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Pager-palooza: The Remote Detonation Arms Race Begins

pagermore

If Israel had this mass remote detonation capability a year ago, why level Gaza when surgical strikes would have sent a more clear message and not set the entire global Islamic world against them (even worse and more vociferously than before)?

Inquiring minds want to know.

The remote detonation arms race is launching off the pad as we speak.

Who had this on their bingo card for 2024?

icomxplode

ICOM radio explosive debris.

The personal electronics devices we carry everyday now have a more sinister presence in our everyday lives.

Buckle up.

I carry a pager and now, maybe not.

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Encourage Work and Abolish Welfare: AZ Sheriff Testifies to Congress

Sheriff Hathaway of Arizona explains the situation at America’s border.

As libertarians, we should be encouraging people to engage in mutually beneficial voluntary exchanges regardless of arbitrary differences, such as where the person happened to be born.

Simultaneously, we should regularly delegitimize and shame the concept of welfare, since it discourages mutually beneficial trade, and allows the state to coercively benefit some people at the expense of others.

 

Hollywood Isn’t Real: Precise Space Targeting is Fiction

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A billion here and several billion there, pretty soon some technology works.

Not.

Please dismiss the idea of the all-seeing eye-in-the-sky providing real time weapons launch control. And even if they could provide the data, what system would coordinate and synchronize the fires? It doesn’t exist. Satellite images can only provide coarse location while the satellite flight over that region. At least now, only China has one satellite at geosynchronous orbit (22,236 miles above earth) has Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capable to take workable image on earth.

Targeting, and by extension, actionable targeting requires much more resolution and sophisticated synchronization than is evident in the press releases from the Space Force.

BTW, only the US government could have an agency acronym of NGA (don’t say that around the watercooler or coffee machine at work, the HR harridans will fly out of the gargoyle palaces).

China with the luxury of being a regional hegemon is making better advances:

As of the end of 2021, China’s ISR satellite fleet contained more than 260 systems—a quantity​ second only to the United States, and nearly doubling China’s in-orbit systems since 2018.​ The PLA owns and operates about half of the world’s ISR systems, most of which could​ support monitoring, tracking, and targeting of U.S. and allied forces worldwide, especially​ throughout the Indo-Pacific region. These satellites also allow the PLA to monitor potential​ regional flashpoints, including the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan, Indian Ocean, and the South​ China Sea.​

Recent improvements to China’s space-based ISR capabilities emphasize the development,​ procurement, and use of increasingly capable satellites with digital camera technology as well​ as space-based radar for all-weather, 24-hour coverage. These improvements increase​ China’s monitoring capabilities—including observation of U.S. aircraft carriers,​
expeditionary strike groups, and deployed air wings. Space capabilities will enhance potential​ PLA military operations farther from the Chinese coast. These capabilities are being​ augmented with electronic reconnaissance satellites that monitor radar and radio​ transmissions.​

https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/2023-China-Military-Power-Report/

The Space Farce is on the job:

Satellites equipped with Air Moving Target Indicators (AMTI), which would send precise tracking data to “shooters” on the ground, at sea and in the air, would be a new capability — joining the Space Force’s joint program with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to develop Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) satellites that track vehicles and ships.

“The adversary has become very good at pushing the lines of battle further and further out away from their shores, and have become very good at denying oversight of their territory. As they’ve done that, we’ve had to go higher and higher to get the same perspective of what’s going on on the battlefield,” Guetlein explained. “So, as we push to GMTI — that’s your larger moving targets — we also know we need to get after air moving targets. So we are starting to invest in those studies now, and in those conversations.”

Up to now, Space Force leaders have been somewhat coy about their plans for space-based AMTI — a job that currently is accomplished by the Air Force’s fleet of aging E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System. The Air Force in 2022 decided that Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft would become the primary replacement for the E-3s, and last month finally reached a $2.6 billion deal with the company to acquire the first two E-7 of a planned 26 planes.

By contrast, the Space Force since 2021 has been pushing their case to fill part of the gap in ground tracking/targeting left by the Air Force’s retirement of the E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft. That campaign has run up against roles and missions related challenges — some of which have yet to be fully resolved — from both the NRO and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA). The NRO owns and operates the nation’s spy satellites, while the NGA is responsible for disseminating space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) imagery and analysis to users across the US government.

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/09/space-force-vice-wants-sats-to-track-aircraft-by-early-2030s/

Those E7 Wedgetails by Boeing? They expect a prototype from Boeing in 2027. Boeing even claims they’ll build six a year by the end of the decade. I wouldn’t buy a wheelbarrow from Boing now.Don’t believe it.

The Air Force originally awarded Boeing a contract worth up to $1.2 billion to kickstart work on the Wedgetail in 2023, though the deal was signed as an undefinitized contract action as the two parties worked to come to terms. The agreement announced today covers two rapid prototypes, and the Air Force eventually expects to field a fleet of 26 aircraft. 

Amid negotiations, Kendall earlier this year turned the heat up on Boeing, telling reporters that the service was “having a hard time” nailing down a price with the planemaker. Complications in ironing out the deal caused the Air Force to postpone procurement funding for the program, though Hunter previously said that he still expects Boeing could deliver the first prototype plane in fiscal year 2027. 

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/07/air-force-strikes-deal-with-boeing-for-e-7-wedgetail/

Pretty good work to get a billion dollars to start the aircraft development without a contract.

What a country!

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Anti-War Blog – The Powerful and the Powerless

Anti-War Blog – The Powerful and the Powerless

There is an indecency in forcing someones home open, to be pillaged, then celebrating in such behaviour by showing of what was found. Personal items. Men, relishing in the intimate secrets of a woman. Lingerie and other personal apparel to be strewn and displayed for a voyeurs gaze. A final victory of indignity that the powerful express over those who are ruled and dominated. Among the mass murder and starvation we witnessed more viral footage of Israeli soldiers parading their victims lingerie as an expression of victory in Palestine. The former owner of the lingerie, either dead or living, but homeless for certain.

It reminded me of a friend who had an incident with the South Australian police, they confiscated his phone because he had recorded them do something they were not meant to be doing. They were unable to find the recording though they did discover intimate photos that a husband and wife share between themselves. While in custody a police officer made the comment about how sexy the wife looked in her Valentines day lingerie. The police man smugly described to his thoughts upon seeing such a photo. The power disparity apparent. The husband could do nothing but co-operate. The might of the violent monopoly ensured as such. That can’t happen! Cries the naive who turn the other way repeatedly when it does happen. The belief that the monopoly will investigate itself and those who thrive within shall respect their roles. Just some bad apples. Like that IDF soldier, he is the bad apple while the others are making genocide possible.

When the Australian Federal Police raided journalists over the Afghan war crime allegations it was another moment that revealed the disparity between the powerful and powerless. Australian press freedom took a hit and the government showed that it’s only concern was retention of power. It’s not political parties, just government. Annika Smethurst suffered the indignity of the federal police going through her home, devices included. Placing her underwear and other very personal items on her bed to be photographed, even if such items were unrelated to the investigation. The treatment and shaming of the journalist in such a matter was an act of intimidation. The powerful had sent their message to the woman journalist who dared report. Shut up, Bitch!

The allies lost the war in Afghanistan and hundreds of thousand of people died. Many continue to do so from the remnants of what was left behind. Just as the war on Vietnam was lost, the legacy a historical dark spot for foreign policy. Millions of people killed and injured. It’s what the powerful do. In the retreat from Afghanistan the government did not want it to be known what was occurring there, what it’s warriors may have been doing. And what Australian government officials may have been aware of. The crime was in reporting on such crimes, killing children and the unarmed, it’s what the powerful do.

We are now witnessing a genocide in Palestine. The soldiers flashing underwear in such a manner is a micro moment of vileness in an ocean of atrocities. It’s not a trait of just the Israeli’s. It is a universal expression of those who seek power and who serve it. It’s how they view those who are ruled or who would defy such power. The romance of the powerful is that benevolence ensures a positive outcome, despite some sacrifice or that the powerful will police themselves, and do as it does with consideration, moderation and ultimately for the greater good of those ruled. Whether the ruled want it it or not. The consent is assumed and defined by the powerful, it’s mandated. The consent is given by default.

To report on such moments of injustice can very well be an illegal act. To discuss it, to question it to even know about it. There seems to be a comfort for many in allowing such an imbalance. Perhaps because they find employment inside the structures of power, they are dependent on it. The status quo is good to them. Like the friend who turns the other way while his mate bashes his wife or the lad who watches on while his buddies rape the girl. It’s none of their business or they can look past such indignities and disgusting acts. Those cops are just doing a job, otherwise good blokes. That soldier is letting of stress while in a war against a terror group, he probably is a really nice person. Just like the snipers who have been shooting children in the head or the drone operators destroying injured soldiers in Russia-Ukraine. The Japanese soldiers who cried for their mother after bayoneting babies, when a bayonet had stabbed them, the power of the State or the gang, or mob ensures that such imbalances may occur. Gas chambers and torture, perfectly legal, because the law is the power.

It’s easy to romance good versus evil in fiction. To admit and omit as the writer pleases. In life it’s all about perspective, those who do evil and are on the side of it pretend that it’s for a cause or that they themselves are powerless. Those feds raiding the journalists or the soldier displaying a woman’s underwear all just pawns on a chessboard, morally empty. Or the morality is that they see themselves as crusaders, how dare that woman journalist defy the authority, how dare the citizen record an incident of abuse, how dare that Palestinian lady live. There is nothing the powerless can do. They are told that it’s fair or just to be powerless. The powerful and it’s enablers will use language of justice but it is always in their favour. The powerless must comply, yield and when those moments arise, suffer. With law on their side, the rapist always gains consent, even if the victims scream, “NO!repeatedly.

The lack of outrage, care or the fact that so many want the powerful to grow in power is frightening. It’s even a bit depressing really. What does it say about a society or even you if you are fine with it all. But then again if there is nothing you can do, what does that say about your relationship with the powerful. Those who rule you, for your own good. Apparently even for the good of those no dying and dead.

Storm Clouds Gathering: Is This It?

warcity2

Secret Service Director Ron Rowe [9/16/24]:

“There could be another geopolitical event that could put the United States into a kinetic conflict or some other… some other issue that may result in additional responsibilities and protectees of the United States Secret Service.”

Could this be a hint that the USG is seeing increased chatter among potential malefactors planning a terror event in the US?

I did a Storming America series on my podcast describing what a large spontaneous kinetic attack on America would look like and the aftermath.

Take the 7 October 2023 terror incursion of Israel from Gaza and imagine one thousand cells of ten Muslim men each responding to a go signal on a Tuesday morning to launch terror attacks across the US in a fire and forget mission where there is no expectation of survival for the militants. They maim and kill (and worse) until they are dead. Tens of thousands dead and hundreds of thousands injured. Cities and infrastructure in ruins.

If you don’t have time to listen to the whole thing, the last two episodes describe what you can do to prepare.

Ol’ Remus: “Stay away from crowds.”

I hope I am mistaken.

Episodes 37, 41-43 and 49-50 comprise the Storming America series.

The Chasing Ghosts podcast is available here at the Institute.

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Fraud on Fraud: Compounding The LCS Follies

lcscrap

It only took the DoJ eight years to levy a fine for ripping off tax dollars. Imagine if journalists on the Pentagon beat actually went after the fraud and inefficiencies of the military industrial complex with investigative lenses and FOIA festivals that could shed light on these wacky spending sprees.

This fraud occurred on the extraordinary mutli-billion dollar Little Crappy Ship program which has seen “ships” with a 25 year service life retired as early as seven years because they don’t work. These are fish reef structures that haven’t been sunk yet.

Very expensive future fish housing complexes.

Now go after Disney next.

Austal USA, an Alabama-based shipbuilder that makes vessels for the U.S. Navy, has admitted wrongdoing and agreed to pay a $24 million fine to settle an accounting fraud investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

From 2013 through July 2016, Austal USA conspired to mislead shareholders and investors about the company’s financial condition, the department said. The company pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud and one count of obstruction of a federal audit.

The Justice Department said the appropriate criminal penalty would be $73 million, but that was reduced because of Austal USA’s inability to pay. In addition to the $24 million criminal fine, the company is also on the hook for $24 million in restitution for shareholder losses.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/2024/08/28/us-navy-shipbuilder-austal-usa-to-pay-24m-to-settle-fraud-probe/

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Indefensible: Homeland Defense is Not Available at This Time

warcity2

I have a challenge for my readers and listeners.

The US DoD has spent trillions of dollars and still can’t defend the homeland against the ICBM/IRBM threat. “U.S. defense officials have stated that both existing terrestrial- and space-based sensor architectures are insufficient to detect and track hypersonic weapons…”

Reentry warheads from ICBMs are by definition hypersonic weapons that re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere at very high velocities, on the order of 6–8 kilometers per second (22,000–29,000 km/h; 13,000–18,000 mph) at ICBM ranges.

The Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD), as of 2018, the system is composed of two interceptor staging bases in the states of Alaska and California, with 40 staged in the former, 4 staged in the latter, for a total of 44 interceptors, as well as the component early warning and targeting sensors based on land, sea, and in orbit. The cost is approximately 53 billion dollars so far (effective 2020).

44.

