Dismounted Mechanized Infantry on the Future AirLand Battlefield: Is the Squad Big Enough

Abstract

This monograph analyzes different organizational sizes for the dismounted element of the mechanized infantry squad on future battlefields. It uses the U.S. Army's new operational concept called AirLand Battle-Future as the setting for the analysis. The roles and missions of the mechanized infantry are first examined from a historical perspective, primarily the German and American experience from World War II. The new operational concept is then discussed and tasks for the dismounted element on the future battlefield are examined. Different size squad organizations are introduced and then compared using the criteria of the Huba Wass de Czege Relative Combat Power Model. Two methods of comparison are used. The first studies the different squad structures against the elements of combat power. The second analyzes the organizations against probable mission to be performed using the elements as a criteria. The monograph concludes that the examined squad organizations may be unable to accomplish their mission after attrition has reduced their size.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 24, 1990
Accession Number
ADA236008

Entities

People

  • Michael H. Esper

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Tank Weapons
  • Armored Personnel Carriers
  • Armored Vehicles
  • Combat Forces
  • Combat Operations
  • Combat Vehicles
  • Grenade Launchers
  • Guided Missiles
  • Guns
  • Infantry Fighting Vehicles
  • Machine Guns
  • New York
  • Rifles
  • Second World War
  • Standards
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation