This Might Be Better Than A Flying Car, Especially In Traffic

US Army's next-gen combat vehicle adds autonomy, 50 mm cannon power

At the center of the XM30's capabilities is an unmanned turret equipped with a 50 mm XM913 Bushmaster autocannon. This weapon offers greater range and firepower than the 25 mm cannon on the Bradley, improving effectiveness against modern armored threats.
The unmanned turret allows the vehicle to operate with a two-person crew. Both crew members remain inside the hull, enhancing protection by removing the need for a traditional manned turret position.

Here's the video! Yes, it's an advertisement, but it looks like just the thing for commuting into our blue cities.

I saw a video of one of our Bradleys we gave to Ukraine absolutely knocking the snot out of a Russian tank. And the Bradley carries a 25mm gun.

A 5mm chain gun will be a game changer...maybe.

Posted by: CBD at 12:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon everyone

Posted by: Skip at April 12, 2026 12:00 PM (Ia/+0)

2 Another tired phrase - "game changer"

(Just because it has been used so bloody much)

Posted by: Cow Demon at April 12, 2026 12:02 PM (hJH5n)

3 The unmanned turret allows the vehicle to operate with a two-person crew.

——————

Unmanned with a two person crew? Hmmm

Posted by: Duke Lowell at April 12, 2026 12:02 PM (u73oe)

4 I can visit Detroit again!!

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 12, 2026 12:02 PM (Sco7b)

5 Begs a great business opportunity for someone who can make a vehicle (or a hand carried) EMP device.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:03 PM (2WIwB)

6 'Unmanned turret'. Placing a great deal of faith in automation in what may be a high-risk environment. (Nephew & niece aren't here yet).

Posted by: Nazdar at April 12, 2026 12:04 PM (NcvvS)

7 A announcing new and improved armored vehicle now is like announcing a new and improved saddle for the cavalry in 1916.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at April 12, 2026 12:04 PM (TR4+2)

8 2 men and a AI turret, fantastic.

Posted by: Skip at April 12, 2026 12:06 PM (Ia/+0)

9 Would like to see a 50mm auto-cannon in operation

Posted by: Skip at April 12, 2026 12:07 PM (Ia/+0)

10 Remember when we desperately needed a replacement for the jeep so they came up with the HMVEE? Bigger, faster, stronger, more versatile, could carry a bunch in a C-130 oor C-17. Real mobility! then the bad guys started laying mines and IEDs. Suddenly they weren't very survivable, so Congress (in their infinite wisdom) said to armor them up. So instead of carrying 7-8 in a C-130 you got 2. And not as fast, not as mobile, and all the Iranians did was modify the IED they gave to the bad guys.
I can't wait to see what congress (in their infinite wisdom) does with something like this.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:08 PM (2WIwB)

11 Coming to a local law enforcement agency near you (in about 10 years) under the 1033 program.

Posted by: one hour sober at April 12, 2026 12:08 PM (Y1sOo)

12 Sorry...news dump if antone cares.

FoxNews - no deal. Trump blockade of Strait. Trump said everything was good except Iran's desire for nukes. I wonder why they want those.

MSNow - Velshi. No Iran deal. And his tits are still in a bunch over Trump's destroying civilization remarks. New reason to be upset ..... blocking the strait!!!

CNN- Iran blockade. Also 2028 and Swalwell because the knives are out. GatewayPundit thinks there may have been a threeway.

CBC - Canadian politics. Blockade now....

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 12, 2026 12:08 PM (Sco7b)

13 HUMVEE

Stoopid autocucumber

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:09 PM (2WIwB)

14 *5 Begs a great business opportunity for someone who can make a vehicle (or a hand carried) EMP device.
Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:03 PM*

From Saving Private Ryan:

Capt. Miller: Well, we could make a sticky bomb.
Corp. Henderson: Are, are you making that up, sir?
Capt. Miller: No, it's in the field manual.
Pvt. Ryan: Well, we seem to be out of field manuals, sir. Perhaps you can "enlighten" us.
Capt. Miller: You take a standard G.I. sock, cram it with as much Comp[osition] B as it can hold, rig up a simple fuse, then coat the whole thing with axle grease. Now when you throw it, it should stick. It's a bomb that sticks, a "sticky bomb." Think of a better way to knock out the tracks off a tank, 'm all ears.

Posted by: But it's NOT a movie thread! at April 12, 2026 12:12 PM (2Ez/1)

15 It's too heavy to forward deploy by air tactically or airdrop. You can bring them in with very heavy airlift like a c-5 maybe c-17 if you control the lz and have a modern prepared infrastructure ready.

Something less than 25ton and 100" x 90" would be better.

Or flying battle mechs piloted by big tt anime girls which is actually preferable all around.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 12, 2026 12:13 PM (3uBP9)

16 In other .mil nooz, the US Navy is going to be stopping any freighters that paid Iran's toll.
Sodomy and the lash for all!

Posted by: gKWVE at April 12, 2026 12:14 PM (gKWVE)

17 Lovely, electric hybrid engine

Posted by: Skip at April 12, 2026 12:14 PM (Ia/+0)

18 I liked the video.

The tank has electric hybrid technology! Useful.

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 12, 2026 12:15 PM (Sco7b)

19 Put a Cummins in it. Electric garbage.

Posted by: Reforger at April 12, 2026 12:15 PM (emWLT)

20 Imagine if the turret had a 50mm gun instead of a 5mm one.

Posted by: Richard Cranium at April 12, 2026 12:16 PM (u5xQp)

21 Aaahkkctchually Detroit has been making quite a comeback. Started in the mid 2010s after bankruptcy. Definitely not the Detroit of the 80s and 90s anymore.They shifted the economic focus away from cars and the city is doing relatively well. Lots of neighborhoods brought back from the brink, through gentrification. Downtown is walkable.

