Glenn Davis
This monograph discusses the importance of wheeled armored systems for the US Army’s future force design. Operational ideas require future forces be designed for rapid strategic deployabilty high lethality, operational mobility, survivability, versatility, and sustainability. It becomes a question of the tactical requirements that dictate whether the characteristics inherent in wheels or tracks better suits achievement of the intended results. The monograph briefly examines the current European situation and provides assessments of selected regional areas which crises may occur. Next, a comparison with Sir Julian Corbett’s maritime fleet constitution draws corollaries from his theories of specialization, functions, and complexities. Next, an historical perspective examines the successes and failures of the following: the US Army’s use of armored wheeled systems (the armored car and tank destroyer), the United States Marine Corps’; LAV-25 program, and the French experience in Chad. The remainder of the monograph addresses three fundamental questions linking armored wheeled systems to current battlefield requirements. These questions are: Can armored wheeled systems complement light forces in crisis operations as well as highly mechanized forces operating in war? Do armored wheeled systems provide the staying power on the battlefield? Given finite sea and airlift capabilities, can armored wheeled systems be deployed into a theater of operations without degrading the total amount of rapidly deployed forces available to conduct immediate operations?This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
