What is up with these idiot reporters?

I just don't get it. 

Why do these idiot reporters insist on being out in the middle of a storm giving us a blow by blow of heavy rain, high winds etc...

I mean seriously!  We all know that!  This is just another one of those stupid things that modern American loves and I'll never understand.

Steppin' Out

Marines attending Marine Combat Training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., conduct an early morning five kilometer hike to the grenade range from range 314 aboard the camp. The Marines are constantly being pushed to their limits and beyond so they are ready physically and mentally for combat.
(U.S. Marine Corps phot by Sgt. Aaron Hostutler)

Embraer R-99. What do they know that we don't?

via Embraer.

PRESS RELEASE | São Paulo, August 16, 2012 | Embraer Defense and Security today delivered the first EMB 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) class of aircraft to the Government of India, in a ceremony held at Embraer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The delivery follows successful completion of ground and flight tests of the aircraft which met operational targets established by both Embraer and Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). Later on the aircraft will be delivered to the Indian Air Force after integration of missions systems of DRDO by CABS in India.

What does India and several other airforces know that we don't?  Even with the US subsidizing buys of our products by foreign govts...even with Europe doing the same, Embraer is still kicking everyone's butt.

What makes this concept so damn attractive?

Dogfight of the future. Helo vs. Helo.

Everyone talks about future warfare.  That's understandable and to be applauded but one part of it has been overlooked and quite honestly I can't wait to see how it plays out.

The dogfight of the future is helo vs. helo.  Or helo vs. UAV.  But however you label it, its going to harken back to World War One combat.  Up close and personal, fought in a phone booth and its gonna be a mostly guns affair.

I picked this video because it gives a good view of the size difference between the AH-64 and the AH-6 Little Bird.  The AH-64 is not only going to be dog food in the future fight but I'm not even sure the pilots are training for this type of combat.

Of all the services, only the Marine Corps to my knowledge is prepping its helicopter pilots to fight other helicopters or fighters.  In US service only the AH-1W/Z are equipped with AIM-9's.  Everyone else slams Stinger missiles on their airframes.  That's just not taking the threat seriously.

A fighter will lock on outside of the Stingers pathetic range and get a kill at distance.  Only the AIM-9 gives adequate standoff distance...but that's against airplanes.  Against helicopters it wil be small, fast, hard to see, hard to lock on, able to fly nap of the earth one second and zoom  to the top of a mountain top the next and still be able to keep track of your advesary that will win the day.

The Night Stalkers have the aggressiveness and experience to win that fight.  Marine helo drivers train to win that fight.  Everyone else?

I just don't know.

Russian Carrier meets US Destroyer.

SEVEROMORSK, Russian Federation (Aug. 26, 2012) The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) arrives in Severomorsk for a two-day visit after completing exercise Northern Eagle 2012. (Russian Federation navy photo by Capt. 1st rank Anatoly Romanko/Released)

If you look in the background you can see the Russian carrier I referenced in the title.  Of all the bases I thought that I would never see an American Destroyer ever visit, I think that Severomorsk would be on the top of that list.  Ain't peaceful, military to military relations grand?  Right until Russian paratroopers drop into Colorado later this year that is!  I can't wait to hear the invasion USA stories then!

Tuesday Funny.

Courtesy of Bjørnar Bolsøy.  Good stuff ... thanks buddy!

North Sea Boats X3k Trimaran formally launches

via Defense Studies Blog...

The new 63 metre long vessel is a cutting edge trimaran design that it cosidered to be the most advanced naval vessel of its type ever built in South East Asia. It incorporates a radical wave piercing hull form for improved seaworthiness and stability, and has been built from full carbon fibre composite materials, utilising the vacuum infusion process and vinylester resin. This method results in a structure that has increased strength, but also offers the benefits of lower operating, maintenance, and lifecycle costs.

In 2009 PT Lundin signed a contract to build a one of the most advanced “stealth” warship for TNI-AL (Indonesian Navy). This was the result of an intensive Research and Development programme conducted by PT Lundin Industry Invest (North Sea Boats) and TNI-AL that commenced in 2007. Construction commenced in early 2010, but due to the advanced design and construction methods, the project has been kept largely confidential until now.

Members of the press are invited to attend this significant event. The launching ceremony will be held on Friday 31st August, 2012 at PT Lundin’s shipyard facility in Banuwangi, East Java. The ceremony will be attended by dignitaries and senior officers of TNI-AL during which a briefing and Press Conference and interviews will be conducted.

I wonder about this ship.

I wonder about its seakeeping....its armament...its endurance and its overall combat effectiveness.

I don't wonder about its looks. 

It looks cool. 

But it doesn't look right.  So while its certainly futuristic it doesn't meet the standard --- if it looks right it is right.

Mi-38 Impresses.

The Mi-38 impresses me.  The latest feat should have traditional Russian helicopter customers swarming them for new builds.  While its been a long time coming the Mi-38 really does look like worthy successor to the Mi-17.

via Russian Helicopters.

Russian Helicopters, part of Russian state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, is proud to announce that a Mi-38 set a new world altitude record on the final day of the 14th FAI World Helicopter Championship.

The Mi-38, one of the latest Russian models designed for cargo and passenger transportation, climbed to above 8,600 meters, setting a new world record in the E1h class (the FAI category for helicopters weighing 10,000 to 20,000 kg).

The record was set by test pilots from Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, part of Russian Helicopters. The team was led by captain Vladimir Kutanin, and also included Salavat Sadriev (second pilot), Oleg Repitilo (navigator) and Igor Klevantsev (Air Force chief flight test engineer).

The previous record, of 8,500 meters, was also set by Russian pilots during a test flight. The new mark has been officially registered and will go down in global aviation history.

 Go to their website to read the rest...I like this helicopter!