A USA Today piece has some info that should make Future Combat System supporters pause. This quote in particular warns that FCS plans for a lighter force, in other words an Army with vehicles stripped of armor, may be naive:
“Be wary of eliminating or reducing … heavy armor” as the Army modernizes, the officers warn, arguing it is crucial against insurgents' “crude but effective weapons.”
Remember what we said Monday in our post on FCS?
Although FCS’s blueprint for transformation calls for a light tanks that can be transported by C-130 transport aircraft, the Army “said this month that they did not know if they could build a tank light enough to fly.” If they do, it’s because tanks–as well as personnel carriers and other vehicles–will “be stripped of heavy armor. In place of armor, American soldiers in combat would be protected by information systems.” One only needs to look at Iraq to see why trucks, not to mention tanks, need to be armored.
It is important to notice that not too many people take non-popular sides of the discussion. Lets think how to encourage a broader view of the subject.
Palace of Chance
Posted by: Jon | Jul 11, 2005 at 06:44 PM