Scolopax

https://mcusercontent.com/ebe687fe800f7d0f2f28fa168/files/353d7d1e-9bc1-4c3c-84f3-7741e51edd2f/Special_Bulletin_18_August_2020.02.pdf
 
 

1

It is a more controversial article. While ESuT publishes some very interesting and well written articles, sometimes they also rely on less accurate sources and rumors. E.g. the unit that supposedly complained about the lackluster reliability of the Puma doesn't actually operate it yet...
 
The Marder lifetime extension has been approved and - after new engines already have been ordered - the Bundestag approved the purchase and installation of new ATTICA-GM thermal imagers this week. While I personally wouldn't dislike a two systems solutions, the CV90 seems to be rather unsuited for the German Army based on several factors (it would hardly solve any of the Puma's real problems like the reduced carry capacity and restricted interior height and in ~2002 it was deemed impossible to modify the ASCOD's and CV90's designs in such a way that they could meet the protection criteria, which lead to the creation of the Puma IFV), but only act as an expensive shortcut to negate some of the teething problems. A new firmware is already being rolled out which is supposed to eliminate/limit the software issues.
 
The idea that the CV90 would be favored in Germany falls into the same category as ESuT announcing that the Wiesel 1 might be fitted with a 27 mm revolver gun or that LANCE turret already had been selected for the heavy fire support  variant of the Boxer - i.e. they are just speculations and indiviual opinions.

Following a very productive use of my time in an extensive investigation, I have made a discovery that could very well tear apart our beliefs concerning Frank Roosevelt's true allegiance during the Second World War.
 
Below is a photo of the bathtub meant to help accommodate the President aboard the battleship USS Iowa as he traveled to Tehran Conference in 1943.
 

 
 
A harmless enough scene.  Sudsy water, various toiletries, some reading material, and a few bath toys to play with. Let's take a closer look at that plastic boat though.
 
 

 
 
It appears to be a fairly realistic-looking design, a warship of some type for sure.  It does not look like the Iowa or any other ship used by the US Navy though.  Perhaps it could be a vessel of another nationality?
 
 

 
 
This here is an Admiral Hipper-class heavy cruiser (taken from World of Warships for the sake of a similar viewing angle).  These ships were constructed in the late 1930's by Nazi Germany and saw use during the Second World War.  With the exception of the main battery gun count, you will notice that the cruiser shares several details with the toy boat from above.  A fair number of details really...
 
 

 
 
What was the president of the United States doing with a model of an enemy cruiser floating in his personal bathtub, and of such a relatively modern (at the time) vessel at that?
 
 

 
 

Following a very productive use of my time in an extensive investigation, I have made a discovery that could very well tear apart our beliefs concerning Frank Roosevelt's true allegiance during the Second World War.
 
Below is a photo of the bathtub meant to help accommodate the President aboard the battleship USS Iowa as he traveled to Tehran Conference in 1943.
 

 
 
A harmless enough scene.  Sudsy water, various toiletries, some reading material, and a few bath toys to play with. Let's take a closer look at that plastic boat though.
 
 

 
 
It appears to be a fairly realistic-looking design, a warship of some type for sure.  It does not look like the Iowa or any other ship used by the US Navy though.  Perhaps it could be a vessel of another nationality?
 
 

 
 
This here is an Admiral Hipper-class heavy cruiser (taken from World of Warships for the sake of a similar viewing angle).  These ships were constructed in the late 1930's by Nazi Germany and saw use during the Second World War.  With the exception of the main battery gun count, you will notice that the cruiser shares several details with the toy boat from above.  A fair number of details really...
 
 

 
 
What was the president of the United States doing with a model of an enemy cruiser floating in his personal bathtub, and of such a relatively modern (at the time) vessel at that?
 
 

 
 

Following a very productive use of my time in an extensive investigation, I have made a discovery that could very well tear apart our beliefs concerning Frank Roosevelt's true allegiance during the Second World War.
 
Below is a photo of the bathtub meant to help accommodate the President aboard the battleship USS Iowa as he traveled to Tehran Conference in 1943.
 

 
 
A harmless enough scene.  Sudsy water, various toiletries, some reading material, and a few bath toys to play with. Let's take a closer look at that plastic boat though.
 
 

 
 
It appears to be a fairly realistic-looking design, a warship of some type for sure.  It does not look like the Iowa or any other ship used by the US Navy though.  Perhaps it could be a vessel of another nationality?
 
 

 
 
This here is an Admiral Hipper-class heavy cruiser (taken from World of Warships for the sake of a similar viewing angle).  These ships were constructed in the late 1930's by Nazi Germany and saw use during the Second World War.  With the exception of the main battery gun count, you will notice that the cruiser shares several details with the toy boat from above.  A fair number of details really...
 
 

 
 
What was the president of the United States doing with a model of an enemy cruiser floating in his personal bathtub, and of such a relatively modern (at the time) vessel at that?
 
 

 
 

Iranian modernisation for T-72S up to Karrar standart. New turret, ERA, laser sensors, RCWS, new FCS and new gunner sight.

   ERA blocks mounting points are visible near gun, but blocks were not installed for some reason. Also, laser sensors are mounted near them. Turret got some sort of big box on the rear, on top of which RCWS is placed. Driver received a block of cameras, probably day and night.
 
 

Following a very productive use of my time in an extensive investigation, I have made a discovery that could very well tear apart our beliefs concerning Frank Roosevelt's true allegiance during the Second World War.
 
Below is a photo of the bathtub meant to help accommodate the President aboard the battleship USS Iowa as he traveled to Tehran Conference in 1943.
 

 
 
A harmless enough scene.  Sudsy water, various toiletries, some reading material, and a few bath toys to play with. Let's take a closer look at that plastic boat though.
 
 

 
 
It appears to be a fairly realistic-looking design, a warship of some type for sure.  It does not look like the Iowa or any other ship used by the US Navy though.  Perhaps it could be a vessel of another nationality?
 
 

 
 
This here is an Admiral Hipper-class heavy cruiser (taken from World of Warships for the sake of a similar viewing angle).  These ships were constructed in the late 1930's by Nazi Germany and saw use during the Second World War.  With the exception of the main battery gun count, you will notice that the cruiser shares several details with the toy boat from above.  A fair number of details really...
 
 

 
 
What was the president of the United States doing with a model of an enemy cruiser floating in his personal bathtub, and of such a relatively modern (at the time) vessel at that?
 
 

 
 

Clearer image of the TARDEC Abrams replacement that came out some time ago.

Recent photos from inside the Lun ekranoplan. 
 

From what I remember of the thing, it should just be carrying them.  The vehicle was used as a transport for tank hunters and their weapons, not as some tank destroyer itself.
 

Photo from inside the superstructure...

 
 

Something really big exploded in Beirut. Saw reports about ~1000 injured.

 
 

http://www.usarmygvsc.com/soldier-innovation-workshop-considers-abrams-replacement/

 

 
Roshindow's take on fixing distortion:

 
scalemodel on second photo shows design known for couple of years:

Rheinmetall – MBT 130 mm Gun fitted to Challenger 2 LEP
 

Also shows a larger armour array fitted to the turret. Not sure if this is for LEP or RBSL looking to export or to increase scope of LEP:




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Challenger 2 ATDU - Early 90's
 


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British Companies to Manufacture Military Vehicles in Algeria?

An editorial in a Spanish newspaper mentions that British companies are setting up to manufacture military vehicles in Algeria.
I haven't heard anything about this is British news and Algeria seems focused on buying German (Fuchs-2, Boxer, Lynx 41? Gladius kit). I wonder if this is Rheinmetall/KMW working through RBSL/WFEL/others to avoid German/EU regulations?

 


https://www.elespanol.com/reportajes/20200719/mohamed-vi-reino-unido-desafia-espana-marroqui/506199908_0.html

Vehicle photos from the past few months from the US Army Armor and Calvary Collection:
 
T5E1

 
T-34. This particular vehicle was captured from the Germans, who had been using it as a test vehicle after capturing it themselves from the Soviets.

 
T30, IS-3, and M3 Grant

 
T28 and Chieftain

 
Bonus T28 historical pic
 

Restored Ladoga armored vehicle in one of Patriot parks

 
 

Heavily modified Sturm-S from Ukraine
 

Aforementioned video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzYimCkt4Zo
 
I've made some 50 screenshots, all uploaded to twitter

 

 

- all could be seen on one page there:
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1287353695789776897.html
(Though this website used downscaled 1200pix version of those 1920x1080 screenshots,
so in case one wants 1920pix images, it's easier to download them by opening my posts directly at Twitter. Or one could manually add ":large" after ".png"/".jpg" to every image link)
 
And there is another video, released 12 hours later:
https://youtu.be/MtIEs961xuY
and some 20 screenshots were also posted on Twitter, starting from this tweet:
https://mobile.twitter.com/skylancer7441/status/1287406394103271425

 

 

 
 
 
Another video, unfortunately w/ Korean hardsubs:
dozen of screenshots were posted there:
https://mobile.twitter.com/skylancer7441/status/1287436177381916672

 

 

 
...
Half a dozen screenshots from Arirang video were posted there:
https://mobile.twitter.com/skylancer7441/status/1287448166518919169

 

 
 
Two more interior pics from elsewhere:

 

Some more pics of the AS21 Redback being readied for delivery in September for the Risk Mitigation Activity. 
 

 

 

 

 

M1A2 SEPv3 ranks from Battle Company, 3-8 CAV

 
 

Okay, as promised:

First some boring, uninteresting text, wont translate. There is some noteworthy fact: we exported 50 T-34/85s to Norway for use as mobile hard targets...

