From Horses to Trucks: Implications for Force XXI
Abstract
This monograph examines whether or not the U. S. Army's transition from horse drawn field artillery to motorized traction in the interwar years of 1919 to 1941 has relevance to the U.S. Army's movement to an automated command and control system in the twenty first century. The study compares field artillery motorization program with its development of automated command and control from four perspectives. First is the ability of the equipment in question to meet requirements for successful use on the battlefield. The second is the impact that various schools of thought had on research, development and implementation of new equipment. Third, the bearing fast paced technological change had on research and development is explored, and finally, the funding, or lack of funding, had regarding the two programs. Based on these criteria, the study concludes that there is a strong relationship between the motorization of field artillery and the implementation of automated command and control. The monograph illustrates the fact that except for the number of years required to reach various stages, the events surrounding automated command and control are virtually identical to those involved in motorizing the Field Artillery. Both had a small but vocal group of visionaries championing their cause in the early years. Each ran into substantial development obstacles that brought their suitability as a reliable system into question. Likewise, the two programs shared a resistance to their implementation from a small but influential conservative element. In addition to the strength of the relationship between the two programs, the monograph presents several conclusions, which if applied, will facilitate the transition to automated command and control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 15, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA375178
Entities
People
- John D. Hall
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College