-C incorporates seven work stations to provide situational awareness and control of the battle space. The ACV-30 integrates a 30mm cannon to provide the lethality and protection the Marines need while leaving ample room for troop capacity and payload.

BAE Systems was previously awarded a low-rate initial production contract in June 2018 for the personnel variant (ACV-P). The Marine Corps announced the ACV had successfully completed anticipated requirements testing and would no longer be pursuing an envisioned incremental ACV 1.1 and ACV 1.2 development approach. The program is now known as the ACV Family of Vehicles, which encompasses the breadth and depth of the vehicle’s capabilities and multiple variants.

Here (note...you can also download my banner pic in high resolution too...just follow the link!) 

Not even one tiny bit pissed about this news.

Marine Corps procurement (with the exception of aviation) is moving toward the possible now, with an eye toward improvements later.

A 30mm cannon on the ACV will STILL REPRESENT A TREMENDOUS STEP FORWARD IN FIREPOWER over the current AAV.

Additionally it does not mean that a move to the 50mm is out of the cards in the future once the US Army does the heavy lifting on development.

Win.  Win.  Win.

BAE North America is hungry so they're gonna get this done poste haste too.

Chalk that up as another feather in the program's hat.  Quite honestly this might be a model of "how to do" acquisition right.  I can't think of a better run program...can you?

New ACV pic...

Don't lie.  You can't tell me that rig don't look bad ass!

Anyway, I hope they get that recovery version up and running.  Time to retire the AAV and get our armored fleet in order.

Upgrades to the M1A1, buying the ACV...along with development of a gun and command/control version, upgrades to the MTVR, buying the JLTV, upgrades to the M777....

What's left to do?  The M88A2 was recently done.  The GA/TOR is being bought to provide fire support/anti-air/ and other stuff.  The LCAC is being upgraded.

As much as I've beat my drum seems like things are well in hand.

Early morning, pre-sunrise rollout of the @Sikorsky S-97 Raider.....via Dan Parsons Twitter Page...

Early morning, pre-sunrise rollout of the @Sikorsky S-97 Raider. pic.twitter.com/zvPFlCOLa3

— Dan Parsons (@SharkParsons) June 25, 2019

I've been a fan of Sikorsky but their performance of late has been disappointing.  Less sunrise rollouts, more flying the damn thing!  Get the problems sorted out and get this beast in the air!

Saudi F-15 shoots down drone .... Killing drones is the new sport in the Middle East...

#BREAKING: The UAV of #Houthi rebels which was shot down by #SaudiArabia's F-15C fighter jets recently was in fact the SIGINT variant of #Iran made Shahed-123 which is in service of #IRGC|ASF since 2018. #RSAF released video of its shot-down over S. #SaudiArabia yesterday. pic.twitter.com/uO3SA8i0CD

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) June 25, 2019

This is getting interesting.

Drones were suppose to be the "wave" of the future but its becoming more than a little apparent that they're basically unusable in the new fashion that's hit warfare worldwide.

This hybrid warfare thing is going to require a rethink of things.

Question.

It's common knowledge that drones are useless (at least the ones we currently have) in a peer vs peer conflict.

What happens when even in what we would have in the past considered "low level"/insurgent warfare they become non-viable?

Does this mean that we've seen the end of the current generation of drones? Do we need a second wave of development with AI now to aid their survival?

From my chair it looks like we do.  Additionally the idea of countermeasures on these things seems like a no-brainer...of course that will add to the cost but as of right now they can't run, they can't turn and they can't defend.  We're looking at multi-million dollar targets.

The only thing we haven't seen is the first Ace in the drone killing business but I'd bet its coming soon.