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Thank you. I knew this existed but the version I saw was low-res. On the subject of airborne I have a couple of questions. Is it an IFV that they need? Or a light-armor fire support platform? On the Sprut, Russia managed to squeeze a full MBT cannon into an air-droppable light armor chassis. I'm sure it could be done with the 105mm that western light armor loves for use for direct-fire support. Maybe what's needed is a set of SP platforms for direct fire support (ideally in two varieties, the high-caliber and the low-mid caliber), SP mortar (120mm), SP ATGM/loitering munitions carrier.Look no further:
Future US Army Division Structures
What we know about the U.S. Army's future division organizations.
Penetration Division:
Heavy Division:
Light Division:
Joint Forcible Entry Division - Airborne:
Joint Forcible Entry Division - Air Assault:
It seems odd to me that with the USMC shifting to serve as an inland A2AD tool for the Navy and its better integration with the navy, from being a small army, and the Army instead taking the role of landing, we see 2 types of air-centric forcible entry divisions.
Perhaps the Navy will supply modular landing tools that can be attached to any division type?
I also think the JFE - Airborne should have more armor than just the MPF. Russia's BMD family of vehicles is very lightly protected (can be pierced by 0.5" cal from the sides) but provides crucial capabilities. Some light IFVs should be developed and acquired. The German LuWa and Wiesel are good examples. Perhaps something that is optionally manned.
The recommissioned 56th Artillery Command is a theater fires command, not the "substrategic nuclear missile command" of the Cold War.
Not to mention that there is no proof actual "Dark Eagle" missiles have been even fully tested yet. And the only unit currently that exists with equipment to field the LRHW are stationed on the west coast of the US.
The Us Army's 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade too delivery of equipment to stand up the first Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) battery at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. 5-3 FA has most recently been a HIMARS battalion.
The battalion took delivery of a number of what appear to be M983A4 HEMT tractors and modified M870 trailers to serve as transporter erector launchers (TEL), along with at least two training missile cannisters. No LRHW missiles were delivered.
M983A4s are also used as prime movers for Patriot missile TELs and support equipment. Battery configuration is slated to be four TELs with two missiles each, for a battery basic load of eight missiles. The delivered equipment will allow the unit to begin training and developing tactics techniques and procedures (TTPs)
The completed fielding of the first operational LRHW battery, including live weapons, is slated for FY2023.
The Army Just Got Its Hands On Its First "Dark Eagle" Hypersonic Missile Launchers
The hypersonic missile era is about to officially begin for the U.S. Army.
These might be helpful. Real (US Army produced) ORBAT slides (I combined the Heavy/Light slides to get past the 4 image limit)
They need some firepower that is readily available to maneuvering forces, of which the hard core is infantry. An IFV is inherently closest to that role. It could be potentially anything else, but the way we see firepower added to even very light platforms, it would be a missed opportunity if a dedicated platform is created.
So your minimum proposal is 2 battalions worth of MPFs per division. However, beyond deployability issues, the MPF is under-powered to do any more than demolition and direct fires against light to medium targets. It cannot go toe to toe with MBTs due to its 105mm gun. Much of the firepower will exist on infantry assets, of which we don't know that much about.
That's the thing, I don't believe US Airborne currently uses IFVs, so this would be a shift not only in hardware but also in CONOPS.
But the BMD doesn't offer enough protection to handle 23mm or 30mm. Can this even be done on an airdroppable platform? Is there a reason these capabilities can't be placed on the same JLTVs? Possibly even an unmanned missile carrier version of it? Or are we talking about air-mobile rather then air-droppable?
I guess, if mobility is the top priority. I read the light division description and it specifically said that airborne and air assault operations are not the focus. If moving by rail or sea, then lift shouldn't be the main consideration.
One could give it a 120mm gun, like the Centauro 2 HITFACT. One could also invest into ATGM capabilities on the platform for anti-MBT capabilities (imagine a barrel-launched top-attack munition for the 105mm). Also with modern APSFDS against less then entirely modern tanks, this is still plausible. And most modern opponents are generally fielding fewer and fewer MBTs.
For airborne or for light? I think that a light division may find itself in hot waters against a peer opponent that favors heavier formations. It also means that for fire support, instead of a company per btln of infantry, you have a company per brigade of infantry. That's a very low density for offense or defense.
first these images are now how the Infantry will get them. Both will come from the factory with a suppressor can and the XM157 optic. On the optic if you have 50 minutes and hear that Starship troopers voice asking want to know more. This video by the maker breaks down.
I quite like the Sig Sauer system. I really like the 6.8mm x 51 round because it brings back the hitting power of the 7.62mm x 51 but is lighter. Actually the 6.8mm x 51 has greater hitting power than the 7.62 x 51 and longer range. I have never liked the 5.56mm round at all. One of the contenders, General Dynamics True Velocity, had the round with a polymer case which was quite light. This is Chris Cappy's take on their gun and ammo.
The selected Sig weapons are really not suitable for polymer cartridges, which is why they went with their hybrid steel/brass design. Due to the Sig rifle's short barrel (in order to make weight requirement) their 6.8 rounds will be generating ~80K psi chamber pressured
