M1 & MBT in General
The enemy's big metal boxes on the battlefield in the future will be nothing but big-a$$ targets for US to service, unless they can manage to pre-po them or move them without our observing them.
They will still be mighty handy for US, however. Most the boys getting killed in Iraq in vehicles are in either Hummers or LAV-25s, both of which are vulnerable to RPGs. The Bradleys & esp the Abrams have shown thier worth in protecting their crews from the multitude of RPGs in Iraq--note--in MOUT as well as open field. Heck, most armaments would have trouble dealing with an Abrams. A few vulnerable spots, but you gotta be both well-prepared and have a pot full of luck to pull it off. Bradleys are not as tough a target, but still much more stout than a Hummer or LAV-25.
Question: You have to go from point A to point B throught the Sunni Triangle during a hot period. What ground vehicle would you choose?
There are some items packable by infantry that can ruin an Abrams crew's day. Luckily, most of those we've fought have not been able to use them much or effectively.
Stryker
S-T-R-Y-K-E-R could be defined as a "Shinseki/UN patrol vehicle." Remember the old saying, "Don't bring a knife to a gun fight?" Don't bring a SBCT to a MTW or SASO where the locals are full of p*ss and vinegar.
If the SBCT is used like an armored/mech/armored cav unit vs another motorized unit, expect much carnage--on OUR part. It'll have to be used kinda like old-fashioned hobilar. A Civil War illustration that might be of use would be the way Buford used his cavalry, especially at Gettysburg. JEB Stuart used his cavalry in more the traditional fashion, as mounted attackers & such. Buford essentially had his cavalry act as scouts, and as fast-moving MOUNTED INFANTRY, who were able to move faster than leg infatry and could bring more firepower to the battle (SPencer Carbines & such).
SBCT, with its "Javelin for all infantrymen" (nearly) armament approach could pack a punch, given a decent defensive position, vs an attacking mech/tank/motortized enemy. Woe to the SBCT that stumbles into enemy mech infantry or tanks without proper preparation.
Being able to get a SBCT to the battlefield shortly after the Rangers, 82nd,101st, or 10th would be mighty handy and make it much more likely for the initial light forces to survive until those old, slow, "obsolete," but freakin' tough Abrams and Bradleys got on the scene and were able to hand enemy armor its a$$.
FCS/"New Tank"
It is not a "new tank" any more than tanks & APCs/IFVs & radios were "new horses." Think revolutionary, not evolutionary.
The enemy's big metal boxes on the battlefield in the future will be nothing but big-a$$ targets for US to service, unless they can manage to pre-po them or move them without our observing them.
They will still be mighty handy for US, however. Most the boys getting killed in Iraq in vehicles are in either Hummers or LAV-25s, both of which are vulnerable to RPGs. The Bradleys & esp the Abrams have shown thier worth in protecting their crews from the multitude of RPGs in Iraq--note--in MOUT as well as open field. Heck, most armaments would have trouble dealing with an Abrams. A few vulnerable spots, but you gotta be both well-prepared and have a pot full of luck to pull it off. Bradleys are not as tough a target, but still much more stout than a Hummer or LAV-25.
Question: You have to go from point A to point B throught the Sunni Triangle during a hot period. What ground vehicle would you choose?
There are some items packable by infantry that can ruin an Abrams crew's day. Luckily, most of those we've fought have not been able to use them much or effectively.
Stryker
S-T-R-Y-K-E-R could be defined as a "Shinseki/UN patrol vehicle." Remember the old saying, "Don't bring a knife to a gun fight?" Don't bring a SBCT to a MTW or SASO where the locals are full of p*ss and vinegar.
If the SBCT is used like an armored/mech/armored cav unit vs another motorized unit, expect much carnage--on OUR part. It'll have to be used kinda like old-fashioned hobilar. A Civil War illustration that might be of use would be the way Buford used his cavalry, especially at Gettysburg. JEB Stuart used his cavalry in more the traditional fashion, as mounted attackers & such. Buford essentially had his cavalry act as scouts, and as fast-moving MOUNTED INFANTRY, who were able to move faster than leg infatry and could bring more firepower to the battle (SPencer Carbines & such).
SBCT, with its "Javelin for all infantrymen" (nearly) armament approach could pack a punch, given a decent defensive position, vs an attacking mech/tank/motortized enemy. Woe to the SBCT that stumbles into enemy mech infantry or tanks without proper preparation.
Being able to get a SBCT to the battlefield shortly after the Rangers, 82nd,101st, or 10th would be mighty handy and make it much more likely for the initial light forces to survive until those old, slow, "obsolete," but freakin' tough Abrams and Bradleys got on the scene and were able to hand enemy armor its a$$.
FCS/"New Tank"
It is not a "new tank" any more than tanks & APCs/IFVs & radios were "new horses." Think revolutionary, not evolutionary.