US Army News and updates general discussion

[FormerDirtDart]

Vehicles will be on the TO&E of both the 82nd and 101st Airborne, as well as other light infantry units. How the vehicle will be utilised, its tactics, Light Infantry unit numbers etc., haven't yet been determined and that is being formulated as part of the introduction into service. The Army has approved a LRIP of unknown quantity.

Per the US Army in their Waypoint 2028 (Now Army 2030) briefings they will be Armor Battalions. One in each Joint Forcible Entry Division - Airborne and Joint Forcible Entry Division - Air Assault. As well each Standard Division, Light (how ever many of those there will be) will get a single Armor Battalion.

I assume the 82nd's battalion will be 4/68th AR. They used A/4/68th as their MPF surrogate unit while using the LAV-25 a couple years ago (2018-2020). 4/68th AR was the original designation of the Sheridan battalion before it was redesignated 3/73rd AR in the mid-80's. But 73rd AR was redesignated as a Cav Rgt and 1, 3 & 5 Sqns 73rd CAV currently serve as the 82nds RSTA squadrons. (1/17 CAV is their Attack Reconnaissance Squadron in the Cbt Avn Bde) . The JFED-Abn/AAslt are briefed as retaining a divisional ground CAV Sqn plus a ground CAV Trp in each BCT, which I assume will retain the 73rd CAV unit designations in the 82nd

(Reminder: Sqn = Bn size, Trp = Co size for you "Commonwealth" nomenclature folks )

These might be helpful. Real (US Army produced) ORBAT slides (I combined the Heavy/Light slides to get past the 4 image limit)
View attachment 48834View attachment 48835View attachment 48836View attachment 48838

 

[FormerDirtDart]

When you remove the suppressor it's really noticeable how damn short that barrel is.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1618602281582170112

 

[Terran]

When you remove the suppressor it's really noticeable how damn short that barrel is.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1618602281582170112

The overall length of the now XM7 (previously XM5) is about 34.1 inches vs the legacy M4 which is 33 inches at full extension. To achieve this similarity in OAL the XM7 uses a 13 inch barrel shorter than the M4’s 14.5 inch. The additional length on the XM7 the hinge knuckle that allows the stock to fold. The US Army and USMC both have taken a great interest in Suppressed carbines and the SLX suppressor is 5.24 inches long. Once the suppressor is mounted the XM7 is about 36 inches long.

 

[FormerDirtDart]

This is new to me, still trying to gather additional info if possible. But back in 2021 the Army did some experimental force exercises looking at revamping the mechanized infantry companies (Bradley) in the combined arms battalions.
Basic context: it's been well established that 9-man infantry squads and Mech Inf Co. are a troubled marriage. Putting 3 dismount squads into 4 Bradley's has been problematic, let alone squeezing in any additional enablers.
Also, the consolidation of infantry specialties into the generalized 11B 20 years ago has left some decline in subject matter expertise in operating Bradley's.
So, the answer being offered is the Armor Assault Company.. 2 Bradley platoons (6 vehicles w/3-man crew per) crewed by armor specialists and 2 Dismount platoons of infantry (3 9-man sqds 4-man plt hqs, 2-man MMG tm).
You end up with the same numbers of Bradley's per company. And there is ongoing discussion of replacing the 60mm mortars with a possible dedicated anti-tank section (my thinking is why not at heavier mortar section and AT section in a wpns plt)
Personally I've long given thought to a 5-vehicle mech infantry platoon. 3 turretless carriers (w/RWS & greater troop capacity) and 2- 2-turreted IFV (w/reduced troop capacity). So this intrigues me.

Image from winter 2022 Armor journal article : https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/earmor/content/issues/2022/Winter/1Hines22.pdf
And for anyone interested whole Winter 2022 publication: https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/eARMOR/content/issues/2022/Winter/ARMOR_Winter_2022_edition.pdf

Also, short youtube discussing:

 

[Bob53]

I look at this vehicle and wonder what’s happens when it’s pissing rain, snowing, very cold or some starts dropping things on you, IEDs or start shooting at you?

