Dead II.

This is coolbert:

Conclusion.

Yet more with regard to the obsolescence of the modern tank.

The tank is dead? Is it? Once more from the Soviet era defector Suvorov:

"The argument used by tank's detractors is simple - - 'Just look at the anti tank rockets - - at their accuracy and at their armor-piercing capability!' But this argument does not hold water. the anti-tank rocket is a defensive weapon - - part of a passive system. The tank, on the other hand is an offensive weapon. Any defensive system involves the dispersal of forces over a wide territory, leaving them strong in some places and weak in others. And it is where thy are weak that the tanks will appear, in enormous concentrations. Even if it were possible to distribute resources equally, this would mean that no one sector would have enough."

Suvorov is taking into consideration here the Soviet experience from the Second World War. Massive 'concentrations' of tanks [in the Soviet model tank divisions, tank armies and groups of tank armies] attacking en masse with prodigious numbers. Attack with tanks at a weak spot, concentrated and focused energy, armor deployed as a passive weapon of war. Attack with resolve and determination, almost heedless of loss, creating a rupture of the enemy defense with a BREAKTHROUGH as the goal. Flood an area with those prodigious numbers of tanks and the defender very quickly finds themselves in dire straits.

CONSIDER CORRECTLY SO NOT SO MUCH THE RELATIVE INVULNERABILITY OR VULNERABILITY OF THE TANK BUT THE MANNER WITH WHICH EMPLOYED ON THE BATTLEFIELD. HARDLY IS THE TANK "DEAD"?

coolbert.

DSDBO.

This is coolbert:

Lieutenants think tactics. Generals think logistics. Always has been, always will be.

Confrontation India and China. India plays catch up. Ladakh.

"India and China race to build along a disputed frontier"

From the BBC and the article by Pratik Jakhar

AIR BASE, RAILROAD, ROAD, BRIDGES. SOUP TO NUTS.

"A new road to a high-altitude Indian forward air base is said to have been one of the main triggers for a clash with Chinese troops last month that left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead."

The 255km (140-mile) Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi (DSDBO) road - which winds through mountain passes up to the world's highest airstrip more than 5,000m above sea level in the Ladakh region - was finished last year after nearly two decades of work. Its completion could increase India's ability to move men and materiel rapidly in a conflict.

. . . .

"Both India and China have devoted money and manpower to building roads, rail links and airfields along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) - the de facto boundary separating them - as well as modernizing their military hardware in the region."

The expedited building of emergency highway and railroad during a time of war historically quite  common. Think the Stuart Highway [Australia], the ALCAN Highway [USA/Canadian], Lake Ladoga ice road/railroad [Soviet Union] during World War Two.

AND NOW LADAKH!

coolbert.

Dead I.

This is coolbert:

"Heavy tanks have become too expensive, complex, heavy, vulnerable, and logistically unsustainable on the modern battlefield. The latest American M-1 tank costs $20 million, weighs 70 tons, requires a fleet of trucks to supply fuel, and is unable to engage most threats. Heavy tanks are armed to fight other tanks and unable to engage aerial threats, yet remain common in modern armies " - - C. Meyer USMC.

From the G2mil iconoclastic Internet web site and courtesy the editor Carlton Meyer.

Consider:

"The Tank is Dead"  dated Jun 27, 2020  

"My [G2mil] 2017 epic 'The Tank is Dead' is gaining more attention. As I wrote three years ago, Turkey is leading the way in producing cheap suicide drones that can destroy anything to include tanks. These made an appearance in recent conflicts where they destroyed armored vehicles in Syria and Libya. American Generals now recognize this revolutionary change."

Consider additionally the comments of the Soviet era defector Suvorov:

"One day, in Paris, I [Suvorov] bought a book, published in 1927, on the problems of a future war. The author was sober-minded and reasonable. His logic was sound,his analysis was shrewd and his arguments unassailable. After analyzing the way military equipment had developed in his lifetime, the author concluded by declaring that the proper place for the tank was in the museum, next to the dinosaur skeleton. His argument was simple and logical; anti-tank guns had  been developed to the point in which they would bring massive formations of tanks to a complete halt in any future war."

AS IT WAS IN 1927 SO IT IS IN 2017? THE TANK IS DEAD?

