I - On Defense Podcast

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 National Defense Authorization Act (and subsequent Appropriations Bill).

Full packed show discussing 3 x FMS to Finland & Qatar. Nice story from National Defense concerning a dismounted cUAS system. And finally, two stories of major end item(s) modernization: B21 Raider Bomber and the potential replacement for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle- also known as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV).

Lots of International Stories in Episode 72. Established theme in many countries shows an increase in Defense spending. The stories in EP 72 illustrate (hopefully) this theme.

Quick moving episode 71. We discuss latest US security assistance package to Ukraine along with Brimstone-2 missiles from the UK. Along with a Space Force story, we also add a USMC one (ACV). We close out PC '22 with another story on the TITAN system. Somewhere toward the end- we do a quick update on the latest IVAS and FLRAA news.

Longest episode yet. We've talked about new US Army FM 3.0 (Operations) for awhile. So now brace yourself- this is the where we finally tackle the manual (released in October 2022). I do my best to show comparisons between the 2022 version and the previous 2017 edition. Plus- I spend some time on each chapter. I could have split the subject into two episodes- but I decided to push it all into one.

We cover the press conference by Sec. Austin & CJCS GEN Milley + DOD Contracts to continue assistance to Ukraine and replenish US weapon stockpiles. We also have a 6th Project Convergence story. Will there be a 7th? Hope so. And finally- we talk a bit more about the Ia Drang Valley Campaign (Vietnam 1965). This time we briefly discuss the Battle at LZ Albany between the 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry & (3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile)) vs PAVN regulars.

Enjoyed this episode. We talked a bit about HIMARS and the M3/M4 Carl Gustaf. Plus we did our 5th (I think) Project Convergence story. This involved modernization efforts from the UK & Australia. And finally- we talked about the 57th anniversary of the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. From 14-16 November 1965, elements from the 1st & 2d Battalions of the 7th Cavalry Regiment (Garry Owen), 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile)- fought valiantly and outnumbered against a tough and determined foe - units from the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN).

Lots of stories in episode 67. Hopefully it's not too rambling. We talk a bit about Ukraine support efforts that include assistance packages and training- plus the US creates a new command to oversee their efforts in this arena. We also discuss France's Strategic Review- and finally, another Project Convergence story involving Space integration into a JADC2 platform (TITAN).

EP 66 is (mostly) an all Breaking Defense Episode. We discuss information concerning the latest US Security package to Ukraine- including T-72s & HAWK Missiles. We also cover a insightful story concerning Russian ISR failures in Ukraine. And finally, we discuss Norway's acquisition of 155mm(s) from Hanwha Defense (S. Korea).
+ somewhere in there- we talk about Belgium & AMRAAM missiles.

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).