Episode 103 is all over the place. I tried to tie and link stories together based upon a common theme- region, service, capability, domain, etc. Anyway- we start with 2 x US Foreign Military Sales- Javelins to Australia & E2-D Hawkeyes to Japan. We also cover the Oshkosh protest to the GAO reference the latest Army JLTV (and Trailer) contract. We cover defense funding for Japan and China. And also a mystery to solve on which NATO country will receive Elbit Artillery systems (ATMOS & PULS...
Mar 08, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Episode 102 is a bit long. We cover stories from the UK, Australia, Taiwan, Iran, and of course, the US. Plus, we discuss the latest security assistance package to Ukraine. One of the featured stories from this episode is the "fireside chat" from CNAS with the Honorable Doug Bush (ASA AL&T) and the Commanding General, Army Futures Command - GEN Rainey. We finish the episode with the latest in Finland bid to join NATO.
Mar 04, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Episode 101 is in the books- and I decided at the last minute not to sing Rendezvous With Destiny (sorry). We start with a US Foreign Military Sale to the UK for Javelin Missile Systems and then continue with the UK for a nice story about 216 (Para) Signal Squadron transmitting data from Belize to Colchester, UK (16 Air Assault BCT HQ) via ATAK. We also have a series of acquisition stories about Japan & Tomahawks; Finland and the great NLAW; Poland and IFVs; and finally- a potential developm...
Mar 02, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Episode 100 is in the books. This episode we have two stories from the DoD website- one discusses the $2 billion security assistance package to Ukraine and the other discusses the new USNS Cody. We also talk about the latest news from the missile launch events by North Korea last week. In addition, we discuss the FA-50 fighter(s) that Malaysia just selected. Somewhere in there we have a story from the Naval Defence & Security Exposition in Dubai. And finally- a really nice story from the UK-...
Feb 25, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 100
Episode 99 is a short episode- compared to the last few. We begin with a 155mm ammunition story from the Defense Post. Next, we introduce the International Defense Exposition (IDEX) from Dubai, UAE. From the photographs (via Breaking Defense)- it looks very exciting with lots of interesting exhibits. We have a good story about the USMC & Japan participating in the Iron Fist Exercise (in Japan for the 1st time). Also- we have some Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) Commentary- in supp...
Feb 21, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Another good episode- Yes, I am biased. Great Ukraine training stories- combined arms training from the US (Mech Infantry Battalion & Artillery) and Infantry Training from Australia. We also have two new sources- the UK Defence Journal and the Asia Military Review- and we discuss a story from each- actually two from the UK Defence Journal. Also- somewhere in there we talk about M142 HIMARS for the Netherlands via a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS). Finally- the CH47 Chinooks are back flying v...
Feb 18, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 98
In this episode, we spend a fair amount of time discussing news from the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting #9. We use the DOD Transcript from Brussels as the source document. Also, we discuss Latvia's increase in defense spending (up to 3% GDP in the future) to purchase materiel such as M142 HIMARS and Naval Strike Missiles. We also discuss a story about the Finland and Sweden bid to join NATO. Finally, we talk about the "Object" over Lake Huron in Michigan- this time being shot down by an F...
Feb 15, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 97
Episode 96 is complete (and not 95 as I kept mentioning in the episode). We begin with the latest news in Balloons or flying objects. Whatever they are, the F22 seems to have 0 problems in shooting them down. Next, we talk about the collaboration between the UK, Italy, and Japan for their 6th generation fighter project. We then cover a commentary piece from Defense News that recommends one tank model for use in Ukraine (spoiler alert- Leopard 2). Finally we end the episode with two shoulder-laun...
Feb 12, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 96
Episode 95 takes us around the world. Below are the destinations: Singapore for Air-Ground Munitions FMS. Poland for M142 HIMARS + ammunition FMS. Taiwan & Long Range Missiles. N. Korea & ICBMs. Japan and military hardware restructuring. UK and training for Ukraine Military- Pilots; Marines; and Tank Crews. Ireland Naval story. US Army's new JLTV Contract. US Army Project Convergence 24.
Feb 10, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Episode 94 may be a bit disjointed but I assure you- all the stories are good. We begin with a tale that- I hope- contrasts the thrill of victory (F22 Raptor) and the agony of defeat (Chinese Surveillance Balloon). Plus, we have a couple of International stories from South Korea and the Czech Republic. Somewhere in there is another story about the V-22 Osprey and the (reoccurring?) clutch issue. Finally- we get in some (not much) detail about the US and the UK approaches to defense acquisition m...
