It looks like al Qaeda was increasingly worried about the possibility that anyone who could have contact with Western authorities might inadvertently lead Americna commandos or drones to terrorist hideouts. This letter from Osama bin Laden, published by the Army’s Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, highlihts the fear that he and other al Qaeda [...]
Military Defense
From Abbottabad With Hate: Bin Laden’s Last Letters
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
In case there’s any doubt in your mind as to why worrying about advanced shoulder-launcehd surface to air missiles is legitimate, take a look at this letter penned by Osama bin Laden that urges al Qaeda to try to shoot down the plane of either President Barack Obama or then Afghan war boss retired Gen. [...]
How to Sneak a Claymore Onto a Flight
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
Well, this is embarrasing. In addition to patting down harmless old ladies and small children in the name of security, the TSA is also really good at letting Claymore antipersonnel mines through its screenings. Yup, TSA agents at Newark International Airport in New Jersey stopped an employee of the Army’s Picatinny Arsenal with two inert [...]
Mid Week Video: China’s Carrier Up-Close
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
In case you haven’t seen this yet, its the first close-up video I’ve watched showing China’s aircraft carrier, the ex-Soviet Varyag, actually conducting any type of operations. In this case, she’s returning to port following her latest “scientific” cruise. Click through the jump to enjoy. The close-up footage is toward the second half of the [...]
Pic of the Day: F-35 in Burner
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
Here’s your photo of the day, an awesome shot of the F-35 Join Strike Fighter in afterburner. Enjoy. H/t SNAFU.
F-22s in the UAE May Just Be There for an Exercise, Really
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
This is interesting, David Cenciotti tapped the aircraft spotter universe and realized that the F-22s that are in the Middle East are, based on their tail numbers Block 30 F-22s; meaning the birds aren’t equipped with the gear to perform air to ground attacks. If true, it punches a hole in the theory that the [...]
F-22s in the UAE May Just Be There for an Exercise, Really
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
This is interesting, David Cenciotti tapped the aircraft spotter universe and realized that the F-22s that are in the Middle East are, based on their tail numbers Block 30 F-22s; meaning the birds aren’t equipped with the gear to perform air to ground attacks. If true, it punches a hole in the theory that the [...]
F-22s Are Back in the Middle East
Monday, April 30th, 2012
Well, in case you haven’t seen this, F-22s are in the Middle East and everyone is very excited about this. The fifth-gen birds were there a couple of years go participating in excercisies with local air forces at the Gulf Air Warfare Center at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (at a [...]
Who Wants to Buy a Stealth Ship?
Saturday, April 28th, 2012
Who wants to buy the U.S. Navy’s original stealth ship? Yup, the Lockheed Martin-built Sea Shadow is being auctioned off from its home in the Suisun Bay ghost fleet in California. You’d better hurry up and bid since the price is already north of $100,000 (still bargain, you get the stealthy ship and the historic [...]
Block 30 Global Hawks May Stay
Friday, April 27th, 2012
Well, despite the fact that Air Force leaders insist that the U-2 can get the same job done for less cash, lawmakers are forcing the service to keep the block 30 RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude spy done. The Air Force announced it was mothballing the Block 30s and keep the U-2 dragonlady’s that the RQ-4 [...]