This is coolbert:
“Our machine is a mock-up, but in 2023 there will be a real machine, and first flight is in 2025, and [it will be in] service in 2028.”
From Russian Internet media Sputnik:
"Turkey Unveils New Fifth-Generation Jet TF-X, Indigenous Alternative to F-35 (VIDEO)"
F-35 Lightning has met it's match? TF-X here we come?
"Just as Turkey lost access to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Turkish Aerospace Industries unveiled a model of its indigenously designed fifth-generation fighter jet, dubbed the TF-X, at the Paris Air Show on Monday."
"According to Defense News, the TF-X will have a top speed of Mach 2, a range of 600 miles, and will be capable of lifting 60,000 pounds upon takeoff. Its engines will provide the jet with 20,000 pounds of thrust each, making it roughly comparable to the Joint Strike Fighter, although a tad faster."
As the article says the Turk is already building fuselages for the F-35. So they are not starting from scratch. Whether this is a go or not remains to be seen, a completed and fly-able combat warplane.
AND EVEN IF THE TF-X IS A SUCCESS, ERDOGAN HAS GUTTED HIS AIR FORCE TO SUCH AN EXTENT IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE RECENT COUP ATTEMPT HE WILL NOT HAVE ANY PROFICIENT PILOTS TO FLY THE FIFTH GENERATION WARPLANE.
coolbert.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Junk.
This is coolbert:
"We prefer not to talk about it."
Inspectors. Scavengers. Killers. Threats.
Courtesy Australian Internet media.
"Space junk or sabotage? Space clean-up drones could have military implications"
"A recently declassified Chinese report reveals it is building tiny robotic satellites. And they can either save — or destroy — the space race."
"China calls them scavengers, Russia calls them inspectors and the US calls them threats."
APPARENTLY THESE ARE SMALL SATELLITES [MICRO-SATELLITES?] WITH SOME SORT OF ROBOTIC FEATURE FOR GATHERING SPACE DEBRIS.
"And strange things are already happening in orbit."
Reconnaissance satellites. GPS. Communications. Etc. All at risk.
Read the whole article. There is a lot of "junk" in outer space. These satellites do have a dual-purpose on-call as they say?
coolbert.
"We prefer not to talk about it."
Inspectors. Scavengers. Killers. Threats.
Courtesy Australian Internet media.
"Space junk or sabotage? Space clean-up drones could have military implications"
"A recently declassified Chinese report reveals it is building tiny robotic satellites. And they can either save — or destroy — the space race."
"China calls them scavengers, Russia calls them inspectors and the US calls them threats."
APPARENTLY THESE ARE SMALL SATELLITES [MICRO-SATELLITES?] WITH SOME SORT OF ROBOTIC FEATURE FOR GATHERING SPACE DEBRIS.
"And strange things are already happening in orbit."
Reconnaissance satellites. GPS. Communications. Etc. All at risk.
Read the whole article. There is a lot of "junk" in outer space. These satellites do have a dual-purpose on-call as they say?
coolbert.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
BASH IAF.
Collision, birds. BASH!
Bird Accident Strike Hazard.
Aircraft and pilot of the Indian Air Force [IAF] extremely lucky on this occasion.
From the Russian Internet web site Russian Times.
"WATCH Indian pilot fly into bird flock, avert deadly crash by ditching fuel pods in huge explosion"
Keep in mind that is a PRACTICE LOAD OF ORDNANCE AND FUEL PODS!
"The Indian Air Force almost met its match after a pilot encountered a flock of birds upon takeoff for a training mission, nearly downing his craft and forcing him to drop a haul of fuel pods, which erupted in a fiery explosion."
Jettisoning of fuel to prevent a catastrophic landing with explosion.
Film footage of this type hardly ever recorded. Events of this nature usually result in loss of plane and pilot.
coolbert.
Friday, June 28, 2019
Cyber Iran.
Cyber-war Middle East. Covert. Unattributed.
And determined to have been less effective than thought?
Thanks to the latest edition of the DEBKAfile news letter details of an American active cyber-war operation the target Iranian and Iranian proxies military capability. Items copied from the DEBKAfile news letter in entirety.
1. "US covert cyber war on Iran may prompt Russian, Chinese cyber aid for Tehran against America"
24 June.
"President Donald Trump is reported widely by US media to have embarked on a covert, unattributed cyber-war on Iran in the same way as Tehran never owned up to its recent provocations in the region. This campaign to be conducted by Cyber Command and the CIA, is meant to disable Iran’s means of aggression, namely, missile bases and command centers, IRGC speedboats used to damage half a dozen Gulf oil tankers this month and Iran’s proxies across the region. The CIA’s covert forces will operate inside Iran for striking essential infrastructure and stirring up unrest. The first US cyber-attack on Iran was launched on Thursday, June 20. It targeted the computers of the IRGC missile command center that directed the missile attack on the US drone a few hours earlier, as well as the networks of an Iranian intelligence group held responsible for managing the strikes on the oil tankers. President Trump believes that his hard-hitting sanctions supported by this clandestine, unadmitted cyber campaign will deter Iran without entangling the US in another Middle East war. Among its drawbacks are ignorance of Iran’s cyber capabilities for striking back and the potential for Russia and China to leap to Iran’s aid with their cyber weapons."
ATTACK AT THIS STAGE CONFINED TO MILITARY TARGETS? IRANIAN CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE NOT ENDANGERED?
2. "Failed US cyber strike on rocket control systems in Lebanon stirs war fears in Israel"
28 June.
The US Cyber Command conducted a cyber-attack on Sunday, June 23, on the Lebanon-based logistical command centers of the Iraqi Shiite Kata’ib Hezbollah militia, one of Tehran’s key proxies. Deferring directly to Al Qods chief Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the Kata’ib’s troops fight for Iran in Iraq and Syria. DEBKAfile reveals that this Iraqi Shiite militia has established a command and control center in Lebanon attached to the Hizballah’s general staff. They are ready for the intake of combat forces from Iraq and Syria if Hizballah goes to war against Israel. The Iraqi militia has been assigned sectors and set up positions along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
"According to some Middle East intelligence sources the American operation failed to achieve its objective, which was to incapacitate the militia’s command and communications rocket system. This was a test for US to aid Israel in the event of a war by using cyber warfare to disable Hizballah and its ally’s ability to unleash a rocket barrage. The failure of this test, or even its partial success, has set alarm bells ringing in Israel that Iran’s pawns will attack this country in reprisal for US sanctions. It would mean that Iran has acquired superior systems for counteracting cyber warfare."
Cyber-war analogous to other weapons of mass destruction? [WMD] The threat of retaliation in kind too strong. An Iranian response can be expected? With bad consequences for American society across the board? We shall see.
coolbert.
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Priceless.
This is coolbert:
Hold your breath. The Amber Room has been found?
Priceless. One-of-a-kind. Absolutely unique. Eighth wonder of the world! Superlatives cannot sufficiently apply. Sublime.
"Treasure Hunters Searching for Lost Amber Room in Poland Open Hatch and Find Wartime Shaft"
Missing treasure room as looted by the Nazi during the Second World War and searched for but never found. Until now?
"Earlier, museum workers used ground-penetrating radar equipment to discover a well-hidden underground tunnel near a town in northeastern Poland where the priceless 18th century Imperial Russian artifact plundered by the Nazis during the Second World War was rumoured to have been hidden all these years."
"Workers from the Mamerki Bunker Museum have opened a hatch leading to a mystery tunnel near the town of Wegorzewo, which served as the former headquarters of the German Army during the war, and where they believed the fabled lost Amber Room may have been stored."
Hold your breath but not for too long! Rumors of looted treasure from the era of the Second World War and the finding of same usually based on conjecture and seldom factual.
coolbert.
Hold your breath. The Amber Room has been found?
Priceless. One-of-a-kind. Absolutely unique. Eighth wonder of the world! Superlatives cannot sufficiently apply. Sublime.
"Treasure Hunters Searching for Lost Amber Room in Poland Open Hatch and Find Wartime Shaft"
Missing treasure room as looted by the Nazi during the Second World War and searched for but never found. Until now?
"Earlier, museum workers used ground-penetrating radar equipment to discover a well-hidden underground tunnel near a town in northeastern Poland where the priceless 18th century Imperial Russian artifact plundered by the Nazis during the Second World War was rumoured to have been hidden all these years."
"Workers from the Mamerki Bunker Museum have opened a hatch leading to a mystery tunnel near the town of Wegorzewo, which served as the former headquarters of the German Army during the war, and where they believed the fabled lost Amber Room may have been stored."
Hold your breath but not for too long! Rumors of looted treasure from the era of the Second World War and the finding of same usually based on conjecture and seldom factual.
coolbert.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Sayyad-3.
This is coolbert:
Surface to air missile [SAM] Iran! Sayyad-1, Sayyad-2, Sayyad-3.
From a previous blog entry:
"Those are MAJOR size drones [and expensive] normally flying at high altitude. The Iranian possesses some sort of very sophisticated surface-air-missile [SAM] with HITHERTO UNKNOWN capability?"
Iranian SAM in this case hardly UNKNOWN!
From the Internet web site Strategy Page everything you always wanted to know about Iranian air defense but were afraid to ask:
"Air Defense: Defending Iranian Air Space"
"June 23, 2019: In early June Iran announced that its new Khordad 15 radar and air defense fire control system had entered service. Three weeks later Iran announced it had shot down an American Triton maritime surveillance UAV (an aircraft based on the 14 ton RQ-4 Global Hawk)."
SAM in question that downed the Triton drone evidently an Iranian Sayyad-3. Sayyad-3 an improved version of the Sayyad-2. Sayyad-2 in turn A KNOCK-OFF COPY of the U.S. navy SM-1 missile as was purchased over four decades ago by the regime of the Shah!!
Details of Sayyad-2 and Sayyad-3 here.
Iran even possessing an air defense radar of Over-the-horizon [OTH] of indigenous [?] design. Few countries have such a capability as OTH!
For those devoted readers to the blog also consider the Sayyad-1 additionally a knock-off copy of the antiquated Soviet era SA-2 SAM [NATO code name Guideline].
Iranian air defense rather more formidable that American military planners would like to believe?
coolbert.
Surface to air missile [SAM] Iran! Sayyad-1, Sayyad-2, Sayyad-3.
From a previous blog entry:
"Those are MAJOR size drones [and expensive] normally flying at high altitude. The Iranian possesses some sort of very sophisticated surface-air-missile [SAM] with HITHERTO UNKNOWN capability?"
Iranian SAM in this case hardly UNKNOWN!
From the Internet web site Strategy Page everything you always wanted to know about Iranian air defense but were afraid to ask:
"Air Defense: Defending Iranian Air Space"
"June 23, 2019: In early June Iran announced that its new Khordad 15 radar and air defense fire control system had entered service. Three weeks later Iran announced it had shot down an American Triton maritime surveillance UAV (an aircraft based on the 14 ton RQ-4 Global Hawk)."
SAM in question that downed the Triton drone evidently an Iranian Sayyad-3. Sayyad-3 an improved version of the Sayyad-2. Sayyad-2 in turn A KNOCK-OFF COPY of the U.S. navy SM-1 missile as was purchased over four decades ago by the regime of the Shah!!
"Iran's Sayyad-2 is based on the RIM-66 (SM-1) naval SAM and launched from Patriot-style canisters. Source: Iran MoD". "The Sayyad-2 is a canister-launched version of the RIM-66 Standard (SM-1) naval surface-to-air missile that Iran obtained from the United States before the 1979 revolution"
Details of Sayyad-2 and Sayyad-3 here.
Iran even possessing an air defense radar of Over-the-horizon [OTH] of indigenous [?] design. Few countries have such a capability as OTH!
For those devoted readers to the blog also consider the Sayyad-1 additionally a knock-off copy of the antiquated Soviet era SA-2 SAM [NATO code name Guideline].
Iranian air defense rather more formidable that American military planners would like to believe?
coolbert.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Sixth II.
This is coolbert:
Sixth conclusion!
With regard to the previous blog entry consider also this Russian Internet Sputnik article:
"F-35A Lockheed Tries to Catch Up With Announced European 'Sixth-Gen' Fighters by Vowing F-35 Upgrades"
"European countries have recently revealed their progress in creating sixth-generation fighter jets showcasing the Future Air Combat System [FCAS] suite of weapons at the Paris Air Show this week."
"Lockheed Martin’s Vice President Greg Ulmer has revealed the company's plans for the future of its key F-35 programme during a briefing, which suggests evolving it to a degree, when the line between the now fifth generation jet and the next generation blurs".
Upgrades!
Variants of the F-35 with blocs to continue as long as the plane is in service. [F-35 expected to be in the main American air superiority fighter plane at least until the year 2050!]
Currently the F-35 existing in A variant [air force model], B variant [Marine model] and C variant [navy model].
"Models (A, B, C, D, E, etc.): major changes that affect the entire role of the plane, such as Air Force missions and runways, Marine aviation (sometimes with no runways), or carrier duty."
"Blocs: changes within the models made for 5, 10, 20, or 50 planes coming off the line, caused by the changes found necessary years after the model was designed."
That number of blocs basically unlimited, improvements primarily evolving as modern technology evolves.
coolbert.
Sixth conclusion!
With regard to the previous blog entry consider also this Russian Internet Sputnik article:
"F-35A Lockheed Tries to Catch Up With Announced European 'Sixth-Gen' Fighters by Vowing F-35 Upgrades"
"European countries have recently revealed their progress in creating sixth-generation fighter jets showcasing the Future Air Combat System [FCAS] suite of weapons at the Paris Air Show this week."
"Lockheed Martin’s Vice President Greg Ulmer has revealed the company's plans for the future of its key F-35 programme during a briefing, which suggests evolving it to a degree, when the line between the now fifth generation jet and the next generation blurs".
Upgrades!
Variants of the F-35 with blocs to continue as long as the plane is in service. [F-35 expected to be in the main American air superiority fighter plane at least until the year 2050!]
Currently the F-35 existing in A variant [air force model], B variant [Marine model] and C variant [navy model].
"Models (A, B, C, D, E, etc.): major changes that affect the entire role of the plane, such as Air Force missions and runways, Marine aviation (sometimes with no runways), or carrier duty."
"Blocs: changes within the models made for 5, 10, 20, or 50 planes coming off the line, caused by the changes found necessary years after the model was designed."
That number of blocs basically unlimited, improvements primarily evolving as modern technology evolves.
coolbert.
Sixth I.
This is coolbert:
From Sputnik Russian news Internet outlet surely this yet one instance of the cart before the horse.
Also the European ideal of the independent and totally self-sufficient military force able to guard against all comers and autonomous from the United States.
"WATCH: Euro Defense Ministers Reveal Sixth-Gen Future Combat Air System"
"In front of a full-size, veiled mock-up of the Future Combat Air System [FCAS], French, Spanish and German defense ministers signed an accord Monday on the development of the sixth-generation aircraft before dramatically unveiling the model. The FCAS is expected to become their mainstay fighter jet by 2040."
NOT UNTIL 2040 DEPLOYED!! AS ENVISIONED!
Sixth-generation fighter planes conventionally and usually defined as:
* Unmanned.
* Stealth.
* Directed-energy weaponry.
Development and deployment of the FCAS 1. Going to be costly. 2. Europeans as it is now unwilling to even spend the 2 % of GDP for military expenditures as was agreed upon.
THIS FCAS IS JUST NOT GOING TO FLY! PIE-IN-THE-SKY ALMOST LITERALLY SO!
coolbert.
From Sputnik Russian news Internet outlet surely this yet one instance of the cart before the horse.
Also the European ideal of the independent and totally self-sufficient military force able to guard against all comers and autonomous from the United States.
"WATCH: Euro Defense Ministers Reveal Sixth-Gen Future Combat Air System"
"In front of a full-size, veiled mock-up of the Future Combat Air System [FCAS], French, Spanish and German defense ministers signed an accord Monday on the development of the sixth-generation aircraft before dramatically unveiling the model. The FCAS is expected to become their mainstay fighter jet by 2040."
NOT UNTIL 2040 DEPLOYED!! AS ENVISIONED!
Sixth-generation fighter planes conventionally and usually defined as:
* Unmanned.
* Stealth.
* Directed-energy weaponry.
Development and deployment of the FCAS 1. Going to be costly. 2. Europeans as it is now unwilling to even spend the 2 % of GDP for military expenditures as was agreed upon.
THIS FCAS IS JUST NOT GOING TO FLY! PIE-IN-THE-SKY ALMOST LITERALLY SO!
coolbert.
Monday, June 24, 2019
Incels.
Incels. Never heard of such a thing!
"Air Force warns about nationwide threat of ‘involuntary celibates’"
INCELS! INVOLUNTARY CELIBATES! NO SEX!
From the New York Post the article by Chris Perez and the tip from Jay.
"Air Force instructors have been warning troops about the growing threat of radicalized 'incels' — aka guys who can’t find women to sleep with them, a report says."
"Airmen stationed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland were recently briefed on the 'involuntary celibates,' with documents cautioning them about an 'increase in nationwide activity,' according to the military website Task and Purpose."
"A number of shootings and mass casualty events have been linked to the incel movement in recent years —"
THERE IT IS IN THE NUTSHELL. ANGRY AND VOLATILE YOUNG MEN TAKING THEIR FRUSTRATIONS OUT ON WOMEN. EXTREME VIOLENCE COMBINED WITH VISCERAL HATRED. MILITARY MEN IN PARTICULAR HAVING THE SKILL AND ABILITY TO INFLICT A LOT OF DAMAGE IF THEY SO WISH.
I must be getting old!
coolbert.
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Super.
This is coolbert:
The Dodge plant, Chicago Illinois, USA. World War Two.
I highly recommend without reservation or qualification this You Tube video. A must.
The super factory manufacturing the super engine for the super bomber. The latter the B-29 Superfortress.
Need I say or remind any devoted reader to the blog that the B-29 Superfortress [Enola Gay] dropping the first atomic bomb on Japan. Courtesy aircraft engines the Dodge plant.
Chicago, Illinois, USA the "Second City", the labor force absolutely vital to the American war effort. Again, need I mention the Manhattan Project, experimental atomic reactors CP-1 and CP-2, etc. Chicago, the B-29 bomber, the atomic bomb, all hand in glove as they say.
coolbert.
The Dodge plant, Chicago Illinois, USA. World War Two.
I highly recommend without reservation or qualification this You Tube video. A must.
The super factory manufacturing the super engine for the super bomber. The latter the B-29 Superfortress.
The Dodge plant built entirely from scratch, at the time the most advanced manufacturing facility in the world.
Need I say or remind any devoted reader to the blog that the B-29 Superfortress [Enola Gay] dropping the first atomic bomb on Japan. Courtesy aircraft engines the Dodge plant.
Chicago, Illinois, USA the "Second City", the labor force absolutely vital to the American war effort. Again, need I mention the Manhattan Project, experimental atomic reactors CP-1 and CP-2, etc. Chicago, the B-29 bomber, the atomic bomb, all hand in glove as they say.
coolbert.
Triton.
In finality with extracts from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
Shooting down American UAV drones seems to be all the rage!
"Iran shoots down US drone over Hormuz amid soaring friction"
20 June.
"An Iranian surface-to-air missile [SAM] shot down a US Navy MQ-4C Triton over the Strait of Hormuz, an America official reported on Thursday June 20. The missile’s description indicates it was fired from Iranian soil at an aircraft flying over international waters, which makes the incident that much graver. The downing of the Triton was disclosed shortly after Iran said its Revolutionary Guards shot down an American US RQ-4 Global Hawk spy drone over the village of Kuhmobarak in the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan. The Pentagon dismissed the Iranian claim that a US drone penetrated Iranian air space as 'false' and said the drone was provocatively attacked over international waters."
Those are MAJOR size drones [and expensive] normally flying at high altitude. The Iranian possesses some sort of very sophisticated surface-air-missile [SAM] with HITHERTO UNKNOWN capability?
Pentagon military planners are biting their fingernails nervously?
coolbert.
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Teams.
This is coolbert:
Continuing more extracts from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
RUSSIA ENTERS THE FRAY?
"Iran mulls foreign air defense aid for domestic security. Russian S-400s with teams?"
19 June.
"Amid high tension with the US, Tehran is looking at a possible invitation to a foreign power to boost its domestic security against aerial attack. 'We currently face demonstrative threats. Nevertheless, when it comes to air defense of or country, we consider using foreign potential in addition to our domestic capacities,' said Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Chairman Ali Shamkhani on Wednesday, June 19 when he was asked if Iran might purchase Russian S-400s."
"The official’s words indicate that Tehran is in advanced talks with Moscow on the deployment to Iran of Russian S-400 air defense missiles. They would be flown in with Russian teams since Iran lacks the know how for operating these advanced systems . . . although Moscow may think twice before getting entangled in a potential US-Iranian war situation."
Mr. Putin indeed think twice. And three times. And four times. Etc.
coolbert.
Continuing more extracts from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
RUSSIA ENTERS THE FRAY?
"Iran mulls foreign air defense aid for domestic security. Russian S-400s with teams?"
19 June.
"Amid high tension with the US, Tehran is looking at a possible invitation to a foreign power to boost its domestic security against aerial attack. 'We currently face demonstrative threats. Nevertheless, when it comes to air defense of or country, we consider using foreign potential in addition to our domestic capacities,' said Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Chairman Ali Shamkhani on Wednesday, June 19 when he was asked if Iran might purchase Russian S-400s."
"The official’s words indicate that Tehran is in advanced talks with Moscow on the deployment to Iran of Russian S-400 air defense missiles. They would be flown in with Russian teams since Iran lacks the know how for operating these advanced systems . . . although Moscow may think twice before getting entangled in a potential US-Iranian war situation."
Mr. Putin indeed think twice. And three times. And four times. Etc.
coolbert.
Credible.
Further yet still extracts from the latest version of the DEBKAfile news letter:
ADDITIONAL MACHINATIONS OF THE WRONG KIND FROM THE IRANIAN?
"US intel: Iranian strike at major Saudi oil target imminent. Trump releases 1,000 more US troops"
18 June.
"US intelligence learns from a highly credible source that Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ have completed preparations for a large-scale assault on an important Saudi oil facility within days. On Monday, June 17, the aides of senior US congress members were summoned to the White House for a briefing on this intelligence and informed that this time the administration is gearing up for a military response . . . Saudi Arabia has placed all its oil installations, terminals, ports and oil fields on maximum alert."
MAXIMUM ALERT AS OF FOUR DAYS AGO BUT NOTHING YET HAS OCCURRED! WE HOLD OUR BREATH!
coolbert.
Yemen UAV.
Still more extracts from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
EVEN THE YEMENI HOUTHI GOT SAM? Surface to air missile of some capability beyond norm? AMERICAN UAV BEWARE!
"Yemeni Houthi rebels shoot down US drone"
15 June.
"Houthi rebels in Yemen have released video footage and photos of what they claim is an American MQ-9 Reaper being shot down and crashing in Yemen.US said that the Reaper had been downed in the Red Sea likely by a missile fired by Houthi rebels. According to an earlier report of another incident, Iranian Revolutionary Guards aimed and anti-air missile against an American UAV tracking them in the vicinity of the oil tankers that were attacked in the Gulf of Oman."
Here with an instance of a high-fling American drone shot out of the sky by a surface-air-missile [SAM].
Drones of the Reaper variety normally out-of-range for a MANPAD type SAM. Man Portable Air Defense.
The Houthi have SAM. The Houthi have ballistic missiles. The Houthi have attack drones. What is there the Houthi do not have?
coolbert.
Images.
Yet further with extracts from the latest DEBKAfile newsletter:
PROOF THE IRANIAN ARE BEHIND THE ATTACKS ON THE OIL TANKERS?
1. "A US military video shows Iranians removing limpet mine from tanker"
14 June.
"The US military on Friday released a video showing an Iranian Revolutionary Guards patrol boat pulling alongside the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous and removing an unexploded limpet mine. This super tanker was set on fire by an explosion in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, along with the Norwegian-owned MT Front Altair – both loaded with petroleum products."
"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday cited intelligence as confirming that Iran was responsible for this attack. He told a news conference in Washington that the sabotage was only the latest in 'a series of recent violent acts by Iran,'”
2. "New Pentagon pix of Iranians removing mine from Japanese tanker"
18 June.
"A second set of images were released Monday night showing Iranian IRGC personnel removing an unexploded mine from the Japanese tanker Kokuka Courageous which was attacked on June 13. These images are clearer than the first set and show a large hole in the crippled ship’s hull. They were shot by a US military helicopter that was tracking the Iranian assault vessel."
PERSONALLY THESE IMAGES DON'T SHOW ME A LOT. LIMPET MINE ATTACHED TO THE SIDE OF THE SHIP WITH MAGNETICS OR SOME SUCH. DETONATION DID NOT OCCUR AND DISARMING WAS THE ORDER OF THE DAY?
coolbert.
Assets.
This is coolbert:
As extracted from the latest version of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
"Iran’s secrets for pulling off sneak attacks: Surprise, precise weapons, a new cruise missile"
14 June.
"Four secret assets account for Iran’s success in pulling off half a dozen attacks on US allies in the past month."
1. "The element of surprise: Before the four tankers were sabotaged on May 12 and 14 outside the UAE port of Fujairah, no intelligence agency, whether American, Gulf Arab or Israeli, suspected this attack was coming."
2. "High professional standards of operation: Iranian marine and special forces units assigned to these attacks were highly proficient. They performed precisely and were undetected."
3. "Escalating stages: The June 13 attack on the two supertankers in the Gulf of Oman was a dangerous escalation after a string of minor incidents."
