The Three to Six Second Advantage: Tank Combat in Restricted Terrain,
Abstract
If the U.S. Army fights in restricted terrain, force protection will be a major issue. Tanks and mechanized infantry provide a force with mobility, firepower, and enhanced protection; however, there is never enough dismounted infantry or artillery. In restricted terrain, an armored combined arms force is the weapon of choice for quick, decisive victory that produces a minimum of friendly casualties. Our Abrams tank supplies this with its excellent armor protection, mobility, and tough, battle-winning platform. Tank commanding in restricted terrain, therefore, requires superb tank commanders with highly trained crews. Superb tank commanders use skill and enhanced battlefield situation awareness to gain a decisive time advantage to win in the defile; a three-to-six second advantage. The three-to-six-second advantage is the ability to fire on an enemy ambusher at close range, in a defile, before he fires at you. To gain this advantage, the tank commander must build a high performing tank crew, master the critical crew tasks, and perform training that prepares the crew to win the close-range, direct-fire fight.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA323153
Entities
People
- Stephen Krivitsky