Former Marine, Astronaut and now politician playing administrator.

I can't put my finger on it but I had a visceral reaction to the comments by this Former Marine and Astronaut.

I can't believe that they're so willing to throw away our leadership in space.  This is bad stuff....just my opinion but I really don't like this.

Watch it and be annoyed.

Tilt Wing was the way to go. XC-142A...another blast from the past.

And a vid showing it undergoing testing with NASA is here.

PEO Ships Brief. Another Blast from the Past.

Sometimes, it pays to peek back and see what the planning is on important topics.  This briefing fits the bill...of special note is the proposal to do a plug in to LHD class (slide 33)...In this budget constrained era it might become more attractive.
5860 Warner (Amphibious Ship Plan)

Mobile Off-Shore Base. Another great idea abandonded.

It seems that innovation has been alive and well, but for some reason the better ideas are abandoned instead of being pursued.

The current model of sea basing is promising but the idea of the Mobile Off-Shore Base was truly revolutionary.  The idea of having a floating landing strip capable of landing C-17's floating off the coast of a hostile nation is 'awesome'!

Imagine the war in Afghanistan if these were now in service?  A Contingent of Marines/Soldiers would be easily resupplied without jumping through the hoops of crossing and establishing bases in fragile countries...Pakistan would lessen in its importance to the effort and our foot print on land would be dramatically reduced.

As an added bonus, Army forces would more easily surge into trouble spots to reinforce efforts by the Naval community.  It could have been a win-win.

With all the effort being made to field new classes of ships to get the sea base concept going (specifically the Mobile Landing Platform), a better move might be to fully fund this old (circa 2001), but still exciting idea.

LPD-17 Class...now we know why LHA-6 was built without a well deck.

I've been mulling why bloggers (myself included...) always react to situations as if only we are aware of the issue.

Case in point is the LPD-17 and how it will fit with the LHA-6.  When the USS America plans first came out and it was without a well deck, I literally went high and to the right.  What idiot in the US Navy would design an amphibious assault ship without a well deck?  What good will it do?  How will it fit into an Amphibious Ready Group?  What about distributed operations from the sea and the vaunted mini-ARG concepts I keep hearing about?

But with the new Marine Corps Operating Concept, its starting to make sense.  With the numbers of LPD-17 class ships...its starting to make sense.  With the move toward LPD-17's and next gen LSD-X becoming the centerpieces of the amphibious fleet its making even more sense (especially if the LSD is built on the LPD hull form).

The F-35 will require a practically new operating standard when it comes online.  Its size has required revamped aviation spaces and the need for an aviation centric amphib is clear.  We will gain a warplane of tremendous flexibility.  The USS America class will be a platform that will enable it to demonstrate its abilities in full and it still has room for a battalion of Marines in either small boats or helos.

But my real excitement lies in the small picture to the right.  We're gaining a fast (able to keep up with a carrier strike group), flexible (able to land Marines by AAVs, LCVPs, LCACs or helos--many helos at that...) and dedicated amphib.

The SecDef and Admiral Mullen might be stuck on stupid with these partnership missions but its still sea time and its still getting Marines back aboard ship.

One last thing and the LPD-17 class will be perfect (sorry for all the critics but the engine problems and engineer snafus are really in the past...they've been ironed out)...either a 5 inch gun or provisions for NLOS missiles will take it to the next level.

Lastly for the small amphib crowd I kindly remind you that we've been down that road before and the results (from talking to Marines that rode on them) is that the LPH-2 class of ships were good for the times but woefully inadequate for today's equipment load outs.

Height and Weight Standards.

The Navy might want to revise their height and weight standards...

Note:
I was conflicted on whether or not to post this but come on.  This guy is a Naval Officer and is definitely not presenting a proper military appearance....and they're putting him front and center before the public.  Yeah, they need to revise it and put this guy on some type of remedial PT program.