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IntelWalrus

@IntelWalrus

May 14

Earlier this month, Reuters reported the Biden administration is moving forward with a plan to transfer 500$ million in military aid to Taiwan using the same Presidential Drawdown authority that has been used repeatedly for military aid for Ukraine.

I'm interested in finding out if this planned aid shipment will be trackable by monitoring flights from US cargo planes to Taiwan. I think it's unlikely the USAF will directly fly a C-17 or other military cargo plane to transfer military aid, as it might seem too provocative.

@TheIntelFrog

This leaves contracted civilian cargo planes, which have been extensively used to ship military aid to Ukraine. Using data graciously provided by @TheIntelFrog, I put together an @ADSBex link that shows every civ cargo plane which has been utilized for that purpose recently.

Read 6 tweets

IntelWalrus

@IntelWalrus

Sep 30, 2022

Recently, the volunteer "Kraken" regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces released a lengthy video showing scenes from the liberation of Balakliya. There are quite a lot of interesting details in the video so I've collected some for this thread. 1/x

First thing to share is the eclectic mix of military equipment documented in the video which was used during the battle. Here's what I noticed in use by Ukrainian forces (with timestamps).
🇬🇧FV103 Spartan 00:47
🇨🇦Roshel Senator APC 00:54
☭🟥BMP-2 00:30
🇬🇧Snatch Land Rover 00:33

☭🟥BRDM-2 00:49
☭🟥MT-LB 00:56
☭🟥BM-21 Grad 03:01
☭🟥D-30 howitzer 03:04

Read 9 tweets

IntelWalrus

@IntelWalrus

Jul 13, 2022

GMLRS rockets fired from #HIMARS rocket artillery systems have been making a big splash on Twitter (and on 🇷🇺 ammunition depots) recently. This has created some speculation that 🇺🇦 may eventually receive the larger, longer-range ATACMS munitions. Long🧵so buckle in. 1/11

ATACMS, short for Army Tactical Missile System, is an alternative munition that can be fired in lieu of the pods of 6 guided rockets the HIMARS being currently fielded by Ukraine is using. ATACMS would be a significant upgrade to 🇺🇦's deep strike capabilities if fielded. 2/11

@ameliairheart

The M30/M31 guided rockets that 🇺🇦 is currently using to inflict damage behind 🇷🇺 lines have a max range of 92km. ATACMS can reach up to 300km. Even the oldest Blk 1 missiles are accurate up to 165km. The map below shows the difference in capabilities (map by @ameliairheart) 3/11

Read 12 tweets

IntelWalrus

@IntelWalrus

Feb 19, 2022

Lots of folks have heard of the 'ebola jet' a Gulfstream jet operated by Phoenix Air which has a specially made ward for infectious pax in need of airlift, but the idea of moving sick pax in a purpose-built box is actually older. This 🧵 is about that obscure bit of history. 1/12

In the late '60s and early 70's the US Air Force contracted McDonnell Douglas to build the 'SAMCU' (Special Airborne Medical Care Unit), a flying ICU ward whose purpose was to transport seriously injured soldiers out of combat zones. 2/12

Before we look further into the SAMCU though, let's go through a brief history of military aeromedical evacuation (AE) to explain why the Air Force wanted this box built. The first attempts at AE in WW1 were simply stuffing wounded men on litters into planes which had space. 3/12

Read 12 tweets

IntelWalrus

@IntelWalrus

Nov 4, 2021

@HSNQ_NISA

🧵Yesterday, 🇸🇴Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency @HSNQ_NISA seized 6 drones at Aden Adde International Airport which were accompanied by two Turkish nationals. The purchaser, former Somalian MP, Zakariye Haji claimed the UAVs were for his agriculture company.

Using the images that were posted by the Somalian security agency, we can try to figure out the model and source of these drones. The disassembled parts bear a strong resemblance to those sold commercially by a company out of China calling itself MuginUAV.

Using the standard size of the plastic pallet seen in one of the photos the shipping dimensions of the boxed drones can be estimated and compared to those listed in MuginUAV's product catalog to find the specific model in question, the Mugin 3600VTOL (3600mm wing diameter).

Read 7 tweets

IntelWalrus

@IntelWalrus

Oct 23, 2021

Hearing rumors that the ZIM KINGSTON, the container ship that lost ~40 containers off the coast of Vancouver is currently fighting a fire that was caused by 2 hazmat containers that were hanging on the side of the ship. Its currently anchored by Victoria. A🇨🇦 CG vessel is nearby.

According to radio traffic, 2 tug boats with fire fighting capability and fire fighting equipment on board have been tasked with helping put out the fire.

#Breaking Radio call from ZIM KINGSTON (container ship which lost ~40 containers off the coast of Vancouver yesterday) requesting assistance from the Victoria Coast Guard due to a container fire on board. ZIM KINGSTON is currently anchored ~5 miles from Victoria.