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Author: TriSec    Date: 05/28/2013 10:24:33

Good Morning.

Today is our 4,251st day in Afghanistan.

We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing war, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 2,224
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,088

We find this morning's Cost of War passing through:

$ 1, 442, 840, 800, 000 .00



Let's talk about drones today. Not the geopolitical stuff, but rather the technical aspects. We rarely speak about equipment, this being a veteran's column after all, but me being the aviation geek, I've found some of these stories to be interesting and you might, too.

We'll start aboard a US Navy carrier. Long the world of manned aircraft, and generally considered a very dangerous place to be, the crew of the USS George HW Bush has recently made room for a remote counterpart. It's one thing to fly these from a stationary land base, but quite another to get it off the pitching deck of a ship at sea.


ABOARD THE USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH — The Navy for the first time Tuesday launched an unmanned aircraft the size of a fighter jet from a warship in the Atlantic Ocean, as it wades deeper into America’s drone program amid growing concerns over the legality of its escalating surveillance and lethal strikes.

Called the X-47B, the drone is considered particularly valuable because it’s the first that is designed specifically to take off and land on an aircraft carrier, allowing it to be used around the world without needing the permission of other countries to serve as a home base.

There has been increasing pushback against the use of drones from some nations that say the strikes cause widespread civilian deaths and operate with only limited oversight, eroding the U.S. image overseas. Navy officials say the drone will provide around-the-clock intelligence, surveillance and targeting capabilities.

The X-47B took off successfully Tuesday morning and made two low approaches to the ship before heading back toward land. The test aircraft isn’t intended for operational use; instead, the military is using the information it gathers during these demonstrations to develop the drone program. The Navy already operates two other unmanned aircraft, the small, low cost ScanEagle, which does not carry weapons, and the armed Fire Scout, which is built more like a helicopter.

Both the military and the CIA use armed Predator and Reaper drones in surveillance and strike operations around the world. The military uses them routinely in Afghanistan and other warzones, while the CIA has conducted frequent strikes in the border region of Pakistan — most often secret opertaions that trigger sharp criticism from the government there.

The X-47B can reach an altitude of more than 40,000 feet, has a range of more than 2,100 nautical miles and can reach high subsonic speeds, according to the Navy. It is also fully autonomous in flight. It relies on computer programs to tell it where to go unless a mission operator needs to step in. That differs from other drones used by the military, which are more often piloted from remote locations.


Ah, but then again maybe we will veer into the controversy a wee bit. The sequester has hit the airshow circuit hard this year. Rhode Island cancelled theirs, and New York's Fleet Week was also just cancelled. But curiously, a media event took place in Pendleton, OR a few weeks back. They were showing off their drones....the ones that are currently "practicing" over civilian airspace.


PENDLETON, ORE. — The Oregon National Guard will be showing off four new drones that are based at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton.

The guard is holding a press conference at the airport Tuesday, where it will fly the unmanned aircraft for the first time in civilian airspace.

The Federal Aviation Administration recently gave approval to fly drones over a 100-square-mile area of mostly wheat fields north of the airport. The guard has previously flown the drones in military airspace at the nearby Boardman Bombing Range.

The RQ 7B Shadow 200 drones have a wingspan of 14 feet and are equipped with two cameras — one infrared and one video.

Spokesman Pat Caldwell says Bravo Company of the 41 Brigade Special Troops Battalion will be training with the drones.


Next, we'll take a look at flight simulation. Ground-based trainers have long been a part of the long process to become a fighter pilot. They're not as new as you might think, as the Link Trainer was developed in the 1930s, and virtually every WWII pilot spent some time in one, but I digress.

You all know my feelings about the F-35 Lightning. A few weeks back, Lockheed opened their plant at Linthicum, MD as part of a massive "Show and Tell" effort to showcase that the plane wasn't actually a piece of crap. But was the public invited? Well, of course not.


Rep. Donna F. Edwards slipped into the F-35 cockpit — a stationary demonstration model — and gave the jet a simulated spin, trying out the controls, shooting down enemy aircraft over the Chesapeake Bay, and executing a celebratory roll.

“This feels so cool,” said Edwards, a Maryland Democrat. “OK, let’s land this thing — give somebody else a chance.”

This hands-on version of show and tell, held last week in Linthicum, Md., is part of a public-relations campaign for the most expensive weapons program in the nation’s history. Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin and its partners want elected officials and the media to see what the new jet can do — a counter to years of stories and congressional hearings about delays, technical problems and massive cost overruns.

“The program has kind of hit its stride,” said Daniel P. Conroy, director of the Air Force F-35 program for Lockheed’s Washington operations. “We’re delivering aircraft; flight test is on a tremendous pace.”

