In keeping with the strategic and tactical imperatives of our new light forces, these light vehicles would not have the levels of armor protection found in heavier armor or cavalry units. These units would be organized, equipped and trained with light vehicles, and prepared for rapid strategic deployment to arrive in a contingency area in a ready-tufight coni3guration. Units that are small, flexible, and versatile fighting forces maximize the inherent characteristics of mobile firepower and reconnaissance. The role of the tank in cavalry operations is to protect the reconnaissance elements. This type of mobile and lethal force with multiple methods of infiltration behind enemy lines is the true essence of the cavalry concept. A force on the ground that’s mobile and has firepower can retain that initiative and achieve decisive results against the enemy. But if all the Army was doing was jumping in and then moving at the speed of a World War II paratrooper, they would rapidly lose the initiative gained by conducting a strategic or operational joint forcible entry. The idea of having mobile protective firepower that can be delivered by air – whether air drop or air land – and get into the fight immediately enables the Army to retain the initiative we gain by jumping in. This vehicle was called Rapid Deployment Force Light Tank, abbreviated to RDF/LT. For AAI, the lessons learned during the development of their HSTV-L prototype resulted in the creation of a new Light Tank prototype in 1980.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |