Dismounted Mechanized Infantry on the Future AirLand Battlefield: Is the Squad Big Enough.

摘要

This monograph analyzes different organizational sizes for the dismounted element of the mechanized infantry squad on future battlefields. It uses the U.S. Army's new operational concept called AirLand Battle-Future as the setting for the analysis. The roles and missions of the mechanized infantry are first examined from a historical perspective, primarily the German and American experience from World War II. The new operational concept is then discussed and tasks for the dismounted element on the future battlefield are examined. Different size squad organizations are introduced and then compared using the criteria of the Huba Wass de Czege Relative Combat Power Model. Two methods of comparison are used. The first studies the different squad structures against the elements of combat power. The second analyzes the organizations against probable mission to be performed using the elements as a criteria. The monograph concludes that the examined squad organizations may be unable to accomplish their mission after attrition has reduced their size.