The Javelin's being fired are US owned. The Latvian Armed Forces just bought another 800 Carl Gustoff anti tank systems from Norway in a 4 million dollar deal. The Lithuanian Armed Forces recently spent 16 million to replenish their Javelin stocks.
Part of Operation Atlantic Resolve is these sorts of "capability demonstrations" where we learn more about the tactics, techniques, and procedures of our allies (and they of us) in order to maximize combat effectiveness for potential future composite NATO units. Operation Allied Spirit last month involved Canadian LRRS, Dutch mech infantry, US Strykers, and Hungarian motorized
Russia has made "active defence" sexy again in Europe, and so Javelin and TOW systems are a big part of that. Especially since the US won't initially be bringing many tanks to the table.
I used to live near Ādažu poligons (military drill area - where this video took place), got a month ago or so an e-mail from my old neighbour - he says its as if the war has already started, the firing and bombing is almost 24/7, he doesnt remember anything like this since Soviet 70s when it was constantly used for various drills.
Also got a message from my friend in army, rumour is that this spring Estonian+Latvian+Lithuanian with US allies will conduct un-announced drills with new Estonian CV90s and other new pieces of equipement.
No different from the 82nd dropping into the Saudi/Kuwait border regions with Dragons as a 'speed bump' (dare'ya) Task Force Smith equivalent.
Sure, the M48 was SACLOS and it's pif-paf control system sucked but what counts in lightweight ATGW is three things:
1. The firing range, anything under 3km and you _will lose_ against every tube out there, from 30mm on up, sitting in the open.
2. The prep time, vs. salvo count. If you only have 2-3 CLUs, and you're at or under 2.5km, your ability to Salvo Model attrite the enemy with sufficient shock to stopper them and/or get out of your firing position is _iffy_, at best. Watch how much the cold weather effects that trooper's cover-off/CLU interface attach, cycle. That's way too slow for what may well be an APS equipped threat, looking right at you.
3. Caliber And Round Speed. Do we know for sure that Arena or a followon is not being fielded? Have we tested the 127mm HEAT vs. Kontakt or Kaktus level advanced ERA? Kaktus will supposedly defeat 6", dual charge, TOW. How much chance does a 5" mini have when you are weight constrained from stacking warheads?
The worst thing that an AT team can do is try to 'keep up' with a maneuvering armor force because it takes away the one thing they have on their side which is selected firing position with good shot lanes, cover and didmau exits.
If you don't want to be the Armadillo under Texas tires, you need to mount at least 4 of these weapons with special softare to and a remote repeater scope allow stepped handoff as boresight skipping on something like a Wiesel or other small, high mobility, all terrain (track) vehicle. The alternative is again, remote fire from Pupchen like ski'd trailer.
One launcher here, in a terrain fold or behind mounded dirt. One hundred meters of wire to a single man firing position over there, in explosives dug OMFP. And at least when/if someone spots the launch box, and fires 125mm HE at it, there isn't a gunner sitting ontop of the detonation.
Anything else, in the open, is just a death sentence waiting to be executed, especially vs. the later model T-90s with the full suite of MLDS, IR Jammer and late model ERA.
The Javelin's being fired are US owned. The Latvian Armed Forces just bought another 800 Carl Gustoff anti tank systems from Norway in a 4 million dollar deal. The Lithuanian Armed Forces recently spent 16 million to replenish their Javelin stocks.
ReplyDeletePart of Operation Atlantic Resolve is these sorts of "capability demonstrations" where we learn more about the tactics, techniques, and procedures of our allies (and they of us) in order to maximize combat effectiveness for potential future composite NATO units. Operation Allied Spirit last month involved Canadian LRRS, Dutch mech infantry, US Strykers, and Hungarian motorized
Russia has made "active defence" sexy again in Europe, and so Javelin and TOW systems are a big part of that. Especially since the US won't initially be bringing many tanks to the table.
I used to live near Ādažu poligons (military drill area - where this video took place), got a month ago or so an e-mail from my old neighbour - he says its as if the war has already started, the firing and bombing is almost 24/7, he doesnt remember anything like this since Soviet 70s when it was constantly used for various drills.
ReplyDeleteAlso got a message from my friend in army, rumour is that this spring Estonian+Latvian+Lithuanian with US allies will conduct un-announced drills with new Estonian CV90s and other new pieces of equipement.
More sweet in training means less blood in battle... train like the war is around the corner. Who knows... maybe it is.
Delete''If you want peace,prepare for war''.
DeleteNo different from the 82nd dropping into the Saudi/Kuwait border regions with Dragons as a 'speed bump' (dare'ya) Task Force Smith equivalent.
ReplyDeleteSure, the M48 was SACLOS and it's pif-paf control system sucked but what counts in lightweight ATGW is three things:
1. The firing range, anything under 3km and you _will lose_ against every tube out there, from 30mm on up, sitting in the open.
2. The prep time, vs. salvo count. If you only have 2-3 CLUs, and you're at or under 2.5km, your ability to Salvo Model attrite the enemy with sufficient shock to stopper them and/or get out of your firing position is _iffy_, at best. Watch how much the cold weather effects that trooper's cover-off/CLU interface attach, cycle. That's way too slow for what may well be an APS equipped threat, looking right at you.
3. Caliber And Round Speed.
Do we know for sure that Arena or a followon is not being fielded? Have we tested the 127mm HEAT vs. Kontakt or Kaktus level advanced ERA? Kaktus will supposedly defeat 6", dual charge, TOW. How much chance does a 5" mini have when you are weight constrained from stacking warheads?
The worst thing that an AT team can do is try to 'keep up' with a maneuvering armor force because it takes away the one thing they have on their side which is selected firing position with good shot lanes, cover and didmau exits.
If you don't want to be the Armadillo under Texas tires, you need to mount at least 4 of these weapons with special softare to and a remote repeater scope allow stepped handoff as boresight skipping on something like a Wiesel or other small, high mobility, all terrain (track) vehicle. The alternative is again, remote fire from Pupchen like ski'd trailer.
One launcher here, in a terrain fold or behind mounded dirt. One hundred meters of wire to a single man firing position over there, in explosives dug OMFP. And at least when/if someone spots the launch box, and fires 125mm HE at it, there isn't a gunner sitting ontop of the detonation.
Anything else, in the open, is just a death sentence waiting to be executed, especially vs. the later model T-90s with the full suite of MLDS, IR Jammer and late model ERA.