Rubber Band Tracks...

The above photo is from Diehl Defense.  Check out this tidbit from their website...

The so-called segmented rubber band track 325B represents an innovation on the market of rubber band tracks. Diehl rubber band tracks are provided with separation points so they can be disassembled into four manageable segments. Thus, assembly on the vehicle as well as transportation and storage are facilitated considerably.
The new rubber band tracks can even be replaced in the field under operational conditions in a fraction of the time previously required. Furthermore, individual replacement segments can be transported on the vehicle so that vehicle mobility can rapidly be restored in case tracks are damaged. A new design of the main structure as well as the robust, high-traction rubber profile guarantee high service life in all climate zones and in various terrains.
The rubber band tracks' torsion stability, lateral force bearing capacity and lateral grip are outstanding features far outperforming conventional tracks under peak load conditions.

Looks like Diehl cracked the code when it comes to rubber tracks.

I don't know why but manufacturers have been closed mouth on how the tracks perform....we've all heard that they make tracked vehicles zoom, they're lighter and that they cut down on noise...but how do you replace the darn things.

This clears things up nicely.  I'd still like to see a demonstration or vid of them being placed on a vehicle though.

Experimental Typhoon Fitted With RAF's Latest Weapons

New J-31 pics via Chinese Military Review Blog...

When the J-31 first came out I was pissed.  It was obviously an improved F-35.  What Bill Sweetman had to say pissed me off even more.

"You're looking at what the F-35 could have been...twin engines, larger bay, faster, longer ranged and a real dog fighter..."

Now looking back.

Damn it!  He was right.  The J-31 is a copy.  But its an improved copy of what we should have built....

F-35 News. Can you say pilot overload?

The effort to sell the F-35 as being the ultimate solution to all airpower needs continues.  Check this out from AOL Defense.

“I can see a scenario where you’ve got an F-35 orchestrating an attack with 20 RPAs [remotely-piloted aircraft] that are weapons-equipped and that F-35, with all its sensors and communications, is essentially an orchestrator,” she says.

One pilot, in one airplane, is going to be able to "orchestrate an attack" with up to 20 drones?

Can you say pilot overload?

This sounds like an AWACs mission that they're trying to push down to a single seat platform.

It smacks of desperation....and lunacy.

The death spiral is here and the comments by officials are only confirming the sweat flop that coming from Lockheed Martin, the program office, the USMC and USAF.

When does a "lone wolf" become an ISIS operative?

The parsing is becoming annoying when it comes to terrorist acts by ISIS members in the West.

Which leads to the question.  When does a lone wolf become an ISIS operative?  When does a disenfranchised person, who is acting on behalf of ISIS, become an ISIS operative?

We saw the events in Canada.  What was the take by the talking heads?  The people committing the horrendous acts weren't ISIS, just lone gunmen acting on behalf of ISIS.  We're seeing the same dynamic play out in Australia.

But consider.  We have a lunatic from Iran that is taking up the ISIS banner, while at the same time ISIS is beheading members of his religious sect!

Isn't it time to simply call these people what they are?  If they claim ISIS then we should consider them ISIS.

Which brings up the next issue.

Do you remember...the beheading in Oklahoma, the hatchet attack in New York, the assault in Canada, the mass killing at Ft Hood...we're seeing not a spat of lone wolves but a new form of terrorism.

I will conceal carry everywhere, everyday.  Whether its allowed by law or not.

Australia on fire....

ISIS struck in Canada, now Australia, and something funky is going on in Belgium.  Political Correctness will not do.  Islam is at war against the West.  Moderate Muslims are doing nothing to reign in these wild dogs.  Its time to look the threat in the eye and shoot him in the face.  Rant over.

Does the USMC need fast jets or can attack helicopters do the job?

The discussion continues.

The question.  Does the USMC need fast jets?

I truly believe that the only reason why fast jets are seriously being questioned when it comes to the Marine Corps is because of the F-35.

Before the F-35 came along the world was happy to have the Marine Corps with fast jets.  Again that had to do with cost.  We flew airplanes long after the US Navy had retired similar models (the A-4 Sky Hawk and the A-6/EA-6) are the best modern day examples of this.

In the past, Marine Air was entirely affordable.  But again, because of the F-35 we see critics taking a disturbing, yet logical look at Marine Air.  Trons Away (a reader of my blog) makes the case....