GM Defense squad vehicle cleared by Army for full-rate production

The 5,000-pound ISV is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 truck and uses 90% commercial-off-the-shelf parts.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Volkodav]

I look at this vehicle and wonder what’s happens when it’s pissing rain, snowing, very cold or some starts dropping things on you, IEDs or start shooting at you?

GM Defense squad vehicle cleared by Army for full-rate production

The 5,000-pound ISV is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 truck and uses 90% commercial-off-the-shelf parts.

www.defensenews.com

In the context of this vehicle is instead of walking, it is actually a capability improvement.

Not everything can, or for that matter, should be heavily armoured.

 

[Bob53]

Never suggesting it needs to be armoured but some cover for North American or European Winters. What would that be like? My experience in Chicago wasn’t good in a very warm taxi….

 

[John Fedup]

Never suggesting it needs to be armoured but some cover for North American or European Winters. What would that be like? My experience in Chicago wasn’t good in a very warm taxi….

Try snowmobiling, will make these squad vehicles seem perfect.

 

[At lakes]

GAO denies Sikorsky’s protest over US Army FLRAA award to Bell Textron

The Government Accountability Office has denied a protest by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation over the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract awarded by the U.S. Army to Bell Textron Inc., rejecting Sikorsky's challenge to the decision, April 6. The contract aims to produce new vertical

defbrief.com

It looks like the US Army and the GAO have given Sikorsky their marching orders and Bell will be proceeding with the development of the V280

 

[John Fedup]

Interesting article about the difficulties of logistics in the modern battlefield filled with drones watching every move and all the opposing PGM weapons which will be increasingly managed by AI.

Russia’s Convoy Disaster in Ukraine Points to Lessons for the U.S. - Defense Opinion

The hollowed-out carcasses of tanks and supply trucks along Ukraine's highways should serve as a harsh wake-up call as we think about how the United States will sustain its forces on the modern battlefield, not only as a talking point about the ineffectiveness and disorganization of Russia's...

defenseopinion.com

 

[ngatimozart]

Interesting article about the difficulties of logistics in the modern battlefield filled with drones watching every move and all the opposing PGM weapons which will be increasingly managed by AI.

Russia’s Convoy Disaster in Ukraine Points to Lessons for the U.S. - Defense Opinion

The hollowed-out carcasses of tanks and supply trucks along Ukraine's highways should serve as a harsh wake-up call as we think about how the United States will sustain its forces on the modern battlefield, not only as a talking point about the ineffectiveness and disorganization of Russia's...

defenseopinion.com

The drones in Ukraine have changed the battlefield and its rear areas. If a drone can see it, it will organise destroying it. Even the Russians have finally learned that, and they are beginning to use their battlefield drones more effectively. Once they are able to seamlessly integrate drones and artillery, the Ukrainians will have a far more difficult time.

 

[seaspear]

It could be that everyone is struggling to counter drones and their ability to identify target and have destroyed, for an operator of an anti drone warfare weapon spotting a fast drone in the distance requires them to identify if friendly before engaging , there is technology available but unknown if deployed in Ukraine
Certified Identify Friend or Foe Capability Expands the Use of Drones in NATO Forces (sponsored) | Shephard (shephardmedia.com)

 

[Bob53]

Interesting article about the difficulties of logistics in the modern battlefield filled with drones watching every move and all the opposing PGM weapons which will be increasingly managed by AI.

Russia’s Convoy Disaster in Ukraine Points to Lessons for the U.S. - Defense Opinion

The hollowed-out carcasses of tanks and supply trucks along Ukraine's highways should serve as a harsh wake-up call as we think about how the United States will sustain its forces on the modern battlefield, not only as a talking point about the ineffectiveness and disorganization of Russia's...

defenseopinion.com

The authors suggestion that autonomous vehicles will be some type of solution is a bit of wishful thinking. None of the solutions he has suggested overcome the issues that present with manned vehicles in any meaningful way. They just do it with less people. My experience is that Autonomous vehicles still break down, flat tyres, still get bogged etc. all those things that happen while your driving still happen to autonomous vehicles …in a military context while someone is shooting at you.

The difference is there 1/4 of the manpower immediately available to fix’s those age old issues. It’s not like because you have autonomous …driverless vehicles they magically don’t need roads, security, support or fuel.