GMD has a failing test record: a success rate of just 55 percent in highly scripted tests, including three misses in the last six tries. The potential ICBM MIRV rain on North America is significant and the normal engagement strategy is a minimum of two missiles sent aloft to intercept a single target.

If someone shot ONE nuclear missile at the US then yes, definitely. If you shot one defense missile against an incoming ICBM your chances of shooting it down are 53%. Use four defense missiles and it’s 97%.

The Russians are the only ones updating their arsenal. The RS-28 Sarmat made its first test flight on 20 April 2022. On 16 August 2022, a state contract was signed for the manufacture and supply of the Sarmat strategic missile system. The missile officially entered operational service in September 2023, as the world’s longest range and most powerful extant ICBM system.

The US Sentinel system is still at least a decade away from replacing the arthritic and aging Minuteman ICBM inventory.

Yet the US keeps threatening Russia in a fashion that invites nuclear exchange. Why? Where are the cool heads in the mandarin class of the US government?

https://news.usni.org/2024/06/25/report-to-congress-on-hypersonic-missile-defense-4

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Submarine News: Hold My Beer!

womensubs

Who knows how expensive this will be and challenging for new rules and culture shifts. They new Virginia’s have “gender neutral” bathrooms. Basically, everyone gets a private stall to themself.

Gaucher added, per the outlet, that all future nuclear-powered attack submarines and all new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines are to be designed “gender-neutral from the keel up.”

For the New Jersey, that meant adjusting many details, from the height of overhead valves to the privacy of washrooms and berths, the outlet reported.

Since admitting women onto submarines, the US Navy has faced the challenge of retrofitting and reorganizing vessels for co-ed use.

Last year, the Navy announced plans to expand the number of submarines taking on co-ed crews from 30 to 40, the Navy Times reported.

Lieutenant Commanders Andrea Howard and Emma McCarthy, who joined the influx of women to the fleet, wrote last year about the adjustments needed — both physical and social — in integrating them on ships designed for all-male crews.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/09/10/us-navy-about-launch-submarine-built-mixed-gender-crew-first-of-its-kind.html?ESRC=eb_240911.nl

If a shipmate does their job and is reliable, I don’t care how they stow their mating tackle.

***

In the article below, the Navy is spending 2.4 billion dollars for a five year consulting job by the politically correct firm of Deloitte.

That’s 500 million a year for consulting.

500 million dollars.

PowerPoint slides and Word documents and nicely worded justification at the end of each year on all the contributions to improve, then at the end of five years, none of the advice is followed and shipbuilding is still in an existential crisis on the sole exquisite platform advantage, nuclear submarines, the US military has in the 21st century.

Roughly half the cost of a new submarine and there aren’t enough submarines.

Oh, and to make you feel even better:

Deloitte in 2024 ranked #1 in global diversity, has consistently placed well in Human Rights Campaign corporate equity index, and often receives recognition for its efforts in DEI. It has paid for this too, investing $75 million in 2021 to establish its Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable and committing over $1.5 billion to creating an equitable society. Its own corporate DEI report belies an emphasis on racial quotas and identity, an approach that has cratered military recruiting.

Deloitte is number one in the galactic wrecking ball of IED that has spawned a competency crisis and a chaos avalanche cascading through first world civilizations.

Imagine the efficiencies that will be achieved by the helms-humans in those C-suites!

That’s 2.4 billion debt-bucks to build PPT decks and let’s suppose they finish around 2028/29 and we are five years farther into the chaos avalanche of the competency crisis and shipbuilding infrastructure is even worse than now.

They will either adopt the recommendations or do what they always do, refuse to make hard choices and continue to fight the PTO in WWII. Fire every flag officer on deck in the US Navy tomorrow and don’t forget to cashier all the SES dross that got us into this mess in the first place. As a USN alumnus, I am sad to say by 2030, the US surface navy will be in tatters.

Consider the $2.4 billion deal administration inked in July with Deloitte Consulting to boost submarine construction, by an administration that had claimed there isn’t enough money in the budget to fund two needed nuclear attack submarines.

Deloitte will get $2.4 billion over five years to: “… provide labor, materials, and equipment needed to develop and expand the size and capability of the maritime submarine workforce and industrial base and speed the development of improved manufacturing technologies to supply chain.”

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the cost of building a new nuclear attack submarine today is $4.3 billion. At a day and age where the Navy’s requirement for submarines is 66 but only has 50.  So why not just spend that money to buy a submarine?

The Department of Defense’s $2.4 Billion ‘Submarine’ Mistake

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