The F-35 Lightning II is designed to replace many older tactical jets used by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Its variants will perform both air-to-air combat and ground attack, taking the place of the Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter and A-10 Warthog close-air-support aircraft, and the Navy’s and Marines’ F/A-18 Hornet fighter/attack jet. A variant capable of very short takeoffs and landings will replace the Marines’ A/V-8B Harrier. Most of those aircraft were developed in the 1970s.
*snip*
Estimated acquisition costs for the F-35 have ballooned from $233 billion nearly a dozen years ago — when Lockheed won the competition for the contract — to nearly $400 billion, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in April.

And that’s for about 400 fewer planes than originally anticipated.

The Pentagon originally expected that the jets would be in full production by last year, rather than still in testing. Now the estimate is 2019, the GAO said.

The agency said program performance is improving in some areas, but problems remain. Contractors, for instance, still are working to fix deficiencies in the helmet-mounted display that are so significant, they’re also developing a second helmet design in case the first can’t be used, the GAO said.

And a Pentagon memo, written in February and acquired by the Project on Government Oversight, identified a list of “serious” problems found in testing, including a potential fire risk in the fuel system and lack of lightning protection.


So of course this flying turd is the "plane of the future". Only time will tell.

Finally this morning, I'll leave you with a couple of bonus clicks, also equipment related. Did you ever think about soldier's uniforms? This is obviously a multi-million dollar industry. There have been some curious developments on that front recently.

And although it's no longer in the news locally....the mysterious aircraft that's been flying over Quincy, MA remains a mystery.
 

79 comments (Latest Comment: 05/28/2013 21:30:34 by Mondobubba)
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Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 13:03:02
Living here I often see sailors going about their business and the my thought has been why do they need a camouflage uniform they are on a ship or the air station. There is very little need to be hidden in either environment.

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 13:04:30
The Pentagon could learn something from these guys.



Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 13:07:12
Morning

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 13:09:43
Morning, Mala. You have the most colorful tomato cages I've ever seen. They are great!

Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 13:17:06
Quote by Mondobubba:
Living here I often see sailors going about their business and the my thought has been why do they need a camouflage uniform they are on a ship or the air station. There is very little need to be hidden in either environment.



shouldn't their version of camo be gray or blue?

Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 13:17:55
Quote by Mondobubba:
Morning, Mala. You have the most colorful tomato cages I've ever seen. They are great!



Thanks Wanted to have a colorful garden this year.

Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 13:29:12
come to think of it, I didn't see JAWS played on any station this weekend - whatever happened to tradition!

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 13:31:48
Quote by wickedpam:
come to think of it, I didn't see JAWS played on any station this weekend - whatever happened to tradition!



What?? :fristy heels, vapors, fainting couch:

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 13:33:05
Not that I would have noticed since I was too busy watching the new season of "Arrested Development." Spent Sundee and yesterdee while watching.

Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 13:36:39
Good morning.



Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 13:39:31
Quote by Mondobubba:
Morning, Mala. You have the most colorful tomato cages I've ever seen. They are great!

Garden is looking great!

Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 13:44:37
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Morning, Mala. You have the most colorful tomato cages I've ever seen. They are great!

Garden is looking great!


Thanks :D


Thanks the freeze a few weeks ago and the cucumber beetles we've had to restart a few things, still have to get the carrots, beets, parsnips and a few more rows of beans.

Comment by TriSec on 05/28/2013 13:47:32
*grunt*. You Southerners and your gardens. *spits*

Mine looks like smooth, wet dirt right now. Just planted!


Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 13:50:09
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 13:57:55
Quote by TriSec:
*grunt*. You Southerners and your gardens. *spits*

Mine looks like smooth, wet dirt right now. Just planted!



Hell, if I gardened, I would have planted about a month ago. Just sayin...

Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 14:02:36
I;m having problems getting my cucumbers to grow. I'm gonna try planting for a third time once things dry up a little bit.

Comment by TriSec on 05/28/2013 14:04:19


Perhaps, but reading the story it seems like the crew got their duties right this time.



Comment by TriSec on 05/28/2013 14:06:24
Quote by Raine:
I;m having problems getting my cucumbers to grow. I'm gonna try planting for a third time once things dry up a little bit.


Really? I've had such luck with those that I've named the plantings "Cukezilla". It literally took over my garden 2 seasons ago. Last year, while not as crazed, yielded some massive fruits, one nearly the size of a little-league baseball bat. (It was hidden and must have grown all summer.)


Comment by BobR on 05/28/2013 14:08:34
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Raine:
I;m having problems getting my cucumbers to grow. I'm gonna try planting for a third time once things dry up a little bit.


