Fires Supporting Maneuver

The need for an update

- 1st Lt. David Brister

 

With current technologies, artillery units cannot effectively defend against any future near-peer adversary with their outdated assets. Dave Majumdar, who wrote “The U.S. Military Isn’t Ready for a War with Russia or China,” quoted Gen. Mark Milley saying “While the United States would ultimately prevail in a hypothetical high-end war, Washington would pay a high price in blood and treasure.”

The current possibility of war with North Korea, China or Russia has the United States re-evaluating its assets to combat these possible scenarios. According to Sydney J. Freedburg in his article, “Army Races to Rebuild Short-Range Air Defense: New Lasers, Vehicles, Units,” the Army wants artillery to play a more significant role in future conflicts. However, artillery units will struggle with adapting to updated technologies as they have primarily been conducting counter-insurgency operations for over 17 years. In order to succeed in a near-peer conflict, many variables must be re-examined. From technologies, to training operations with foreign allies, artillery units are in need of an update to meet the demands of the Army.