Anyway... Tanks in test were in fully operational condition, all ammo rack filled with dummy rounds, crews were simulated by wooden trunks. Fuel tanks filled with water though to prevent fire.
 
RPG-7, PG-7V (7 shots, 6 hits, 200m)
1, miss
2, hull front hit, on the joining of upper and lower plates, on KMT mount. Jet penetrated the armor, but the exit hole was only about 3-5mm, and damaged a fuel line.
It could have started a fire, (driver - light wounds) but the PPO system would easily deal with it. Overall, damage was minor.
3, Rear external fuel cell hit, cell destroyed, jet penetrated side hull and damaged the water radiator. Tank able to go for 4-5 kilometers before overheating. Crew unharmed. Damage is light.
4, side turret hit. Penetration, ABV unit ventilator destroyed, jet stopped by gun breech. Loader dead, tank needs small to medium repairs (dont know if its the correct term in english. On the other hand, I know the russian term: Средний ремонт)
5, hit on rim of 4th road wheel. Tire separated, other wheels received damage. No side hull penetration. Crew wouldnt even notice the hit. Damage very light
6, rearh hull hit, on right upper corner. Water radiator damaged. Tank able to go for 4-5 kilometers before overheating. Crew unharmed. Damage is light.
7, rear hull hit, center. Cooling fan damaged, water radiator damaged, jet stopped by exhaust collector of the engine, but other than this, engine is undamaged and fully operational.Tank able to go for 4-5 kilometers before overheating. Crew unharmed. Damage is light.
 
SPG-9, PG-9V (7 shots, 5 hits, 430m) (2A28 Grom not tested, because ammunition is practically the same)
1, hit on right mudguard, jet passed above track, and destroyed rear mudguard. Tank fully operational, crew unharmed. 
2, hit on turret side, on handrail. Rail torn off, no further damage. Tank needs no repairs, fully operational, crew unharmed.
3, hit on left rim of turret. Jet penetrated the turret, but went through the turret wall, did not enter fighting compartment. After exiting, it damaged the exhaust, and external oil tank on fender. Tank fully operational, crew unharmed, damage light. Possibility of fire due to oil tank hit, but this wouldnt affect the tank.
4, miss
5, turret side hit, near commander's hatch. Penetration, jet destroyed the radio, and hit the rear turret rack. OU-3 searchlight also damaged. Crew dead due to ammo explosion, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible.
6, miss
7, target side hull, but track was hit instead. Jet still penetrated side hull, but caused no damage. Gunner and Commander received heavy wounds, loader and driver minor wounds at worst. Tank needs only light repair work.
 
MT-12 anti tank gun, UBK2 (??? probably they mean 3UBK2, with 3BK3 shell)
Also, no tests for APFSDS! Damn...
(7 shots, 7 hits, 800m)
1, Front turret hit, 30cm from coax MG. Penetration, MG mount damaged, rear turret rack hit. Ammo detonation, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible. L2 searchlight also destroyed. In case of empty rear ammo rack, loader dead, commander & gunner seriously wounded.
2, Front hull hit, almost center, 10cm to right side. Penetration, front hull rack hit, ammo detonation, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible.
3, Side upper hull hit, frontal part. Penetration, front hull rack hit, ammo detonation, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible.
4, Side upper hull hit, frontal part, 50cm to trh rear. Results as 3rd hit.
5, Side turret hit. Results exaclty like RPG-7 4th hit.
6, Hit on rear turret, right side. Rear turret rack hit, ammo detonation, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible. If rack empty, turret crew dead, driver alive. ABV unit ventilator and coax MG mount damaged. Tank needs medium repairs.
7, Rear hull hit, center. Cooling fan and water radiator damaged, jet stopped by right cylinder head of engine. Crew unharmed, but mobility kill, engine seriously damaged.
 
9M111 Fagot (2 shots, 2 hits, 1830m)
1, Front hull hit, on headlights. Penetration, front hull rack hit, ammo detonation, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible.
2, Hit on commander's cupola, right side. Penetration, jet left on hatch. Searchlight destroyed, TPN-1 sight head mirror damaged, crew compartment covered by molten metal. Commander and gunner dead, loader and driver seriously wounded. Damage is light tank easily repaired.
 
9M14P1 Maljutka (2 shots, 2 hits, 2000m)
1, Front hull hit, on right tow hook. Penetration, jet hit the driver, and stopped by engine components. Only the loader survives, with serious wounds. Damage is light tank easily repaired.
2, Front turret hit, 30cm left to the coax MG. Penetration, MG damaged, rear rack hit, jet even penetrated rear turret. Explosion also destroyed L2 searchlight, extermal fuel cells and loaders periscope. Crew dead due to ammo explosion, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible.
If rear rack empty, loader dead, commander, gunner seriously wounded, driver lightly wounded. Tank needs medium repairs.
 
