The Heavy Antitank Company

摘要

This thesis assesses the effectiveness of the current and alternative organizational structures for the employment of the TOW Antitank Guided Missile. Four alternatives are considered in comparison to the current organization which was assessed as a base case. The alternatives are divisional TOW battalions, mechanized batallion TOW companies, TOW companies in both the mechanized infantry and tank battalions, and TOW platoons in both the mechanized infantry and tank battalions. Analysis drew on historical data and the results of related work in a subjective assessment of the alternatives based on concentration, command and control, balance, supportability, training, and cost. The scope of the thesis was limited to consider the time frame from the present until the mid-1980s and an assumption constrained the alternatives to adhere approximately to the current divisional end strength in equipment and people. Overall, virtually all of the alternatives except the TOW company in the mechanized battalion were found to be better than the current organization. Optimum TOW potential, however, is achieved when TOWs are organized into companies organic to both the mechanized infantry and tank battalions.