More to follow!

coolbert.

UCAV USN.

This is coolbert:

"For slightly more than the cost of an F-35C, the Navy could have an aircraft with nearly three times the combat radius, significantly more internal payload, and far better survivability."

SLIGHTLY MORE

"The Aircraft Carrier We Need"

Thanks to the National Review and the article by  JERRY HENDRIX

"A strategic design update is due"

ONCE AGAIN THE TOPIC IS THE MODERN AMERICAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER. NAVAL WARSHIP DOMINANT FOR OVER SEVENTY YEARS NOW BUT NOW THOUGHT TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE AND VULNERABLE.

WHAT TO REPLACE WITH??

Think not so much the ship itself but the planes! UCAV!

"[the] carrier’s new air wing would be 30 stealthy, heavily armed unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), organized into three squadrons. Individual UCAVs should be capable of carrying 4,000 pounds of ordnance internally to a combat radius of at least 1,500 nautical miles without refueling. They should also feature broadband, all-aspect stealth design with a much-reduced radar cross-section (RCS). The design should also integrate an infrared-signature-reduction capability and an advanced passive sensor suite."

A reduced-in-size warship [carrier] but that air wing of fewer warplanes [UCAV] having considerably more combat capability!

It all sounds too good to be true!

coolbert.

Multiplier.

This is coolbert:

"AI, once fully realized, has the potential to be one of the single greatest force multiplier for military and security forces in human history."

AI = Artificial Intelligence.

"Op-ed: Hyperwar is coming. America needs to bring AI into the fight to win — with caution"

* "Hyper-war, or combat waged under the influence of AI, where human decision making is almost entirely absent from the observe-orient-decide-act (OODA) loop, already is beginning to intrude on military operations.

* "This is the central issue for 21st century armed conflict: the superpower that can master AI, data analytics, and super-computing, will inevitably prevail in conflict."

* "The human dimension of war will be sorely tested in a hyper-war environment.  It will demand the utmost of the services in recruiting, educating and training and leading the human talent able to fight and win."

FROM CONVERSATION WITH AN ACKNOWLEDGED MILITARY WEAPONS AUTHORITY THE TWO GREATEST WEAPON DEVELOPMENTS OF THE LAST TWO-THOUSAND YEARS HAVE BEEN THE ROMAN GLADIUS AND THE REFLEX SIGHT.

AI consider only within the dimension of the force multiplier.

coolbert.

Invasion ROC.

This is coolbert:

Consider that possibility of war between Communist China [Chicom] and Republic of China [ROC]. An analysis by our good friend Binkov. Apropos think: 1.The Normandy invasion [1944]. 2. ROC solely responsible for their own defense, no aid or assistance from the USA or anyone else for that matter.

"Can China invade Taiwan within a year? Part 1/2: Balance of air/naval power (with US being neutral)"

"Can China conquer Taiwan within a year? Part 2/2: The landings analyzed (with US being neutral)"

See my most recent pertinent blog entries:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/07/appraisals.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/07/pescadores.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/07/tankers.html

Very well done Binkov. Binkov knows. My compliments. 

coolbert.

Appraisals.

This is coolbert

ROC = Republic of  China. Taiwan.

PLA = Peoples Liberation Army. Communist China.

"There is a large-scale masquerade ball on the island of Taiwan; a facade that will quickly crumble when the first arrows are drawn from the enemy’s quiver."

Here from the Scholars Stage and in context of a recent blog entry two appraisals the military situation PLA versus the ROC, invasion Taiwan.

One appraisal pessimistic and gloomy, the other rather sanguine.

1. "Who is to Blame For Taiwan's Military Woes?"

"Two weeks ago [Mar 2019] The National Interest published an important, hard-nosed essay by Wendell Minnick. I have had the opportunity to meet Minnick before. His knowledge of and long experience with the ROC Armed Forces (the 'guojun' 國軍) has few equals. His assessment on Taiwanese defense preparations is unsparing."

2. "Taiwan Can Win a War With China"

"Over the last month or so we have had a few raucous discussions about Taiwan and its future here at the Scholar's Stage. In these comment threads I have expressed the belief that Taiwan is in a much stronger military position vis a vis the PLA than most people inside or outside of Taiwan realize."

TAKE YOUR PICK. LET US  HOPE THE ARROWS ARE NEVER DRAWN FROM THE QUIVER OF THE PLA. THESE TYPE OF SITUATIONS OFTEN TRANSPIRE AND DEVELOP IN AN UNANTICIPATED AND UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER TO THE DETRIMENT OF EVERYONE.

coolbert.

RUM-139.

This is coolbert:

I had forgotten about this one. Still in the inventory a much improved version.

ASROC. Anti-submarine rocket.

Add this missile to the arsenal ship VLS. Arsenal ship with an embedded anti-submarine warfare capability. VLS system [Vertical Launch] task-tailored weaponry formidable!

"The RUM-139 VL-ASROC is an anti-submarine missile in the ASROC family, currently built by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Navy."

"Design and development of the missile began in 1983 when Goodyear Aerospace was contracted by the U.S. Navy to develop a ship-launched anti-submarine missile compatible with the new Mark 41 Vertical Launching System."

"The first VLS ASROC missile was an RUR-5 ASROC with an upgraded solid-fuel booster section and a digital guidance system. It carries a lightweight Mark 46 homing torpedo that is dropped from the rocket at a pre-calculated point on its trajectory, and then parachuted into the sea."

DO IT! NOW!

coolbert.

Pescadores.

This is coolbert:

Islands of fishermen. Pescadores/Penghu. Taiwan Strait.

As excerpted from that previous David Axe Forbes article. Penghu island vital to defense of Taiwan?

"The first major obstacle for the Chinese is Taiwan’s garrison on the island of Penghu, halfway between China and Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait. If a Chinese fleet goes around Penghu, the Taiwanese troops could lob missiles at the fleet’s flank."

TAIWANESE [REPUBLIC OF CHINA] MISSILE SYSTEMS OF THE ANTI-SHIP AND SURFACE TO AIR VARIETY A VIABLE THREAT TO THE CHINESE MILITARY.

Thanks additionally to Global Security Sources and Methods:

1. "ROC COMPLETES MISSILE DEPLOYMENT ON OUTLYING ISLANDS Central News Agency [Taiwan] 11 August 1999 -- Naval authorities are planning to deploy locally built Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missiles [Brave Wind] in Penghu which will be able to reach the southeastern mainland port city of Xiamen."

BRAVE WIND AN ANTI-SHIP MISSILE.

2. "Army opens five missile bases to media China News [Taiwan] 27 August 1999 -- The five Sky Bow missile bases in Taiwan are located in Penghu, Taichung, Sanchih, a northern coastal township, and Kaohsiung, which has two."

SKY BOW AN AIR-DEFENSE MISSILE WITH A REPUTED ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE CAPABILITY.

coolbert.

Refueling.

This is coolbert:

Here the comments of an acknowledged aviation expert on the subject of mid-air refueling.

IT IS AS I THOUGHT IT WAS. MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS OF REFUELING TANKER AIRCRAFT AVAILABLE. MORE LIKE THE PERSONNEL BEHIND THE MACHINES RATHER THAN THE TANKERS THEMSELVES.

"Aerial refueling is one of the most important techniques a pilot in USAF/USN can have; and it is perhaps the most important tactic as well. No other country can do with its aviation what the US can do, thanks to air refueling. Yes, dozens of countries do it now, but no one can move an air force from one continent to another to intervene in affairs half way around the world in just hours."

. . . .

"fighter training include[s] heavy emphasis on aerial refueling. Failure to maintain standards and pass all tests, or failure to practice a certain number of refueling "hookups" over a six month period meant the pilot was no longer considered qualified to fly combat. We practiced many missions during the day, in peacetime conditions, then when well trained enough, started night refueling. Eventually, though not a part of a  normal curriculum, we had to fly in all weather, even at night in storms, to refuel . . . [American combat aviators can] fly with a heavy load of ordnance to a target in any weather, knowing we could--and had to--reach a tanker, hookup, and take the vital fuel that we could not finish the mission without, whether to attack the target, or after fighting, to have enough fuel to return to base.

. . . .

"The ability to hookup with planes is not limited for the tanker crews to just fighters, notorious for their 'short legs' in combat operations, but because those same tankers have to be used to fuel heavy bombers (B-52s, and now B-1s and B-2s), not to mention heavy transport planes and the occasional liaison planes ferrying necessary loads, messages, personnel around the world. . . . that means lots of training missions for tanker planes, sometimes meeting up with fighters for one refueling lap, then bombers, then cargo planes, all on the same mission."

"Tanker crews are also trained like bomber crews to stand short alert for immediate takeoff upon receipt of a 'go' signal. They can be airborne in as short a time frame as the BUFFs [bomber B-52] , and are therefore ready for emergencies where any type of plane capable of receiving air refueling can be hooked up. This is a life saver for air crews finding themselves in trouble and needing fuel to get back somewhere."

"Air refueling is truly a 'force multiplier' in every sense of the word."

There you have it. Intensive training, certification, and periodic more training and certification. Not just tankers alone.

AMEN AND THANK YOU ACKNOWLEDGED AVIATION AUTHORITY!

coolbert.

Red Baron.

This is coolbert:

Paranormal World War One. Always your truly searching for the paranormal experience within the military context.

From the English tabloid Mirror and thanks to same.

"UFOs: Red Baron shot down 'flying saucer' over the trenches...and other paranormal phenomena from WWI"

"Other mysteries of the Great War include an 'angel' appearing in the middle of a battle and thousands of British troops abducted by Aliens"

As described in the Mirror article paranormal experiences as described to include:

* The Red Baron.

* Angels of Mons.

* The disappearing soldiers.

* The Aldeburgh platform.

* Flaming onions.

* Lady Sopwith.

Go read it all. Persons of the Victorian and post-Victorian era very much into spiritualism. 

See also additional blog entries the topic Great War paranormal events as allegedly witnessed:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2017/08/von-forstner-i.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/03/ufo-ww1.html

coolbert.

Tankers

This is coolbert:

China! Beware the aerial refueling tanker!!

Once more thanks to the Forbes Internet web site an article with a military dimension courtesy our good friend David Axe.

"The U.S. Can Send Hundreds Of Aerial Tankers Into A War Over Taiwan. The Chinese Can Send Three"

"If China invades Taiwan, it must win quickly—or risk losing."

"If the invasion drags out more than a few days, U.S. forces could intervene. And if that happens, the Chinese military could find itself at a major disadvantage for one simple reason."

"The U.S. Air Force and Navy have tankers and catapults. The Chinese air force and navy don’t."

"Aerial-refueling tankers help to extend the range of American fighters, while catapults allow carrier-launched U.S. fighters to take off with full loads of weapons and fuel."

THE INVERSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMBAT RADIUS AND ORDNANCE CARRIED. THE MORE THE COMBAT RADIUS [FULL TANKS] THE LESS THE WEAPONRY CARRIED. THE MORE ORDNANCE A WARPLANE CARRYING THE TAKE-OFF WITH LESS FUEL GREATLY REDUCING COMBAT RADIUS!

American combat warplanes in a war with China not so great restrained!!

coolbert.

B-265.

This is coolbert:

Russian submarine [B-265] plying the waters of the  English channel! The Royal Navy is worried?

Thanks to the Forbes Internet web site and the article by our good friend H.I. Sutton. Thanks also for the tip courtesy Lorenzo.

"New Intelligence Reveals Russian Submarine Heading Into English Channel"

"A Russian Navy submarine is entering the English Channel, heading north. At 7 a.m. local time it was estimated to be approximately level with Land’s End, the most westerly point of mainland England. There are not yet any reports of a Royal Navy or French Navy escort. The Kilo Class attack submarine, which can be armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, has been tracked by open-source intelligence analysts since it left Syria."

LADIES DO NOT FEAR! B-265 OPERATING ON THE SURFACE AND NOT COVERTLY. WILL ARRIVE ST. PETERSBURG FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.

Read further however at least the Russian to some degree abusing provisions of the Montreux Convention, naval vessels passing through the Bosporus.

"Krasnodar is officially based in the Black Sea. Under the Montreux Convention which restricts naval vessels passing through the Bosporus Straits, she is only supposed to leave the Black Sea for repairs. She left the Black Sea last year, passing through the Bosporus on March 14, 2019. However, instead of proceeding directly for maintenance, she has spent the last 15 months operating as part of the 5th Operational Squadron in the Mediterranean."

