Wheels for the Future: Should the U.S. Army Adopt an Armored Wheeled System

Abstract

This monograph discusses the importance of wheeled armored systems for the US Army's future force design. Operational ideas require future forces be designed for rapid strategic deployability, high lethality, operational mobility, survivability, versatility, and sustainability. It becomes a question of the tactical requirements that dictate whether the characteristics inherent in wheels or tracks better suits achievement of the intended results. The monograph briefly examines the current European situation and provides assessment on selected regional areas which crises may occur. Next, a comparison with Sir Julian Corbett's maritime fleet constitution draws corollaries from his theories of specialization, functions, and complexities. Next, an historical perspective examines the successes and failures of the following: the US Army's use of armored wheeled systems (the armored car and tank destroyer), the United States States Marine Corps' LAV-25 program, and the French experience in Chad.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 05, 1990
Accession Number
ADA234372

Entities

People

  • Glenn Davis

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Armored Vehicles
  • Artillery
  • Combat Forces
  • Combat Operations
  • Combat Support
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Deployment
  • Light Armored Vehicles
  • Logistics
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Police
  • Military Transportation
  • Reconnaissance Vehicles
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Systems Analysis and Design