EQUIPMENT

Introduction

The ability of the Army to fight and win on the modern battlefield depends to a great extent upon the numbers and capabilities of the troops and upon the excellence of the equipment provided to them. In past wars the United States' decisive edge has been achieved by quantitative equipment advantage after a period of mobilization. strategy has had to change

since in virtually every category of major land forces equipment the U. S. Army today is substantially outnumbered by mobilized Soviet forces tanks, armored personnel carriers, surface-to-air missiles, surface-tosurface missiles, and artillery. Only in the case of helicopters does

This

the U. S. Army possess an advantage. The current

2000

USSR

rates of production in the

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The largest single increase in this year's Army budget request is in the procurement area. This increase represents a key initiative in enhancing the Army's capabilities in the coming year. It will permit the Army to begin to redress the current critical situation wherein only 51 percent of the materiel needed (in dollar value) to equip, modernize, and sustain current forces is on hand. The problem is particularly acute within the Reserve Components.

The problem is complicated by the growing lethality of the modern battlefield. This has been brought about principally by the advent of precision guided weapons:

...

what
what

can be seen can be hit
can be hit can be destroyed.
The effects of these weapons
were observed during the 18
days of the 1973 war in the
Mideast when all combatants
lost substantial portions of
their stores of equipment.

The steps the Army is taking in materiel programs will be discussed against this background. The procurement program is intended to insure that adequate quantities of equipment are on hand when needed. The research and development program provides qualitative improvements to the force both to meet the current threat and to anticipate future battlefields.

One promising technique for offsetting the growing cost of modernization is to use a high/low concept in procurement programs. Units which will meet the enemy first receive the newer items of equipment; units that will deploy later will keep the older models. The determination of the mix depends on an assessment of the threat, priority of missions, and fiscal constraints. Thus, in the future, it is expected that the armor units in Germany will be equipped with the new XM-1 tank, while units in the United States will retain the older M48A5 and M60 series tanks.

Armor

The past year has seen a major effort to enhance the tank production capability of the United States. At the time of the 1973 war in the Mideast, the U.S. was producing about 30 tanks per month. Increasing this level required the creation of totally new production capacity, particularly in the area of large castings. As a result of this program, which was fully supported by the Congress, the production rate was increased to 64 per month in mid-1975, is currently at a level of 72 per month, will reach over 100 per month in February 1977, and is expected to achieve a capability to produce 120 per month in January 1978. This increase in tank production will assist in reducing the present 61 percent shortage in the Army's tank assets. The overall objective for tanks (13,844) is a realistic assessment of the need to support Active and Reserve force requirements and to provide sufficient War Reserve Stocks to sustain forces in the early stages of combat.

The increased production rate for M60 series tanks has been complemented by a program to upgrade M48 tanks and by the successful deployment of the M60A2 (Shillelagh missile) tank during the past year. Conversion of the M48 makes the M48A5 a prime tank equipped with the 105mm main gun and diesel engine. Commonality of support and tactical employment with the M60 series enhances force capability and reduces cost.

The M60A3 Product Improvement Program is designed to incorporate improvements into new production tanks on the assembly line and to modify existing tanks with product improvements during scheduled vehicle depot overhaul. There are ten major product improvements in the current program, making the improved tank more cost effective and yielding improved accuracy at long range. The M60A3 will have a striking improvement in night fighting performance.

The M113A1, Armored Personnel Carrier, is the basic squad carrier for mechanized infantry and combat engineers. The U.S. Army and foreign customers are placing a high demand for this proven and reliable vehicle. Continued procurement is essential to satisfy the low side of the combined MICV/M113A1 high/low inventory objective.

With the congressionally approved procurement of CHAPARRAL ground support equipment in FY 1976, the Army will be able to provide this essential air defense capability to all of its Active divisions. Over the next two

67-052 O 76-58

years, the Army plans to procure sufficient CHAPARRAL missiles to meet war reserve stock requirements. The missile to be procured is an improved version which provides a capability to engage incoming aircraft that the current missile does not have.

Looking to the future, the Army's plan is eventually to provide the ROLAND air defense system to the Active divisions, with the CHAPARRAL being transferred to the Reserve Components.

Anti-Armor Missiles

In its eighth year of production, TOW is a heavy anti-tank weapon that can be employed on the ground, mounted on a variety of military vehicles, and fired from helicopters. Its maximum range is three times the 106mm recoilless rifle, yet it weighs only half as much. With the present program, the requirements of deployed U.S. forces for TOW will require continued procurement beyond FY 1977.

DRAGON is a hand carried antitank missile in the Army inventory which is capable of defeating enemy armor out to a range of 1,000 meters. The first tactical unit received DRAGON in March 1975 and issue continues. The first contracts for high rate production were awarded in July and August of 1975. The fielding of DRAGON will improve the Infantry platoon's ability to attack and defeat armor, providing a significant improvement in accuracy and lethality over its heavier predecessor weapon, the 90mm recoilless rifle.

Non-nuclear LANCE

The Army needs the non-nuclear LANCE (NNL). The capability exists today to locate targets beyond cannon range. Enemy command posts, assembly areas, supply depots, surface-to-air missile sites, and ammunition dumps are susceptible to strikes by non-nuclear LANCE. With its inherent accuracy, lethality, and all-weather delivery capability this missile can be delivered by the LANCE battalions currently deployed in Europe. No further research and development effort is required, and initial procurement is included in the FY 1977 budget request.

Aircraft

The Army's aircraft program is designed to give units in the field a mobility advantage, and improved anti-armor and electronic warfare capabilities. Mobility advantage has been partially realized with the proven UH-1 series aircraft. However, the accelerated pace and violence anticipated on future battlefields require a higher performance capability. The Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft (UTTAS) helicopter will give the Army, for the first time, the capability of lifting a full, combatequipped squad under high altitude and temperature conditions. The UTTAS will also be used in assault helicopter, air cavalry and aeromedical evacuation units.

The AH-1S, COBRA/TOW, helicopter will provide the airborne antitank capability required in the Army's tactical force pending introduction of the Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH). The procurement plan for the AH-IS will minimize the critical shortage in anti-tank helicopters until AAH procurement can be initiated in FY 80. These AH-1S aircraft will continue in service through the 1980's as the low side of the high/low mix for antitank attack helicopters.

Product improvements to modernize and improve the Army's current fleet of airplanes and helicopters are included in the aircraft program.