Acknowledge your points. Is the answer, though, to withdraw or deny the weapon platforms (say, 25mm/50cal and AArmd missiles on veh)?William F. Owen: Once the boys have a weapon, they will use it! - for whatever they want or need given the condition.
Ken White: They must be provided with the proper tools for the job, for sure -- but excessive tools will be misused. A case in point is the TOW missile and the Bradley. The temptation to use the Brad with its 25mm and TOWs as a light tank is quite strong.
I'm thinking that, if the Bradley couldn't be used as a light tank if METT-TC disallowed it, would it be such a big deal to throw the TOW onto it? Is it possible that we are using the Bradley as a light tank as, relative to enemy capabilities in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has all the characteristics required of protected armour?
It mightn't be perfect, but it may be better to have superfluous weapon platforms on a AFV, accept the potential for inevitable misuse and live with it than not have them altogether. When the situation is such that to use them as light armour is suicidal, could we rely on the gods of necessity correcting our ways?
True, very true. Then again, tell your crew commander and gunner that he doesn't have to worry about being anti-harassment qualified and you might be able to fit in some gunnery time. Sorry, my cynicism is getting the better of me...William F. Owen: I also need a training budget, and another line item to maintain, etc etc.
Excluding range, the sheer fact that a 25/30mm offers HE with correspondingly increased penetration would sell the cannons to me - admitting that I'm relatively ignorant in the maintenance/ logistic requirements.Ken WhiteAdvantage over .50 cal is minimal for cost and complexity needed?
Much obliged!I will refrain from comment on commanders and usage...
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