4. "Precise weaponry: All the weapons the Iranians used operated faultlessly, none missing their mark."
Over thirty years ago it was the "Tanker War" with disastrous consequences for the Iranian.
NOW THE IRANIAN MUCH MORE SOPHISTICATED AND ADEPT.
AND NO ONE SAW ANY OF THIS COMING?
coolbert.
As extracted from the latest version of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
"Iran’s secrets for pulling off sneak attacks: Surprise, precise weapons, a new cruise missile"
14 June.
"Four secret assets account for Iran’s success in pulling off half a dozen attacks on US allies in the past month."
1. "The element of surprise: Before the four tankers were sabotaged on May 12 and 14 outside the UAE port of Fujairah, no intelligence agency, whether American, Gulf Arab or Israeli, suspected this attack was coming."
2. "High professional standards of operation: Iranian marine and special forces units assigned to these attacks were highly proficient. They performed precisely and were undetected."
3. "Escalating stages: The June 13 attack on the two supertankers in the Gulf of Oman was a dangerous escalation after a string of minor incidents."
4. "Precise weaponry: All the weapons the Iranians used operated faultlessly, none missing their mark."
Over thirty years ago it was the "Tanker War" with disastrous consequences for the Iranian.
NOW THE IRANIAN MUCH MORE SOPHISTICATED AND ADEPT.
AND NO ONE SAW ANY OF THIS COMING?
coolbert.
Friday, June 21, 2019
Uncertainty.
Here begins a series of posts, extracts from latest version of the DEBKAfile newsletter. Additionally my comments.
And of course the hot button topic is the serious situation in the Persian Gulf, vicinity Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, oil tankers having been attacked and badly damaged.
AN OCEANIC CHOKE POINT OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE TO THE WHOLE WORLD IN DANGER OF BEING CLOSED. WITH RAMIFICATIONS THAT CAN HARDLY BE DIMINISHED EVEN IN THE SMALLEST IOTA.
This situation also reminds me to an extent of The Gulf of Tonkin incident from over fifty years ago. Especially as it applies to what is deemed the fog of war:
"The fog of war . . . is the uncertainty in situational awareness experienced by participants in military operations. The term seeks to capture the uncertainty regarding one's own capability, adversary capability, and adversary intent during an engagement, operation, or campaign."
Information and intelligence as available to the decision makers at the highest echelons of government that is often imprecise, incomplete, misleading, often contradictory.
As in this case with the tankers and as has been reported by the media:
* Tankers were torpedoed.
* Tankers hit mines.
* Tankers were hit by "a flying object".
* Iranians were seen removing a mine from one of the stricken vessels.
* Drone was shot down over international airspace.
* Drone was shot down over Iranian airspace.
* Pieces of the drone were recovered from Iranian waters.
AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS TO MAKE WHAT OF ALL THIS?
coolbert.
Gallagher.
This is coolbert:
"Investigators previously have alleged that, while a teen[age] ISIS fighter was receiving medical treatment from SEAL medics, Gallagher walked up and stabbed him in his neck and side with a knife, killing the terrorist. Then, they said, he posed for photographs with the fighter’s body, holding his head in one hand and his blade in the other."
The Perry Mason, Raymond Burr moment.
Navy SEAL on trial for a war crime with surprising testimony.
Thanks to the tip from Levy.
"Medic testifies that he, not Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, was responsible for ISIS fighter's death"
The article by Greg Norman, Dan Gallo | Fox News
"A medic testifying in the trial of Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher – who is accused of killing an injured ISIS prisoner of war in Iraq – shocked trial observers when he testified Thursday that he, not Gallagher, was responsible for the Islamic militant's death."
"Special Operator 1st Class Corey Scott, a SEAL Team Seven medic, revealed during cross-examination in the courtroom at Naval Base San Diego that he killed the fighter by asphyxiation. Scott testified that he saw Gallagher stab the fighter, but then he himself held his thumb over a breathing tube that had been inserted into the militant's mouth."
Raymond Burr in the television series "Perry Mason" playing the role of the clever defense attorney who gain acquittal of his client with the surprising testimony from an unexpected source.
Gallagher his distinguished military and combat record I well might imagine now forever sullied, guilty or not guilty.
P.S. Sticking a knife in wounded captive of itself is a serious charge. The use of lethal force when not warranted.
coolbert.
"Investigators previously have alleged that, while a teen[age] ISIS fighter was receiving medical treatment from SEAL medics, Gallagher walked up and stabbed him in his neck and side with a knife, killing the terrorist. Then, they said, he posed for photographs with the fighter’s body, holding his head in one hand and his blade in the other."
The Perry Mason, Raymond Burr moment.
Navy SEAL on trial for a war crime with surprising testimony.
Thanks to the tip from Levy.
"Medic testifies that he, not Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, was responsible for ISIS fighter's death"
The article by Greg Norman, Dan Gallo | Fox News
"A medic testifying in the trial of Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher – who is accused of killing an injured ISIS prisoner of war in Iraq – shocked trial observers when he testified Thursday that he, not Gallagher, was responsible for the Islamic militant's death."
"Special Operator 1st Class Corey Scott, a SEAL Team Seven medic, revealed during cross-examination in the courtroom at Naval Base San Diego that he killed the fighter by asphyxiation. Scott testified that he saw Gallagher stab the fighter, but then he himself held his thumb over a breathing tube that had been inserted into the militant's mouth."
Raymond Burr in the television series "Perry Mason" playing the role of the clever defense attorney who gain acquittal of his client with the surprising testimony from an unexpected source.
Gallagher his distinguished military and combat record I well might imagine now forever sullied, guilty or not guilty.
P.S. Sticking a knife in wounded captive of itself is a serious charge. The use of lethal force when not warranted.
coolbert.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Endogenous.
This is coolbert:
More military news India thanks to WIZARD through Harry at Sharkhunters:
• "Russia has offered longer-range missiles to the Indian Air Force after the latter placed orders worth over $700 million for air-to-air missiles and guided missiles following the February Kashmir dogfight with Pakistan."
Presumably this is the Russian Vympel R-37 (NATO reporting name: Arrow) long-range air-air missile. Indian Air Force combat aircraft no longer needing to intrude into Pakistani airspace to engage warplanes they deem as hostile.
• "In 2016, the government [India] had decided to integrate the air-launched variant of the BrahMos, the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile, into over 40 Sukhoi fighter jets. Weeks after the Balakot air strikes, the government decided to fast-track integration of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on over 40 Sukhoi fighter jets, a closely guarded strategic project."
BrahMos a supersonic cruise missile of the most advanced design, even without peer. Obvious the Indian Air Force [IAF] wants to have a capability to strike at Pakistani targets in a stand-off mode, IAF warplanes not intruding into Pakistani airspace. Now a fast-track item.
• "Beretta'sVictrix Armaments .338 Lapua Magnum Scorpio-TGT sniper rifle, Elite units [Indian army] deployed along the LoC [Line of Contact. Dividing Kashmir. Indian army on one side, Pakistani army on the other] have been given the new rifle Emergency purchase of Barrett M95.50 BMG and Beretta Scorpio TGT Victoria .338 Lapua Magnum . . . [negating a] Pak [Pakistani] advantage on LoC India now has superior sniper power than Pakistan."
That .338 Lapua Magnum analogous to a big-game hunting rifle designed to bring down a major-sized animal such as a buffalo, rhino, etc.
• "India has joined the elite bloc of nations like Russia, Germany, Italy, and France with endogenously built heavyweight torpedoes for its submarines and warships."
"endogenous - - adjective. proceeding from within; derived internally"
These are evidently 650 mm [25 1/2 inch] size torpedoes carrying a warhead of extraordinary size. A single torpedo of such size able to sink an aircraft carrier. Similar to the Russian Type 65 torpedo. Heavyweight as describe considerably larger than the conventional 533 mm [21 inch] torpedo most submarines carry.
coolbert.
More military news India thanks to WIZARD through Harry at Sharkhunters:
• "Russia has offered longer-range missiles to the Indian Air Force after the latter placed orders worth over $700 million for air-to-air missiles and guided missiles following the February Kashmir dogfight with Pakistan."
Presumably this is the Russian Vympel R-37 (NATO reporting name: Arrow) long-range air-air missile. Indian Air Force combat aircraft no longer needing to intrude into Pakistani airspace to engage warplanes they deem as hostile.
• "In 2016, the government [India] had decided to integrate the air-launched variant of the BrahMos, the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile, into over 40 Sukhoi fighter jets. Weeks after the Balakot air strikes, the government decided to fast-track integration of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on over 40 Sukhoi fighter jets, a closely guarded strategic project."
