Should the Future Direct Support Weapon for Light Forces Be a 105-Millimeter Howitzer

摘要

This study determines if the 105mm howitzer should be the future direct support weapon system for light forces from now until the year 2010 and beyond. As the Army prepares to enter the twenty-first century, there is a current capability void toward an indirect fire weapon system that supports a mission profile for light forces able to conduct forced entry operations and have airborne and air assault capabilities. The analysis for this study compares the 105-mm howitzer against a l2Omm mortar and a towed 155-mm howitzer to determine which weapon system is capable to supporting light forces. Lethality, mobility, and survivability are the overall measurements of criteria comparing these three weapon systems against each other. Evaluating each weapon system's capabilities in relation to the criteria of measurements reveal indirect firing platform. Final analysis determines that the 105-mm howitzer should be the future direct support weapon for light forces by consistently ranking within the competing parameters of evaluation. Analysis depicts how the 105-mm howitzer does not rank in the low end for any of the measurements of criteria as compared to the 120-mm mortar and 155-mm howitzer. Comparison data reveals that muzzle loaded mortars have inherent internal and weapon associated characteristics that limit the accuracy of the weapon systems to effectively fire on a target.