It’s by no means 100% revitalization and there still are several no go zones, etc. But a lot of it has turned positive.

Posted by: Heroq at April 12, 2026 12:16 PM (UuB1r)

22 There's a YouTuber, Sal Mercogliano who does videos called "What's Going On With Shipping" and had a presentation about the current situation. It's not strictly from a commercial shipping perspective, but it's not a military one either.

He discusses the situation with the purported mining of the Hormuz done by Iran/IRGC and the changes Iran implemented to the shipping channels.

Worth a look if interested it the situation from a non-military POV exclusively or filled with politics.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 12, 2026 12:17 PM (AkEZC)

23 A 5mm chain gun will be a game changer...maybe.

That seems rather small...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at April 12, 2026 12:17 PM (ynpvh)

24 OT:

Things are looking promising in the Hungarian elections.

Like a lot of countries, Hungary has a City Party and a County Party - historically, Budapest has generally hated Orban, while the rest of Hungary has generally supported Orban.

Turnout is running very high in rural areas and small towns in Hungary, which is good for Fidesz and Orban.

Eurocrats and open-border advocates hardest hit.

Fingers crossed...

Posted by: The ARC of History! at April 12, 2026 12:18 PM (n1OCj)

25 A 5mm chain gun will be a game changer...maybe.

Didn't you mean a 5cm chain gun?

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at April 12, 2026 12:19 PM (0N4FZ)

26 50mm, a Bradley has a 25mm auto-cannon

Posted by: Skip at April 12, 2026 12:20 PM (Ia/+0)

27 Didn't you mean a 5cm chain gun?
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at April 12, 2026 12:19 PM (0N4FZ)

No. 50mm.

Posted by: Reforger at April 12, 2026 12:20 PM (emWLT)

28 I, for one, would take a 5mm chain gun. My current 4.7mm stuff is fun to shoot!

Posted by: ballistic at April 12, 2026 12:21 PM (oqH4h)

29 A silly millimeter longer...

Posted by: 6mm chain gun at April 12, 2026 12:21 PM (2Ez/1)

30 Posted by: Heroq at April 12, 2026 12:15 PM (YTjJV

My Mom grew up there. The family fled during Coleman Young's reign. May he rot in hell. I still wouldn't want to travel there. From Grok.

Violent Crime Ranking (Latest Available Data) Based on 2024–2025 FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data and analyses: Detroit often places in the top 5–10 for violent crime rate per 100,000 residents among major U.S. cities (population 100,000+ or 200,000+).

In one 2026 compilation of top dangerous cities using recent FBI figures, Detroit ranked #3 with a violent crime rate of approximately 2,059 per 100,000 (behind Memphis at ~2,437 and St. Louis at ~2,082). U.S. News & World Report's 2025–2026 "Most Dangerous Places" ranking placed Detroit at #5.

Other sources (e.g., MoneyGeek, NeighborhoodScout) rank it in the bottom 1–5% safest for violent crime nationally, with rates several times the U.S. average (~359–400 violent crimes per 100,000).

Detroit's violent crime rate (including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) was reported around 1,781–2,059 per 100,000 in recent FBI snapshots, compared to the national average of roughly 359.

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 12, 2026 12:21 PM (Sco7b)

31 Proper cannons are measured in inches, not silly millimeters!

Posted by: My Big Ten Inch at April 12, 2026 12:23 PM (oftw2)

32 Just finished watching the video, where do the actual Infantry guys go? There does not appear to be any room for an infantry squad/section to ride in the vehicle.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at April 12, 2026 12:23 PM (0N4FZ)

33 The Paolo, he no impressed.

Posted by: The Paolo at April 12, 2026 12:23 PM (55eRG)

34 31 Proper cannons are measured in inches, not silly millimeters!

Posted by: My Big Ten Inch at April 12, 2026 12:23 PM (oftw2)

Millimeters makes it seem longer.

Posted by: Euroweenie Vienna Sausage at April 12, 2026 12:24 PM (ynpvh)

35 I can't wait to see what congress (in their infinite wisdom) does with something like this.
Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:08 PM (2WIwB)

it looks like it is supposed to be the ISV, which does look like an upscale ATV that sits 6 based on a Chevy truck frame

Posted by: Kindltot at April 12, 2026 12:24 PM (rbvCR)

36 Posted by: banana Dream at April 12, 2026 12:13 PM (3uBP9)

With pics, definitely with pics.

Posted by: Nazdar at April 12, 2026 12:24 PM (NcvvS)

37 32 Just finished watching the video, where do the actual Infantry guys go? There does not appear to be any room for an infantry squad/section to ride in the vehicle.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at April 12, 2026 12:23 PM (0N4FZ)

They are the put between the baterries.

Posted by: Reforger at April 12, 2026 12:24 PM (emWLT)

38 If Orban loses that’s the last bastion of Europe that falls. Budapest will be 50% Muslim within a decade.

In Germany, France, UK this happened stealthily. No politicians there expressly said we’re going to turn your country Muslim. They just did it behind the scenes. So you can sorta kinda excuse voters for letting it happen. They were conned to a certain extent.

In Hungary the leftists are outright saying yes we will open the borders and you will someday be a minority in your own country. Hungary has had a decade witnessing what happened in the UK, France and Germany. And even so, there is a chance they may win.

There is no excuse this time. A sizable percentage of Europeans hate themselves to the point they will vote for self extermination.

Posted by: Heroq at April 12, 2026 12:25 PM (UuB1r)

39 16 In other .mil nooz, the US Navy is going to be stopping any freighters that paid Iran's toll.
Sodomy and the lash for all!

Posted by: gKWVE at April 12, 2026 12:14 PM (gKWVE)
-------
I'm here, once again, to flaunt my ignorance... is this a good idea? It seems one thing if Iran wants to hold the world hostage but quite another to hold ships and say "Fuck you - pay me" to the world. Would other countries be likely to say this is an act of aggression against them?

Posted by: 496 at April 12, 2026 12:25 PM (TV54s)

40 The Three Stooges were on artillery crew and shot the Admirals flagship from a shore gun emplacement.

Posted by: Ready! Fire! Aim! at April 12, 2026 12:26 PM (oftw2)

41 >>Didn't you mean a 5cm chain gun?
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at April 12, 2026 12:19 PM (0N4FZ)

No. 50mm.

Um, granted we are metric-disgusted, but...

Posted by: Nazdar at April 12, 2026 12:26 PM (NcvvS)

42 I lived in a house with a turret in Brooklyn in the 60s.

Posted by: NYC Refugee Since 1988 at April 12, 2026 12:27 PM (oftw2)

43 I can't be the only one wondering how far a tank can go on a full charge.

I'm wondering if my idea of 100 mile extension cords is suddenly viable.

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 12, 2026 12:27 PM (Sco7b)

44 More money down the pentagon shitter.

We don't fight wars anymore to win so why do we need a 50mm autocannon, it just gets in the way of the pizza oven and the PlayStation.

Posted by: Roy Munson at April 12, 2026 12:28 PM (onPc6)

45 I think I have Turret's Syndrome because I keep going off.

Posted by: No Self Control at April 12, 2026 12:28 PM (oftw2)

46 42 I lived in a house with a turret in Brooklyn in the 60s.

I lived in one in the Spring Garden area of Philly!

went back to show the building to the kids and they tore it down and put an ugly lego-box modernist "townhome" there

the turreted house on the corner across Green was still there tho

Posted by: BlackOrchid(j+aD2) at April 12, 2026 12:28 PM (j+aD2)

47 I know a lot of you don't like X but it's been really fun lately with the auto-translation going on

I'm having a BLAST! some really interesting Italian and Japanese peeps and we can talk directly now.

it's really cool

Posted by: BlackOrchid(j+aD2) at April 12, 2026 12:29 PM (j+aD2)

48 Put a Cummins in it. Electric garbage.
Posted by: Reforger at April 12, 2026 12:15 PM (emWLT)

I see a Diesel-electric drive as advantageous for tracked vehicles. One or more engines, driving one or more generators. Small battery bank (optional) for surge power. Electric motor on each track. No huge torque converters. No massive and expensive reduction gears. Each track independently controlled, so you could run one forward, and the other in reverse to pivot-steer.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 12, 2026 12:32 PM (utfVc)

49 I won't stand for this denigration of the metric system. I will not stand for it!!!

Posted by: Lincoln Chafee at April 12, 2026 12:32 PM (Ucgf4)

50 Millimeters makes it seem longer"

Benson and Hedges agrees...

Posted by: man at April 12, 2026 12:32 PM (XuXeR)

51 I’d love to drive one of those downtown Seattle. During the next No Kings protest.
Flying a ginormous American Flag.
And blasting rock and roll.

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 12, 2026 12:33 PM (qKTd3)

52
So this is the early Gun Thread?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 12, 2026 12:34 PM (tgvbd)

53 I got a trailer with a generator on it. Get out and clean the mud out of your recepticle plug it in. You'll be charged in a few hours. I'm going to PMCS my eyelids. Insure they function properly.
G-night.

Posted by: SPC Reforgers first shop maint. at April 12, 2026 12:34 PM (emWLT)

54 A 5mm chain gun will be a game changer...maybe.

The 5mm was even too much for James Bond.

Posted by: Operator Error at April 12, 2026 12:35 PM (wsxbk)

55 So this is the early Gun Thread?"

Just in time for second breakfast...

Posted by: man at April 12, 2026 12:35 PM (XuXeR)

56 In Hungary the leftists are outright saying yes we will open the borders and you will someday be a minority in your own country.

The pro-EU sex pervert druggie running against Orban claims that he will be even tougher on immigration than Orban.

And if you believe that, I have several bridges across the Danube to sell you.

This is a really important election.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at April 12, 2026 12:36 PM (n1OCj)

57 Another tired phrase - "game changer"

(Just because it has been used so bloody much)
Posted by: Cow Demon at April 12, 2026 12:02 PM (hJH5n)

"pasttime metamorphasis" is now in play, people!

Be the first on your block to use it!!!

Posted by: naturalfake at April 12, 2026 12:37 PM (iJfKG)

58 >>The 5mm was even too much for James Bond.

5 mm is about .22 caliber. WHAT?

Posted by: Nazdar at April 12, 2026 12:37 PM (NcvvS)

59 I'm here, once again, to flaunt my ignorance... is this a good idea? It seems one thing if Iran wants to hold the world hostage but quite another to hold ships and say "Fuck you - pay me" to the world. Would other countries be likely to say this is an act of aggression against them?
Posted by: 496 at April 12, 2026 12:25 PM (TV54s)

Trump just flipped the script. The mob on the street decided to shake down shop owners to keep them from burning down the stores, so the other mob burned down the stores for paying protection money.

The Euros have put themselves in a position where they need oil from the gulf, AND if the recent revelations are true, then the Iranians are laundering their money through Lloyd's Bank and Banco Santander UK. This means the Euros were in a position to bring a lot of pressure to allow Iran to levy "protection" from their own piracy and also skim the fees for processing the banking transactions.