RUSSIANS IN COMPLIANCE THE LETTER OF THE CONVENTION BUT NOT THE SPIRIT!

See the H.I. Sutton Internet web site "Covert Shores". I rate outstanding.

coolbert.

Arsenal II.

This is coolbert:

Conclusion!

Consider within context of the recent previous blog entry see my various prior posts Dreadnought 2018 here, here, and here.

Like I said before there was Bert there was Dr. Farley.

The modern battleship as envisioned by yours truly a refurbished and retrofitted merchant vessel of massive size on the order of a container ship.

Equipped with modern off-the-shelf armaments to include:

* Archer gun system. * HIMARS. * Missiles. * Torpedoes.

Also including the CIWS Phalanx [close-in-weapon system]. A dozen units. See also this previous blog entry consideration given to the incorporation of the CIWS to Dreadnought 2018.

Archer for ship-to-ship engagements and shore bombardment. HIMARS also for shore bombardment. Missiles as fired from VLS [vertical launch system] a tactically tailored mix of anti-ship, surface-air-defense, land attack missiles. An ARSENAL SHIP additionally using drones armored in critical areas, redundant systems and with an organic capability for VTOL warplanes. Torpedoes of the surface launch variety. Sensors and command  systems as might be found on a modern Zumwalt class destroyer. Interior of the warship consisting of a lattice-work of welded and sealed shut shipping containers for buoyancy.

A capacity also [?] for the employment of naval sea mines might be an interesting featureofthe arsenal ship. Can be used both as offensive and defensive weapons.

But, as I have said before, will it fly?

coolbert.

LHD 6.

This is coolbert:

Hot work?? Fire extinguished finally!

Ship now a wreck? Not salvage-able?? That remains to be seen. 

"Fire aboard Navy's USS Bonhomme Richard extinguished after 4 days, cause still unknown"

"A fire that erupted over the weekend on a military ship that was officially extinguished on Thursday, with the cause of the days-long blaze still unknown, according to the Navy. All known fires on the USS Bonhomme Richard have been put out, four days after the flames first erupted on Sunday"

See previous blog entries the topic "hot work":

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/06/hot-work-i.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/06/hot-work-ii.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/12/kuznetsov.html

Lots [?] of combustibles on those steel ships. AVGAS, hydraulic fluids, wire insulation, etc.

Incineration of certain materials too resulting in the release of toxic gases.

Ship gone now? We shall see.

coolbert.

Arsenal I.

This is coolbert:

Before there was Bert there was Dr. Robert Farley.

Before there was Dreadnought 2018 there was BBG-72 USS Montana.

Arsenal ship surface ship battleship.

Thanks to the article as seen at the Internet web site Foxtrot Alpha and the tip from War on the Rocks.

"What A 21st Century Battleship Could Look Like"

The modern naval surface warfare supremacy vessel in the ancient and venerable manner.

Arsenal ship as describe by Dr. Farley to include as weaponry:

* Traditional naval gun of the AGS variety. * Electro-magnetic railgun. * Missiles using Vertical Launch System [VLS]. * High-power laser.

An brand-new arsenal warship possibly nuclear powered, armored, capable of deploying drones [but no VTOL warplanes] and a variety of sensors net-centric.

"Cost estimates for the cheapest version of the arsenal ship (without much in the way of defensive armament) ran between $500-$800 million per vessel."

THAT ESTIMATED COST SEEMS EXTREMELY LOW-BALL TO ME!

Consider also the CV of Dr. Farley:

"Rob Farley teaches national security and defense courses at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky. He is the author of Grounded: The Case for Abolishing the United States Air Force, and he literally wrote the Battleship Book.

WHEN DR. FARLEY SPEAKS OF BATTLESHIPS WE ALL NEED TO LISTEN.

YES, but can it fly?

coolbert.

Vector.

This is coolbert:

A firearm? This is a firearm? The Kriss Vector. A firearm?