BrahMos a supersonic cruise missile of the most advanced design, even without peer. Obvious the Indian Air Force [IAF] wants to have a capability to strike at Pakistani targets in a stand-off mode, IAF warplanes not intruding into Pakistani airspace. Now a fast-track item.
• "Beretta'sVictrix Armaments .338 Lapua Magnum Scorpio-TGT sniper rifle, Elite units [Indian army] deployed along the LoC [Line of Contact. Dividing Kashmir. Indian army on one side, Pakistani army on the other] have been given the new rifle Emergency purchase of Barrett M95.50 BMG and Beretta Scorpio TGT Victoria .338 Lapua Magnum . . . [negating a] Pak [Pakistani] advantage on LoC India now has superior sniper power than Pakistan."
That .338 Lapua Magnum analogous to a big-game hunting rifle designed to bring down a major-sized animal such as a buffalo, rhino, etc.
• "India has joined the elite bloc of nations like Russia, Germany, Italy, and France with endogenously built heavyweight torpedoes for its submarines and warships."
"endogenous - - adjective. proceeding from within; derived internally"
These are evidently 650 mm [25 1/2 inch] size torpedoes carrying a warhead of extraordinary size. A single torpedo of such size able to sink an aircraft carrier. Similar to the Russian Type 65 torpedo. Heavyweight as describe considerably larger than the conventional 533 mm [21 inch] torpedo most submarines carry.
coolbert.
Whaledimir.
This is coolbert:
From the Internet web site Barents observer an update on the strange case of the beluga whale as found by Norwegian fishermen wearing some sort of "espionage" collar.
"Satellite images reveal Russian navy's secret Arctic marine mammal facility"
Article as dated 27 May.
From Google oblique satellite [?] photography some analysis of what is deemed a Russian marine mammal military program.
"These pens near the naval town of Polyarny on the Kola Peninsula might very well be the home from where runaway ‘Whaledimir’ beluga escaped from. Or was he brought to Norwegian waters on purpose?"
Outstanding! And isn't it just amazing what one can do with a few keystrokes and movements of a mouse! The Internet has brought the average citizen technology that not so long ago was strictly reserved for the persons at the highest echelons of government.
That beluga whale too seems to be totally dependent on being fed by handlers and is not able to forage for itself. Expect a sudden and abrupt demise for Whaledimir
coolbert.
From the Internet web site Barents observer an update on the strange case of the beluga whale as found by Norwegian fishermen wearing some sort of "espionage" collar.
"Satellite images reveal Russian navy's secret Arctic marine mammal facility"
Article as dated 27 May.
From Google oblique satellite [?] photography some analysis of what is deemed a Russian marine mammal military program.
"These pens near the naval town of Polyarny on the Kola Peninsula might very well be the home from where runaway ‘Whaledimir’ beluga escaped from. Or was he brought to Norwegian waters on purpose?"
"Six beluga whales in pens are visible on this satellite image from Garyachie Ruchy in the Kola Bay, some 3,5 km south of the closed naval town of Polyarny on the Kola Peninsula. Image: Google Earth 3D / The Barents Observer". Click on image to see an enlarged view.
"This weekend, H I Sutton, a leading expert on Russia’s submarine fleet and known for publishing analysis based on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) revealed a satellite image on the portal Covert Shores from April this year showing the appearances of two pens moored at a pier in Olenya Guba (Bay) on the Kola Peninsula. Inside one of the pens is what looks like a beluga whale swimming." Again, click on image to see an enlarged view.
Outstanding! And isn't it just amazing what one can do with a few keystrokes and movements of a mouse! The Internet has brought the average citizen technology that not so long ago was strictly reserved for the persons at the highest echelons of government.
That beluga whale too seems to be totally dependent on being fed by handlers and is not able to forage for itself. Expect a sudden and abrupt demise for Whaledimir
coolbert.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
HAWC.
This is coolbert:
Hypersonic! It is all the rage. Seems everyone must have a hypersonic missile. See my most recent blog entry.
The Russians have one. The Chinese are reputed to have one. And now the USA has TWO of them!
From Freeper and thanks to same.
"Northrop And Raytheon Have Been Secretly Working On Scramjet Powered Hypersonic Missile"
"Northrop Grumman and Raytheon have revealed that they have been working together on a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile, which uses an engine that is entirely 3D-printed. Their design is competing against one from Lockheed Martin under the Defense Advanced Research Project's Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept program, or HAWC. The two companies publicly announced their partnership at the 2019 Paris Air Show on June 18, 2019, but they have been working together secretly for years on HAWC, according to Aviation Week"
AN ENGINE 3D PRINTED. PROBABLY USING SOME SORT OF PROPRIETARY METALS. JUST A FEW YEARS AGO NO ONE HAD EVEN HEARD OF 3D PRINTING. 3D PRINTING TOO NOW ALL THE RAGE?
coolbert.
Hypersonic! It is all the rage. Seems everyone must have a hypersonic missile. See my most recent blog entry.
The Russians have one. The Chinese are reputed to have one. And now the USA has TWO of them!
From Freeper and thanks to same.
"Northrop And Raytheon Have Been Secretly Working On Scramjet Powered Hypersonic Missile"
"Northrop Grumman and Raytheon have revealed that they have been working together on a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile, which uses an engine that is entirely 3D-printed. Their design is competing against one from Lockheed Martin under the Defense Advanced Research Project's Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept program, or HAWC. The two companies publicly announced their partnership at the 2019 Paris Air Show on June 18, 2019, but they have been working together secretly for years on HAWC, according to Aviation Week"
AN ENGINE 3D PRINTED. PROBABLY USING SOME SORT OF PROPRIETARY METALS. JUST A FEW YEARS AGO NO ONE HAD EVEN HEARD OF 3D PRINTING. 3D PRINTING TOO NOW ALL THE RAGE?
coolbert.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Regret.
This is coolbert:
Haven't had any posts recently the topic being Afghanistan.
Regret is the order of the day in this case. I thought this sort of thing was under control. Friendly fire incident with disastrous consequences. Second time in a month also.
From Zero Hedge and the article by Tyler Durden. Once again too thanks to the tip from Jay.
"US Wipes Out Entire Afghan Security Forces Unit In Second Major Friendly Fire Incident"
"For the second time in less than a month, US forces carried out air strikes 'in self defense' in Afghanistan, only to discover that they were actually attacking Afghan security forces. The Wednesday strike ended up wiping out an entire unit, though officials have yet to disclose the exact number of deaths, beyond it apparently being everyone present."
. . . .
"Despite all the talk of self defense and US troops being 'under effective fire,' officials insist not a single US casualty occurred."
Self-defense not really in self-defense. And after all this, what Afghan friendly will want to work with U.S. forces??
coolbert.
Haven't had any posts recently the topic being Afghanistan.
Regret is the order of the day in this case. I thought this sort of thing was under control. Friendly fire incident with disastrous consequences. Second time in a month also.
From Zero Hedge and the article by Tyler Durden. Once again too thanks to the tip from Jay.
"US Wipes Out Entire Afghan Security Forces Unit In Second Major Friendly Fire Incident"
"For the second time in less than a month, US forces carried out air strikes 'in self defense' in Afghanistan, only to discover that they were actually attacking Afghan security forces. The Wednesday strike ended up wiping out an entire unit, though officials have yet to disclose the exact number of deaths, beyond it apparently being everyone present."
. . . .
"Despite all the talk of self defense and US troops being 'under effective fire,' officials insist not a single US casualty occurred."
Self-defense not really in self-defense. And after all this, what Afghan friendly will want to work with U.S. forces??
coolbert.
ARRW.
This is coolbert:
The Russians have one. The Chinese have one? And the USA has one too!!
Hypersonic missile unstoppable. Thanks to the English Daily Star tabloid.
"US Air Force arms bombers with hypersonic 3,836mph missile for first time"
"US AIR FORCE chiefs have armed bombers with hypersonic missiles capable of speeds more than 3,836mph for the first time"
THIS IS ARRW.
"ARRW – full name AGM-183A Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon – has been developed by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin."
Merely being tested at this time. With the B-52 bomber as a stand-off delivery vehicle. AND "It is expected the weapon will be fully operational in 2022."
Mr. Putin! Your response sir?
coolbert.
The Russians have one. The Chinese have one? And the USA has one too!!
Hypersonic missile unstoppable. Thanks to the English Daily Star tabloid.
"US Air Force arms bombers with hypersonic 3,836mph missile for first time"
"US AIR FORCE chiefs have armed bombers with hypersonic missiles capable of speeds more than 3,836mph for the first time"
THIS IS ARRW.
"ARRW – full name AGM-183A Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon – has been developed by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin."
Merely being tested at this time. With the B-52 bomber as a stand-off delivery vehicle. AND "It is expected the weapon will be fully operational in 2022."
