US_Army_Light_Armor_Ops FM 17-18.pdf

This document reproduces the complete and unabridged text of a

United States Army Field Manual first published by the Department

of the Army, Washington DC.

All source material contained in the reproduced document has been

approved for public release and unlimited distribution by an agency

of the US Government. Any US Government markings in this

reproduction that indicate limited distribution or classified material

have been superseded by downgrading instructions that were

promulgated by an agency of the US government after the original

publication of the document.

No US government agency is associated with the publishing of this

reproduction.

Digital viewer interface reformatting, viewer interface bookmarks

and viewer interface links were revised, edited, ammended, and or

provided for this edition by I.L. Holdridge.

This page and the viewer interface reformatting

FM 17-18

FIELD MANUAL

HEADQUARTERS

No. 17-18

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

Washington, DC, 8 March 1994

LIGHT ARMOR OPERATIONS

CONTENTS

Page

PREFACE........................................................................................................................................ii

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................1-1

CHAPTER 2. COMMAND, CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATIONA...................................................2-1

CHAPTER 3. CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS..................................................................................3-1

CHAPTER 4. LIGHT ARMOR PLATOON........................................................................................4-1

CHAPTER 5. LIGHT ARMOR COMPANY.......................................................................................5-1

CHAPTER 6. LIGHT ARMOR BATTALION.....................................................................................6-1

CHAPTER 7. COMBAT SUPPORT..................................................................................................7-1

CHAPTER 8. COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT...................................................................................8-1

APPENDIX A. Airlift Operations.....................................................................................................A-1

APPENDIX B. Light Infantry Division...............................................................................................B-1

APPENDIX C. Arborne Division......................................................................................................C-1

APPENDIX D. Air Assault Division.................................................................................................D-1

APPENDIX E. Fratricide Reduction....................................................................................................E-1

GLOSSARY..........................................................................................................................Glossary-1

REFERENCES....................................................................................................................References-1

INDEX.......................................................................................................................................Index-1

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION. Appoved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

FM 17-18

PREFACE

FM 17-18 is the Army’s manual containing doctrine, tactics, and techniques for the

employment of light armor units. It will assist light armor battalion commanders, their

staffs, company commanders, and platoon leaders in the conduct of combat operations with

light infantry. It also provides light infantry leaders with a familiarization of the capabilities

of light armor units and offers techniques for deploying them effectively. The tactics, tech-

niques, and procedures discussed in this manual also apply to armored units when employed

as part of a light infantry operation.

This manual addresses two objectives. First, it gives an overview of doctrinal principles

for the employment of light armor forces. Secondly, it describes tactics, techniques, and

procedures for light armor platoons, companies, and battalions where they may differ from

armored forces.

This manual is fully compatible with doctrine as contained in FM 100-5, and is consistent

with current doctrine in FM 100-15 and FM 71-100. It assumes that the user has a funda-

mental understanding of these manuals and FM 101-5-1, FM 71-2, FM 71-1, and FM

17-15. It serves as a reference for personnel involved in the conduct of training.

The proponent of this publication is HQ TRADOC. Submit changes for improving this

publication on DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms)

and forward it to Commandant, US Army Armor School, ATTN: ATSB-SBD-D, Fort

Knox, KY 40121.

Unless this publication states otherwise, masculine nouns and pronouns do not exclusively

refer to men.

FM 17-18

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

The land warfare strategy of the US military has changed. The nation no longer relies on

large, forward-deployed forces, supported by reinforcing forces from the continental United

States (CONUS). The military forces have developed a strategy of rapidly projecting combat

power from CONUS to protect national interests. The Army now focuses on deploying and

fighting as part of contingency and reinforcing forces. Light armor gives the Army a

versatile, deployable, and lethal force structure that can operate with light infantry-based

contingency forces worldwide.

Page

Section I. The Role of Light Armor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

The Scope of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Light Armor in Operations Other Than War. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Section II. The Threat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

The Potential Threat Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

The Operational Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Section III. Light Armor Capabilities and Limitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

Section IV. Fundamentals of Light Armor Employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Offensive Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Defensive Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Retrograde Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Reconnaissance Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

Security Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

Battlefield Operating Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

CONTENTS

Section I. The Role of Light Armor

GENERAL

Light armor will use its unique capabilities to conduct combat operations, often in support

of contingency plans, across the operational continuum (peacetime, conflict, and war). It

will be required to operate in a wide range of political, military, and geographical environ-

ments. Its tactical missions include providing security, reconnaissance, and antiarmor fire-

power to the light infantry division (LID) or airborne corps, as well as standard armor

operations to engage and destroy enemy forces using mobility, firepower, and shock effect

in coordination with other combat arms. These missions may require rapid strategic and

tactical deployment worldwide.

1-1

FM 17-18

M8 Light Tank. Currently, light armor units are equipped with the M551A1 (TTS)

armored reconnaissance airborne assault vehicle. The M55lA1 will be replaced by the M8

light tank. The light tank will be an air-deliverable, all-weather, mobile, protected direct-fire

platform. It will be able to engage enemy bunkers, buildings, armor systems, and personnel

in close or built-up terrain. The light tank has a three-man crew and is armed with a

105-mm cannon with autoloader and caliber .50 and 7.62-mm machine guns.

The light tank will add a new dimension to the combined-arms capability of light forces,

but it is not intended to replace the main battle tank. The primary purpose of M8 light tank

forces is to operate with light infantry during rapid-deployment contingency operations

(CONOPS). They immediately provide the rapid-deployment commander with an armored

system that can counter a variety of threats until heavier forces arrive in theater. Initial light

tank forces can be air-delivered using low velocity air drop (LVAD) procedures, followed

closely by forces arriving by airlanding transportation assets (see Appendix A).

Missions. Light armor forces may be required to support the following missions:

Operations other than war, such as—

Insurgency/counterinsurgency.

Combating terrorism.

Emergency relief operations.

Shows of force and demonstrations.

Noncombatant evacuation operations (NEO).

Strikes and raids.

Peacekeeping and peace enforcement.

Other operations as specified by higher commanders.

Rapid reinforcement of forward-deployed forces.

Wartime contingency operations.

These missions will require separately supportable light armor units to conduct a variety

of tasks, including—

Close assaults with light infantry.

Reduction of strongpoints, bunkers, and roadblocks.

Operations in built-up areas (BUA).

Defense with light infantry.

Force security.

Flexible, mobile reserve operations for the light infantry task force (TF), brigade, divi-

sion, and corps to provide rapid response to enemy mounted forces.

Rear area operations.

Contingency Operations. Light armor is most likely to be employed as part of

CONOPS, which dictate an increased role for armor operating with light forces. Light

armor significantly reduces the risks light forces face during CONOPS. Its capabilities also

enhance the combat capability and lethality of the light force.

1-2

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: