The Battle Of Vehicle ( Bfv ) Versus The Future Fighting Vehicle

The after taking 25 years to develop the F22 Raptor from conception to operational certification the United States Air Force (USAF) produced the world’s first 5th Generation air superiority fighter. (site) This revolutionary fighter plane leveraged its very low observable stealth (VLO) and thrust-vectoring and digital fly by wire technology, to produce an extremely fast, agile and deadly air to air combatant. (GEO P 2) However, in 2009 Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, (SECDEF) convinced the President (POTUS) and Congress to truncate the F22 program, leaving the USAF with less than 187 operational F22 Raptors, this number was well short of the 381 the USAF estimated they needed to meet their mission requirements. (AWC 1/ site) Gates made his controversial decision based on three factors. This essay will explore these factors and explain how the 2009 U.S strategic environment, the overall cost of the F22 and Secretary Gates’ desire to change the Department of Defense (DOD) all lead to the decision to limit the production of the F22 Raptor at 187 aircraft.

The Soldiers of Alpha Battery, 80th AAA Battalion adapted to their constant environment and altered their specialty. Once they arrived in Ardennes, the unit’s mission changed from Anti-Aircraft, to supporting ground units with 57mm anti-tank gun. These Soldiers were Anti-Aircraft by trade, but adapted their skills to make an impact where they were the most needed. Modern day Air Defense Artillery adapts much in the same way. The ever changing world calls for new systems, different training, and a higher operational tempo. The Air Defense Artillery branch is always changing and adapting to modern military operations. The 21st of December proved how vital Anti-Aircraft Soldiers were to large combat operations. Their training allowed them to operate the 57mm anti-tank guns which turned out to be vital to stopping the German advance and eventually securing victory in Europe. In today’s military operations the Air Defense Artillery protects vital areas from aerial attack allowing Operation Commanders a location to land troops and supplies. Every battle and war is dependent on a supply route and without a secured supply route, no combat element can secure a victory. The 80th AAA Battalion proved how their adaptability and their support of large combat

Entering the combat systems market is a difficult task that is capital intensive and requires a unique, game changing solution that can be proven safe, reliable and effective in short order and superior to industry leaders such as GD. Though the steady growth within the industry and the large contract award values entices new entrants to explore entry, most will find that it is ultimately not feasible to compete against such industry leaders.

The previous years of the beginning World War I, the military technology produced an enormous firepower that made the 20th century’s western armies capable to set up advantageous positions, and during the course of the war, tanks, artillery and infantry weapons, aircraft, battleship, and gas were decisive solutions. For example, Knox and Murray state that in 1917 air force was a very important power in both Britain and Germany, which provided them not only the reconnaissance to reconnoiter enemy positions but also artillery observation to support the bombing missions by enhancing its attack and coordinating ground-air operations. Due to today’s progress in technologies since World War I has acquainted with, military is able to conduct fight by using advanced technologies in the uncertain and complex environment whether in defensive or offensive positions that enhance the speed and quality of combat, as well as the basic combat value of an individual warrior. In today’s warfare, similarly World War I, military forces use last advanced weaponries and unmanned aircrafts to provide air operations in terms of intelligence and reconnaissance and to continue their combat role by attacking high-value targets. For instance, in today’s conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq the unmanned aerial vehicles play the same

Armoured vehicles were first introduced early on in time. “The use of vehicles for fighting dates to the 2nd millennium bce, when the horse-drawn war chariots were used in the Middle East by the Egyptians, Hittites, and others as mobile platforms for combat

The British adopted the first tank prototype as a design in 1916. The tank was first used in the battle of Flers-Courcelette. The tank changed war wildly just as the machine gun did, the introduction of the tank meant that war had to adapt to the rolling bunkers. This adaption caused warfare to take new face in ways to counter the invention. Tanks are a major part of warfare today, with huge advances being made constantly to the vehicle platform and more and more warfare being seen by the vehicles as time goes on.

The United States remains a country with a rich history in several issues including strong military activities including their incursion in Iraq, Afghanistan and other volatile countries around the world. However, the devastations of the Battle of the Bulge make it as one of the deadliest and bloodiest wars that the U.S has ever witnessed in history. It led to various war tactics with artillery emerging from it and other military operation challenges. Despite its unpredictable nature and the large casualties that it realized on the side of the Americans, it positively contributed to various efficient military operations in the contemporary war battles like those taking place in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan among other places globally. Therefore, this essay purposefully discusses the history and outcome of the role of artillery in the Battle of the Bulge and how it relates to the evolution of the contemporary military operation.

Since 1985, eleven different versions of the High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) have been in service. The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is being developed by the Army and the Marine Corps as a successor to the HMMWV. The Department of Defense (DoD) initiated the JLTV program to replace its aging fleet of the HMMWV. The purpose of this essay is to determine if the high cost of the JLTV should preclude it from replacing the HMMWV as outlined in the 2010 Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Strategy. Because of the cost, an inability to meet joint requirements and the presence of feasible alternatives, the Department of Defense should not continue acquisition of the JLTV.

The increase in technology and intelligence will play a crucial role in the development of the Army. Gen. Milley hit on some important notes in regards to unit effectiveness with these changes. The most difficult question discussed revolves around the how to ease armed conflict. The delivery methods of conflict are evolving and have the potential to completely transform warfare. Also discussed within the same context was the standards of national interest. Furthermore, the implementation of robotics creates a potential for warfare to completely be redefined.

Chief Warrant Officer Three Teddy Vanzant is an extraordinary instructor whose technical abilities and extensive combat systems experience make him uniquely suited to train United States Army, Ordnance Warrant Officers. Teddy has spent the last 13 months completely redesigning the Programs of Instruction for the M1A2SEPv2, Abrams Main Battle Tank and the M3, Bradley Fighting Vehicle. He provided sound guidance and assistance to the CASCOM, Training Development during the validation of not only these two critical combat systems, but for the M109A6, Paladin as well. Due to these qualities and his dedication to the instructional mission, I recommend CW3 Vanzant to compete for the Distinguished Instructor Award, and the Army Logistics University,

In September 2011, the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee voted to cancel the Army and Marine Corps' Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) in their version of the fiscal year 2012 defense bill (Munoz, 2011). This measure could have completely shut down efforts to replace a thirty year-old fleet of Humvees, loyal but potentially outmoded tactical wheeled vehicles. The Army's Modernized Expanded Capacity Vehicle program has been a project set to replace the High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) family in the works for years. The project, however, continues to be stymied by budgetary constraints. Per-vehicle costs for the JLTV begin at $250,000 and are likely to climb, as Lockheed-Martin secured a preliminary contract for engineering, design, and development. The high cost of the JLTV does preclude it from completely replacing the HMMWV, and yet cost does not preclude the JLTV from supplementing the Army's fleet. A middle-ground solution is the best method of maximizing initial investments, while also banking on the robustness of national security.

Since the beginning of our nation and the development and expansion of the services that defend it, we have faced a myriad of complex issues: shrinking force structures, global security concerns, and fiscal constraints to name a few. From George Washington’s Continental Army, which evolved into the current Joint Force operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, we are faced with increasing complexity of the operating environment. This heightened complexity and ever shrinking available assets to satisfy these requirements, are the very reason that all commanders at all levels need to find innovative ways to increase operational efficiency in addition to lowering fiscal and asset demands. This new operating environment has also driven the Army Reserve to transform from a traditional strategic force to an operational force.

Comparisons can be drawn between the T-34 and the U.S. M4 Sherman tank. Both vehicles were the base of their countries’ armies and both were given to the countries allies. Both were designed for mobility and were easy to manufacture and maintain, sacrificing some performance for these goals. Both chassis of these tanks were used for the creation of new support vehicles. And neither were to withstand the might of the German Tiger and Panther tanks, but did outnumber them by a large number. The chassis also formed the base for a bridge layer, self-propelled gun platform and armored recovery vehicle. It was even used as a "fast personnel carrier" to the horror of German troops now being swarmed by T-34s with Soviet infantry. Other notable variants

M6 is the annotation given to the Air Defense version of the Bradley fighting vehicle. During the 1980s, at the height of the cold war coupled with the ever growing nuclear threat, the U.S. need to insure the defense of ground forces and critical assets from aerial threats became ever so real. Budgetary constraints placed a heavy burden on military planners as they fought congressional committees for a solution to provide a mobile air defense platform. Dilapidated equipment and talks of a Russian armored invasion of the U.S. mainland, created the inception of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. A vehicle designed to battle the Russian MBT (Main Battle Tank) T-80 in head to head battle would suit the needs within the limitations set forth by Congress.

This position paper will address if the F-35 JSF program is worth the current investment the United States has placed into it. First the pros of the program will be presented followed by the cons. Finally, the paper will discuss why the JSF program is not worth the investment.