As well as hiking the insurance up and requiring any insured shipping to pay the protection money. Both ends of this will profit the UK and Euro banks. And Trump said "howabout no"

Posted by: Kindltot at April 12, 2026 12:37 PM (rbvCR)

60 This is the Armoured Vehicle thread

Posted by: Skip at April 12, 2026 12:38 PM (Ia/+0)

61 In Hungary the leftists are outright saying yes we will open the borders and you will someday be a minority in your own country.

Tell me you don't know how to read the room without telling me you don't know how to read the room.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 12, 2026 12:38 PM (Riz8t)

62 This is the Armoured Vehicle thread"

Armour Hot Dogs?

Posted by: man at April 12, 2026 12:38 PM (XuXeR)

63 In Hungary the leftists are outright saying yes we will open the borders and you will someday be a minority in your own country.

One factor in Hungary that's not true in most of Europe is that Hungary was ruled by the Ottoman Empire for a couple of centuries.

They didn't like it.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at April 12, 2026 12:39 PM (n1OCj)

64 Tell me you don't know how to read the room without telling me you don't know how to read the room.

That's why the Leftists in Hungary are lying about their intentions, of course.

"Open borders? Who, us?"

Posted by: The ARC of History! at April 12, 2026 12:40 PM (n1OCj)

65 I like Armoured Hot Dogs!

Posted by: No Ketchup! at April 12, 2026 12:40 PM (oftw2)

66 > The XM30 will probably be paired with one of the "drone" like machines being developed for ground warfare. I think a couple/several are in the works. Both wheeled and tracked with different mission sets.

Like one sort for recon work, another for anti-personnel another one for anti-armor, etc.

Some remote controlled, others not.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 12, 2026 12:42 PM (AkEZC)

67 65 I like Armoured Hot Dogs!
Posted by: No Ketchup!

The Dogs kids love to like!

Posted by: Tough Kids, Sissy Kids.... at April 12, 2026 12:42 PM (oftw2)

68 Armour Hot Dogs?
Posted by: man at April 12, 2026 12:38 PM (XuXeR)
-------
Rumor has it that they're the dogs kids love to bite.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at April 12, 2026 12:43 PM (mtevP)

69
Think Metric!

Posted by: Great Bumper Stickers of The Smithsonian at April 12, 2026 12:45 PM (2Ez/1)

70 We prefer large caliber.

Posted by: Flying battlemechs piloted by big tt anime girls at April 12, 2026 12:45 PM (3uBP9)

71 Meanwhile, in Ukraine:
1. There is a 36-hour Easter truce going on at the moment. Both sides have suspended their drone campaigns until Monday. In the past few weeks, Ukraine has stepped up their cross-border drone attacks. If you are a stationary fuel tank on either side of the border, it sucks to be you.
2. The front lines remain pretty much where they have been for a couple of months. The Russian attacks on some cities are stalled, while a few villages and potato fields swap hands multiple times.
3. The Russians are waiting for the Ukrainians to collapse, while the Ukrainians wait for a better option to appear.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at April 12, 2026 12:46 PM (TR4+2)

72
POTUS is live.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_QhhV00Yqw

Posted by: BifBewalski - at April 12, 2026 12:46 PM (QVmho)

73 What about us?

Posted by: Fat kids and skinny kids at April 12, 2026 12:46 PM (2Ez/1)

74 The video for the Lynx shows that Anduril is part of the development team. Isn't Anduril the company that basically said they needed to sign off on any actions in which their software is used? If so, I think Anduril needs to be barred from future contracting for some period of time, and told if they ever pull something like that again, the bar becomes permanent. You don't make policy.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 12, 2026 12:48 PM (Riz8t)

75 The front lines remain pretty much where they have been for a couple of months. The Russian attacks on some cities are stalled, while a few villages and potato fields swap hands multiple times.

Mud season.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at April 12, 2026 12:49 PM (n1OCj)

76 >>> The video for the Lynx shows that Anduril is part of the development team. Isn't Anduril the company that basically said they needed to sign off on any actions in which their software is used? If so, I think Anduril needs to be barred from future contracting for some period of time, and told if they ever pull something like that again, the bar becomes permanent. You don't make policy.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 12, 2026 12:48 PM (Riz8t)

No the anduril guy seems pretty based. You might be thinking about anthropic who are dirty shit libs.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 12, 2026 12:50 PM (3uBP9)

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at April 12, 2026 12:51 PM (ynpvh)

78 Strike Hard! 50mm

Bring it! 120mm

*smiles* 155mm

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:51 PM (2WIwB)

79 74 The video for the Lynx shows that Anduril is part of the development team. Isn't Anduril the company that basically said they needed to sign off on any actions in which their software is used? If so, I think Anduril needs to be barred from future contracting for some period of time, and told if they ever pull something like that again, the bar becomes permanent. You don't make policy.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 12, 2026 12:48 PM (Riz8t)

This is Anthropic, not Anduril.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at April 12, 2026 12:51 PM (hcocR)

80 > The video for the Lynx shows that Anduril is part of the development team. Isn't Anduril the company that basically said they needed to sign off on any actions in which their software is used?
---------
I think it's Anthropic... an AI company that's behind the one called "Claude." IIRC. Used by the DoW to plan the Maduro snatch and grab.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 12, 2026 12:52 PM (AkEZC)

81 No the anduril guy seems pretty based. You might be thinking about anthropic who are dirty shit libs.

This is Anthropic, not Anduril.

Ah, you are correct! Thanks.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 12, 2026 12:53 PM (Riz8t)

82 Isn't "Anduril" some place or person from Lord of the Rings?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 12, 2026 12:53 PM (utfVc)

83 78 Strike Hard! 50mm

Bring it! 120mm

*smiles* 155mm

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:51 PM (2WIwB)

Laughs! 5mm

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at April 12, 2026 12:53 PM (ynpvh)

84 I know a lot of you don't like X but it's been really fun lately with the auto-translation going on

I'm having a BLAST! some really interesting Italian and Japanese peeps and we can talk directly now.

it's really cool

Are you recreating the Axis?
*glances nervously at Germany*

Posted by: Archimedes at April 12, 2026 12:54 PM (Riz8t)

85 It's a mystery (that might be cleared up some day) why we didn't institute a de facto quarantine on Iranian export revenues from day one. Easily done, given our forces in the region. No Iranian ability to interfere (intercept ships well outside the range of Iran's generally ineffective weapons). USN lacks ship numbers overall, but this is an easy task, given limited geography involved.

Continuation of what we have already been doing - Venezuelan or Iranian oil gets to the world market, preventing further impact on prices, while not one $ gets to the regime. Goes to escrow accounts - some of which already exist and have been used for this purpose.

The "toll" thing is not big $ for the regime and won't last. We can stop it in one day by mining the alternative routes Iran is forcing ships to use - again, Iran has no workarounds or capability to deal with this.

In any case 93% chance general offensive operations resume soon. Regime hasn't changed despite Trump's amusing assertions, there's a lot more work to do, and we're moving even more assets into range.

Posted by: rhomboid at April 12, 2026 12:55 PM (U/Byj)

86 How would you like to be in one of those when the LI battery gets a .50cal round through it?
You look at the stuff before the enviroweinies at the EPA dug their shitty little hand into the now Department of War. The ground vehicles could run on damn near anything. Kerosene to JP8 to used motor oil if need be. That was very intentional.
This electric bullshit needs to go away.

Posted by: Reforger at April 12, 2026 12:56 PM (emWLT)

87 Isn't "Anduril" some place or person from Lord of the Rings?

Aragorn's sword. Much backstory to it which I imagine you're not that interested in.

Posted by: Oddbob at April 12, 2026 12:56 PM (vTZFs)

88 Lol

FoxNews 12:56 Madmani is committed to making NYC affordable.

Always leave with a joke....

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 12, 2026 12:57 PM (Sco7b)

89 82 Isn't "Anduril" some place or person from Lord of the Rings?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 12, 2026 12:53 PM (utfVc)

Several of these companies are named for references to LOTR. Anduril is one. Palantir is another.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at April 12, 2026 12:59 PM (hcocR)

90 Isn't "Anduril" some place or person from Lord of the Rings?

Aragorn's sword. Much backstory to it which I imagine you're not that interested in.
Posted by: Oddbob at April 12, 2026 12:56 PM (vTZFs)

Long story short...

Tom Bombadil created the sword, Anduril, from ivy, and berries and bumble bee honey!

Posted by: naturalfake at April 12, 2026 01:00 PM (iJfKG)

91 Everything is free - Marxism's goal

Posted by: Skip at April 12, 2026 01:02 PM (Ia/+0)

92

Armored hot dog

https://t.ly/m4ZBO

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 12, 2026 01:02 PM (Cqx++)

93 81 No the anduril guy seems pretty based. You might be thinking about anthropic who are dirty shit libs.

This is Anthropic, not Anduril.

Ah, you are correct! Thanks.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 12, 2026 12:53 PM (Riz8t)

No the anduril guy seems pretty based. You might be thinking about anthropic who are dirty shit libs.
Posted by: banana Dream at April 12, 2026 12:50 PM (3uBP9)

Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril, was famously fired from Facebook for supporting Donald Trump.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at April 12, 2026 01:03 PM (hcocR)

94 And if anyone has forgotten, one of our ruling communist party black robed politburo in Cali ordered the Pentagon to ignore orange-man-bad, concede to all Anthropic demands post haste, and surrender all decision making to their betters in "the court" from now on. About two weeks ago that happened.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 12, 2026 01:03 PM (3uBP9)

95 > The "toll" thing is not big $ for the regime and won't last. We can stop it in one day by mining the alternative routes Iran is forcing ships to use - again, Iran has no workarounds or capability to deal with this.
-----------
What's wild is that the Iranians / IRGC moved the shipping channels that were being used to new ones that are entirely in Iranian territorial waters.

The reason. They claimed they mined the original ones and couldn't provide "security" for commercial vessels.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 12, 2026 01:05 PM (AkEZC)

96 *smiles* 155mm

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:51 PM (2WIwB)
mounted 105mm in AC 130 during Nam
very effective

Posted by: MAC V SOG at April 12, 2026 01:06 PM (P4Pk9)

97 banana dream - sounds like a Coup D'etat to.me

Posted by: Skip at April 12, 2026 01:06 PM (Ia/+0)

98 Heh.
The two man crew won't be fixing a thrown track in any kind of hurry.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 01:07 PM (2WIwB)

99
A silly millimeter longer...
Posted by: 6mm chain gun

===============

7-minute abs

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at April 12, 2026 01:08 PM (n7rxJ)

100 Sometimes I run across a bit of lapidary prose that I wish I could replicate. This from Roger Kimball is an example.

Oh, oh, oh! Can you believe it? He just threatened to destroy the storied civilization of Persia, Cyrus the Great, Darius, and the Achaemenid Empire! The collective knickers of the anti-Trump establishment were twisted tight. He’s an “unhinged madman,” skirled some. “Apply the 25th Amendment and remove him from office,” burped others. Bill Kristol, the smarmy Yoda of the NeverTrump coven, urged top military leaders to disobey any such orders the president might issue. The frenzied knot of moralizing mouthpieces competed mightily to show the world how lustrous their consciences were.

This shoddy bit of holier-than-thou performance art would have been simply funny were it not also such a ghastly symptom of insanity.

https://tinyurl.com/468nem6h

Posted by: Archimedes at April 12, 2026 01:09 PM (Riz8t)

101 The ground vehicles could run on damn near anything. Kerosene to JP8 to used motor oil if need be. That was very intentional.
This electric bullshit needs to go away.
Posted by: Reforger at April 12, 2026 12:56 PM (emWLT)

Well, I am not talking about all-electric. You want a multi-fuel Diesel that drives a generator. Generator supplies current to electric motors to drive the tracks. That's how those giant mining trucks work. If you want, have a small lithium battery pack to provide surge power, or to enable "silent" operation for a short distance. A small battery pack could be spread out in a thin layer as part of the belly armor.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 12, 2026 01:10 PM (utfVc)

102 Heh.
The two man crew won't be fixing a thrown track in any kind of hurry.

Probably not, but here's an honest question. On a modern battlefield, is that really going to be an option anymore? I doubt the vehicle would survive long enough.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 12, 2026 01:11 PM (Riz8t)

103 Did somebody say thrown track?
Okay. I need this thing unplugged I got an appointment at... um yeah, an appointment at JAG. Yeah JAG. LT knows all about it.
See yah.

Posted by: SPC Reforgers first shop maint. at April 12, 2026 01:11 PM (emWLT)

104 96 *smiles* 155mm

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:51 PM (2WIwB)
mounted 105mm in AC 130 during Nam
very effective
Posted by: MAC V SOG at April 12, 2026 01:06 PM (P4Pk9)

***

Spooky?
Yes. Very much so.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 01:11 PM (2WIwB)

105 That's the sound of the men... firing off the chain gun...

Posted by: Sam Cooke at April 12, 2026 01:11 PM (2Ez/1)

106 *smiles* 155mm

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:51 PM (2WIwB)
-----------
175mm

*folds arms*

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at April 12, 2026 01:12 PM (mtevP)

107
POTUS is live.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_QhhV00Yqw
Posted by: BifBewalski

=============

"So we're gonna have to do it the hard way -- which is the easy way."

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at April 12, 2026 01:12 PM (n7rxJ)

108 >>> banana dream - sounds like a Coup D'etat to.me
Posted by: Skip at April 12, 2026 01:06 PM (Ia/+0)

Judge Rita Lin. If you looked in your F&Ws for a picture of what a chicom spy looks like it would be that.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 12, 2026 01:12 PM (3uBP9)

109 Did somebody say thrown track?
Okay. I need this thing unplugged I got an appointment at... um yeah, an appointment at JAG. Yeah JAG. LT knows all about it.
See yah.
Posted by: SPC Reforgers first shop maint. at April 12, 2026 01:11 PM (emWLT)

Haa!
The E-4 mafia strikes again!

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 01:13 PM (2WIwB)

110 I can't wait to see what congress (in their infinite wisdom) does with something like this.
Posted by: Diogenes

**********

Infinity goes both directions.

Posted by: muldoon at April 12, 2026 01:13 PM (qgHp7)

111 I can't wait to see what congress (in their infinite wisdom) does with something like this.
Posted by: Diogenes

**********

Is this about me?

Posted by: The Zumwalt class destroyer at April 12, 2026 01:15 PM (2Ez/1)

112 >>> Infinity goes both directions.
Posted by: muldoon at April 12, 2026 01:13 PM (qgHp7)

I manage to be stupid across the complex plane. Very dumb but even with imaginary stuff.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 12, 2026 01:15 PM (3uBP9)

113 Probably not, but here's an honest question. On a modern battlefield, is that really going to be an option anymore? I doubt the vehicle would survive long enough.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 12, 2026 01:11 PM (Riz8t)

Oh I think they will. Drones would scare the hell out of me, but counter-drone capabilities are coming along. We've gone to wheeled systems over the last 20 years...it looks like a return to tracks is next. The ebb and flow of military doctrine and contracting.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 01:16 PM (2WIwB)

114 Zerohedge...the ship to nowhere...

The U.S. Navy has finally thrown in the towel on the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN-764). After more than eleven years pierside and roughly $800 million poured into a repair effort that never really started, the service announced that the 34-year-old boat will be inactivated rather than returned to the fleet.

The decision comes as the Navy shifts focus to Virginia- and Columbia-class construction, yet one has to wonder why those same priorities could not have been acted on years earlier while Boise gathered dust and the rest of the submarine force picked up the slack

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 12, 2026 01:17 PM (Sco7b)

115 Autonomous tanks? Yes, please! What a great watchdog for the property.

Posted by: t-bird at April 12, 2026 01:17 PM (i14TE)

116 I want a car with a peroscope

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at April 12, 2026 01:18 PM (fE6HJ)

117 We can also be very helpful during your morning & afternoon commute!

Posted by: Flying battlemechs piloted by big tt anime girls at April 12, 2026 01:18 PM (3uBP9)

118 Submarine to nowhere.

Dog wants out.

Posted by: Stateless - He ain't heavy, he's my dog. Old, but full of life. at April 12, 2026 01:18 PM (Sco7b)

119 11 Coming to a local law enforcement agency near you (in about 10 years) under the 1033 program.
Posted by: one hour sober at April 12, 2026 12:08 PM (Y1sOo)

Arkansas State Troopers will be their #1 consumer.

Posted by: He didn't signal! KRABOOOM!!! at April 12, 2026 01:19 PM (TbWk/)

120 175mm

*folds arms*
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at April 12, 2026 01:12 PM (mtevP)

8 inch.
FTW!!!
(My first assignment)

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 01:20 PM (2WIwB)

121 The U.S. Navy has finally thrown in the towel on the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN-764). After more than eleven years pierside and roughly $800 million poured into a repair effort that never really started, the service announced that the 34-year-old boat will be inactivated rather than returned to the fleet.

We thank you very much!

Posted by: Somali Boat Company, Inc. at April 12, 2026 01:20 PM (onPc6)

122
Remember when we desperately needed a replacement for the jeep so they came up with the HMVEE? Bigger, faster, stronger, more versatile, could carry a bunch in a C-130 oor C-17. Real mobility! then the bad guys started laying mines and IEDs. Suddenly they weren't very survivable, so Congress (in their infinite wisdom) said to armor them up. So instead of carrying 7-8 in a C-130 you got 2. And not as fast, not as mobile, and all the Iranians did was modify the IED they gave to the bad guys.
I can't wait to see what congress (in their infinite wisdom) does with something like this.
Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 12:08 PM (2WIwB)

The Humvee's problem was that the sooper genius Army and Marine brass decided to use the equivalent of a WWII jeep to do a Bradley or LAV's job. Because you could quickly move a shitload of unarmored Humvees into theater, rather than using the weapons systems that were actually designed for those jobs.

Combine that with enemies using modern antitank weapons (even shitty weapons made by drunken Slavs), and crude IEDs made out of obsolete artillery ammo, a blasting cap and a 9v battery, and the Humvees got hammered.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at April 12, 2026 01:21 PM (JoTi8)

123 We just had a 5 minute hailstorm. Itty bitty hailstones.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 12, 2026 01:22 PM (RIvkX)

124
After more than eleven years pierside and roughly $800 million poured into a repair effort that never really started, the service announced that the 34-year-old boat will be inactivated rather than returned to the fleet.

____________

After Coral Sea, we repaired Yorktown in three days.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 12, 2026 01:22 PM (tgvbd)

125 AOP. My comment wasn't directed at yours. I see your point.
I used to work on mining trucks. 60, 45 and 30 ton. They are all
diesel.
In my opinion the diesel electric is not nearly robust enough for combat conditions. It's great for something like hauling 400+ tons of rock around in circles or straight down a track but drive it off a cliff or through a river...

Posted by: Reforger at April 12, 2026 01:22 PM (emWLT)

126 Later gang.
Mrs.D.isn't feeling well, so it's online church this morning.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 01:23 PM (2WIwB)

127 After more than eleven years pierside and roughly $800 million poured into a repair effort that never really started, the service announced that the 34-year-old boat will be inactivated rather than returned to the fleet.

Stop making us look bad!

The Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring holds the record for the longest recent repair, having spent over 3,000 days (more than 9 years) out of service for refits and the Power Improvement Project, exceeding its initial construction time. It is expected to return to the fleet in late 2026.
Longest Recent Royal Navy Repairs

HMS Daring (Type 45 Destroyer): Withdrawn in 2017, this vessel has undergone over 3,000 days of refit/regeneration (as of Aug 2025), exceeding the 2,307 days it took to build her.
HMS Prince of Wales (Aircraft Carrier): Experienced over 411 days of repairs, including 193 days for severe engine room flooding, representing nearly 33% of its service time since Dec 2019.

Posted by: The Royal Navy at April 12, 2026 01:25 PM (Riz8t)

128 > Sodomy and the lash for all!
Posted by: gKWVE at April 12, 2026 12:14 PM (gKWVE)

They stole that idea from us.

Notice that we haven't done shit since we got rid of the daily rum ration.

Posted by: The Royal Navy at April 12, 2026 01:25 PM (IG3/x)

129
I can't wait to see what congress (in their infinite wisdom) does with something like this.
Posted by: Diogenes

**********

Is this about me?
Posted by: The Zumwalt class destroyer at April 12, 2026 01:15 PM (2Ez/1)

Could be worse...

Posted by: M247 Sergeant York at April 12, 2026 01:27 PM (JoTi8)

130 > After Coral Sea, we repaired Yorktown in three days.
------------
American shipyards were able to turn out dozens of "Liberty Ships" a week and escort destroyers at about the same rate.

I think some "light" carrier types were pushed out the doors in a month or so.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 12, 2026 01:27 PM (AkEZC)

131
Did somebody say thrown track?
Okay. I need this thing unplugged I got an appointment at... um yeah, an appointment at JAG. Yeah JAG. LT knows all about it.
See yah.
Posted by: SPC Reforgers first shop maint
====
Haa!
The E-4 mafia strikes again!
Posted by: Diogenes

Chief Bif: why the fook is sp4 Reforger's track still deadlined.
Lt Diogenes: he had to go JAG off.
Chief Bif: well Lt, you & I ain't mounting it. *shouts* "motor sgt? Ambush that little shit when he comes back to Top's 1600 formation, and roadmarch his narrow ass back here so the LT & I can watch him and his squadies fix that track overnight."

Posted by: BifBewalski - at April 12, 2026 01:27 PM (QVmho)

132 Trump: Cuba is next.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at April 12, 2026 01:27 PM (IG3/x)

133 Bob Packwood
Barney Frank
Wilbur Mills
Wayne Hays

Too perverted for Congress.

Eric Swalwell? Just perverted enough for Congress.

*thumbs up*

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 12, 2026 01:31 PM (RIvkX)

134 All Wilbur Mills did was run around with an Argentine stripper. If that is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 12, 2026 01:34 PM (utfVc)

135 > Barney Frank

Now, now. Who among us hasn't been blindsided by the fact that a roommate was running a gay whorehouse out of our shared apartment?