Mr. Putin! Your response sir?
coolbert.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Honey.
Jawan beware! Aisha, Fareeda, Laila and Yasmin are not your friend.
From the Internet web site Strategy Page an full article [first paragraph copied here in entirety] as devoted to how Indian soldiers entrapped for espionage purposes by social media, smart phones, malware. I recommend the article highly without qualification or reservation.
"Winning: Honey Trap Wars"
"June 8, 2019: Once more the Indian Army found one of its personnel recruited as a spy by Pakistani agents pretending to be an Indian woman who entraps the soldier as a regular supplied of information. The latest case was unusual in that the female Pakistani agent calling an army staff officer serving in the headquarters of a unit stationed in northeast India. The Pakistan spy said she was from the Army Wives Welfare Association but that officer was away from the office and the call was transferred to a 25 year old corporal. The Pakistani agent found the corporal suitable for entrapment and during their brief phone call persuaded him to contact her via her Internet accounts on WhatsApp and Instagram to continue their conversation. That was how the Pakistani agent 'developed' the corporal as a provider of information on Indian army troop movements."
The single best way to get a man to talk of secrets he knows is the femme fatale. Men have a tremendous desire to impress women they ARE somebody. What better way to impress than reveal secrets "in confidence" of course. And once that first indiscretion made, believe me, ain't no going back.
coolbert.
Invest.
This is coolbert:
“For the first time in decades, it is possible to imagine the United States fighting—and possibly losing—a large-scale war with a great power,” - - Chris Dougherty of the Center for New American Security (CNAS).
Invest in war-winning technologies now or pay the piper later. See two most recent and germane blog entries here and here.
"US must develop ‘new way of war’ or risk ‘defeat’ to Russia and China – think tank"
"The Pentagon’s military posture based on post-Cold War dominance will not work against new Russian and Chinese strategies and must be urgently updated, or the US risks losing a war against either power, a new report warns."
AMERICAN MILITARY POLICY AT LEAST SINCE THE KOREAN WAR THE ABILITY OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES TO FIGHT TWO REGIONAL WARS SIMULTANEOUSLY AND WIN! HEAVY WAR AS DEFINED, TANKS, ARTILLERY, WARPLANES, SUBMARINES, ETC.
Hybrid warfare of the future type as envisioned by various see-ers hardly confined to "heavy war". Investments in war-winning technology need to be made. What investments are worthy and how much to be invested the question. Budgets are not unlimited.
AND DO IT NOW!!
coolbert.
“For the first time in decades, it is possible to imagine the United States fighting—and possibly losing—a large-scale war with a great power,” - - Chris Dougherty of the Center for New American Security (CNAS).
Invest in war-winning technologies now or pay the piper later. See two most recent and germane blog entries here and here.
"US must develop ‘new way of war’ or risk ‘defeat’ to Russia and China – think tank"
"The Pentagon’s military posture based on post-Cold War dominance will not work against new Russian and Chinese strategies and must be urgently updated, or the US risks losing a war against either power, a new report warns."
AMERICAN MILITARY POLICY AT LEAST SINCE THE KOREAN WAR THE ABILITY OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES TO FIGHT TWO REGIONAL WARS SIMULTANEOUSLY AND WIN! HEAVY WAR AS DEFINED, TANKS, ARTILLERY, WARPLANES, SUBMARINES, ETC.
Hybrid warfare of the future type as envisioned by various see-ers hardly confined to "heavy war". Investments in war-winning technology need to be made. What investments are worthy and how much to be invested the question. Budgets are not unlimited.
AND DO IT NOW!!
coolbert.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Gigantic.
This is coolbert:
Aviation gasoline [AVGAS] U.S. Navy.
Thanks once more to the tip from Jay.
"Groundbreaking Report Gives Us a Glimpse of the US Military’s Gigantic Carbon Footprint"
"There are a lot of superlatives that can be used to describe the U.S. military. It represents the biggest chunk of the federal budget. It’s extremely good at killing people. And it’s also a prolific carbon emitter and serial oil user."
This Gizmodo article by Brian Kahn fails to mention perhaps that most "prolific" and profligate use of petroleum products by the U.S. military.
EACH AND EVERY SIX MONTH PATROL BY AN AMERICAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER ABOUT ONE MILLION GALLONS OF AVGAS IS RELEASED INTO THE OCEAN. AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO LANDING DUMPING EXCESS FUEL HIGHLY MITIGATING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CATASTROPHIC FIRE RESULTING FROM A CRASH WITH ALL THAT WOULD MEAN FOR THE WARSHIP!!
coolbert.
Aviation gasoline [AVGAS] U.S. Navy.
Thanks once more to the tip from Jay.
"Groundbreaking Report Gives Us a Glimpse of the US Military’s Gigantic Carbon Footprint"
"There are a lot of superlatives that can be used to describe the U.S. military. It represents the biggest chunk of the federal budget. It’s extremely good at killing people. And it’s also a prolific carbon emitter and serial oil user."
This Gizmodo article by Brian Kahn fails to mention perhaps that most "prolific" and profligate use of petroleum products by the U.S. military.
EACH AND EVERY SIX MONTH PATROL BY AN AMERICAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER ABOUT ONE MILLION GALLONS OF AVGAS IS RELEASED INTO THE OCEAN. AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO LANDING DUMPING EXCESS FUEL HIGHLY MITIGATING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CATASTROPHIC FIRE RESULTING FROM A CRASH WITH ALL THAT WOULD MEAN FOR THE WARSHIP!!
coolbert.
Galapagos.
This is coolbert:
As it was over seventy years ago as it will be again!
American military presence Galapagos islands.
Thanks to the tip from Jay and the article from the English Independent courtesy Tom Embury-Dennis.
"Ecuador gives US military permission to use Galapagos island as airfield"
"Criticizing [the] agreement, former president says Pacific archipelago is 'not for gringo use'". Ecuador si, gringo no.
"Under a deal with Ecuador’s right-wing government, the Pentagon will use the tiny airport on San Cristobal island to 'fight drug trafficking'"
This will not be a permanent base? Patrol aircraft will be allowed merely landing and refueling rights? That is all?
Consider also as it was over seventy years ago:
"During World War II, the Galapagos Islands held a great secret: Base Beta – not-so-affectionately nicknamed 'The Rock' by U.S. military personnel. This was a U.S. military base, established to protect the western access of the Panama Canal."
Just landing and refueling rights! That is all?
coolbert.
As it was over seventy years ago as it will be again!
American military presence Galapagos islands.
Thanks to the tip from Jay and the article from the English Independent courtesy Tom Embury-Dennis.
"Ecuador gives US military permission to use Galapagos island as airfield"
"Criticizing [the] agreement, former president says Pacific archipelago is 'not for gringo use'". Ecuador si, gringo no.
"Under a deal with Ecuador’s right-wing government, the Pentagon will use the tiny airport on San Cristobal island to 'fight drug trafficking'"
This will not be a permanent base? Patrol aircraft will be allowed merely landing and refueling rights? That is all?
Consider also as it was over seventy years ago:
"During World War II, the Galapagos Islands held a great secret: Base Beta – not-so-affectionately nicknamed 'The Rock' by U.S. military personnel. This was a U.S. military base, established to protect the western access of the Panama Canal."
Just landing and refueling rights! That is all?
coolbert.
Friday, June 14, 2019
Krieg.
"In time of peace, prepare for war!" - - Cicero.
And so true. Kriegspiel American style 2019. War game. Courtesy U.S. Marine Corps.
Without question and within the military dimension this particular article as obtained from the "War On The Rocks" Internet web site A MUST read for all devoted followers to the blog and those merely perusing casually. I recommend highly without qualification or reservation.
THE THIRD WORLD WAR [WW3] AND HOW IT WILL PLAY OUT. GREAT POWERS VERSUS GREAT POWERS, WORLD DOMINATION THE GOAL!
"HOW DOES THE NEXT GREAT POWER CONFLICT PLAY OUT? LESSONS FROM A WARGAME"
"The United States can win World War III, but it’s going to be ugly and it better end quick, or everyone starts looking for the nuclear trigger."
"That is the verdict of a Marine Corps War College wargame I organized that allowed students to fight a multiple great state conflict last week. To set the stage, the students were given an eight-year road-to-war"
I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE A SLOW AND CAREFUL READING OF THIS ARTICLE.
Comments:
* Three regional wars melding into global conflict. Great powers versus great powers.
* American military forces fighting in all circumstances with allies in coalition warfare.
* Outcome predicated in measure according to future investments in war-winning technology.
* War waged initially with conventional weaponry, but with the use of fission or thermonuclear munitions always a dreaded possible.
