About that General Dynamics Griffin tank...do we follow the Army and get a light tank or make an AmTank?

Thanks to Kinetics for the link!


AUSA 2016: Griffin to tempt US Army from Shephard Media on Vimeo.

via Shepard Media.

Peck said there could also be interest from the US Marine Corp, which has a similar issue as it can only fit one M1 Abrams tank on its LCAC amphibious landing craft. Therefore GDLS sees itself as providing a medium-weight large calibre niche capability - or a light tank.

This is interesting.

I haven't looked at an airdrop table in like forever but according to the article this is suppose to weigh 28 tons and they hope to get it down to 27.  I'm not sure but I think that puts it at the upper end of what they can airdrop without going exotic (meaning that they can use only parachutes and packing...no need for retro rockets to slow its descent).

I notice that they're pushing the large caliber gun capability when I recall the Army will be satisfied with a 105mm (amazing that suddenly a 105mm cannon is no longer considered large isn't it).

But let's put that aside and look at the talk about the Marine Corps being interested.

That's intriguing and brings us to a place where many don't really want to go.  Which way do we take tanks?  Do we revert back to the idea first formed in

WW2 when it was realized that we needed mobile firepower to accompany the assault echelon and developed the AmTank or do we place a premium not on mobility or firepower but on the ability of tanks to close with the enemy?

I have been a big proponent of using the ACV as a family of vehicles to include an AmTank version so that we have excellent mobility and the ability

to swim most of our armor from ship to shore.  But there is ALOT to be said for having 70 tons of armor that can go where others can't to deliver the pain to the enemy.

On this one I just don't know.  Swim, IED protection, mobility, commonality with other vehicles in service vs. armor protection, shock action etc.  It would help if we were operating the same tank as the Army as a cost saving measure (to include training, ammo, parts etc..) but we're not.

The question is simple.  Do we follow the Army and piggy back on their buy of a light tank or do we develop the ACV into a modern day AmTank?  I just don't know.