Prior to the Harrier, the Marines flew aircraft already in service with other branches - primarily the Navy. The Harrier set the precedent for USMC unique aircraft procurement. That trend has continued; the Marines will be the sole or primary operator of nearly all the type/model/series in the future Marine Air Wing. Lack of economies of scale in procurement and maintenance drive costs up. CH-53K and MV-22 both cost twice as much as CH-47, more than a Super Hornet, UH-1Y costs more than MH-60S.
The STOVL capability has rarely been used operationally. Consider that Al Asad and Bastion were both 10,000+ foot runways. I understand the need for STOL capabilities, but you already have it - expeditionary airfields with cats and arresting gear that can launch and recover fully loaded carrier aircraft in very short distances.
Without Harrier, you don't have organic fixed wing support from the amphibs, but despite what some in the Corps preach, a major opposed amphibious assault will be a Joint sequential operation with all services providing capabilities.

I'm a bit befuddled by the whole thing.

There was a time when I would have shot it down out of reflex.  Damn your talking points, we're right---we need them---you're wrong.  Times have changed and I find my defense of the F-35 non-existent and I'm beginning to waiver on STOVL.

Why?  Because I did a short review of Marine History.

Do you know how many independent operations that MEU's have taken part in where the only option was the airplanes on deck to provide air support for Marine ground?

Zero.  

If I missed one then please let me know.  Either US Navy carriers, USAF fighters and bomber, allied aircraft....take your pick, but we had friends in goofy blue uniforms providing support.

So to my Marine brothers I ask a simple question.  Do we need fast jets or should we have Marine Air that is dedicated to providing ground support in the form of AH-1Zs now and a future tilt-rotor gunship later?

The economy..a warning to the wise (This post will not appeal to everyone)...

Thanks to Joe and William for the information...

If you're smart, and if you're into military matters then you need to broaden your horizon and start watching the economy of both friends, enemies and frenemies.

Exhibit Number One.  via Yahoo.com

In a series of TV interviews from party headquarters, Abe said his top priority was the economy. "Economy first," he told national broadcaster NHK, adding that he would also tackle other major issues, including national security.
The U.S. government hopes Abe will be able to win passage of a series of bills needed to expand Japan's military role, so that it can play a bigger part in their alliance. A heated debate is expected when parliament takes up the legislation, likely after local elections in April.

My read on this?   The economy is a worry for the Japanese people.  Its a worry for Americans and Europeans.  The Chinese are concerned and so are the Russians.  With oil hitting new lows on an almost daily basis for the past month, economic factors are not intertwining with economic conditions in ways that we haven't seen since before the 2nd World War.  Keep an eye on the Middle East, Africa, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina etc...

But wait you're thinking.  I've been predicting that globalization would collapse so I should be happy!  Wrong.  The best case scenario would have been a planned unwinding of that bastardized economic house of cards.  Plunging oil prices points to future chaos.  Which leads me to this...

Exhibit Number Two.

The white bars track the us treasury 10 year yield. Notice how we are heading back to the lows of the move from 2012 when the Fed launched QE3 to try to get more inflation in the system. Basically the slowdown in China plus recessions in Japan and Europe are driving the world towards deflation. Scary scenario.

Between the slowdown in the US, China, Europe (with their biggest economy, Germany, in recession), S. Europe (including Italy, Greece, Spain...and perhaps suprisingly France) on the verge of a meltdown, and Russia's economy basically imploding right before our eyes things are heading toward chaos sometime early next year.

I've been chatting with my financial guy.

At first he called me crazy for prepping and thought that I was missing out on a tremendous opportunity by not being in the market now.

Over the course of the year it was a furious debate.  Last week he hit me that we were in the 5th or 6th inning of a bull market.  Toward the end of the week he hit me with the above chart, told me that if my house still had a mortgage that I should ask the broker at what level it makes sense to refinance.  These are the exact words that he left me with....

I've been bullish for a while as you know and am now getting pretty beared up. The fulldeflation scenario is playing out, as shown by the collapsing yield on the 10 year treasury.

What does this have to do with a defense blog?

First its a warning to my readers.  When financial analyst are privately telling relatives and friends that things are about to get shaky then you should pay attention.

But on to the military thing.  I've stated that the F-35 is in a death spiral.  I've predicted that the Marine Corps isn't being honest about the production of the ACV 1.1.

I believe more than ever I'm right.  Additionally I think we're headed toward that nightmare scenario of the US Army going down to 420,000 Soldiers and the USMC hitting 150,000.

Long story short?  We're probably looking at the Great Recession part 2 in March or April....just enough time for all the fat cats to get their money into safety, out of the market and to sell real estate to the pigeons at an inflated price....while getting set up to buy it all back at greatly depressed prices.  You heard it here first.