In the trial I witnessed autonomous vehicles have been great for go to A and then deliver to B. Other option is for a number of vehicles follow vehicle A and then at the destination a driver enters and moves the vehicle to unloading hopper 16 or Bay 5.

Maybe AI will overcome some of the issues but the physical and geographical aspects of a moving a vehicle remain. Where AI May helps is with route planning to keep Vehicles out of range of known enemy positions. But don’t forget the logistics guys also assist planning on enemy logistics use and supply forecasting that would then give some idea of when resupply will be needed.…and this then gives some help in looking for and finding resupply columns with drones etc.

In the context of a supply chain during a war, things will certainly become more difficult than even the Russians and Ukrainians have experienced.

 

[Ananda]

Army unveils the M10 Booker, its first new combat vehicle in two decades

www.stripes.com

I got that US Army wants to honour their heroes, and it's very honourable tradition. Just this time personally I just keep wondering about the choices of this particular name. Keep thinking that some guys perhaps even soldiers going change the front alphabet.

Wondering also if US going to supply this to Ukrainian latter on. It's not MBT but better then what Frenchie or Italian can provide.

 

[Terran]

Army unveils the M10 Booker, its first new combat vehicle in two decades

www.stripes.com

I got that US Army wants to honour their heroes, and it's very honourable tradition. Just this time personally I just keep wondering about the choices of this particular name. Keep thinking that some guys perhaps even soldiers going change the front alphabet.

Wondering also if US going to supply this to Ukrainian latter on. It's not MBT but better then what Frenchie or Italian can provide.

I remember a few years back an April Fools joke about the Army buying a new field kitchen Stryker variant. The Fryker.
If you’re worried about it the worst I can think of is Hooker ( at least without changing the half the name) but Gen Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker the Victor of Chancellorsville during the American Civil War makes that less an insult.

As to Ukraine maybe if this is a 12 year thing. It’s going to take time for the Army to build up numbers for itself let alone export.

 

[Volkodav]

Tanks used in support of light infantry tend used more as assault guns than tanks. Ironically in WWII many SP Tank Destroyer Battalions ended up being used as assault guns, or infantry tanks, the mainstay of these units being the M-10 Gun Motor Carriage.

 

[Terran]

The Army Brass have done everything short of standing on the Pentagon roof with bull horns shouting “Don’t call MPF a tank!!”

 

[DDG38]

"A United States Army MH-47G Chinook helicopter from the famous ‘Night Stalkers’ 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) conducted deck landings on the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Adelaide off the Queensland coast as part of Exercise Balance Action 2023. The deck landing training enables SOAR crews to operate with Royal Australian Navy ships during any future missions across the Indo-Pacific, including humanitarian or disaster relief missions and any special operations missions. Exercise Balance Action 2023 is being used by Special Operations Command units such as 2nd Commando Regiment and elements from 1st Commando Regiment and Special Operations Engineer Regiment to conduct further familiarisation and complex special operations training with the SOAR Chinooks. The two SOAR Chinooks travelled to Australia to participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 and for follow-on training activities such as Exercise Balance Action with Australian Defence Force elements. Special Operations Command is an Australian Army functional command whose mission is to prepare and employ special forces to defend Australia's national interest." Image Source : ADF Image Library

 

[FormerDirtDart]

An attempt to translate the Army's statements on cancelling M1A2SEPv4 and moving forward to M1E3

 

[Terran]

A very informative video as he goes over the details of the release and doesn’t just point at GDLS Abrams X videos.

That’s not to say and he doesn’t that Abrams X won’t feed into M1E3. Because there are alternative means to achieve the Army’s goals here. It’s not hard to see a Few versions of how Abrams M1E3 could play out. A conservative version where in its a 4 man crew, integrated APS but they gut the electrical and mechanical parts to reduce it back to 65 tons. With more integrated RWS, modernized sensors. With or without a new power pack.
or Abrams K2 version where you are doing that but down to a 3 man crew with automatic loading in a manned turret.
Or basically AbramsX with a few changes as the most ambitious version.

No matter how this plays out I think the Abrams ends up with a new turret