Posted on 04/14/2016 7:43:06 AM PDT by huldah1776
The U.S. Army is about to acquire a new weapon that could dramatically impact infantry warfare.
The U.S. Army is introducing a new shoulder-fired weapon that has the potential to change infantry tactics and revolutionize infantry warfare in a way unseen since the Battle of Königgrätz in July 1866. That battle, which marked the beginning of the end of the line infantry attack, saw Austrian troops carrying muzzle-loaders outgunned by Prussian infantrymen carrying breech-loading needle guns.
According to its fiscal year (FY) 2017 budget request, the U.S. Army will produce 105 so-called XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement (CDTE) weapons, a precision-guided grenade launcher, and distribute them among specially trained soldiers. “Accordingly, the army has requested $9.764 million in FY 2017 for the program and hopes for $14.852 million in FY 2018, $24.930 million in FY 2019, $32.158 million in FY 2020, and $25.798 million in FY 2021,” IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly reports.
For now, not much will change on the battlefield for dismounted soldiers in combat. However, once the weapon is distributed more widely at the squad level throughout the U.S. military, the impact of the XM25 could be revolutionary and fundamentally change small infantry tactics. The XM25 will essentially destroy the value of cover and with it the necessity of long-drawn out firefights. It will also make the old infantry tactic of firing and maneuvering to eliminate an enemy hiding behind cover obsolete.
(Excerpt) Read more at thediplomat.com ...
The General Patton of the Civil War--or Patton was the General Sherman of WWII.
Wars are organized and led to victory by the bigwigs--Washington, Grant, Eisenhower, Powell--but actually won by the generals who take the risks--Wayne, Sherman, LeMay, Patton, Halsey, Schwarzkopf--and the men who take the bullets.
This type of weapon fires on a flatter trajectory, allowing greater precision. Think of a baseball fastball vs a slow pitched softball. Mortars would be cheaper; they can't be deployed with the precision these can. Mortars, grenades (like the 203 rnd) and indirect fire will always have a place, because of the size limitations of the round that can be fired from a shoulder fired weapon, especially one that is fired like a rifle.
Excellent...and, equally interesting is that many of our top generals and admirals were low to mediocre performers at the Academies.
Another excellent book on this subject is, Last in their Class, Custer, Pickett and the Goats of West Point, by James S. Robbins. Very good read on military leadership and the formation of West Point.
Is She Hot?
LOL! Have not heard that one in 50 years.
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