Steve Balestrieri

Lehigh Acres

Columnist for @PatsFans.com, National Security Columnist https://t.co/UH9onl9vBc, Co-host Patriots 4th & 2, US Army Special Forces operator, Member @PFWAwriters

Articles

5 Best .40 Caliber Pistols for Self Defense

6 days ago | 19fortyfive.com | Steve Balestrieri

Summary and Key Points: The .40 S&W pistol cartridge, introduced in 1990, combines stopping power and manageable recoil, once favored widely by law enforcement. -Today, although the popularity of .40 caliber pistols has declined due to advancements in 9mm ammunition, many excellent self-defense options remain.
A Green Beret remembers his favorite foreign weapons

6 days ago | sandboxx.us | Steve Balestrieri

One of the perks of having a career in a special operations unit was the chance to be trained on and fire all manner of foreign, rare, and sometimes very old weapons. Special Forces weapons sergeants are trained in a multitude of U.S. and foreign weapons and know how to effectively put them to use. There is no shortage of weapons that you will come across in many Third World countries. It’s amazing that some of these are still in use; and to be honest, many of them shouldn’t be.
The 5 Best Self Defense Guns for Senior Citizens

6 days ago | nationalsecurityjournal.org | Steve Balestrieri

Just because seniors are aging and may not be in the greatest of health doesn’t mean that they have to be victims. They have the right to defend themselves like anyone else. And we always read about those who do. When I wrote this, I was a tad apprehensive because I would never wish to denigrate the ability of our seniors or ask them to do something beyond their capability. But then I thought I was perfect for this task.
RANKED: 5 Best .38 Special Revolvers for Self Defense

1 week ago | 19fortyfive.com | Steve Balestrieri

Summary and Key Points: The .38 Special revolver is a classic choice for self-defense, valued for reliability, simplicity, and effective stopping power.
Medium Aircraft Carrier: The Navy Dream That Will Never Become Reality

1 week ago | 19fortyfive.com | Steve Balestrieri

The United States Navy is spending tremendous amounts of money ($13 billion) to build the Ford-class supercarriers. There has always been discussion on why the Navy doesn’t add medium-sized aircraft carriers. During the Cold War, the Navy proposed the CVV medium-sized conventionally powered aircraft carriers as a cheaper alternative to Nimitz-class carriers. These medium-sized carriers would replace the Midway class. Presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan initially supported this proposal.
The SR-71 Blackbird Spy Plane Had Engine Failures at Mach 3

1 week ago | nationalsecurityjournal.org | Steve Balestrieri

Key Points and Summary: The SR-71 Blackbird’s high-speed missions were fraught with challenges, including catastrophic engine failures at Mach 3. -Crews like Colonel Richard Sheffield and his pilot faced intense situations, navigating fires, bucking descents, and Soviet threats. -In one instance, a right engine fire at 68,000 feet nearly destroyed the aircraft, but quick thinking saved the crew. In another, Swedish pilots escorted a failing SR-71 to safety, avoiding Soviet MiG-25s.
XM25 Punisher Army Grenade Launcher Summed Up in 1 Word

1 week ago | nationalsecurityjournal.org | Steve Balestrieri

Key Points: The XM25 “Punisher,” a revolutionary programmable grenade launcher designed to improve soldier lethality, was canceled in 2017 despite promising early results. -The weapon had a 600m effective range for point targets, airburst capability, and programmable grenades that could hit targets in trenches, buildings, or behind cover.
Forget the SR-71 Darkstar: The SR-91 Aurora 'Might' Have Hit Mach 6

1 week ago | 19fortyfive.com | Steve Balestrieri

Summary and Key Points: Rumors of America’s hypersonic spy plane, the SR-91 Aurora, have intrigued aviation enthusiasts for decades, yet evidence strongly suggests it never existed. -Budget references in the 1980s sparked speculation, amplified by sightings and sonic booms. -However, “Aurora” was likely a codename for the stealthy B-2 Spirit bomber, not a Mach 5 spy plane. Lockheed’s official records and insider accounts confirm this explanation.
What Makes the SR-72 Darkstar Better Than the SR-71 Blackbird

1 week ago | 19fortyfive.com | Steve Balestrieri

Why the SR-72 will be far superior to the SR-71: Lockheed Martin’s super-secretive Skunk Works is actively working on a super-secretive aircraft, the SR-72 Darkstar. And despite going over budget by just a smidgen ($335 million), the Darkstar seems ever closer to reality. Kelly Johnson, the man behind Skunk Works, is a legend in the aircraft industry. He is akin to what John M. Browning was to arms designers.
SR-72 Darkstar: Could Russia or China Shoot It Down?

1 week ago | nationalsecurityjournal.org | Steve Balestrieri

Could Russia or China Shoot Down The SR-72 Darkstar? If all we hear about the SR-72 Darkstar or Son of the Blackbird is true, then this aircraft will be a game changer for the US. The SR-71 was the fastest air-breathing aircraft built, zipping along at Mach 3.56 (2,731.458 mph). The SR-72 plans almost to double that. The Darkstar (a really cool name, by the way) can reportedly fly at Mach 6 +, which is 4,603.61 mph. It could fly from New York to Los Angeles in 30 minutes.