CONTINUOUS THUNDER: The Challenge of Artillery Support for the Close Battle.

This study first analyses the environment of the modern battlefield and finds that in spite of technological improvements in weapons and command and control capabilities a preponderance of artillery fires will be needed at the small unit level and very close to friendly troops. The whole notion of close support is therefore historically examined in some detail to determine what close support means today and what precise demands it places on the field artillery system. From there the study goes on to examine the field artillery structure in the heavy division to determine its capability to provide the neccessary support. A major conclusion is that if the division battle is to be won, then the priority of fire support effort must be focused on actions that will take place within 300 meters of friendly positions. The study also concludes that the current artillery structure is ill-prepared to provide such close support.