88-2149

Citation Format: Full Citation (1F)

Accession Number:
ADA193292
Citation Status:
Active
Citation Classification:
Unclassified
Field(s) & Group(s):
150600 - MILITARY OPERATIONS, STRATEGY AND TACTICS
Corporate Author:
ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS SCHOOL OF
ADVANCED MIL ITARY STUDIES
Unclassified Title:
Armor in Low Intensity Conflict: What is the Best Tactical Doctrine for Armor in
Counterinsurgency?
Personal Author(s):
Matheny, Michael R.
Report Date:
07 Dec 1987
Media Count:
56 Page(s)
Cost:
$9.60
Report Classification:
Unclassified
Distribution Statement:
Availablity document partially illegible.
Descriptors:
*LIMITED WARFARE, *ARMORED VEHICLES,
AFGHANISTAN, BATTALION LEVEL ORGANIZATIONS, BRIGADE LEVEL
ORGANIZATIONS, CASE STUDIES, COUNTERINSURGENCY, DOCTRINE, FIREPOWER,
FUNCTIONS, MILITARY DOCTRINE, MILITARY TACTICS, PLANNING, RESPONSE,
SEARCHING, TACTICAL ANALYSIS, TERRAIN, THEORY, VIETNAM, WARFARE
Identifiers:
*Low intensity conflict
Abstract:
This study is a tactical analysis of armor in low intensity conflict. The study begins with a discussion of the
theory of armor in LIC. This monograph uses J.F.C. Fuller's five combat functions: protect, find, fix, hit, and
destroy, to examine the proper role of armor. Vietnam and Afghanistan are analyzed as case studies of the
employment of mechanized forces in counterinsurgency. The results of this analysis are then compared to
current doctrine. The study concludes that the most appropriate tactical doctrine for armor in LIC depend upon
the combat function it serves within the combined arms team. These functions can vary with terrain,
organization, and the operational plan. Mechanized forces are best employed in small cordon search
operations from battalion to brigade size. Their mobility and firepower are best used in encirclement
operations or as a reaction force. Finally, the near term and future implications of this study are considered
under Fuller's combat functions.
Abstract Classification:
Unclassified
Distribution Limitation(s):
01 - APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
23 - DOCUMENT PARTIALLY ILLEGIBLE
Source Code:
416090
Document Location:
DTIC
IlRM.Oll 1)1 LlN IS THE TACTICAL J)f')'"TliI NE
COUNTEHI hy MAJ ;1::'chael H, I USA,
Although armor was dev81op8d and organized for
intensity warfare, in "the Iutur8 low intensity conflict will OH m05L
form or war. Since the army haG invested so much or its ('omt)a t,
power and force structure into mechanized forces, it should be pr8parect
use those forces 1n LIe. '!'his monograph uses J,lt.C. Fuller';; five r:;ornb,.)J,
functions: protoct, finc, iix, hit. and ctostro:l, e:(.::.umne ?!'fJPer
rote of armor.
Vietnam .:.lnd ,1nalyz0.,,:i (1;' .'')1'
at fOrGOR Ln :n ooth l.he :Ir"m:ns
!11::'CC;':""":;"lT', .... 0 'lIod': t":1 for :\r:.:.oc. in 1.1:'"
if, S. l.:':.. .. :.- ..i to :"'d.1:. dIlf" ::lrctl:..'I;!..
tIll) en indicae!: .:irw.':' !:.O
of u.rmor. ha.vo
tilC!".lG::ll with ari.,:,:ur bec.:l.us/! of terrain,
pLan tor
A look a.t c:urront dOG"tr 1ne reve:lls the for a. ,:,umbin(:Q d,:-i.<,.:..
lioe-trina .for heavy and U..::;ht forcos in LIC, Curr8nt n1.,:;c
1
nor
o:Fldress the most effactive armor or::;ani:J;ation .for tho ot
in LI C-- I; he (:aVi) 1r'f l'egi jllen:;.
The study C:OllC:Udf::!S tha.t most dppropr-i.:\tr: ar.:;(I:-i:l(' tor
in L[C dQponrl::-:; upon t:.:te function '3cr'JOS wlthLn
.:.l.rms t8am. Thl::l'38 functi.onc C\lll vary with terrain. ::tn.d th'_'
opor.J.tiontll p).:l.n. At t.he armor can prot8ct and IN'hen
properly organized and it cun also be to rlnu, fix, (.1nd in
Gombinat:on \.,ri destroy insurgent forces, ;{CC!lil:'li:::ed
.lro 08!=3t cmpluyt"'!d in ':icalo Gordon 7-cD.rch oDeraticHu:3
'3izG. nnrt firep0',olr.r lJS1..:orl in
Dr as ."'1 rh(l ...:'('m .-l!ll"' [U".'i:-e
nf rJ.r(:\ und... :r
I . I nt r oduc t i on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
11. The Theory of Armor i n LI C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . '5
I I I , Hi s t o r i c a l Case St udi e s
Viotnam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i:
' .
Ar ghani st nn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I ,
..!
i v . Ci i r r ? nt k c l ; r i a c , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
'/ I (:i.inciu.,ioii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :,
v I .
:'3
. .
; np i ?cat: i ti ns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
:4<1?5:
A. O?cr i i t i on Czdnr ."all:;-.Jiinction Ci t y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A' ?
2, 4i)
1: . Ltinilr Of f ens i ve 1985...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4L
Dndnot c s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ : 2
Bi bl i oEr aphv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Baf,f,le a t Chanh 1, uu. . , . , , , , , , . . , , , . . , . , , , , , , . , , , , , . , , ,
,: ' I
I,
Y
t h e j ungl e b ~ c a u s e t he y c:!uirl p r o t e c t . Thc t a n k s cr ushnr i ?:!icir wi i ' r '9ii !;I:;:?
3 s
i.
. ::
L..
MYLILUT MbVVEMLNT
- _- NILIT MbVEMLNT
LAYLILUT AIRLIFT
m e .
-40-