B
Brock
Guest
The adoption of the medium-lighweight force concept--wanted or not--is happening. The army‘s services needs to stop fighting--I realize some are supporting it-and embrace so the troops can benefit from it with equipment that allows the concept to be as successful as possible. The retirement of the Leopard I C2 tank is an indication for the artillery that the M109 self-propelled howitzer systems retirement is not far behind; there is no need for a system designed to support heavy mechanized force. Some may disagree, but it is a poorly supported arguement to make that a medium-lighweight force without tanks, not designed for heavy warfare, needs the kind of indirect fire support provided by the M109. However, this does not mean the army does not require indirect fire support, but simply highlights the need for more complementary system (s). I believe the medium-lightweight is the best system concept for Canada--a non-aggressive country relative to the UK or US--that can afford heavy forces, but will not provide the financial and/or political support acquire and/or use them. As such, I believe a mixture of towed 155mm howitzers, LAV III 8X8 self-propelled 120mm turretted mortar systems, 120mm towed mortars, and 60mm mortars can effectively meet the indirect fire support needs of the Canadian Army. As a plus, these group of systems will be more flexible, easier to support and maintain, and far less costly to use and operate. Furthermore, the entire army, regular and reserves, could be fully equipped with new systms by 2010, even if a decision was not made until 2010 for rougly the same cost as 24 new 155mm tracked SPH. However, the system only works if it is fully supported by both the army and government.
The way I envision such a system will not ruffle artillery cap badge feathers...much. The only ruffling is the adoption of mortars primarily over howitzers, but the artillery for a very long time used 4.2" inch (106mm) mortars and now have the 81mm mortar tasking. The 120mm mortar which has a greater firepower than a 105mm howitzer, but just not the same range...that‘s where the towed 155mm howitzer comes in.
Each battlegroup--not battalion or regiment--must have a mortar battery of 6 or preferably 8 120mm mortar (towed or self-propelled turreted) permanently attached to ensure indirect fire support is always available and not being used when needed. The 120mm mortar battery (not platoon) provides some of the support that the 81mm had in the past. A new 60mm mortar grouped as a section at the rifle company level in the tripod role provides the very immediate indirect fire support needs of the infantry; this shoe be manned by the infantry and not artillery personnel. The adoption of a 120 and 60mm mortar effectively replaces the firepower provided by the in-service towed 105mm howitzers and 81mm mortars in a more cost-effective manner while simultaneously providing more firepower. The only limitation is the range of 120mm mortar. Accuracy is not an issue due to vastly improved fire control and targeting systems and provision for relatively cheap GPS and/or laser guided mortar projectiles. Range is also less of an issue with rocket-assisted projectiles as current RAPs can reach 13km.
A battery of 6 or preferably eight 155mm towed howitzers attached to each of the 3 Canadian Army brigades will provide the long range and heavy firepower when it is needed. A towed 155mm system is more flexible and better meets the overall indirect fire support needs than a turreted or truck mounted self-propelled 155mm howitzer. Turreted systems have faster response times, but it must be kept in mind that funds are limited and quality troops limit this weakness, particularly with Canada‘s high quality troops. A towed 155mm system is more flexible, becuase it can be used for both light and mechanized combat forces. It can be deployed by helicopter, towed by truck or light armoured vehicle, and when heavy support helicopters are available, by air. Furthermore current modern towed 155mm howitzers actually have better range than the Canadian Army‘s M109.
With the basics explained, I will propose potential systems to meet Army‘s needs. First, the US Army/USMC M224 60mm tripod-handheld lighweight mortar was purpose designed for the role I have described. It is cheap to procure and support, and will be easily integrated into the army as it can use all currently stocked M19 mortar rounds in addtion to newer rounds. American interoperability is also a plus.
The US Army‘s M120/121 mortar would be a good option, but has a shorter max range (7.2km) than other available international 120mm smoothbore mortars. I believe the Finnish Patria 120mm long range towed mortar system better meets the Canadian Army‘s needs for its light battlegroups if a plan, as tabled above, is pursued. It has 9km standard round max range for the same weight as the US Army‘s shorter ranged M120 system. Furthermore, Patria‘s AMOS 120mm turreted mortar system would perfectly fit the needs of the mechanized battlegroups. The AMOS offers high rates of fire, shoot and scoot capability, is precision munition, LAV III 8X8 mountable, and is fully developed and ready for service. Indeed, the US Army has pre-selected the AMOS as a prime candidate for its Future Combat System program. The only real competitor is the Delco Defense Amoured Mortar System (AMS) turret. The AMS is a proven system, but is somewhat dated compared to the Patria AMOS and a combined buy from Patria of their towed and AMOS 120mm mortar system would offer lower procurement and support costs and best value for the Canadian Army and taxpayer.