9M113 Konkurs (3 shots, 2 hits, 2400m)
1, missile malfunction, hit the ground far from target
2, Front hull hit, 5cm below driver's periscope. Penetration, jet hit the driver, gunner, commander, stopped by left cylinder head of engine. Only loader survives, with serious wounds. Tank lightly damaged.
3, Front hull hit, center, 5cm below the roof plate. Penetration, jet hit the front fuel cell, destroyed the electrical equipment of the stabilizator, stopped by gun breech. tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible.
 
2S1 Gvozdika, 3VBK9 with 3BK13 shell (6 shots, 6 hits, 600m)
1, hit on left mudguard, track lightly damaged, but tank still mobile. Damage minor, tank fully operational, crew well and alive.
2, hit on turret front 15cm above main gun sight. Penetration, jet hit both gunner and commander, stopped by gun breech. Radio damaged, rear turret rack hit. Explosion was so powerful that it dislodged the turret, balls from turret ring fell out. ammo detonation, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible.
If rear rack empty, turret crew dead, driver survives with wounds. Damage is severe, tank needs industrial rebuild.
3, side turret hit, center. Penetration, jet hit the loader, stopped by breech, which was seriously damaged. Gun jammed. Rest of crew seriously wounded. Tank needs medium repairs.
4, side hull hit, above 2nd road wheel. Fender totally destroyed, 2nd road wheel seriously damaged. Jet penetrated the hull, stopped by pre-heater. Mobility kill. Crew suffers negligible injuries, and if road wheel arm remains intact, tank needs light repairs only.
5, rear turret hit, center. Penetration, rear rack hit. Jet stopped by gun breech, which was dislodged. Hull roof warped.  Ammo detonation, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible. If rear rack empty, only driver survives, tank repairable, but needs new turret.
6, rear hull hit, center. Water radiator destroyed, jet stopped by gun breech. Only driver survives, tank needs medium repairs.
 
2S3 Akatsiya, 3VBP2 with BP540 shell (6 shots, 6 hits, 600m)
1, Turret front hit, near coax MG. Penetration, coax MG mount torn off, rear rack hit. Explosion was so powerful that it lifted the turret, turret ring mounting bolts sheared off, balls fell out. Fragments carved 8-10mm deep grooves in barrel. Damage is massive, both in and outside. If rear rack empty, only driver survives, but tank needs industrial level rebuild.
2, Hull front hit, 30cm below gun barrel. Penetration, front hull rack hit, ammo detonation, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible.
3, Turret side hit, frontal part of side. Penetration, jet hit loader, stopped by gun breech. Massive damage, gun torn off its mounting. No ammo detonation, but still, everyone dead. Tank needs at least medium repairs.
4, Hit on 4th road wheel, fender totally destroyed, track broke, huge damage on wheels. No penetration, but hit left a 2cm deep, 10cm wide mark on side hull. Mobility kill, crew alive, suffers only minor wounds. Tank needs light repairs.
5, Rear hull hit, 20cm below top. Water radiator torn off, roof plate opened. Engine also torn off its mountings, dislodged towards crew compartment, about 5-10cm. Crew suffers only minor wounds, but the damage in engine compartment is so severe that even industrial rebuild is questionable, due to warped hull and engine mounts.
6, Target was rear turret, but the previous shot opened the roof plate, and the shell detonated on it. Even more damage on engine compartment. Rear turret not penetrated but 2-3cm deep grooves in a 15cm diameter circle.
 
T-72, 3BK14 (3 shots, 3 hits, 800m) (again, no APFSDS... sad)
1, hull front hit, above headlights. Penetration, jet hit hull fuel cell/rack, then the loader, and dissipated in turret ring. ammo detonation, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible.
2, Hit exactly between gun sight and the gun. Penetration, jet torn off the sight, and thrown out along with the commander's hatch which was locked. Jet penetrated rear turret too. ammo detonation, tank burned and destroyed, no repair possible.
If rear rack empty, driver maybe survives, tank needs medium repairs.
3, lower hull front hit, on KMT mount. Jet penetrated the hull, through the batteries, and stopped by the engine. Loader may survive. Tank needs medium repairs, unless hit causes fire.
 
I'll translate the rest tomorrow.
 

T-64MV, Uzbekistan modification of T-64 wth V-84 engine instead of Kharkovites lunacy-fueled opposing piston diesel. Upgrade also includes minor stuff like new radios. They are going to upgrade their fleet of T-64s to MV level.

 
 
 

Currently i'm going through Ground Control 2 RTS singleplayer and will do review of it. Also, will do review of 2 VR games - Arizona Sunshine zombine shooter and Half-Life Alyx.