When Tanks Fly

Imagine a world where the reach, flexibility, and speed of the 82^nd Airborne Division were somehow combined with the firepower, intimidation, and muscle of the 1^st Armored Division. If you love America, rejoice, because that world exists and you are living in it. The Army has decided to bring back a capability that has been lost for nearly 20 years, the light armor airborne tank. In the years following our exits from Iraq and Afghanistan, the 82^nd Airborne will be relied upon to be America’s quick reaction force wherever and whenever they may be needed.  Army leadership has acknowledged this and realized that the 82^nd needs a way to bring more firepower and security for their troops to the battlefield without sacrificing their global reach. As awesome an idea as it is to bring back the airborne tank, logistically there are some issues that need to be addressed.

            First is the cost and time associated with developing, producing and buying a new vehicle to fill the requirements put out by the Army. With a tight budget, and the desire to fill this capability gap as quickly as possible, the Army has decided that the vehicle chosen will be an existing platform that can be bought immediately, rather than a new design project that could take a few years. Currently the Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS) is a strong contender.

            The next logistical consideration is how the addition of armor affects supply consumption rates. Tanks, even small ones, burn a lot of fuel and take a lot of heavy ammunition. The increased supply needs of an airborne unit with the addition of tanks are significant. In addition, the expeditionary nature of the 82^nd makes this large increase in sustainment requirements a serious consideration that must be addressed. The 82^nd Airborne is designed to be a light, fast and easily sustained force, something that would be changed by the addition of airborne armor units.

            The addition of tanks to the 82^nd Airborne is a great firepower and security increase for the division, as well as a huge psychological weapon to leverage against the enemy. The 82^nd has scared dictators off the throne before without ever landing in country, the addition of tanks will only add to the fierce intimidation leveraged by the 82^nd Airborne Division.

Posted for "Andrew J Carter"