A Light Infantry Division for Airland Battle-Future
Abstract
The battlefield of the future will be a chaotic, non-linear environment where forces are intermingled and highly lethal weapons will cause great destruction and force wide dispersion. Regardless of the exact location of the fight, highly deployable U.S. Army light infantry forces will most likely be committed in any future wars. This paper answers the question of What light infantry division organizational design can best meet the tactical requirements of the future battlefield? In examining this issue, the traditional roles of light infantry and resultant combat power capabilities are juxtaposed against future battlefield characteristics and resultant combat power requirements. This paper notes a high level of congruence between the traditional capabilities of light infantry and the traditional requirements of the battlefield. It concludes that the dispersed, mobile, small unit tactics of light infantry will dominate the battlefield. These forces, armed with and supported by highly lethal long range weapons, will be capable of defeating any force, heavy or light, on the future battlefield.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 29, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA234968
Entities
People
- Mark Van Drie
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College