Netfires - Tube Artillery - MLRS

[kaur]

(Experimental) Light Mechanized Infantry Regiment.

Order of Battle

Regimental Admin and Logistics Center

Battalion HQ

Light Mechanized Infantry Company
6x 8x8 ATV w/QJZ8912.7mm HMG
3x 8x8 ATV w/W87 35mm AGL
3x 8x8 ATV w/PP93 60mm Mortar
9x 4x4 ATV

Heavy Mechanized Infantry Company
3x Type 96 Main Battle Tank
3x Type 86 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)
3x ZBD97 IFV

Fire Support Company
1x Company HQ FAV
1x FAV w/Minigun
1x FAV w/HJ-8 ATGM FAV
3x FAV w/W99 82mm Automortar
3x FAV w/Type 87 25mm/SAM
3x FAV w/QJZ8912.7mm HMG
3x FAV w/W87 35mm
1x 4x4 ATV w/JS 12.7mm Sniper Rifle

Artillery Battery
Battery HQ/Fire Direction Center
3x 82mm Mortar
3x PTL02 105mm Wheeled Anti-Tank Gun
3x 107mm Multiple Rocket Launcher ATVs

Recon Platoon
1x Command Jeep with 2x HN-5 MANPADS
2x Dune Buggy Jeeps w/Heavy Machinegun/HJ-73 ATGM
1x 4x4 ATV with PF98 120mm Recoilless Rifle
1x 4x4 ATV

Electronic Warfare Detachment

UAV Detachment

Medical Detachment (at least two 4x4 ATV ambulances)

http://www.china-defense.com/pla/lmr/lmr-6.html

http://www.china-defense.com/pla/lmr/lmr-3.html

[Fuchs]

A wheeled motorised infantry battle group with the greatest possible diversity of calibres and a large diversity of vehicles. Whoever invented this scheme didn't grasp the idea of commonality, standardization.

The small quantities of specialist vehicles also points at a lacking understanding of the effects of attrition and friction on army formations.

The "Recon" Plt doesn't seem to be one.
There's no R&R vehicle.


The whole thing looks like a bad idea of an airmobile infantry BG for swampy terrain.

[kaur]

The mix of heavy and light units that make up the experimental LMR raises many questions regarding the training and supportability of such a dissimilar force. It is unclear if the LMIC, HMIC, and FSC are each placeholders for a full maneuver battalion within a complete LMR, or if each maneuver battalion would have the mix of units seen in the experimental LMR. It may even be that each of the various types of units within the LMR represents a competing organizational design.

http://www.china-defense.com/pla/lmr/lmr-3.html

If Israeli engineers can mount Lahat missile containers to those ATV platforms, I think that those pieceses can make some serious damage against opponent. I recall French general Beaufre's Territorial Militia Organisation from the beginning of 1970's and those 21th century NLOS solutions could really extend the small units firepower to new level

[Fuchs]

It depends.

It's just a piece of hardware. Not all will be fired, not all fired missiles will hit. Not all terrains are suitable for their employment. Hardware-based protection is just as possible as tactics-based protection.
It's really just a piece of kit.


On the other hand - I already proved my inability to cure your extreme weakness for guided missiles, leaving little sense in a renewed attempt.

[SethB]

Technically all missiles (and some rockets) are guided.

Somehow he is on the topic of direct fire systems, which is very different from where this thread started.

[Fuchs]

I remember that even sling, bow, catapult and crossbow projectiles are typically called "missiles" in literature...

[SethB]

Probably an American thing.

I'm a huge fan of the guided stuff, but they take a lot more work. You have to have a small target location error which required a mensurated grid, or you have to uses a laser, of which there might be one per Company.

Then add that grid seekers (and the Army has only one laser guided surface to surface projectile) can't hit moving targets and take some time to get downrange, as well as requiring airspace deconfliction because Excalibur is fired high angle...

Dumb shells have a future. How much of one is more related to the fate of artillery in general rather than the shells in particular.

Now, PGK is cheap enough that it might be fired without the same care, and is fired low angle. It solves four of the five requirements for accurate predicted fire, the only remaining one being accurate target location. The hope is that greater accuracy will reduce consumption rates.