The towed 155mm shold be a directed buy of the joint USMC/US Army/British Army M777 ultra-lighweight 155mm towed howitzer. It is the best option on the market and no other 155mm towed howitzer can match it. The M777 is less than 4000kg, but offers longer range than current in-service M109 SPH. It will be interoperable with the US, UK, and Italian armies and likely others. It is not cheap, but not overly expensive either given its capabilities.
Finally, I would like to explain a preference for groups of 8 rather than 6 mortars or howitzers. A battery of eight allows for the batter to be more flexible in that two mortar or guns can be detached for special missions while still allowing a battery to have sufficient tube/gun numbers to meet fire support needs of the battlegroup.
The way I envision such a system will not ruffle artillery cap badge feathers...much. The only ruffling is the adoption of mortars primarily over howitzers, but the artillery for a very long time used 4.2" inch (106mm) mortars and now have the 81mm mortar tasking. The 120mm mortar which has a greater firepower than a 105mm howitzer, but just not the same range...that‘s where the towed 155mm howitzer comes in.
Each battlegroup--not battalion or regiment--must have a mortar battery of 6 or preferably 8 120mm mortar (towed or self-propelled turreted) permanently attached to ensure indirect fire support is always available and not being used when needed. The 120mm mortar battery (not platoon) provides some of the support that the 81mm had in the past. A new 60mm mortar grouped as a section at the rifle company level in the tripod role provides the very immediate indirect fire support needs of the infantry; this shoe be manned by the infantry and not artillery personnel. The adoption of a 120 and 60mm mortar effectively replaces the firepower provided by the in-service towed 105mm howitzers and 81mm mortars in a more cost-effective manner while simultaneously providing more firepower. The only limitation is the range of 120mm mortar. Accuracy is not an issue due to vastly improved fire control and targeting systems and provision for relatively cheap GPS and/or laser guided mortar projectiles. Range is also less of an issue with rocket-assisted projectiles as current RAPs can reach 13km.
A battery of 6 or preferably eight 155mm towed howitzers attached to each of the 3 Canadian Army brigades will provide the long range and heavy firepower when it is needed. A towed 155mm system is more flexible and better meets the overall indirect fire support needs than a turreted or truck mounted self-propelled 155mm howitzer. Turreted systems have faster response times, but it must be kept in mind that funds are limited and quality troops limit this weakness, particularly with Canada‘s high quality troops. A towed 155mm system is more flexible, becuase it can be used for both light and mechanized combat forces. It can be deployed by helicopter, towed by truck or light armoured vehicle, and when heavy support helicopters are available, by air. Furthermore current modern towed 155mm howitzers actually have better range than the Canadian Army‘s M109.
With the basics explained, I will propose potential systems to meet Army‘s needs. First, the US Army/USMC M224 60mm tripod-handheld lighweight mortar was purpose designed for the role I have described. It is cheap to procure and support, and will be easily integrated into the army as it can use all currently stocked M19 mortar rounds in addtion to newer rounds. American interoperability is also a plus.
The US Army‘s M120/121 mortar would be a good option, but has a shorter max range (7.2km) than other available international 120mm smoothbore mortars. I believe the Finnish Patria 120mm long range towed mortar system better meets the Canadian Army‘s needs for its light battlegroups if a plan, as tabled above, is pursued. It has 9km standard round max range for the same weight as the US Army‘s shorter ranged M120 system. Furthermore, Patria‘s AMOS 120mm turreted mortar system would perfectly fit the needs of the mechanized battlegroups. The AMOS offers high rates of fire, shoot and scoot capability, is precision munition, LAV III 8X8 mountable, and is fully developed and ready for service. Indeed, the US Army has pre-selected the AMOS as a prime candidate for its Future Combat System program. The only real competitor is the Delco Defense Amoured Mortar System (AMS) turret. The AMS is a proven system, but is somewhat dated compared to the Patria AMOS and a combined buy from Patria of their towed and AMOS 120mm mortar system would offer lower procurement and support costs and best value for the Canadian Army and taxpayer.
The towed 155mm shold be a directed buy of the joint USMC/US Army/British Army M777 ultra-lighweight 155mm towed howitzer. It is the best option on the market and no other 155mm towed howitzer can match it. The M777 is less than 4000kg, but offers longer range than current in-service M109 SPH. It will be interoperable with the US, UK, and Italian armies and likely others. It is not cheap, but not overly expensive either given its capabilities.
Finally, I would like to explain a preference for groups of 8 rather than 6 mortars or howitzers. A battery of eight allows for the batter to be more flexible in that two mortar or guns can be detached for special missions while still allowing a battery to have sufficient tube/gun numbers to meet fire support needs of the battlegroup.