"The Kriss Vector series are a family of weapons based upon the parent sub-machine gun design developed by the American company Kriss USA, formerly Transformational Defense Industries (TDI). They use an unconventional delayed blowback system combined with in-line design to reduce perceived recoil and muzzle climb."


Here with the comments of an acknowledged weapons expert:

"The Kriss design is a kind of breakthrough or advancement, but one that did not make the impression hoped for. It appeared about 20 or more years ago; I recall seeing things about it both in the gun press as well as at shows as well as some video programs on sports-related news programs.. It re-directs the recoil almost 90 degrees, from directly back into the shoulder down towards the ground, supposedly making it easier for the shooter to recover and get the next round on target."

"I've always considered the 10mm round to be the best sub-machine gun round--far better than the 9mm and .45ACP rounds used yesterday (the .45) and the 9mm used today virtually universally. The 10mm is more controllable in carbine style weapons, of which sub guns are, and provides far more energy on target than the 9mm. It is not as large as the .45, but it is an over all round that does the job. .45s are too heavy to carry more than four full 20 or 30 round 'stick' magazines, whereas people regularly carry 6-10 magazines for the 9mm and the 10mm."

BUT I DON'T SEE A BAYONET LUG! HEAVEN FORBID SUCH AN OMISSION.

coolbert.

APKWS III.

This is coolbert:

Sounds way too to be true. 

A SIMPLE WEAPON [FIN STABILIZED ROCKET] FIRST DESIGNED SEVENTY YEARS AGO WITH A BASIC UPGRADE RESULTING IN A MODERN PERFORMANCE LIGHT-YEARS BEYOND MAGNITUDE IN LETHALITY.

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System.

"The AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System is a design conversion of Hydra 70 unguided rockets with a laser guidance kit to turn them into precision-guided munitions. APKWS is approximately one-third the cost and one-third the weight of the current inventory of laser-guided weapons, has a lower yield more suitable for avoiding collateral damage, and takes one quarter of the time for ordnance personnel to load and unload.

AN EXISTING WEAPON [HYDRA 70 ROCKET] THE USE OF A SIMPLE CONVERSION KIT CREATING A WEAPON THIRTY-SIX TIMES MORE EFFECTIVE THAN ALREADY IN THE INVENTORY LASER-GUIDED WEAPONRY!! WHAT IS THERE NOT TO LIKE?

Granted "yield" is less. The "bang-stuff" per round much less but that is not a concern because of the much improved accuracy?

Consider also the variety of "Launch platform" from which  the APKWS can be used from:

* North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, * AH-64 Apache, * AH-1Z Viper, * Bell AH-1W * Supercobra AH-1 Cobra, * OH-58 Kiowa, * T-129, Eurocopter Tiger, * A-10 Thunderbolt II, * UH-60 Black Hawk, * P-3 Orion, * MH-6 Little Bird, * F-16 Fighting Falcon, * F/A-18 Hornet, * AV-8B Harrier II.

AC-130 gunship could mount from pylons a dozen or more of the rocket pods? You can have voila' flying artillery.

coolbert.

2S38.

This is coolbert:

Air defense Soviet style. Air defense Russian style. Out with the old. In with the old.

From the Internet web site Strategy Page and thanks to same.

"Air Defense: The Old Gun Is The New Gun"

"July 10, 2020: For the first time since the 1950's a new self-propelled anti-aircraft system has been developed using a 57 mm gun. In development for over five years Russia recently showed off the finished product, the 20 ton self-propelled 2S38 Derivatsiya-PVO, a single barrel 57mm auto-cannon that can fire 120 rounds a minute although that capability is only used in short (2-4 round) bursts of aimed fire, usually with guided or programmed (to explode at a certain location) shells . . . The three-man crew (driver, commander and gunner) operate inside the vehicle which carries 80 rounds of 57mm ammo for the auto-loading long (8.5 meter) barrel 57mm gun guided by a passive (optical/thermal) sight to detect targets. That means aircraft with radar detectors will not know the 2S38 is down there, ready to open fire with radar equipped or laser guided shells that are effective up to 8,000 meters [24,000 feet]."

TARGET ACQUISITION AND FIRE CONTROL BY PASSIVE OPTO-ELECTRONIC SYSTEM.

SHELL NOT "RADAR-GUIDED" PER SE BUT DETONATED BY A PROXIMITY FUSE.

