Centauro II Stat Sheet.

HushKit Blog talks CH-46!

HushKit Blog does an interview with a CH-46 pilot and its a must read.  Learned some stuff about the helicopter that I never knew and see why its retirement was  "Must Do".

I still wonder if the S-92 might have done a better job than the MV-22 but that's a debate for another day.  Check out HushKit's write up here.

Open Comment Post. Oct 24, 2016.

Nothing floating my boat today.  What's on your mind?

European Sniper Exercise (pics)

* Note.  Found the below pics on the Spanish Army Flickr Page.  I could make out the folks from Spain and Britain from the uniforms/patches but there are several others that I couldn't make out.  If you know the particular units then let us all know in the comments section.

Rheinmetall Defence - Leopard 2PL Main Battle Tank & Buffalo Armoured Recovery Vehicle 3

Open Comment Post. Oct 23, 2016

Left out of the CNAS report that I takled about yesterday but didn't cover?  They want to slice 5 Marine Infantry Battalions.  The Marine Corps has neglected ground combat power and now the think tank boys think we don't need it.

What's on your mind?

Lazar 3?

Thanks to Costas TT for the link!

The Lazar has always fascinated me.  At its introduction it was marketed as an MRAP and not as another wheeled 8x8.  We've seen continued development of the  vehicle.  This is version 3 and its just getting better.  While it definitely has Soviet style design cues, it also blends Western design elements into the mix.

Long short?  I like it!  Bonus coverage.  Below is the radically  upgraded BMP in the wild.

Center for a New American Security Think Tank recommends F-35/Carrier Cuts...

Thanks to Nico for the link!

via CNN

The report's authors said purchasing a combination of high-tech systems along with cheaper, lower-tech options would allow the Pentagon to increase the size of its force and permit the US to invest in equipment to handle emerging threats.
"There is a point where quantity does have a quality," Hendrix told CNN, adding that it is easier to maintain a presence around the world with higher numbers of ships and planes.
For example, rather than buying two F-35s, the CNAS report suggests purchasing one F-35 and two older F-16s or F-18s.

And then this.

It's about applying the right type of force to right combat situation," Hendrix told CNN. "You don't have to be all high end to manage national security issues."
Despite cutting the Ford-class carrier program after only two of the four planned ships are complete, the three think-tank experts said their plan will ensure that the US still has 10 aircraft carriers by the end of the decade due to their 35-year lifespan, but that the carriers would take on new functions, acting as prepositioned operating bases around the world.
Investing in the airwing gives aircraft carriers utility going forward, Hendrix said, noting that long-range strike aircraft would allow the carriers to sit out of range of Russian and Chinese anti-ship missiles.
The money saved by cutting the additional carriers could also allow the Pentagon to counter China and Russia's anti-ship and anti-air defense systems by bolstering the US submarine fleet and developing unmanned systems and undersea technology.
Asked for comment on the CNAS report, the Pentagon said only, "Our strategy is laid out in the President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2017."

Interesting.

Now think tanks are calling for cuts to the F-35 program?  Wow!  They really took too long.  They lacked a sense of urgency in this program and now its gonna bite them in the ass.

Open Comment Post. Oct 22, 2016.

My thoughts today go to the family of the Chief Petty Officer that died in Iraq a couple of days ago.  Once again we're bleeding for people that aren't worth the effort and don't appreciate the sacrifice.

It pisses me off, but for some reason our current course of action seems reasonable to the security establishments of both political parties.

I don't understand the thinking.

But enough of my whining.  What's on your mind?

Think Defence heads out...stop by and wish him well...

Think Defence blog put up an article today that made me pause.  He's decided to wrap up his blog.

That's our loss folks.  He's one of the few European bloggers that gave unbiased views on military matters.  I didn't always agree with TD but he did it in a way to make me carefully consider my opinions and my thinking.

Long short?  Stop by and wish him well.

Pat Mac videos!

I never heard of Pat McNamara before but since I stumbled on his vids I can't get enough.  There are plenty of "big personalities" in the firearm instructor community but most are teaching bullshit.  That includes their tables of fire and exercises.  I view it as not being realistic, feeding egos and more for show than go. That little drill he does below...as short sprint and then engaging targets with your pistol?  If you ever done it then you know your pistol will be doing figure eight patterns on the target and controlling your breathing/coordinating the trigger pull becomes serious work.



If that wasn't good enough then check out this vid.  The dude absolutely DESTROYS the range theatrics that's so popular these days.



No homo but I'm really digging his stuff.

CH-53K King Stallion successfully completed initial operational testing

The damn thing can hold a Humvee?  Impressive.

via press release.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced the CH-53K King Stallion successfully completed initial operational testing by the U.S. Marine Corps to verify the key capabilities of the heavy lift helicopter. The week-long operational assessment by Marine Corps pilots, aircrew and maintainers marked an important step in support of a Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Milestone C decision early next year.
"This successful operational assessment by the Marine Corps is a clear sign of the maturity and the robust capability of the King Stallion," said Dr. Michael Torok, Sikorsky Vice President CH-53K Programs. "This was a key requirement in support of the upcoming Milestone C decision, and its success is another important step in our transition from development into production."

The Marine Corps is REALLY pushing this testing hard.  I know its budget related and that they want to clear the books of this requirement but I wonder if they're missing stuff.

It kinda makes you wonder why ground programs are stuck in pergatory.  It takes 4 years for the Amos to make a decision on the ACV, then it will take another 8 before it enters production?

I can take the budget games but I can't take the lies.  Priority my ass.  The ground combat element is dying.