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Latest Episodes:

273: US Gaza Pier Ready + Report: Hezbollah Drone S-5 Rocket Strike + China PLAN Drone Carrier + USMC Tactical Light Vehicle Power + More May 19, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Gaza Pier ready for operation. Goal is for 500 tons of humanitarian assistance daily via the pier.
2. IDF airstrike in southern Lebanon potentially reveals that Hezbollah has Iranian-made Sayyad-2 surface-to-air missiles.
3. Report: Hezbollah has the capability to arm drones with 2 x S-5 rockets.
The S-5 is a Soviet-era 57-mm unguided air-to-surface rocket equipped with a high-explosive warhead.
4. Israel: Nearly 700 tunnel shafts have been identified in Rafah, from which approximately 50 tunnels cross into Egypt.
5. Ukraine President Zelensky on Russian offensive in Kharkiv Region:
"We have about 25 percent of what we need to defend Ukraine (air defense systems). Ukraine needs 120 to 130 F-16 fighter jets or other advanced aircraft to achieve air parity with Russia."
6. Poland receives final Tranche Bayraktar TB2 combat drones.
The $270 million deal includes 4 x systems. Each system has 6 x aircraft and 3 ground control stations.
7. Defense News Article (Rudy Ruitenberg): France’s lower-house defense committee describes Germany as having a "self-interested approach" in European defense matters.
8. China's Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Drone Carrier in development.
9. USMC MRZR Alpha will deliver tactical power via two Polaris products:
A 1-kilowatt exportable power system that can be added onto existing vehicles by installing a kit, and a 5-kilowatt system that can be built into new vehicles on the production line.
10. All Department of Defense V-22 Ospreys are operating with a "limited envelope" (flight).
From Draft NDAA: ..."current CMV-22 operations are limited to flights and missions that stay within 30 minutes of a suitable divert airfield.”
Osprey variants include the Air Force’s CV-22, the Marine Corps’ MV-22 and the Navy’s CMV-22B.

272: IDF Destroying Tunnels in Rafah + Finnish Leaders: No Appetite for Troops in Ukraine + US & Japan Collaborate on Hypersonic-Glide Intercept Effort + US Army DE M-SHORAD Struggling in CENTCOM AOR + More May 16, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. IDF locating and destroying tunnels in Rafah operation.
Israel Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant): "many tunnels have already been destroyed and many more will be destroyed soon."
2. Strange Story: US Secretary of State (Antony Blinken) visits Kyiv weeks after Washington approved a $61 billion package of aid for the country- and plays guitar.
3. Finnish Leaders: No Appetite for Troops in Ukraine.
4. Australia defense budget for 2024-2025 is AU$55.7 billion.
5. US & Japan Collaborate on Hypersonic-Glide Intercept Effort.
Initial Operational Capability estimated in late 2029.
Full Operational Capability in 2032, with at least
24 x Hypersonic Interceptors by 2040.
6. US Army DE M-SHORAD Struggling in CENTCOM AOR.
4 x systems fielded in February 2024.
7. US Army IVAS running out of time? Commander of Army Futures Command (General James Rainey): "if it (IVAS) does not work, then I think we would have to take a very hard look at whether we continue down that path or use that money for other critical aspects of our night-vision strategy...".
8. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter facing delivery delays from the Technology Refresh 3
(TR-3) upgrade.
The TR-3 effort provides more computing power and memory to support a suite of planned upgrades known as Block 4.

271: IDF Moves Further into Rafah + Ukrainian Commander of Kharkiv Region Removed + Sweden Defense Minister: No Troops Planned for Ukraine + UK Hypersonic Missile Effort + More May 14, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US - built Gaza Pier ready in one or two days.
US Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary (Sabrina Singh): "Improved sea conditions will allow the U.S. Army to anchor a causeway onto the beach this week."
2. IDF Moves Further into Rafah. Israel's relations with Egypt strained.
3. Ukrainian Commander of Kharkiv Region Removed.
Offensive in Kharkiv Region has given Russian forces control of an estimated 162 square kilometers of border territory and ten villages in a pair of 5-8 kilometer-deep salients projecting into Ukrainian defenses.
4. Sweden Defense Minister: No Troops Planned for Ukraine.
5. Employment of First Person View (FPV) Drones in Russia-Ukraine War, force change of tactics on both sides including additional armor protection for combat vehicles and use of Electronic Warfare.
6. UK Hypersonic Missile developmental effort (Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework).
7. UK Multi-Role Support Ships (MRSS) program. This program plans a fleet of six amphibious support ships capable of carrying drones, larger aircraft and insertion craft for the Royal Marines.
8. US Army Watercraft- the Maneuver Support Vessel - Light (MSV-L), to undergo operational testing in Hawaii.
This vessel replaces the Landing Craft, Mechanized-8 (LCM-8) and has an improved capability to transport M1 Tanks, and Bradley & Stryker Vehicles. US Army plans to procure 13 x MSV-Ls.

270: Report: Hamas Leader Not Hiding in Rafah + Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine Worth $400 million + Ukraine Defense Contact Group Capability Coalitions Part 2 + More May 11, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Report: Hamas leader (Yahya Sinwar) is not hiding in Rafah, but possibly in the Khan Younis area- some five miles away.
2. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine is Worth $400 million. It includes air defense munitions, artillery ammunition, and anti-tank weapons among other materiel.
3. Apparently referencing the AP report about US M1 Tanks pulled from frontline duty (due to targeting by Russian drones), the Netherlands Ministry of Defense states that it does not impose any conditions on donated equipment to Ukraine- other than obligations arising from UN Charter and international humanitarian law.
4. German Defense Minister (Boris Pistorius) calls for future defense spending to 3% GDP and hints at possible conscription. Germany ended compulsory military service in 2011.
5. Ukraine Defense Contact Group #2- Eight Capability Coalitions.
We discuss the last four (alphabetical order):
- Drones: Latvia, UK
- Integrated Air Defense: France, Germany
- Information Technology: Estonia, Luxembourg
- Maritime Security: Norway, UK
6. UK Armed Forces Minister (Leo Docherty): UK DragonFire Laser Weapon under development. Will be ready in 2027. Not ready operational use in Ukraine.

269: US Pauses Delivery of 2000lb & 500lb Bombs to IDF + Israel PM: If We Need To, We'll Fight With Our Fingernails + Ukraine Defense Contact Group Capability Coalitions + US Army HIMARS Contract + More May 09, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Pauses Delivery of 2000lb & 500lb Bombs to IDF.
US President (Joe Biden): (if Israel goes into Rafah), “we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used.”
2. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) reaction to US weapon pause:
“We are determined and we are united to defeat our enemy and those who seek to destroy us… If we need to, we will fight with our fingernails. But we have much more than fingernails.”
3. Great Article from Breaking Defense (Tim Martin) concerning the Ukraine Defense Contact Group- Eight Capability Coalitions.
We discuss the first four (alphabetical order):
- Air Force: Denmark, Netherlands, US
- Armor: Germany, Poland
- Artillery: France, US
- Demining: Iceland, Lithuania
4. Estonia Senior Leaders discussed sending troops to Ukraine in "non-combat roles (medical or logistics)."
Prime minister of Lithuania (Ingrida Šimonytė): "open to sending Lithuanian troops into Ukraine to train Kyiv’s forces there."
5. US Army HIMARS Contract with Lockheed Martin is worth $861.3 million.
Purpose: Replace US Army systems that were sent to Ukraine.

268: IDF "Limited" Ground Operation in Eastern Rafah + US Completes Gaza Pier - Emplaced in Near Future + France Denies Troops (Foreign Legion) Deployed in Ukraine + Rheinmetall: Prototype 155mm Munition with 100k Range to Ukraine + More May 07, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US Completes Gaza Pier, which will be emplaced in near future.
Delay is due to high winds and seas.
2. IDF conducting "Limited" Ground Operation in Eastern Rafah. Ground operation follows over 100 airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force.
3. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) denies sabotaging the latest round of talks between Israel and Hamas.
4. From ABC: 3 x Unnamed US Officials tell ABC News that the White House Security Council has delayed the delivery of ammunition to Israel.
5. French Foreign Ministry denies a deployment of French Troops to fight in the Russia-Ukraine War.
6. US State Department claims Russia is pursuing a space-deployed, anti- satellite nuclear weapon.
7. Rheinmetall: Prototype 155mm Munition with 100k Range to be sent to Ukraine.
8. USMC operationally deploys the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) to Balikatan 2024 Exercise in the Philippines. via the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49).