Really? I've had such luck with those that I've named the plantings "Cukezilla". It literally took over my garden 2 seasons ago. Last year, while not as crazed, yielded some massive fruits, one nearly the size of a little-league baseball bat. (It was hidden and must have grown all summer.)

That was us the last two years. This year the seeds aren't sprouting (or else they're getting eaten by birds or squirrels).

Comment by Scoopster on 05/28/2013 14:11:53
Mornin' all..

So now News Corp is claiming they have no record of being served a DOJ subpoena eh? I'm sure the courts and the process server will be able to provide them with a copy.

Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 14:12:06
Quote by Raine:
I;m having problems getting my cucumbers to grow. I'm gonna try planting for a third time once things dry up a little bit.



I got this organic stuff from Southern States this weekend - Captain Jack's Dead Bugs and we added a little mulch under the plants so I'm hoping this works to get rid of the beetle's problem

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 14:15:27
Quote by TriSec:


Perhaps, but reading the story it seems like the crew got their duties right this time.




There is that. Plus the power didn't fail for the entire ship.

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 14:17:58
Since I couldn't watch Arrested Development until Sundee, I went to the movies on Saturday. Saw Star Trek. J.J. Abrams! you are on notice, cut down on the steady cam shots, mmmkay?

Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 14:22:33
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by TriSec:


Perhaps, but reading the story it seems like the crew got their duties right this time.




There is that. Plus the power didn't fail for the entire ship.
I just came across this article from February.
The cruise industry insists that it is regulated and that the safety and security of its passengers and crew is its highest priority. Ships are subject to inspections by the countries they call on. In the United States, ships must pass initial and annual U.S. Coast Guard Marine inspections.
But the Coast Guard is underfunded and understaffed and can't possibly conduct adequate inspections of the hundreds of cruise ships that call regularly on U.S. ports across the nation. And the ships are getting bigger and carrying more passengers every year. For example, Disney Fantasy -- whose safety is not in doubt -- is 14 decks high and more than three football fields long and can carry about 5,500 people.

Cruise ships theoretically follow guidelines set forth by the International Maritime Organization and the recommendations in the Safety of Life at Sea. But the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations organization, does not have the authority to enforce its own guidelines, nor can it impose fines or criminal sanctions against cruise lines that flout Safety of Life at Sea recommendations. This obligation falls to flag states, like Panama.

The result is that cruise lines are largely unregulated.
It's a rather long piece, especially long considering it's from CNN -- but I have to say, these mega cruise ships make me nervous.

Comment by TriSec on 05/28/2013 14:22:57
Quote by wickedpam:

- Captain Jack's Dead Bugs



Oh, dear. That's a gardening item and not a culinary one?

Comment by TriSec on 05/28/2013 14:25:05
Quote by Raine:
It's a rather long piece, especially long considering it's from CNN -- but I have to say, these mega cruise ships make me nervous.


Imagine one of those in some kind of catastrophic collision and going down as fast as the Lusitania.

We'd be talking Wilhelm Gustloff carnage.



Comment by BobR on 05/28/2013 14:26:24
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by wickedpam:

- Captain Jack's Dead Bugs

Oh, dear. That's a gardening item and not a culinary one?

Or a new flavored rum...

Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 14:26:56
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I;m having problems getting my cucumbers to grow. I'm gonna try planting for a third time once things dry up a little bit.



I got this organic stuff from Southern States this weekend - Captain Jack's Dead Bugs and we added a little mulch under the plants so I'm hoping this works to get rid of the beetle's problem
Where did you buy it?

Mom organic only carries seeds.


Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 14:27:04
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by wickedpam:

- Captain Jack's Dead Bugs



Oh, dear. That's a gardening item and not a culinary one?


Maybe there's more then one Captain Jack's? What have you been using it for?

Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 14:28:05
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I;m having problems getting my cucumbers to grow. I'm gonna try planting for a third time once things dry up a little bit.



I got this organic stuff from Southern States this weekend - Captain Jack's Dead Bugs and we added a little mulch under the plants so I'm hoping this works to get rid of the beetle's problem
Where did you buy it?

Mom organic only carries seeds.



Southern States - they carry lots of organic, farm and animal stuff

Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 14:29:50
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I;m having problems getting my cucumbers to grow. I'm gonna try planting for a third time once things dry up a little bit.



I got this organic stuff from Southern States this weekend - Captain Jack's Dead Bugs and we added a little mulch under the plants so I'm hoping this works to get rid of the beetle's problem
Where did you buy it?

Mom organic only carries seeds.



Southern States - they carry lots of organic, farm and animal stuff
Oh, I got Southern States confused with Southern Exposure (the seed company).

Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 14:32:26
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I;m having problems getting my cucumbers to grow. I'm gonna try planting for a third time once things dry up a little bit.



I got this organic stuff from Southern States this weekend - Captain Jack's Dead Bugs and we added a little mulch under the plants so I'm hoping this works to get rid of the beetle's problem
Where did you buy it?

Mom organic only carries seeds.



Southern States - they carry lots of organic, farm and animal stuff
Oh, I got Southern States confused with Southern Exposure (the seed company).



oh dear

Comment by Scoopster on 05/28/2013 14:54:51
All this gardening chatter reminds me I need to add plant supplies to my growing list of stuff for the new apartment.
And no I don't just mean for growin' THAT.

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 15:00:21
Quote by Scoopster:
All this gardening chatter reminds me I need to add plant supplies to my growing list of stuff for the new apartment.
And no I don't just mean for growin' THAT.



Careful with the grow lights, they use a lot of electricity.

Comment by Scoopster on 05/28/2013 15:03:40
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
All this gardening chatter reminds me I need to add plant supplies to my growing list of stuff for the new apartment.
And no I don't just mean for growin' THAT.

Careful with the grow lights, they use a lot of electricity.

I intend to go au naturale.. lots of sunlight only!

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 15:05:16
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
All this gardening chatter reminds me I need to add plant supplies to my growing list of stuff for the new apartment.
And no I don't just mean for growin' THAT.

Careful with the grow lights, they use a lot of electricity.

I intend to go au naturale.. lots of sunlight only!



Sounds like a plan to me.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/28/2013 15:05:28
Good morning, bloggers!

TriSec, I am concerned about the use of drones and our military spending. I think that we have to ask why we are spending so much on some weapon systems and ask if we need them.

As for myself, I have a few things to do on teaching jobs. Paperwork, so I have to drop something off at the university that gave me my teaching degree so that they can certify that I have a degree from them. So, I will be out for a bit.

Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 15:39:05
Well, it looks like we have some trouble brewing here in Alexandria. Local Patch is reporting this.

there is good reason for it: Julian Dawkins' death was ruled a homicide and the off duty (at the time) arlington sheriff has not been charged -- it was his gun...

Comment by BobR on 05/28/2013 15:54:53
OMG - this is too funny



Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 15:57:26
WTF Caller -- you are a WHITE MALE -- you were BORN WITH PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT!!!

Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 16:04:33
Quote by BobR:
OMG - this is too funny



At least he didn't go here:


Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 16:10:18
Quote by Raine:
WTF Caller -- you are a WHITE MALE -- you were BORN WITH PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT!!!



yes, but they don't see that the odds are stacked in their favor - they just assume those to be the same odds for everyone and think they all the others are getting breaks that they don't get because they are white male

Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 16:14:14
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
WTF Caller -- you are a WHITE MALE -- you were BORN WITH PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT!!!



yes, but they don't see that the odds are stacked in their favor - they just assume those to be the same odds for everyone and think they all the others are getting breaks that they don't get because they are white male
That might be the best way of putting it that I have read in a long time.




Comment by wickedpam on 05/28/2013 16:19:04
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
WTF Caller -- you are a WHITE MALE -- you were BORN WITH PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT!!!



yes, but they don't see that the odds are stacked in their favor - they just assume those to be the same odds for everyone and think they all the others are getting breaks that they don't get because they are white male
That might be the best way of putting it that I have read in a long time.





awww shucks


Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 16:26:30
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
WTF Caller -- you are a WHITE MALE -- you were BORN WITH PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT!!!



yes, but they don't see that the odds are stacked in their favor - they just assume those to be the same odds for everyone and think they all the others are getting breaks that they don't get because they are white male


Speaking as a white guy, you nailed it Mala.


Comment by TriSec on 05/28/2013 16:28:20
Comment by livingonli on 05/28/2013 16:32:14
Good day, folks. Had two early shifts this week so I could almost feel like a normal person, but now it's back to the regular schedule. And at work, I am going from Beltway series yesterday to Subway Series tonight (weather permitting), and back to Beltway series tomorrow night.

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 16:39:21



Ms Carlson, Mr Fishinger, even if your child said she wants to ride in the back with the dog, don't let her. As you have found out the hard way, this is a Bad Idea.

Comment by Raine on 05/28/2013 16:55:37
Quote by Mondobubba:



Ms Carlson, Mr Fishinger, even if your child said she wants to ride in the back with the dog, don't let her. As you have found out the hard way, this is a Bad Idea.

What the hell is wrong with these people?

Comment by Mondobubba on 05/28/2013 17:04:48
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:



Ms Carlson, Mr Fishinger, even if your child said she wants to ride in the back with the dog, don't let her. As you have found out the hard way, this is a Bad Idea.

What the hell is wrong with these people?



I am going to go with they are effing stupid.