APC Development and related topics.

[DRG]

They also seem to be fast tracking these things and I suspect ( we will see.... ) that they are going to be deployed ahead of schedule. I now have a "Hvy Cavalry Trp" and "Hvy Cavalry Pl" in the OOB that integrates them with infantry that can be adjusted as new info is released

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don when we entered the much improved M2A3 BRADLEY BUSK/BUSK III (The major improvement was it gave them a true "hunter killer" FCS system amongst others to include defensive one's.) and I have to check it against my submission posts also, but if not mistaken I don't believe we gave it artillery observation powers. Well unless we missed it we should've especially after you read the following as I just did. Still I don't recall seeing it at the time.

Here's the quote...
The Army Acquisition Support Center website says the M2A3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle features upgrades across much of the on-board systems that "provide 'hunter-killer target handoff' capability." The M2A3 IFVs and their crews are also the "Eyes of the Artillery," the ASC website said. The on-board technology the 2-137th will be using "can acquire, identify, track and designate targets while mounted and under armor, enhancing crew survivability."

Here's the ref.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/april..._10104171.html

ASC as referred to is the following...
http://www.aschq.army.mil/home/AboutUs.aspx

Units effected are...
USA-889/898&899 A note about UNIT 889 the TI/GSR should be 50 vice 40. All "BUSK" units at the time received the same upgrades.

The "rub" here reading the article indicates that now all the M2A3 BRADLEY's (Article makes no mention of "BUSK" units.)have the new FCS and "Eyes of the Artillery (ETA)" equipment now. This is a "no brainier" only in that the regular ARMY will generally be fitted out before the National Guard starts getting the upgrades. In taking that logical step that means probably within the last couple of years (Or more.) the process of upgrading the M2A3 had started and is either completely finished or a "sneeze away" from being finished.
Those M2A3 UNITS would be...
USA-306/666&668. These should only be improved and limited to the FCS (to include TI/GSR) and again the "ETA".

No out of service UNITS by date would make the "cut" to be improved.

All this for reading my, well for today, evening papers. I guess, I should STOP reading my "papers"?

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

This further supports my last Post on the M2A3, though good sources, these next two should cover the rest "of the bases" from second to home plate.
Ref. 1 very first para addresses this very simply and Ref. 2 is directly from the USA. Ref. 3 in particular the section below the M1200 picture would confirm we're right on our 2012 fielding date for our "BUSK" M2A3's and also when the artillery and target painting laser was also available.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...21-71/appi.htm
https://www.army.mil/article/185239/..._at_fort_riley
https://www.ausa.org/sites/default/f...pons4_1012.pdf

I should think this should cover it, if not, you know where to find me.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Just got home from work around 11pm caught up on my news and a program than checked my in this case "paper" and found this, but, first I asked myself is this India? No it's the GAO the title actually says it all more then the sample article.
http://www.janes.com/article/69669/a...ecommend-delay

I don't have time now to dig further I need to get my "butt" to bed as I have my "fight course" in the morning. If no one else posts any further articles on the topic I'll see what I can come up with tomorrow late afternoon or evening.

Tonight I dream about the "Red Man"!?!

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I always feel better after fighting the "Red Man" a couple of times in the heat of a SE Ga. day. Anyway I hit "pay-dirt" and if they abide by the delay the only USMC amphibious replacement program we're likely to see in the game will be the AVC 1.1 if you read the article it covers all the issues, if not, I'll be nice enough to tell just read the lower left section of this ref. and you'll see where I'm coming from.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/684147.pdf

Note the GAO normally gets it's way where money is concerned.

For very recent background information, this is very good...
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/R42723.pdf

Forgot to add...My MARINE friend out here was one of the very first to question the troop carrying capacity of these vehicles 10 vs standard 13 for a squad. I think she secretly works on the GAO Military Advisory Committee or MAC but not like "Hey Mac" - might get you a dirty look from her!?!

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

This is where it gets "game interesting"

to quote the GAO ( emphasis mine )

The ACV SAR provides comparison costs for 204 ACVs and 204
AAVs, implying a one-for-one replacement of AAVs by ACVs, when in fact
comparatively more ACVs may be required because they are expected to carry
fewer marines. Specifically, the AAV can transport 17 marines, while the ACV
1.1 will carry a minimum of 10 marines or up to 13.

so...... that throws the carry cap for that vehicle as it's set up in the game now right out the window.....currently, the Hvy Ampib versions of the AAV we have in the game now has a carry cap of 23....... I guess that needs some adjustment..... I will let the resident Marine check her OOB for knock-off effects of making those the correct carry cap....I cannot imagine the GAO was wrong about how many they carry

but note the ACV CAN pack in 13 if necessary..just like the unit I set up in the game

[Suhiir]

The new AAV SU (to be introduced in 2019) does in fact have a lower carry cap (due to the replacement of the wooden bench passenger seating by off-the-deck padded ones). But versions prior to that still use pretty much the same passenger seats as they've had since their introduction.

Current plans are to give the AAV SU a carry cap of 18 (17 would require the addition of a 4th vehicle per platoon or the creation of a new set of passenger units).

Part of what I'll be sending you next fall Don.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

According to Headquarters Marine Corps - AAV 3 Crew + 21 Combat Marines. You'll find pages 10 - 11 very interesting in that it defines the current manning and equipment of the Ground Combat Element (GCE) of the USMC that comprises part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Pages 12 -13 Aviation Combat Element (ACE) manning and equipment with Pages 14 - 15 covering same for Logistics.
http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/...Capability.pdf

Further down you'll find data on ground fire support (Mortars etc.) same for air and ammo resources. Units as assigned to current Amphibian ship classes etc. etc. Should keep a couple of you busy for awhile if for nothing else then simple verification. Haven't quite seen anything out here yet to this detail and this current on the USMC in a long while. I just happened to stumble upon in my USMC data search on the AAV.

GAO are number cruncher's they ain't military.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I'm re-posting the video from an earlier post on the AAV-7SU in this thread. If you freeze the frame as the Major gives the tour you'll count 7 Port side & 8 Starboard side seats, leaving you with the following 3 Crew & 15 Combat Marines. Why the change? Allows for the additional protections and 675hp power-plant vice what I believe is currently a 525/or 550hp power-plant (This off the top of my head.)

Also the space allows the SU to carry 3 days worth of supplies vs. current 1 day. Suhiir would have a better handle on this but, it is my understanding all previous and current mods could be outfitted with a center bench to allow for carry of 25 troops. My USMC HQ post said 21 which with outboard benches is doable but, I would think very cramped.

Bottom line...
1) Much better protected.

2) Armament upgrade still being looked at (Primarily some type of ATGW System.).

3) Faster at Sea and on Land it'll be much better at keeping up with armored units. However this is still being evaluated currently.

4) Increased terrain operability (SU is benefiting from the use of modified BRADLEY suspension components and combat endurance as noted above.)

5) Assuming no issues during 10 unit operational evaluation currently ongoing, Low rate production by 2019, fielded by 2023 in service until current estimates run from 2033-2035.

Video again...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKlgq3RDu74
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyAInmP4KMw

Second video (New.) about 22 seconds in, freeze it, verifies my seat count. Note the Hi/Lo seat configuration this allows for the human bodies/seat configurations thus, increasing carry capability.

Been on this for a year now or so.

Regards,
Pat

[Suhiir]

There have been a number of equipment changes and upgrades (M1A1, MV-22, etc.) but the basic infantry battalion MEU really hasn't seen any significant changes since the mid 1980's (the addition of the LAI component).