See previous blog entries the topic the proximity fuse and importance of same:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2018/04/fuse.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/01/vt.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/01/flak-usn.html

coolbert.

A. J. Venter.

This is coolbert:

All these You Tube video I recommend highly without reservation or qualification.

Thanks in all cases to You Tube, various producers and Al J. Venter.

Al J. Venter a distinguished war correspondent particularly his coverage of African wars to include those of the apartheid era.

"Al J. Venter is a South African war journalist, documentary filmmaker, and author of more than forty books who also served as an Africa and Middle East correspondent for Jane's International Defence Review."

1. "War in the Mountains Part 1".


2. "War in the Mountains Part 2".


3. "Caprivi - Finger into Africa".

4. "Into Angola - AL J Venter (1981-82)".

Mortal combat Southwest Africa [now Namibia] between the South Africa Defense Forces [SADF] and the insurgents of SWAPO [Southwest Africa Peoples Organization].

Again, all video well done. A MUST view for all devoted readers to the blog.

coolbert.

Zap II.

This is coolbert:

In consonance with the previous blog entry see this analysis courtesy our good friend Binkov a concise discussion the suitability of the laser as a directed energy weapon.

"Do laser weapons have a bright future?"

See all previous blog entries the topic the airborne laser as a directed energy weapon:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/06/hel-ii.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/06/hel-i.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/05/pessimism.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/11/burn.html

I highly recommend without reservation or qualification the Binkov series of You Tube video.

coolbert.

NNEMP.

This is coolbet:

“airborne targets can be destroyed at the distance of 10 km, because their on-board equipment burns down.” - - TASS.

Yet one more TOP SECRET Russian weapon for which there is no known defense.

From EST NEWS and the tip from Freeper.

"Russia discloses new details of electromagnetic pulse cannon"

"Russian defense industry sources have disclosed the new details of the electromagnetic pulse cannon capable of hitting targets 6 miles [ten kilometers] away. The new super cannon will be able to shoot down aircraft and aerial drones by an electromagnetic pulse. “The trials of EMP weapons have been under way since 2015."

DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONRY IS DO-ABLE AND IS HERE NOW! SO IT WOULD SEEM.

"Russian defense industry sources have disclosed the new details of the electromagnetic pulse cannon capable of hitting targets 6 miles [ten kilometers] away."

"The new super cannon will be able to shoot down aircraft and aerial drones by an electromagnetic pulse."

FRY THE INTERNAL AVIONICS OF ENEMY AVIATION AT A RESPECTABLE DISTANCE. HUMPTY-DUMPTY FALL DOWN AND NO GETTING BACK UP AGAIN.

coolbert.

Wagner PMC.

This is coolbert:

FADM = Mozambique Defence Armed Forces. IS = Islamic State.

"Why African governments still hire mercenaries"

"Professional gunmen are cheap, efficient and deniable"

"When president Filipe Nyusi wanted help last year to tackle a jihadist insurgency in northern Mozambique, various private military firms were keen to oblige. Mr Nyusi chose Russia’s Wagner Group, which vowed to make short work of the rebels. But after a bunch of its men were killed, it pulled out, humiliated."

ONLY VERY VAGUELY WAS I WAS AWARE OF THE CURRENT INSURGENCY AS ONGOING IN MOZAMBIQUE. ISLAMIC JIHADISTS APPARENTLY OF THE ISLAMIC STATE PERSUASION WAGING WAR AND APPARENTLY VERY SUCCESSFULLY.

Enter the Private Military Contractors [PMC] of the Russian Wagner Group at the behest of the Maputo central government. A venture now seen as unsuccessful.

From the distinguished military war correspondent Al J. Venter:

"A Dirty Little War in Mozambique.  May2020   Al J. Venter."

"Roughly 200 Russian private military contractors – backed by several Hind helicoptergunships as well as a number of Mi-171Sh aircraft (which have the same performance as the Mi-8MTV, but with more sophisticated systems fitted) – first started operating along the Tanzanian frontier, and only later moved into the interior of the Cabo Delgado province. Air and ground forces were designated to operate in close co-operation with the FADM. During initial ground and air strikes, the combined forces bombed insurgent bases in several areas, pushing them into the remote interior, but the insurgents retaliated by launching attacks on several government military bases and dozens on both sides were killed. Following the arrival of the Russians, IS quickly reinforced its units in Mozambique by rushing in ‘volunteers’ from other East African countries, notably Somalia; this soon led to an intensified series of guerrilla onslaughts"

"Following the Wagner Group’s losses in Mozambique (and failure to complete the anti-insurgency tasks it faced against a basic, ill-equipped guerrilla force) the word is out in Africa that the Russians are not quite the formidable combat force they like to promulgate"

ABSOLUTE AIR SUPREMACY NEVER A GUARANTEE OF SUCCESS AND NEVER WILL BE. RUSSIANS BRAWN BUT NO BRAINS?

coolbert.

CV-19.

This is coolbert:

THE VIRUS! STALKS HUMANITY! THE MILITARY TOO!

First.

"Defense department reports more than 600 cases of coronavirus and 2 related deaths"

 As dated 27 March.

"Of the 652 cases, 343 are active-duty military, 135 are civilians, 111 dependents and 63 contractors. These figures include 37 recoveries and 2 deaths across the entire department."

"Earlier this week, the Department of Defense confirmed that a U.S. Marine who worked within the Pentagon tested positive for the deadly virus".

HALF THE CASES ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL.

Secondly and lastly.

"Army halts SERE course after 90 soldiers test positive for coronavirus"

As dated: Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 and thanks to isegoria.net.

"Out of the 110 students participating in the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 82 — along with eight instructors — tested positive for COVID-19"

"The course was terminated and all 110 soldiers are being quarantined for 14 days"

MILITARY PERSONNEL THEIR CHANCES OF SUCCUMBING TO THE VIRUS SLIM! HEALTHY YOUNG INDIVIDUALS PHYSICALLY FIT, GOOD DIET, NO DEBILITATING UNDER-LYING CONDITIONS, PROPHYLACTIC MEDICAL CARE. ETC.

Not to minimize the threat from the virus. Prudent precautions taken and that is good.

coolbert.

Manta.

This is coolbert:

Courtesy the outstanding Internet web site "Covert Shores" by H.I. Sutton an aspect of German submarine development during World War Two previously totally unknown to me. All tanks to H.I. Sutton.

High-speed midget submarine of the most unusual design and capable of the most incfreible performance

MANTA! HYDROFOIL UNDER THE WAVES!

"Manta high-speed hydrofoil midget submarine, Germany, 1944"

"If necessity is the mother of invention, desperation is the mother of crazy invention. As the situation in Europe worsened for Nazi Germany during World War Two, the Kriegsmarine turned to ever more desperate ideas. Influenced by the frogmen exploits of their Italian allies, and the X-Craft operations of the British, they started building a range of midget submarines . . . These one / two man midget submarines were intended to sink Allied invasion fleets. In reality they achieved poor results. But rather than abandon this line of development, the German designs got ever more desperate. And interesting."

Manta. Click on image to see an enlarged view.

Consider strictly the operational speed of the vessel. Way beyond that of any submarine of the period or even today: "Speed: 50 knots surfaced, 30 knots submerged".

MANTA NEVER A GOING CONCERN, BUT THE IDEA WAS WORTHY? THAT I CAN ASSUME IS DEBATABLE!

coolbert.

Translation.

This is coolbert:

Yet once more with vigor and within context of a previous blog entry.

"Moscow dismisses claims of ‘nuclear leak’ in Russia after increase in radioactivity over N. Europe"

"Reports of slightly elevated radiation levels over Northern Europe were blamed on Moscow by Western media – accusations that appear to stem from a botched translation. The Kremlin says Russia has registered no nuclear incidents."

Take you pick from a bunch of possibles to include:

* A mere accident at an undisclosed nuclear facility. An unintended release of nuclear particles.

* A nuclear low-yield weapons test.

* A nuclear submarine in distress.

* A test of the Russian nuclear-powered long-range cruise missile.

* NOW the unannounced reentry into the atmosphere of a nuclear-powered satellite perhaps of  the Cosmos variety.

OR JUST PLAIN OUT AND OUT DE-NILE!!

coolbert.