Three GCV may not be enough for full-sized platoons
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Originally Posted by
gute
To clarify this topic I started, the FCS was cancelled and the GCV competition was put on hold for another six months. According to the Army there is not enough agreement on GCV capabilities. I think General Casey had a lot to do with this because he has questioned why the GCV will weigh close to 70 tons and not be much lighter. The Brits have signed on for the ASCOD which seems to be a capable vehicle.
ASCOD seems kind of light at 31 tons if Wikipedia is correct. And it is 3 crew + 8 dismounts. Think I read something since the announcement that weight was not the reason...hope that was wrong.
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One of the requirements for the GCV is the ability to carry nine troops. I am only speculating, but is it possible that the U.S. Army would go with three vehicle mech platoons because the vehicle carries more troops? PL in one vehicle, PltSgt in another with the master gunner in the third. That would give the platoon 29 dismounts which is about the same number now.
Nine troops + crew of three. Don't believe the three-man crew would dismount. So doesn't that mean the Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant would be vehicle commanders and normally not dismounting if there were just 3 vehicles per platoon? That's another reasons to add M-ATVs.
The other reason to have M-ATVs or a 4th GCV per platoon is to carry future unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, unattended sensors, the RTO, machine guns, Javelins, and their operators....plus any extra supplies in the truck bed. Alternately, you could have a common Army and Marine GCV carrying 13 to fit the extra guys and gear.