Feb 07, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Episode 93 has the latest Ukraine equipment news from France and the US. Plus, we have the latest update in Army Vehicle Modernization- in particular the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) & the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF). A couple of good stories from the Defense Post- Javelins to Poland & Leopard Tanks (upgraded) to Norway. And finally- what's up with this Chinese Balloon- literally & figuratively?
Feb 04, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Episode 92 is- what I consider- a pretty assorted episode. I enjoy having international stories on the podcast and this episode has five of them: 2 from Sweden; 1 from Finland; 1 for the UK; and 1 from Japan. We also round out the episode with our first US Navy Project Overmatch story (& hope many more to follow) and an article of commentary about USMC Aviation from 3 x Retired Marine General Officers. The content is great- I just hope my delivery matches the content!
Feb 01, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 92
In episode 91, we continue the tank discussion with Canada and Poland providing (more) tanks to Ukraine. We also discuss France's contract with Saab for AT4 shoulder-launched munitions. We have a story from Tim Martin (Breaking Defense) on Germany's modernization plan for their Army. And another great story from Jen Judson (Defense News) on the latest in the US Army's Common Tactical Truck competition. Finally- we talk about the IVAS- as mentioned in the Director's Operational Test & Evaluat...
Jan 29, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Tanks and Ukraine were the big topic this week. We try to sum it all up in episode 90. We also discuss 155mm ammunition and the M198 towed howitzer. It was my opinion that 155mm ammo was the biggest-little story of 2022- and it may continue into 2023. Finally we finish the episode with a great article from USNI that discusses Japan's Naval modernization.
Jan 26, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Long episode. Probably too long. I could have cut some of the content and streamlined it...but I packed it- so I have to ride it in (so to speak). We spend some time on the 8th session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany. I also go over the press conference, from the event, by Sec Defense Austin and CJCS GEN Milley. From there- we go into a USMC story that I have been thinking about for some time. And finally, we do our 2d US Space Force story and the Lines of Effort for this new ser...
Jan 22, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Episode 88 is pretty close to 30 minutes. Big news in the latest US security assistance package to Ukraine is 90 Stryker vehicles is on the list. Two 155mm stories from Denmark and Sweden- which those systems- Caesar (Denmark) and Archer (Sweden) are headed to Ukraine. Also- who doesn't like a good mortar story- especially a mobile mortar system. Finally- we have a great story from Breaking Defense that discusses the British Army's Future Soldier Modernization strategy. Somewhere in there, we ex...
Jan 20, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Had fun working on the stories from episode 87 and I hope you enjoy listening. We start off with an update on the armor platforms that are being committed to Ukraine. I work a math problem on how to build a US-type armored brigade- measured against the list of platforms that are being committed. Next, we discuss the Bradley training in Germany- by the US- for Ukrainian Soldiers. Remember last episode, when we discussed that the US is sending 50 BFVs to Ukraine. Next, we talk about Estonia and th...
Jan 17, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 87
Full episode loaded with lots of great stories. Tanks are going to Ukraine- and from the looks of it- 2 x Companies worth- 12 Challengers from the UK and 12 Leopards from Poland. Also- we discuss the stationing of two Iron Dome Batteries at Fort Lewis, Washington. In addition, we discuss a little bit about the (new) 12th Marine Littoral Regiment's basing in Okinawa, Japan. In other stories- we discuss upcoming Patriot training to be held in Fort Sill, OK for Ukraine. And finally, a story about t...
Jan 13, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 86
It's a long episode (didn't plan it that way though). We had to spend some time on the latest security assistance package to Ukraine. It includes Bradley Fighting Vehicles and a lot of artillery. In addition, we have three articles from the Breaking Defense website: #1: Discusses the latest armored vehicles heading to Ukraine; #2. A great update on the Army's IVAS program; and #3. A story about the USMC and their Air & Missile Defense effort that includes the Iron Dome system. And as a bonus...
Jan 08, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 85
Lots of different stories in this episode. First- we recap a story from last episode concerning the Guam Missile Defense Architecture. Jen Judson from Defense News does a great job summarizing what I was trying to say in episode 83. Next, we have an interesting story of Iran repurposing civilian ships into combat vessels- and in this story- a drone carrier. Then, we have two modernization stories from India. Plus, an article about CH-47 F models Chinooks heading to Egypt. Almost done here- we ha...
Jan 05, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 84
In case you haven't heard- it's 2023. So, I thought we would start the new year by covering some light topics such as Hypersonic Missiles and Missile Defense Architecture. Plus- we have a part 2 concerning the Sikorsky FLRAA protest. And finally, I weigh in (needlessly) on if the Bradley is a light tank or not (it isn't?).
Jan 02, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Is this the last episode for 2022? Could be. We have three...count them...three back-to-back-to-back stories concerning Lithuania. We also cover the Foreign Military Sale of the Volcano AT Mine System to Taiwan. In addition, we talk about the growing drama surrounding the Army's Future Vertical Lift- Future Long Range Assault Aircraft program- in which the Bell V-280 Valor was announced as the winner. Sikorsky has filed a protest to the decision (released earlier this month). This is a story tha...
Dec 30, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 82
Unprecedented for the podcast- 4 x Naval Stories ( 2 x US; 1 x Japan; & 1 x Spain). Plus, we have two stories from Finland- one concerning the Saab MANPADS RBS-70 & one that discusses three variants of the SPIKE Missile. Finally, we have another SWITCHBLADE 600 story- this time from Lithuania.
Dec 28, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 81
Happy Holidays to everyone. Here in the US, it's cold everywhere so stay warm- especially if you are listening in the Mid-West & Upper Plains. Use this as an opportunity to listen to the podcast by the fire. In this episode we discuss the latest assistance package to Ukraine- which includes 1 x Patriot Battery. We also discuss the potential impact of a Patriot Battery in Ukraine. We also talk about B2 Spirit Bombers, the Japanese Defense Budget, and the latest Anti-Submarine Ship for India. ...
Dec 24, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Lots of stories in this episode. We start out with the FY23 Defense Budget, Things are moving and it looks like things are getting sorted out- maybe before the 23 Dec 22 deadline. Also- three stories from the Defense Post- 2 concerning 155mm ammunition (becoming our favorite subject) and one about Germany's latest assault rifle. We also discuss a fine article from Jen Judson (at Defense News) and the Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) effort. Finally, somewhere in there- we have a ...
Dec 21, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 79
Episode 78 has us following up on a few stories that we covered in previous episodes such as the DOD Maintenance Awards, Combined Arms training for Ukraine, and the FY23 NDAA. Plus we have some new stories- Australia's new Drone Sub and basing for MQ-9 Reaper Drones. And finally, what's going on with the procurement of tanks for Norway? That's a question and not a quote.
Dec 17, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 78
Another long episode (breaking the 30 minute barrier...again). We get a bit in depth on the FY 23 NDAA. Sorry- had to. But, we have some good materiel stuff in there as well. UK orders more of the fantastic NLAW (from Saab) plus our first story on the USMC Advanced Recon Vehicle (ARV) - the Cottonmouth. Also somewhere in there are comments from USMC Commandant- GEN David Berger- and finally- we discuss the latest Security Assistance Package to Ukraine from 09 Dec 2022.
Dec 13, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Busy episode (37 minutes plus). We manage to cover three Foreign Military Sales as reported by the Def Sec Cooperation Agency plus the latest news concerning the FY23 NDAA. We also discuss a great article from National Defense (Nov issue) on the Army's plans to modernize Infantry weapons (rifles, machine guns, mortars, & shoulder launched munitions). Finally-somewhere in there- we talk about the 50 kw Laser equipped DE-MSHORAD (Stryker).
Dec 09, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Two big stories. Future Vertical Lift (Army Modernization Priority #3) contract awarded to Bell V-280 as the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). Army plans to increase production of key munitions including: 155MM ammo; Javelins; Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (munitions); and NASAMS (systems).
Dec 06, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 75
EP 74 is the 2d episode within 24 hours. Just getting to stories that I could not get to in EP 73. Two good stories from The Defense Post- one concerning possible combined arms training provided by the US (in Germany)- and the 2d discusses Unmanned Ground Vehicles that will be provided by Germany to Ukraine for the purposes of Route Clearance & Casualty Evacuation. Finally, we (try to) discuss defense funding- first with Poland's modernization efforts and then- the ever contentious US Nation...
Dec 04, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 74
