MGS/MMEV dead yet?

[Kirkhill]

I don't know if this is common practice in the French, or other, armies but I remember seeing a wiring diagram for one of their Lt Cavalry outfits (The Para-Hussards - Sabre Squadrons mounted in a mix of ERC-90 and VBL armoured cars IIRC).  One thing that stood out for me was the presence within the Regimental structure of both a dismounted Squadron of Regulars and a separate Squadron of Reserves in addition to the mounted Sabre Squadrons and an Anti-tank Squadron ( also mounted in VBLs).

The Para Hussards are one of the High Readiness elements that is routinely deployed, seldom as a Regiment, more often as a Squadron or Troop in a Task Force.  I got the impression they stayed pretty busy in places like Chad and Cote d'Ivoire.

Effectively the policy seemed to be to overman the equipment.  The Squadron structure, number and type of vehicles, as well as the number of squadrons seemed to be based on expectations of tactical and operational need.  Manpower then seemed to be alloted to make sure that those F-Echelon sub-units could then be fully manned despite casualties, leaves and training requirements. 

I guess it is something like the fleet management programme but instead of starting from the PYs available and the Equipment available and working out towards the field it starts from the field, goes to the equipment and then to the PYs.

I will try to relocate the magazine article - IIRC it was in an ancient (1990s) copy of Combat and Survival. 

 

[Cardstonkid]

I understand that Australia paid about the same for their "slightly used" M-1"s as we are proposed to spend on the Strykers. IF that is the case then couldn't we approach the Yanks with a similar deal?

 

[Journeyman]

I don't know if this is common practice in the French, or other, armies but I remember seeing a wiring diagram for one of their Lt Cavalry outfits (The Para-Hussards - Sabre Squadrons mounted in a mix of ERC-90 and VBL armoured cars IIRC).  One thing that stood out for me was the presence within the Regimental structure of both a dismounted Squadron of Regulars and a separate Squadron of Reserves in addition to the mounted Sabre Squadrons and an Anti-tank Squadron ( also mounted in VBLs).

There were two French officers at Fort Frontenac this past week, and both of their regimental presentations (one Airborne, the other Air-Defence Arty) had a Reserve element built into the RegF unit. I therefore guess it's common practice in France.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I thought they cancelled the MGS???


http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ocpa20060829094248ge1.jpg


http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=9467

Stryker teams train with new vehicles
By Jason Kaye
Fort Lewis Northwest Guardian


FORT LEWIS, Wash. (Army News Service, Aug. 29, 2006) – A long wait is over for Stryker Mobile Gun System (MSG) crews of the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

The 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry, received its complement of MGS vehicles last month after more than a year of waiting. They are the first vehicles to be fielded in the Army.

“I think its going to give the infantry a whole new dimension of what they can do. Armor and infantry have kept each other at arm’s length for years and years," said Sgt. 1st Class David Cooper, an MGS platoon sergeant with B Company, 2-23 Inf. "We’ve got some growing pains, but once we get out there and they see what we can do, we’re going to be everybody’s friend.”

Each infantry company is slated to receive three vehicles, though crews don't expect to operate together except on rare occasions.

The vehicles carry crews of three, and are equipped with a 105 mm main gun and a state-of-the-art fire control system. The MGS also has an onboard coaxial machine gun that’s fire controlled.

“You can literally shoot smiley faces with it at 900 meters,” said Cooper. “Even minus the big gun we can give the infantry a lot of support.”

The 105 mm is capable of firing four types of rounds: SABOT, a depleted-uranium armor-piercing round; HEAT, high-explosive anti-tank; HEP, high-explosive plastic; and a canister round. The rounds are loaded using a hydraulic auto-loader in the rear of the vehicle.

The HEP and canister rounds give Stryker units new capabilities, especially in urban areas. The HEP can blow holes in reinforced concrete walls, but unlike the rounds from an Abrams, won’t continue through the target and into surrounding buildings. The canister provides as effective anti-personnel capability.

“The vehicle’s basic role is to support the infantry. It’s not there to take on tanks or go toe-to-toe in the wide-open desert like we did with the Abrams,” said Sgt. 1st Class William Ozmet, an MGS instructor from Fort Knox, Ky. “Its primary function is blowing a hole in the wall or blowing up bunkers.”

Over the past year, the crews have been training with TOW-ITAS Humvees or other Stryker variants. Finally having the vehicles gives the crews a chance to delve into training.

“I can actually start focusing on our training, both on our mission tasks and working with the infantry,” said 1st Lt. Christopher Lilley, the MGS platoon leader in B Co.

The MGS also comes equipped with training software that allows Soldiers to train on various engagements in their own vehicles, instead of going to a simulator somewhere else.

Once the 4th Bde. completes training, instructors from General Dynamics Land Systems will move on to equip and train Soldiers in Hawaii and Pennsylvania. Training for those units may change according to lessons learned here, but the vehicle itself is expected to remain mostly unchanged.

“I’m confident that this will turn out to be a successful piece of equipment for us, the infantry and the Army,” said Lilley.


(borrowed from Tanknet)

 

[geo]

a problem appears to be the change in Stryker rifle platoons with the arrival of the MGS. Going to two sections & one MGS per platoon...... understandable (to a degree) based on the stafing problems the US army is experiencing right now BUT, when you're doing fire & movement, most doctrine says something about being "two up" with one in reserve........

Then there's the issue of how you staff the MGS - Infanteers or black hats?

Then there is always the risk of someone with the MGS 105 in Direct Support, thinking he has protection from MBTs.... NOT!

 

[Kirkhill]

“Its primary function is blowing a hole in the wall or blowing up bunkers.”

Given that primary function maybe it should be manned by your trade Geo....like the petard mounting Churchills and the other AVREs.

 

[geo]

HOHO!
1million to 1 chance that no one else sees it that way

 

[Kirkhill]

HOHO!
1million to 1 chance that no one else sees it that way

That high? Where do you want me to send my Loonie?  ;D

 

[Mortar guy]

I thought they cancelled the MGS???

We cancelled OUR MGS purchase. Or, more accurately, we have asked permission to cancel our MGS purchase. The US put the MGS into Low Rate Initial Production a while back and still fully intend to field the beast.

As for the US SBCT ORBAT, I was under the impression that each Coy would have 3 Rifle Pls in Stryker ICVs and one MGS Pl of 3 vehicles. I hadn't heard of any idea to permanently group MGS with the Rifle Pls.

MG

 

[geo]

Another thread on the subject............

http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/49498.0.html