267: No Israel - Hamas Hostage Deal Yet: Negotiations Continue + Germany Provides Air Defense System to Ukraine + USMC Air Defense Modernization Efforts + USAF Creates Modernization Command + More May 05, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. US and Russian Forces co-located on same base in Niger, as US forces plan drawdown.
2. US construction of Gaza temporary humanitarian pier, part of the Joint Logistics Over-the Shore capability (JLTOS), is 50% complete. Once fully operational, the pier will facilitate the delivery of roughly 150 truckloads of aid per day.
3. No Israel - Hamas Hostage Deal Yet. Negotiations continue.
4. Germany latest assistance package to Ukraine includes the Skynex Air Defense System- plus 10 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, medium-range missiles, a surveillance radar, and tank transporter tractors.
5. USMC Air Defense & counter Drone Efforts:
- Medium Range Intercept Capability (MRIC).
- Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS).
- Light MADIS.
6. US Navy Sailors and Marines injured during amphibious training off Jacksonville, Florida coast.
7. Settled F-35 lawsuit between Lockheed Martin and Subcontractor Howmet Aerospace involved titanium supply. Case was formally dismissed on 02 April 2024.
8. USAF Creates Modernization Command.

266: Report: Ukraine Strikes Russian Troop Concentration with ATACMS + French President Discusses French Troops to Ukraine (Again) + US Army New M2A4EI Bradley Variant + Pakistan Navy Hangor II Submarines + More May 03, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Intelligence Agencies (Mossad, Shin Bet, & IDF Intelligence Chief) release unified public report- first since 07 October.
2. French President (Emmanuel Macron) Discusses French Troops to Ukraine (Again).
3. Ukraine Strikes Russian Troop Concentration with ATACMS.
4. US Army New M2A4EI Bradley Variant. New Variant equipped with Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS).
5. USMC selects Kongsberg RT20 Remote Turret for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle - 30 mm Cannon (ACV-30) Variant.
6. USMC Commandant (General Eric Smith) & US Navy Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Lisa Franchetti)- sign letter directing study into requirements and certification of amphibious ships.
7. Secretary of US Navy (Carlos Del Toro) testifies before House Armed Service Committee regarding FY25 Budget.
Discusses Amphibious ship production, pauses, and required number.
8. Pakistan Navy Hangor II Submarines (8), launched at Chinese shipyard.

265: Israel PM: Rafah Operation With or Without Hostage Deal + Israel to Retire Patriot ADA Systems + Russia Says it Shot Down 6 x ATACMS + USAF MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter Nunn-McCurdy Breach + More Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu): Rafah Operation With or Without Hostage Deal.
2. Israel to Retire Patriot ADA Systems- in service since 1991.
3. International Court of Justice: No action against Germany for arms sales to Israel.
4. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transit Suez Canal from Red Sea to Mediterranean Sea. Carrier deployed on 13 October 2023 to Red Sea. Expected replacement carrier will be the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
5. Russia displays captured M1 Tank in Moscow. Tank captured from combat operations near the city of Avdiivka.
6. Russia Says it Shot Down 6 x ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System).
7. USAF MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter breaches Nunn-McCurdy Act.
Helicopter purpose is to patrol USAF Nuclear Missile Silos.
8. USMC Force Design concept learning from Houthi anti-ship tactics in the Red Sea.

264: Israel Awaiting Hamas Response to Truce Deal + US Continues Work on Gaza Pier + Australia Security Package to Ukraine worth $100 million + USAF Selects Sierra Nevada to Develop E-4B Successor + More Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Awaiting Hamas Response to Truce Deal.
2. US Continues Work on Gaza Pier.
The Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system is estimated to be operational in early May.
3. Russia continues to make gains along Eastern Ukraine front.
Ukrainian Army Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged Ukraine’s overall situation had deteriorated.
“The situation at the front has escalated. Trying to seize the strategic initiative and break through the front line, the enemy has concentrated its main efforts in several directions, creating a significant advantage in forces and in means."
4. Latest Australia Security Package to Ukraine worth $100 million.
Includes: $50 million for short-range air defense systems; $30 million for drones; & $15 million for high priority equipment such as combat helmets, rigid hull inflatable boats, boots, fire masks and generators.
5. According to statement by the UK Defense Minister (Grant Shapps), Italy has provided Ukraine with Storm Shadow Long-Range Missiles.
"It’s the UK, France and Italy positioning those weapons for use, particularly in Crimea. These weapons are making a very significant difference.”
6. From Spanish Defense Minister (Margarita Robles): Madrid "to provide a set of long-range Patriot anti-aircraft interceptor missiles (to Ukraine)."
7. US Army Fixed-Wing High Accuracy Detection & Exploitation System (HADES) effort progressing. Army has selected the fixed-wing platform: Bombardier Global 6500 jet, Army will hold competition and select vendor to integrate government furnished sensor package(s) onto the jet. The Army will field 14 x HADES Aircraft by 2035.
8. USAF Selects Sierra Nevada to Develop E-4B Successor, in program worth $13 billion.

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