Re: Future of Tanks

In message <dpkmro$eqc$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Andrew Swallow <am.swallow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes
Paul J. Adam wrote:
Iraq still needed serious direct tank-killing ability; the tanks then proved useful for their other roles of protected mobile firepower, shock action and support of troops.

The near-term future is the current heavy armour, with some modifications like better protection for the crew while heads-out and other details learned from experience.

Does anti-insurgency work need a tank or an armoured car?

Depends on the insurgency. If they're mostly just using small-arms, then a light armoured vehicle is quite adequate, even preferable.

If they've got ready access to RPGs and IEDs (ranging from simple remote-detonated artillery shells, to explosively-formed projectiles triggered by passive infrared) then you want something heavier and more survivable.

Tank tracks break easily and narrow lanes make rotating the main gun difficult.

True, but an EFP through the driver makes moving the vehicle tricky. All things are tradeoffs.

If the urban infantry support vehicle only operated on roads then wheels can be used.

Trouble is, how many specialised types of vehicles can you afford, especially when they each require their own logistic chain?

If you go all-wheeled, what happens when the unsporting enemy moves off the paved roads and into bad going where your wheeled vehicles bog down? What force mix of wheeled vs. unwheeled do you bring?

The main gun and its rotating turret could be replaced by a mortar or short range rocket launcher. A laser guidance system can give accuracy. If you are not fighting other tanks how much fire power is needed?

Can you guarantee that a vehicle you're starting to design now, with an expected in-service date of maybe 2015, which will still be around in 2035, will _not_ have to fight other tanks?

Again, even the Iraqis in 2003 - which have to be considered towards the low end of organised military in terms of capability - managed to put together squadron-sized armoured forces for counterattacks; meanwhile M1A2 and Challenger 2 tanks have performed well both in traditional operations and in urban operations.

--
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
                                            Julius Caesar I:2

Paul J. Adam         MainBox<at>jrwlynch[dot]demon{dot}co(.)uk

.

Loading