Everyone has eight years to go according to the scenario. Make your investments now.
coolbert.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Energy.
To war with light bulb?
From the Russian media outlet Sputnik more agitprop?
"Brits Unknowingly Subsidizing Nuclear Submarines Through Energy Bills - Report"
The British government maintain a robust [?] nuclear power industry in part to maintain a "supply chain" and "skills base" as is essential to built, crew, maintain nuclear submarines??
BUT RESULTING IN HIGHER ELECTRICITY BILLS FOR THE AVERAGE CONSUMER??
"If confirmed, the research is likely to raise alarm among many, and may serve to bolster calls for alternatives to nuclear power, such as wind turbines, which according to the same researchers, may be available at nearly half the cost."
"UK homeowners are paying higher energy bills in part because they are unknowingly subsidizing the country's fleet of nuclear submarines"
See some previous blog entry [with many additional embedded links] the Royal Navy [RN] nuclear submarine force a continual subject of controversy:
coolbert.
Burst.
Some damn fool thing in the Baltic!
The Russian threat in the Baltics well understood. A2/D2 as it is deemed seen as a significant threat. Russian military forces in the enclave of Kaliningrad able to “keep-out" unwary and foolish adversaries.
From a Swedish think tank an appraisal of the Russian A2/D2 Baltic threat.
That Russian A2/D2 threat consisting of * Air defense missile of the S-400 SAM type. * Coastal defense anti-ship missile of the Bastion variety. * Ground-ground precision ballistic missile Iskander [NATO SS-26 Stone].
Extracted from the executive summary first and last paragraph. Thanks to the authors Robert Dalsjö, Christofer Berglund, Michael Jonsson and the tip from Don:
"Bursting the Bubble"
"Russian A2/AD in the Baltic Sea Region:
Capabilities, Countermeasures, and Implications"
"Executive summary"
"Russia’s potential to create 'keep-out zones' or anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) 'bubbles' in its near abroad has become a hot topic and a source of concern in recent years. In a land-grab operation against a weak neighbour, it is feared, Russia could keep help from reaching the victim in time by cordoning off the area of operations with a combination of long-range sensors and missiles. Soon, notions of nearly impregnable Russian A2/AD-barriers or bubbles extending far beyond its territory became widespread in the West, as did maps with large circles indicating areas out of bounds."
. . . .
"All in all, this demonstrates that Russia’s 'A2/AD bubble' is smaller than often thought, not impenetrable, and probably even burst-able. The main implication of this is that the prospects for defending or resupplying the Baltic states in a crisis or war are not as bleak as is often claimed. The challenges can probably be handled, provided there is political and military will and that the commensurate resources are allocated. Another implication is that the dynamics of this contest of long-range capabilities will almost inevitably have an impact on all the states in the region, regardless of whether they are a primary party to the conflict or not. For Sweden, this has arguably already contributed to the acquisition of Patriot air defence systems and the deployment of troops to Gotland."
RUSSIAN A2/D2 THREAT MUCH VAUNTED AND FEARED BUT ALSO MUCH OVER-RATED? COUNTER-MEASURES DO EXIST.
Burst that bubble! It is possible. Given will and resources.
coolbert.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Keto.
This is coolbert:
For navy divers only?
From the Washington Times and the article by Ben Wolfgang
"Pentagon eyes controversial diet in bid to build more lethal warriors"
"Ditching carbs [carbohydrates] may be the key to military success in America’s future wars".
"Top Pentagon officials say research has shown that human bodies in ketosis — the goal of the popular and controversial ketogenic diet — can stay underwater for longer periods, making the fat- and protein-heavy eating plan a potential benefit to military divers. It is one example of a rapidly growing trend as military researchers zero in on how nutrition and certain drugs can enhance how fighting men and women perform in battle."
Personally I am not so familiar with the ketogenic diet. Other than it is controversial. Allows navy divers are able to function in a much more effective manner?
Drugs of course too work and are quite effective in many instances but also have serious problems if used in a prolonged and irresponsible manner, creating unwanted dependencies.
I guess the idea is - - in lieu of something better, go with it??
coolbert.
For navy divers only?
From the Washington Times and the article by Ben Wolfgang
"Pentagon eyes controversial diet in bid to build more lethal warriors"
"Ditching carbs [carbohydrates] may be the key to military success in America’s future wars".
"Top Pentagon officials say research has shown that human bodies in ketosis — the goal of the popular and controversial ketogenic diet — can stay underwater for longer periods, making the fat- and protein-heavy eating plan a potential benefit to military divers. It is one example of a rapidly growing trend as military researchers zero in on how nutrition and certain drugs can enhance how fighting men and women perform in battle."
Personally I am not so familiar with the ketogenic diet. Other than it is controversial. Allows navy divers are able to function in a much more effective manner?
Drugs of course too work and are quite effective in many instances but also have serious problems if used in a prolonged and irresponsible manner, creating unwanted dependencies.
I guess the idea is - - in lieu of something better, go with it??
coolbert.
Monday, June 10, 2019
Hot-work II.
"Hot work is any work that involves burning, welding, using fire- or spark-producing tools, or that produces a source of ignition"
Further info, shipyard repairs resulting in damage to yet one more American destroyer. Very similar situation almost identical as the problem that exists with the USS Fitzgerald.
DAMAGE OF THIS SORT APPARENTLY NOT EXISTING IN A VACUUM. CALLOUS SAFETY PRACTISES AT BEST, DELIBERATE SABOTAGE AT WORST.
Thanks to the article once more by Ben Werner courtesy the United States Naval Institute.
"USS Oscar Austin Fire Damage Repairs Will Stretch into 2022"
"The guided-missile destroyer damaged in a fire in a Norfolk maintenance yard last year won’t rejoin the fleet until at least 2022, USNI News has learned."
"USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) will undergo repairs caused by the fire at least into the first quarter of 2022, according to an unclassified Navy maintenance summary reviewed by USNI News. The summary included a request from the Navy’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center for more time to repair the ship that suffered extensive damage from an accidental fire."
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL THIS? SHIP IN DOCK AGAIN SUBJECTED TO FIRE DAMAGE [EXTENSIVE] AS A RESULT OF "HOT WORK" GONE AWRY. THESE SHIPYARD WORKERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROFESSIONALS.
coolbert.
Hot-work I.
"Hot work is any work that involves burning, welding, using fire- or spark-producing tools, or that produces a source of ignition"
As is absolutely applicable to item # 1 from a most recent blog entry.
"Fitzgerald CO: Destroyer Repairs at Risk from Poor Shipyard Fire Safety"
Thanks to the article by Ben Werner courtesy the United States Naval Institute.
"Poor fire safety practices in the yard are putting at risk the two-year, $523-million effort to repair USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer heavily damaged in a deadly 2017 collision, warns the ship’s commanding officer."
"Cmdr. Garrett Miller, commanding officer of Fitzgerald, noted a series of more than 15 fire safety incidents aboard the ship since it arrived at the Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Pascagoula, Miss., nearly 18 months ago. Fitzgerald was heavily damaged on June 17, 2017, when it collided with ACX Crystal off the coast of Japan, killing seven sailors in what was the first of two deadly DDG collisions with commercial ships that summer."
First the monumental cost just to repair a damaged modern warship! Second that number of "fire incidents" as the result of "hot work" excessive to say the least.
MORE DANGER TO THE WARSHIP WHILE AT DOCK AND IN REPAIR THAN WHILE AT SEA AND ON PATROL. SOMETHING NOT RIGHT HERE!
coolbert.
Saturday, June 8, 2019
95 %.
This is coolbert:
“Today, Hezbollah possesses more firepower than 95 percent of the world’s conventional militaries, and more rockets and missiles than all European NATO members combined,”
Devoted readers to the blog will fully well understand that this assertion got my attention instantly.
Hezbollah. Best light infantry in the world [according to the # 3 man at the FBI] and a militia possessing some extraordinary firepower.
Hezbollah their fighting force a religiously oriented army of fanatics sworn to the destruction of Israel.
From the Jewish News Syndicate:
"Hezbollah has more firepower than ‘95 percent of the world’s conventional militaries,’ warns report"
"(November 8, 2018 / JNS) Israel and Hezbollah have been adversaries for decades now, dating back to the Jewish state’s involvement in the Lebanese civil war. However, bolstered by the military and financial support of its Iranian patron, the Lebanese terror group now poses a threat to Israel unlike anything the Jewish state has seen in recent history."
ROCKET ARTILLERY IN PRODIGIOUS NUMBERS WITH SIGNIFICANT CAPABILITY. HEZBOLLAH THEIR MILITARY FORCE AS DESCRIBED IN THE ARTICLE ABOUT 20,000 FULL TIME REGULARS AND APPROXIMATELY A SLIGHTLY LARGER GROUP OF RESERVISTS.
Hezbollah too have gained extensive combat experience from the Syrian conflict.
Beware!!
coolbert.
“Today, Hezbollah possesses more firepower than 95 percent of the world’s conventional militaries, and more rockets and missiles than all European NATO members combined,”
Devoted readers to the blog will fully well understand that this assertion got my attention instantly.
Hezbollah. Best light infantry in the world [according to the # 3 man at the FBI] and a militia possessing some extraordinary firepower.
Hezbollah their fighting force a religiously oriented army of fanatics sworn to the destruction of Israel.
From the Jewish News Syndicate:
"Hezbollah has more firepower than ‘95 percent of the world’s conventional militaries,’ warns report"
"(November 8, 2018 / JNS) Israel and Hezbollah have been adversaries for decades now, dating back to the Jewish state’s involvement in the Lebanese civil war. However, bolstered by the military and financial support of its Iranian patron, the Lebanese terror group now poses a threat to Israel unlike anything the Jewish state has seen in recent history."
ROCKET ARTILLERY IN PRODIGIOUS NUMBERS WITH SIGNIFICANT CAPABILITY. HEZBOLLAH THEIR MILITARY FORCE AS DESCRIBED IN THE ARTICLE ABOUT 20,000 FULL TIME REGULARS AND APPROXIMATELY A SLIGHTLY LARGER GROUP OF RESERVISTS.
Hezbollah too have gained extensive combat experience from the Syrian conflict.
Beware!!
coolbert.
Friday, June 7, 2019
HGV.
Something not right here! Cart before the horse and all that?
Germany now in the space race? Hypersonic missile on order which will confound and counter the Russian threat? Thanks to Sputnik for the article.
"Germany Orders Development of Hypersonic Missile to Counter Certain 'Threats'"
"Sales manager at European missile developer and manufacturer MBDA Peter Heilmeier has revealed in an interview with Die Welt newspaper that the company is currently working on a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) for the German military."
As described the HGV to be strictly a "defensive" weapon system. Useful when engaging top-of-the-line Russian armor.
See the previous blog entry the entire concept of hypersonic from the perspective of some fraught with too many difficulties.
See previous blog entry too the entire German military apparatus questionable both from the material and manpower standpoint.
coolbert.
Dvina S-75.
This is coolbert:
IDF = Israeli Defense Forces.
Thanks to the Israeli Internet web site Ynet:
"IDF: Radars detect anti-aircraft missile launch from Syria"
"Missiles fail to reach Israeli territory and no injuries or damage were reported; incident comes just days after several rockets were fired from Syria toward Israel's only ski resort on Mount Hermon"
"Several anti-aircraft missiles were fired from Syria toward the Golan Heights, Israeli military said Thursday."
THESE ARE AGED AND ANTIQUATED SOVIET ERA DVINA S-75 [NATO CODE NAME SA-2 GUIDELINE] AIR DEFENSE MISSILES CONFIGURED FOR THE SURFACE-SURFACE ROLE?
WARHEAD OF CONSIDERABLE SIZE CAPABLE OF CAUSING A BIG BANG AND CAN BE GUIDED FROM THE GROUND ONTO TARGET IN A BALLISTIC MISSILE ROLE.
coolbert.
IDF = Israeli Defense Forces.
Thanks to the Israeli Internet web site Ynet:
"IDF: Radars detect anti-aircraft missile launch from Syria"
"Missiles fail to reach Israeli territory and no injuries or damage were reported; incident comes just days after several rockets were fired from Syria toward Israel's only ski resort on Mount Hermon"
"Several anti-aircraft missiles were fired from Syria toward the Golan Heights, Israeli military said Thursday."
THESE ARE AGED AND ANTIQUATED SOVIET ERA DVINA S-75 [NATO CODE NAME SA-2 GUIDELINE] AIR DEFENSE MISSILES CONFIGURED FOR THE SURFACE-SURFACE ROLE?
WARHEAD OF CONSIDERABLE SIZE CAPABLE OF CAUSING A BIG BANG AND CAN BE GUIDED FROM THE GROUND ONTO TARGET IN A BALLISTIC MISSILE ROLE.
coolbert.
Thursday, June 6, 2019
HELIOS
This is coolbert:
The Russians already have such a system.
The Chinese are believed to have one too.
And also now the USA has one.
Dazzle military laser technology.
Thanks to the tip from Freeper.
"One lucky destroyer crew will officially be the first to rock the Navy's newest laser weapon"
"The Pearl Harbor-based USS Preble will be the first destroyer to be equipped with a high-energy laser to counter surface craft and unmanned aerial systems, according to a published report, with the Navy planning to one day use the powerful light beams to defend against Chinese or Russian cruise missiles. Rear Adm. Ronald Boxall, the Navy's director of surface warfare, told Defense News that the Preble will be outfitted in 2021 with the High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical- dazzler With Surveillance system, or HELIOS"
Initial system onboard the Preble having a capacity to cause visual impairment and disorient the adversary.
BUT WITH A MORE ACTIVE DESTRUCTIVE CAPABILITY IN THE FUTURE?
Read further here and here instances of dazzle technology, ancient and more modern respectively.
Nothing new under the sun and nothing new under the laser either.
coolbert.
The Russians already have such a system.
The Chinese are believed to have one too.
And also now the USA has one.
Dazzle military laser technology.
Thanks to the tip from Freeper.
"One lucky destroyer crew will officially be the first to rock the Navy's newest laser weapon"
"The Pearl Harbor-based USS Preble will be the first destroyer to be equipped with a high-energy laser to counter surface craft and unmanned aerial systems, according to a published report, with the Navy planning to one day use the powerful light beams to defend against Chinese or Russian cruise missiles. Rear Adm. Ronald Boxall, the Navy's director of surface warfare, told Defense News that the Preble will be outfitted in 2021 with the High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical- dazzler With Surveillance system, or HELIOS"
Initial system onboard the Preble having a capacity to cause visual impairment and disorient the adversary.
BUT WITH A MORE ACTIVE DESTRUCTIVE CAPABILITY IN THE FUTURE?
Read further here and here instances of dazzle technology, ancient and more modern respectively.
Nothing new under the sun and nothing new under the laser either.
coolbert.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Cost.
"WHAT DOES IT COST?"
Further still and concluding according to numbers provided by WIZARD:
High performance combat aviation an hourly flight the costs astronomical.
• $1,500 per flight hour for a Reaper drone.
• $11,500 per flight hour for the A-10 Warthog.
• $70,000 per flight hour for the V-22 Osprey.
• $32,000 per flight hour for the F-35 fighter.
• $44,000 per flight hour for the F-22 fighter.
• $135,000 per flight hour for the B-2 stealth bomber.
Look at the figures for a drone as compared to manned aviation!! No comparison and another indication of why the UAV is going to be the preferred warplane of the future.
See this previous blog entry a disposable towed decoy the cost per unit also very high.
Even for ground forces the dollars for just doing business almost beyond belief. A British army Chieftain main battle tank circa 1980 just to fire one round from the main gun an expense of $3,000 USD!
No one ever said war was easy and never think war to be cheap either.
coolbert.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Blow.
Naval matters American and English both. And neither for the best.
Yet more from WIZARD through Harry at Sharkhunters:
1. REPAIRS! "Poor fire safety practices in the yard are putting at risk the two-year, $523-million effort to repair the USS FITZGERALD, a guided-missile destroyer heavily damaged in a 2017 collision."
MERELY TO REPAIR A DAMAGED WARSHIP A HALF BILLION DOLLAR REPAIR PROJECT.
2. "SNOWING in the Royal Navy [RN] - Once again!" "Three sailors aboard a Royal Navy submarine HMS VENGEANCE carrying 16 nuclear missiles have been caught taking cocaine, 2d June."
See previous blog entry RN sailors manning a Trident missile firing nuclear submarine their use of illegal drugs unmasked.
coolbert
Tattoo.
Body art RAF. RAF = Royal Air Force [British].
From WIZARD through Harry at Sharkhunters:
"The RAF is relaxing its hard line policy on tattoos in a bid to appeal to boost falling recruit numbers. The Air Force, which was founded in 1918, has never allowed servicemen and women to display body art while wearing uniform but for the first time, personnel, will be allowed to display tattoos on the back and sides of their neck as well as their fingers."
Body art [tattoo] allowed but not to be displayed when military personnel in uniform. A regulation effective for over one-hundred years now no longer applicable.
See previous blog entry [with further embedded links] the subject recruitment to the British military all branches. Good men [and women too for that matter] hard to find.
coolbert.
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