Could happen to anyone.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at April 12, 2026 01:34 PM (IG3/x)

136 Well, in anticipation of the Food Thread, which will be upon us presently, I am going to attempt the construction of a Ham and Cheese Omelet. Wish me luck!

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 12, 2026 01:36 PM (utfVc)

137 You morons are quite forgiving.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 12, 2026 01:36 PM (RIvkX)

138 You mean a 5cm chain gun? 50mm was the cannon fitted to the Me 262A-1a/U4 Kannonvogel.

How about an EM-50?

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 12, 2026 01:39 PM (KfXOG)

139 AOP flip egg as soon as you can, then fill

Posted by: Skip at April 12, 2026 01:39 PM (Ia/+0)

140 135 > Barney Frank
Now, now. Who among us hasn't been blindsided by the fact that a roommate was running a gay whorehouse out of our shared apartment?
...
Could happen to anyone.

Sure!, like Brennan's decades long endorsement and utilization of Epstein LLC... as if all of them didn't know. why the Daliance?
https://x.com/MikeBenzCyber/status/2002450017647301084?s=20

Posted by: MANFRED the Heat Seeking OBOE at April 12, 2026 01:42 PM (hMtlR)

141 Well, I am not talking about all-electric. You want a multi-fuel Diesel that drives a generator. Generator supplies current to electric motors to drive the tracks. That's how those giant mining trucks work. If you want, have a small lithium battery pack to provide surge power, or to enable "silent" operation for a short distance. A small battery pack could be spread out in a thin layer as part of the belly armor.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon
------
Process is well developed. Same principle as diesel electric locomotives.

Posted by: whig at April 12, 2026 01:42 PM (E4rtv)

142 To 'repair' Yorktown required a lot of 'close enough' fixes and practically every yard worker in Pearl during those three days.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 12, 2026 01:43 PM (KfXOG)

143 How about an EM-50?
Posted by: Anna Puma
=======
Bill Murray is a bit old and Harold Ramis plus John Candy are mort.

Don't think Warren is still around either but we still have John Larroquette.

Posted by: whig at April 12, 2026 01:44 PM (E4rtv)

144 You can't park there.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little at April 12, 2026 01:45 PM (Kt19C)

145 Whig

Sean Young is still around.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 12, 2026 01:45 PM (KfXOG)

146 All Wilbur Mills did was run around with an Argentine stripper. If that is wrong, I don't want to be right.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon
------
For the record: Fanne Foxe

Jumping into the Tidal Basin to evade the cops was the icing on the cake.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at April 12, 2026 01:45 PM (XeU6L)

147 145 Whig

Sean Young is still around.
Posted by: Anna Puma
======
I forget, did she man the autocannon on the EM 50 or was it PJ Soles? I think you are correct that Sean ran it.

Posted by: whig at April 12, 2026 01:47 PM (E4rtv)

148 Archaic, I know, but I still would like to have an Ontos parked in my driveway.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at April 12, 2026 01:48 PM (XeU6L)

149 Instead of guns, we ought to be giving the Iranian citizens Bradleys

Posted by: M. Gaga at April 12, 2026 01:50 PM (KiBMU)

150 I still want a flying car, though.

Posted by: Piper at April 12, 2026 01:54 PM (OoFl2)

151
Hybrid? What happens if the battery gets hit?

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at April 12, 2026 01:54 PM (QOQ9u)

152 A 50mm cannon means less ammo can be carried for the main gun than if it were a 25mm cannon. Unless ammo storage volume is commensurately increased. Making the vehicle larger than if equipped with a 25mm, 30mm, or 35mm. It is interesting the Army skipped-over 30mm and 35mm for the cannon, calibers that are somewhat popular in Europe. So, commonality with some NATO weapons is out. Surely the Army has thought through all the pros and cons, though. Surely.

(I boastfully nominate commensurately as the Word Of The Week)

Posted by: Gref at April 12, 2026 01:54 PM (5rh/l)

153 Ambush that little shit when he comes back to Top's 1600 formation, and roadmarch his narrow ass back here so the LT & I can watch him and his squadies fix that track overnight."
Posted by: BifBewalski - at April 12, 2026 01:27 PM (QVmho)

You guys have fun with that. As you know I already report for 1400 to Batalion for extra duty. Watcha gonna do? Kick me out?

Posted by: SPC Reforgers first shop maint. at April 12, 2026 01:55 PM (emWLT)

154 Bif,
Flashback!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at April 12, 2026 01:55 PM (2WIwB)

155 This Might Be Better Than A Flying Car, Especially In Traffic

Want!!!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at April 12, 2026 01:56 PM (eiAiG)

156 114 Zerohedge...the ship to nowhere...

The U.S. Navy has finally thrown in the towel on the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN-764). After more than eleven years pierside and roughly $800 million poured into a repair effort that never really started, the service announced that the 34-year-old boat will be inactivated rather than returned to the fleet.

Posted by: Stateless
=======
Part of this problem is because our shipyards cannot turn out enough warships at a reasonable cost. So US Navy, desperate to keep enough ships afloat to do its job, tried to do cheap refurb and got dragged into a moneypit from sunk costs--they also kept delaying routine maintenance due to budget reasons which is why the Boise was in such bad shape to begin with.

Skilled workforce on shipbuilding has shrank and went away to China, Japan, and S. Korea while the dockyards in the US and Merrie Olde England barely function. Add politicians and voila a thorough going mess.

Posted by: whig at April 12, 2026 01:58 PM (E4rtv)

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