Monday, July 19, 2010

Latest F-35 news...the Marine Corps will not allow delays...


When you have the Head of Marine Corps Aviation weighing in on the F-35's future operating concept and talking about making design TWEAKS (not a mistake jet as some would have it) then you know that the Marine Corps is serious about its Initial Operating Capability date of 2012.  More good news for the program.  Another stake in the heart of the beast known as "GOON"!


This from DoDBuzz...
“We have made the decision to adjust the IPP,” he said Sunday, reshaping the nozzle so that the enormous thrust comes out in an oval shape instead of the more highly focused circle now used. The oval “will resolve that problem for almost all surfaces,” he said.


NOTE*
The definition of a "Goon" in the urban dictionary is... Someone hired to rough someone up, usually someone big and dumb who commits acts of violence for money.  *Example* I'll show those fools, i'll hire a couple of goons to give those butt-pummeling ass clowns a fresh one across the face. FIST!

The Marine Corps "Mans Up" the Navy's Partnership mission.

The amount of political correctness coming out of the US Navy is becoming annoying.  Luckily for them, they have a Men's department in the form of the US Marine Corps.  Check out this new take on these "partnerships for peace" missions.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Blast from the Past. AH-56 Cheyene Attack Helicopter.

Pure Dee Awesome.  240 MPH?!!!  Wow.  We just need to dust off the blueprints.

Canadian Military's Statement on the F-35.


You can read the whole thing here...but this is the operative passage...
“The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the best aircraft we can provide our men and women in uniform to face and defeat the challenges of the 21st century,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “This multi-role stealth fighter will help the Canadian Forces defend the sovereignty of Canadian airspace, remain a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America, and provide Canada with an effective and modern capability for international operations.”
“A lengthy and intense competition was completed in 2001 for who would build the F-35,” said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women. “Canadian companies and the Canadian government helped develop the F-35, and now we are exercising our option under the Joint Strike Fighter memorandum of understanding to acquire it.”
And with that the F-35's critics have to absorb another crushing body blow.  This is like an MMA fight now.  The critics are swinging away but can't land a punch or even attempt a submission move....all the while the F-35 program gets stronger and is pummeling the competition.

Did I say MMA fight? 

That's a bad analogy.  Its more like a street fight with the critics playing the part of a bunch of street toughs and thugs trying to mug Bruce Lee (who represents the F-35 in this scenario).

You know the outcome but its still fascinating to watch.  Bruce Lee (the F-35) wins easily.

Blast from the Past. F-16XL

This is the plane that many wish the USAF had chosen over the F-15E.  Would it have been better?  I just don't know.  Pics are from Lockheed Martin.


Friday, July 16, 2010

Space Shuttle Porn.

Coast Guardsmen launch from the USS Freedom...

First time I've seen a small boat launched from the stern gate of the 'Freedom'...but the question must be asked...why are these Coast Guardsmen instead of Sailors performing this mission????  The Navy must be losing its mind.  This was a valuable training exercise that was given away to the ghost of jointness...a ship that has a limited crew must become proficient in these types of operations.  To waste such an opportunity and not to take advantage of having foreign vessels in the area to conduct dis-similar training is a crime.  Whoever is in charge of this exercise and the ships commander need to do some long hard soul searching.

Royal Marine Sprint!

 Camp Lejeune, N.C.-British Royal Marines with the British Amphibious Task Group storm Onlsow Beach during a mock amphibious assault aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 11, 2010. The landing was part of a three-phase training evolution designed to increase the aptitude and confidence of both U.S. and U.K. forces in coalition and amphibious operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Melissa A. Latty),

You have got to blow this pic up to get the gist of my title, but when you're training in full "kit" and you're doing your sprint from an LCU (or whatever the British call their landing craft) you've got to give that Marine a "good to go" son!

Here's to this unidentified group of Royal Marines...good to go guys!

The latest video from the Navy. Visual Rubbish.

Its official.  The US Navy is no longer a war fighting organization.  They are now a social outfit that wears the same clothes and does good works. 

Consider them an Ocean going Rotary Club.  This is from YouTube.  Watch it and weep softly at what a once proud organization has become.