Jekyll and Hyde in a Tank: The Dilemma of Task Force Battle Command from a Killing System,
Abstract
This monograph examines the U.S. Army's concept for its Future Main Battle Tank (FMBT) as a battle command vehicle for the armored task force commander. The monograph first presents the elements of battle command from the armored task force commander's perspective. The study examines the commander's leadership, decision making, and force control requirements separately and as they impact on each other. The study uses the resulting framework to assess the adequacy of a model FMBT's design with respect to the needs of the commander. The monograph next presents a model FMBT in terms of four fundamental parameters of design: lethality, survivability, mobility, and sustainability. Current and emerging technologies of the next ten to fifteen years bound the model's design feasibility. The study then analyzes how well the model FMBT meets the commander's battle command requirements. Analysis of the tank's conceptual design in terms of versatility, flexibility, and fightability determines that there is a need for a Commander's FMBT. The study concludes that future production of a multifunctional FMBT is possible given its modular crew stations and electronics architecture. Further investigation of the Commander's FMBT concept is necessary and can be done using contemporary research and development tools.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 17, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA289121
Entities
People
- James B. Henderson
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College