Field Artillery, the Ascending Branch of Force XXI.

Abstract

This study examines the implications of the evolution of technology on the employment of technology of the Field Artillery in Force XXI and beyond. Historically the Field Artillery has been the greatest killer on the battlefield. By 1870, according to J.F.C. Fuller, artillery gained predominance on the field of battle. The influence of technology has also caused the battlefield to continue to expand. Since then, the gradual evolution of technology caused the battlefield to continue to expand, and enabled the artillery system to develop the capability of achieving precision and accuracy. The accuracy allowed the artillery to place lethal fires on targets at extended ranges rather than just fight as an area weapon system. Since the fall end of the Cold War, the United States has shifted the direction of its military from a threat based force to a capabilities based force. This shift in focus and the development of weapons systems technologies have provided the Army with the opportunity to shift its warfighting paradigm from the primacy of the close battle to the deep battle. It is predicated on fighting primarily with fires rather than fire and maneuver. The paradigm shift will result in new relationships and roles within the branches of the Army and the force structure. This is even more critical as the military continues to develop its emphasis on joint warfare. In order to execute the new paradigm two events must occur. The first event is the intellectual shift to a new way of fighting. The second event is the continued development of technology. The process must begin in the execution of Force XXI, and continue until the force structure is in place. It is at this time that the shift can occur. Under the new paradigm, the Field Artillery will be placed in its dominate role as the greatest killer on the battlefield.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 14, 1995
Accession Number
ADA309650

Entities

People

  • Michael T. Miklos

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Artillery
  • Artillery Ammunition
  • Artillery Fire
  • Artillery Units
  • Fire Control Systems
  • Guided Projectiles
  • Howitzers
  • Indirect Fire
  • Land Warfare
  • Military History
  • Military Science
  • Multiple Launch Rocket System
  • National Security
  • Precision-Guided Munitions
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation
  • Systems Analysis and Design