In this gold mine of an article, this thoroughly engaging and covering such a broad spectrum of critical facts, "This cognitive load underscores the need to treat FPV piloting as a specialized skill, not a collateral duty." is one of the most important take aways. Yes, the guidance through the maze of bureaucracy alone is worthy of the CMC throwing out a meritorious something to LtCol Dick, and the intricate breakdown of the assets utilized, and their corresponding caps/lims will prove invaluable going forward, but acknowledging that not every Marine is capable of being a proficient drone operator and the subsequent necessity for this to be a MOS reinforces a debate that's been going on for some time. We can't keep throwing stuff at the 03xx and just expect them to "FITFO." After the devastating "precise mass" we saw from Operations Spider's Web and Rising Lion, these price tags that LAR had to eat (and God bless them for it) are still grossly inaccessible at scale. Why is Ukraine able to procure quadcopters for $600-$1000? As LtCol Dick points out, the benefits for the GCE almost cannot be quantified, and watching $1000 quadcopters destroy $330m Russian early warning and control aircraft, and $270m long-range bombers serves as continued reinforcement that the cost/benefit ratio can't be argued. Of course, LtCol Dick is correct when he said "Its not about the money, but its about the money." We can make these, here, cheap.
Great 'nose to tail' brief of what, why, and how. The outline of the procurement/money process by 1st LAR shows the professional value of having a heavy unit that conducts complex operations and maintenance be the tip of the spear for this process. Seizing the initiative on this in a vacuum is impressive. I strongly commend the effort to build on legacy capabilities and create novel combinations of emerging and legacy capabilities. Turning the C2 into a Light Armored Vehicle - Drone House is one good thing; aggressively getting it into training and ops to push the concept is a great thing. (PS - greatly appreciate the solid detail, including range management. Brilliance in the basic details are how this gets turned into an enduring capability with a high degree of proficiency)
Then assume this is the present situation and ignore the Brass and Pentagon NOW , except if they bring material needs. And Pete. And Stu. Pete and Stu can be trusted HAMLET the rest are false. The rest pay up front. One needs no ghost to tell us this…
But many DO TELL… far too many.
This was common practice in the 80s BTW. And again in GWOT once one left the Wire.
We’re all outside the wire, the wire has vanished, fortune favors the bold.
Honestly if one can’t stare down Blue Hairs and their wretched familiars the empty suit GOFOS, do something else…
Thanks for posting this well-thought out and informative article. The 'devil is in the detail' and this article provides some great insights into capability development.
Right! LtCol Dick just lays out a cut-and-paste model for everyone. Short of the guy coming to your unit and doing it for you, what more could a CMDR ask?
In this gold mine of an article, this thoroughly engaging and covering such a broad spectrum of critical facts, "This cognitive load underscores the need to treat FPV piloting as a specialized skill, not a collateral duty." is one of the most important take aways. Yes, the guidance through the maze of bureaucracy alone is worthy of the CMC throwing out a meritorious something to LtCol Dick, and the intricate breakdown of the assets utilized, and their corresponding caps/lims will prove invaluable going forward, but acknowledging that not every Marine is capable of being a proficient drone operator and the subsequent necessity for this to be a MOS reinforces a debate that's been going on for some time. We can't keep throwing stuff at the 03xx and just expect them to "FITFO." After the devastating "precise mass" we saw from Operations Spider's Web and Rising Lion, these price tags that LAR had to eat (and God bless them for it) are still grossly inaccessible at scale. Why is Ukraine able to procure quadcopters for $600-$1000? As LtCol Dick points out, the benefits for the GCE almost cannot be quantified, and watching $1000 quadcopters destroy $330m Russian early warning and control aircraft, and $270m long-range bombers serves as continued reinforcement that the cost/benefit ratio can't be argued. Of course, LtCol Dick is correct when he said "Its not about the money, but its about the money." We can make these, here, cheap.
Agree it is very good article.
Great 'nose to tail' brief of what, why, and how. The outline of the procurement/money process by 1st LAR shows the professional value of having a heavy unit that conducts complex operations and maintenance be the tip of the spear for this process. Seizing the initiative on this in a vacuum is impressive. I strongly commend the effort to build on legacy capabilities and create novel combinations of emerging and legacy capabilities. Turning the C2 into a Light Armored Vehicle - Drone House is one good thing; aggressively getting it into training and ops to push the concept is a great thing. (PS - greatly appreciate the solid detail, including range management. Brilliance in the basic details are how this gets turned into an enduring capability with a high degree of proficiency)
If an enemy attacked the West Coast and marched eastward, they could be at the Mississippi before Pentagon brass and procurement figured this out.
Then assume this is the present situation and ignore the Brass and Pentagon NOW , except if they bring material needs. And Pete. And Stu. Pete and Stu can be trusted HAMLET the rest are false. The rest pay up front. One needs no ghost to tell us this…
But many DO TELL… far too many.
This was common practice in the 80s BTW. And again in GWOT once one left the Wire.
We’re all outside the wire, the wire has vanished, fortune favors the bold.
Honestly if one can’t stare down Blue Hairs and their wretched familiars the empty suit GOFOS, do something else…
Thanks for posting this well-thought out and informative article. The 'devil is in the detail' and this article provides some great insights into capability development.
Right! LtCol Dick just lays out a cut-and-paste model for everyone. Short of the guy coming to your unit and doing it for you, what more could a CMDR ask?
Rock It Sir
God Bless you Sir.
The “Culture” of Procurement we inherited is a Trust Fund.
We may call it Arlington 20301. That’s the “Program” and that’s their record. We didn’t swear to that or them…
God speed.