Accession Number:

ADA247881

Title:

Light Cavalry: Strategic Force for the Future

Descriptive Note:

Study project rept.

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Whelden, Craig B.

Report Date:

1992-01-03

Pagination or Media Count:

30.0

Abstract:

On August 8, 1990, the first troops from the 82d Airborne Division arrived in Saudi Arabia. It was several weeks later before the first tanks arrived from the 24th Infantry Division. This window of vulnerability was a result of a strategic deployment shortfall the only Army forces which can be deployed on short notice are from the light divisions. With the end of the Cold War and reductions of forces overseas, the evolving military strategy will depend more and more on power projection from the continental United States. Given the uncertainties in the world today and the proliferation of both conventional and unconventional arms, the United States must be capable of quickly deploying by air, military forces which have mobility, firepower, and are self-sustaining. What is needed is a medium force package, as suggested by General Meyer in 1980. It would consist of a regimental-sized cavalry force fielded with the Armored Gun System AGS, the Future Scout Vehicle FSV, the M198 howitzer, and the Light Helicopter Comanche. Such a force could be deployed in fewer sorties than a light division, but with a much greater capability.

Descriptors:

• *MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES)
• *CAVALRY
• WEAPONS
• ARMOR
• MILITARY PERSONNEL
• DEPLOYMENT
• MILITARY STRATEGY
• UNITED STATES
• ARMY PERSONNEL
• VULNERABILITY
• REDUCTION
• HELICOPTERS
• CONVENTIONAL WARFARE
• MISSIONS
• COLD WAR
• WINDOWS
• LIGHTWEIGHT
• POWER
• SCOUT CARS
• SAUDI ARABIA
• STRATEGIC WARFARE
• GUNS
• FIREPOWER
• SHORTAGES
• TANKS(COMBAT VEHICLES)

Subject Categories:

• Military Forces and Organizations
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE