Let Us Try Again To Turn The 747 Into A Bomber
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August 23, 2009
For the third time in the last decade, the U.S. Air Force is looking at using commercial aircraft as bombers. This time around, it's mainly a matter of cost, with the next generation heavy bomber likely to cost over a billion dollars each, and only carry 30 tons of bombs or missiles. The idea of militarizing 747s first started gaining traction three decades ago, as cruise missiles showed up and many air force analysts did the math and realized that it would be a lot cheaper to launch these missiles from a militarized Boeing 747. The freighter version of the latest 747model, the 747-8F, can carry 140 tons of cargo. After militarizing the aircraft, you would still be able to carry about a hundred tons of missiles and bombs.
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Israel Trains For The Next War In Lebanon
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August 21, 2009
Israel is introducing a new training regimen designed to prepare its soldiers for a urban and guerrilla warfare. The key to all this is the construction of novel training centers at military bases throughout the country. This is part of a continuing process of learning lessons from war against Hezbollah in 2006.
During the 2006 war, bunkers inside a forested nature reserve were discovered providing camouflaged positions for Hezbollah rocket launchers. Similar tactics continue to be used by Hezbollah. More recently, an IDF aircraft observed an explosion in Southern Lebanon house. There was a Hezbollah rocket cache there. The Israelis had also noted, months earlier, senior Hezbollah operatives entering a tunnel near the home, then emerging from an exit 700 meters away. It is believed many homes in southern Lebanon are built the same way.
Replicating this environment as realistically as possible, two of these new Israeli training centers, made entirely of rubber, will provide a mock Lebanese village connecting to a forest.
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Limping Away
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August 25, 2009
American soldiers and marines are encountering serious problems with the weight of combat equipment they have to carry. More so than in Iraq, U.S. troops are fighting on foot. And not on the plains of Iraq, but the hills of Afghanistan. The air is, literally, thinner (less oxygen) in much of Afghanistan, which is at the same altitude as Denver, Colorado (where the thin air is a known problem for visitors).
The army and marine brass tried to reduce the weight of gear (90-100 pounds) their troops carried into battle. Of late, lighter armor, boots and other equipment took 20 pounds off. Local commanders were allowed to delete more weight. But that still meant combat troops running up those hills while wearing 50-60 pounds of stuff.
These troops are in great physical shape, which means they have the energy, muscle and determination to push themselves beyond their limits. The medics are finding themselves treating a lot of musculoskeletal problems. Knee and back problems abound, often causing much pain (especially the back spasms.) It's worse for guys who are on their second (or third) trip to Afghanistan.
Because of all this, a lot more infantry are going to retire on partial disability, and spend the rest of their lives limping around, or in constant pain. This doesn't show up in the casualty reports. But go to a veterans gathering (November 11 or Memorial Day) in 10-20 years, and you'll be able to pick out the infantry vets from Afghanistan.
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Article Link
August 23, 2009
For the third time in the last decade, the U.S. Air Force is looking at using commercial aircraft as bombers. This time around, it's mainly a matter of cost, with the next generation heavy bomber likely to cost over a billion dollars each, and only carry 30 tons of bombs or missiles. The idea of militarizing 747s first started gaining traction three decades ago, as cruise missiles showed up and many air force analysts did the math and realized that it would be a lot cheaper to launch these missiles from a militarized Boeing 747. The freighter version of the latest 747model, the 747-8F, can carry 140 tons of cargo. After militarizing the aircraft, you would still be able to carry about a hundred tons of missiles and bombs.
More on link
Israel Trains For The Next War In Lebanon
Article Link
August 21, 2009
Israel is introducing a new training regimen designed to prepare its soldiers for a urban and guerrilla warfare. The key to all this is the construction of novel training centers at military bases throughout the country. This is part of a continuing process of learning lessons from war against Hezbollah in 2006.
During the 2006 war, bunkers inside a forested nature reserve were discovered providing camouflaged positions for Hezbollah rocket launchers. Similar tactics continue to be used by Hezbollah. More recently, an IDF aircraft observed an explosion in Southern Lebanon house. There was a Hezbollah rocket cache there. The Israelis had also noted, months earlier, senior Hezbollah operatives entering a tunnel near the home, then emerging from an exit 700 meters away. It is believed many homes in southern Lebanon are built the same way.
Replicating this environment as realistically as possible, two of these new Israeli training centers, made entirely of rubber, will provide a mock Lebanese village connecting to a forest.
More on link
Limping Away
Article Link
August 25, 2009
American soldiers and marines are encountering serious problems with the weight of combat equipment they have to carry. More so than in Iraq, U.S. troops are fighting on foot. And not on the plains of Iraq, but the hills of Afghanistan. The air is, literally, thinner (less oxygen) in much of Afghanistan, which is at the same altitude as Denver, Colorado (where the thin air is a known problem for visitors).
The army and marine brass tried to reduce the weight of gear (90-100 pounds) their troops carried into battle. Of late, lighter armor, boots and other equipment took 20 pounds off. Local commanders were allowed to delete more weight. But that still meant combat troops running up those hills while wearing 50-60 pounds of stuff.
These troops are in great physical shape, which means they have the energy, muscle and determination to push themselves beyond their limits. The medics are finding themselves treating a lot of musculoskeletal problems. Knee and back problems abound, often causing much pain (especially the back spasms.) It's worse for guys who are on their second (or third) trip to Afghanistan.
Because of all this, a lot more infantry are going to retire on partial disability, and spend the rest of their lives limping around, or in constant pain. This doesn't show up in the casualty reports. But go to a veterans gathering (November 11 or Memorial Day) in 10-20 years, and you'll be able to pick out the infantry vets from Afghanistan.
More on link
