Special: Precision for infantry

[unhappycamper]

Precision for infantry

The Nov. 12 cover article on Precision Guided Mortar Munitions addressed an extremely important and oft-ignored issue: effective fire support for the infantry <“Deadly Accurate,” Newslines>. As the accompanying sidebar article points out, the Army has been investing heavily in precision munitions such as Excalibur and the Precision Guidance Kit for the heavy brigade and Stryker combat teams, which deploy 155mm howitzers. As the article says, precision munitions allow the artillery to employ one or two rounds to achieve the equivalent effect of a dozen conventional rounds.

But what about the more than 40 infantry brigade combat teams that deploy with nothing heavier than 120mm mortars? If anything, they need precision fire support even more than do the other combat brigades. The infantry bears the brunt of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the key lessons learned in these conflicts is the need for accurate fires that reduce the risk of collateral damage. The 120mm PGMM will provide that necessary precise firepower.

It is clear that Congress made a mistake when it terminated the PGMM program. However, the Army was partly responsible for this outcome due to its lukewarm support for the program. Clearly, PGMM is an effective near-term solution to the current demand for a precision fires capability for IBCTs.

The Army should not wait to conduct additional studies that might point to a different long-term solution. One lesson Iraq has taught us is that an 80 percent solution today is better than a 100 percent solution in two years.

Get PGMM in the field now to meet current operational requirements.

Dr. Daniel Goure
Vice President, Lexington Institute
Arlington, Va.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/community/opinion/army_opinion_infantry_071203/



uhc comment: The Lexington Institute is a libertarian think tank with exactly eight employees --> http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/1509