I’ve read/heard a few things about these over the past few years, but they seem to be the latest thing these days.

Book Reveals Failed Delta Hunt for bin Laden:

For nearly a week, 40 of America’s best trained, most elite Soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta, or “Delta Force,” combed the 14,000 foot peaks with wavering Afghan militia allies to hunt down the world’s most wanted man: Osama bin Laden. In a first ever account, the man who shepherded those bearded warriors into Tora Bora’s thin mountain air writes of the near misses, frustrated plans and weak-kneed guerrillas that stymied their quest for al Qaeda’s top commanders.

Writing under the name “Dalton Fury,” the Delta Force commander — a major at the time - gives a detailed look in “Kill bin Laden: A Delta Commander’s Account of the Hunt for the World’s Most Wanted Man” how the unit prepared for, planned and executed its complicated mission.

I haven’t checked out the book, but it sure sounds interesting. For the record: I’ve never been convinced that bin Laden got away.

DoD Doubles Potential Buy of Light MRAPs

When the effort to find an MRAP that could handle rough Afghan terrain began last summer, U.S. Department of Defense buyers sought up to 5,000 vehicles. But a summary of an upcoming request for bids that went out Nov. 13 calls for buying “up to 10,000″ of the 7- to 10-ton troop transporters. That could mean lightweight MRAP orders could nearly match the 12,000 original 14- to 24-ton MRAPs.

By the time competitors submit designs, a winner is chosen, contracts are finalized, and they begin building vehicles, are we really going to need a gigantic fleet of Afghanistan-ready light troop trucks?

UPDATE: A reader emails to suggest that many or most of these may eventually end up with the Iraqi and Afghan security forces. That makes sense.

Army Considering Search for M4 Replacement

The Army checked out offerings from manufacturers interested in producing a new carbine for the military yesterday. Here’s an interesting bit of info from the Army News Service write-up:

…The secretary of the Army has directed the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command to create a requirements document for a new individual weapon for Soldiers.

That requirements document is expected to clear the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee next summer and a Request For Proposal might be released in September 2009, Tamilio said. With the release of an RFP, arms manufactures will compete to sell the Army a follow-on to the M-4.

“Might be released.”

The K11:

Im chung-bin the the chief of staff of ROKA examines new South korean double barreled rifle K-11 in ground weapon conference.2008.11.11 Daejeun South korea This rifle uses 20mm airburst ammunition and 5.56mm NATO. 20mm launcher operates as bolt action and use 5 round mag. This weapon will be fielded in next year.

Like the XM29 OICW, it appears to weigh a ton.

Cross-posted from GunPundit.

2nd Bidder Protests JTLV Awards

Now Textron-Boeing-SAIC wants a full review.

I’m taking the long-overdue step of adding a “Procurement” sub-category to Military & Defense. It’s going to be a sad, ugly place.

Gun makers to show M4 competitors

Gun makers from across the country will display their top carbines for Army officials in Washington, D.C. Thursday with the hope of replacing the service’s M4 carbine.

So far, 19 small arms companies have signed up to participate in the Army-sponsored industry day at the Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City, said Col. Doug Tamilio, Program Executive Office Soldier’s project manager for Soldier Weapons.

Honestly, at this point I remain pretty skeptical that the Army really is going to go with a new carbine.

After Protest, U.S. Army Stops JLTV Work

Northrop-Oshkosh wasn’t one of the top three, so they filed a protest. The entire program is on hold for at least “several weeks.”

Northrop-Oshkosh claims they were never informed that they needed to have a fully assembled demonstrator unit.

UPDATE: Via email:

Current schedule from identification of need (2005) until production start (2013) is only 8 years. That is just way too fast. We’re going to need a lot more help like this before we can get it to a more normal 15 year program.

Cue laughter. To be followed by tears.

A French Operational Mentor and Liaison Team soldier provides security during a patrol, Nov. 6, 2008. The French are helping the International Security Assistance Force in assisting the Afghan government in extending and exercising its authority and influence across the country, creating the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction. (Photographer: Cpl. John Rafoss : International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs)

From MP. Lots more international force pictures at the link.