F-35 Flight Test Update. Jan- May 2012

The F-35.


Confounding the critics and performing well above expectations.  Read the charts and weep haters!
12-6-4 F-35 Flight Test Performance Jan 1 - May 31 2012 (1)

EADS Tiger HAD....

Mp Tigrehad2012

Inconvenience vs. Problems...not defense related but cool...

We should all learn the difference between an inconvenience and a problem.  Check out the guys over at Zen Pencils..it should give perspective...plus I like the prints...

Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle winner announced today.

Thanks Jonathan for the heads up!

Force Protection Timberwolf.

Oshkosh TAPV.

RG-35

Textron TAPV.

Well its that time.

The Canadians are about to announce the winner of their Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle competition.  No predictions on the winner...we'll all find out later today...but I THINK it'll come down to the RG-35 and the Textron TAPV.  This is a weird requirement though.  Combining the roles of recon and utility in one vehicle?  Seems....weird.

AMPV? Just roll with the Improved Bradley.

The AMPV program is designed to replace the M-113 in US Army service.

Goure of the Heritage Institute thinks that this program is even more important than the GCV...I agree...and because I agree its time for the Army to get on the ball and get'er done.  When we're talking about replacing the M-113, we're talking about replacing a family of those vehicles.

Of all the contenders in the AMPV program, only the Improved Bradley makes sense.  Its modular, its a single platform and the Army already has experience with it.  With budget cuts coming, with budget competition already here and with the threat of becoming irrelevant looming over all Army programs it is time to move quickly.

I said before, I'll say it again.  Get'er done.

SIDENOTE:  On the lookout for pics of the turretless Bradley (Bradley General Purpose Vehicle). 

baes_020079

Grunt Works on Facebook.

NOTE:  I'm not a fan of FaceBook.  Never have, never will be.  Additionally I'll never understand why entities continue to use that platform instead of getting a decent website up and running.  But (there is always a but) I make exceptions for the truly great.  Grunt Works fits the bill.  Check'em out....

Pics of the day. The DoD world wide...

A C-130 Hercules aircraft takes off during Joint Operations Access Exercise (JOAX) 12-2 at Fort Bragg, N.C., June 5, 2012. A JOAX is a joint airdrop exercise designed to enhance service cohesiveness between U.S. Army and Air Force personnel, allowing both services an opportunity to properly execute large-scale heavy equipment and troop movement. (DoD photo by Senior Airman Alexandra Hoachlander, U.S. Air Force/Released)

U.S. Sailors assigned to Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1 and Indonesian sailors with Kopaska, an underwater demolition unit, conduct combat patrol, first aid and boarding exercises in Surabaya, Indonesia, June 5, 2012, during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (DoD photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Aaron Glover, U.S. Navy/Released)

U.S. Army Capt. Geoffrey Lynch, right, the headquarters commander with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, discusses operations and tactics with Montenegrin army Lt. Ratko Cosovic after a field training exercise during the Immediate Response 2012 training event in Slunj, Croatia, June 5, 2012. Immediate Response is a U.S. Army Europe-led combined joint tactical field training exercise designed to build interoperability between NATO, Croatia and its regional partner nations. (DoD photo by Spc. Lorenzo Ware, U.S. Army/Released)

U.S. Army Pfc. Tyler Woodward, assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion, braces for a landing at the Normandy drop zone at Fort Bragg, N.C., for an airlift mission during a joint operational access exercise (JOAX) June 4, 2012. A JOAX is a joint airdrop exercise designed to enhance service cohesiveness between U.S. Army and Air Force personnel, allowing both services an opportunity to properly execute large-scale heavy equipment and troop movement. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Pritchard, U.S. Air Force/Released) 

The guided missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) approaches the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), not pictured, during a replenishment at sea in the Atlantic Ocean June 6, 2012. Kearsarge was under way participating in Afloat Training Group basic phase training. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tommy Lamkin, U.S. Navy/Released)

UK airsofters rejoice!

I wondered why the UK Ministry of Defence would put out these pics of a Soldier in full kit.  All I could come up with is that it must be for the air soft crowd.  So...airsofters rejoice!

Posed image of a soldier with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Highland Fusiliers in Afghanistan wearing full combat dress.

KIT: (Top to bottom)
-Mark 7 Combat Helmet with Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) helmet cover.
-Helmet Mounted Night Vision System (HMNVS)
-ESS ballistic eye protection.
-MTP Under Body Armour Combat Shirt (UBACS)
-Mark4 Osprey Body Armour with medical pouch (left) ammunition pouch (right), admin pouch (front) and MTP cover.
-Personal Role Radio (PRR).
-SA80 A2 Small Arms Weapon System, with Advanced -Optical Gun Sight (ACOG) and Underslung Grenade Launcher (UGL).
-Tier 2 Pelvic Protection, Tier 1 pelvic protection worn underneath trousers.
-MTP trousers
-Black Hawk Knee Pads.
-LOWA combat boots.
Photographer: Sgt Rupert Frere RLC