Interactions Between Tactics and Technology in Ground Warfare

Abstract

Discusses tactical-technological interactions observed during a study of advanced employment concepts for ground force operations. The study involved a direct-fire system--a portable weapon resembling a bazooka that fires a laser beam-rider missile--and two indirect-fire systems, one a precision guided mortar system, the other a precision guided missile. The authors present observations and speculations about the future ground combat operations in Europe, on the basis of which they urge a more effective partnership between tacticians and technologists. The increasingly complex weapons produced by technology will place greater demands on human capabilities, tactical adaptations are likely to be more feasible in wartime than technological innovations, and major developments in either tactics or technology will have a ripple effect on force structure and combat operations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA067283

Entities

People

  • E. W. Paxson
  • M. G. Weiner
  • R. A. Wise

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Area Defense
  • Armored Vehicles
  • Attack Helicopters
  • Attrition
  • Battle Management
  • Combat Areas
  • Combat Operations
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Defense Systems
  • Employment
  • Geographic Regions
  • Indirect Fire
  • Military Science
  • Organizational Structure
  • Precision-Guided Munitions
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Marksmanship and Weaponry.
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy