I'm convinced this story is disinformation intended to undersell the F-35s capabilities to enemy nations. "Your air defense is still adequate haha. See even the houthis can almost shoot down an F-35"
I believe it simply because a lot of things were getting shot at. We hit 1,100 targets in Yemen. Yeah, we're going to get some return fire. Now the quote is:
“They got close enough that the [F-35] had to maneuver,” the official said.
Which more sounds like things were getting hot, but not necessarily full on target lock. Just that they didn't want to take chances. They already had lost 7 MQ-9 Reapers. Better to not risk a F-35. Also mentions of F-16's getting targeted. That i totally believe, no stealth at all lol.
Also about the XM7 the cappy guy released a new video about troops opinions of it.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=hTqZZMeb7w0
I believe the whole program was really for the LMG and the rifle is just tagged on baggage.
I watched that. I also read the report:
In general its pretty fucking damming. Still this could be a Burton if more reports don't come out. I think more will, but I'm aware of Pentagon Wars and how the Bradley turned into a rape beast despite the protesting. But if accurate... hoo boy. But i do agree, they want the LMG more than anything. That i haven't heard much issues with. Asides from now, ruptured cases.
Even when small arms production was under the purview of the Ord. Dept. it was at least split between different arsenals (both Rock Island and Springfield manufactured M1903s for example). Even if, and that's a big if, all the Sig products see widespread adoption I wouldn't be surprised if the Army gives Sig the Colt treatment and:
A) forces them to allow licensed production with other manufacturers
or
B) gives future contracts to other manufacturers
I don't really find either of these likely considering that the XM7 and all its proprietary accoutrements are likely to be shitcanned in the near future. Considering that not only is the whole NSGW program retarded, its also a product of the Biden-Milley years which this current admin seems keen on cutting (such as the M10).
Also Colt got a contract for more M4s quite recently, so I've got as much faith in the XM7 as I do the DSM-5.
Under Trump I would expect FUTURE contracts to get shuffled around. Current contracts... eh. That might take time at the very least. A lot of the SIG contracts got started under Trump. Like the Sig P320/M18. That technically is Trump's fault. He started the SIG flood instead of choosing Glock or Beretta (based).
Also They have either shitcanned or massively scaled back current ongoing programs. See here:
The Stryker at the worst case might be retired all together, the AMPV is going to be massively scaled back, the M10 Booker got canned, JLTV and HMMVW procurment is halted, the D model of the Apache is getting divested.
Really only things like the XM-30 and the Abrams M1E3, the Bradley replacement and Abrams overhaul getting kept, since the Bradley and Abrams have been kicking ass. Also theres things like trying to replace the Paladin AGAIN (lol), more long range missiles, drones, all that shit. Also the Valor program is on track:
The Black Hawk is going to fucking rest soon. Maybe. Lets hope it actually fucking works. It'll be based if it actually does.
