![\"Ukraine](\"https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Russian-Armor-on-Fire-in-Ukraine.jpg\")
First-person view drones, commonly referred to as FPVs, are becoming instrumental weapons of war, particularly in Ukraine.
\n\n\n\nSupplementing for artillery shortage as Western partners look to address Ukraine’s supply issues, FPVs are helping to stabilize the frontlines. They are effective at taking out equipment and troop formations.
\n\n\n\nFirst-person view drones are not only effective on the battlefield, but they also have a significant psychological and tactical impact that could soon change the face of warfare.
\n\n\n\nFirst-person view drones/loitering munitions are a form of drone warfare that both Ukraine and Russia are using frequently on the battlefield.
\n\n\n\nRussia currently holds an advantage in loitering munitions, such as the Orlan-10, ZALA lancet, and Shahed drones. Lancets are compelling enough that the British and Ukrainian Ministry of Defense acknowledged their effectiveness.
\n\n\n\nShahed drones are the most infamous loitering munitions being used during the invasion. The deadly suicide drone has not only hit critical Ukrainian infrastructure but also inflicted numerous civilian casualties.
\n\n\n\nUkraine has shown it is more effective at combating Shahed drones, downing numerous of them and creating its own models to strike valuable Russian targets. Effectively neutralizing armored personnel carriers, tanks, fighting positions, and enemy personnel, Kyiv is rushing to mass-produce millions of units to supplement artillery shortfalls.
\n\n\n\nTo counter Russia\u2019s advantage, Ukraine\u2019s state arms producer, Ukroboronprom, is massively producing long-range drones day and night. Kyiv\u2019s goal is to make at least two million units by the end of the year, with Europe also ramping up procurement for the war-battered nation.
\n\n\n\nRelated: What is the mysterious drone model we spotted in our interview with General Bob Behler?
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Chinese-suicide-drone-1024x683.jpg\")
Loitering munitions are not only short-term alternatives to artillery in the war in Ukraine but also effective weaponry that is quickly changing the face of modern warfare.
\n\n\n\nIn Ukraine, where much of the frontline remains frozen due to trench warfare, numerous minefields, and rigid defenses, FPV drones, which guide them to their destination, make targeting enemy personnel much more effective.
\n\n\n\nAs surveillance, drones can be forward observers, spotting troop movements and warning frontline units of a potential combined arms assault. FPVs, often low-priced, can be quickly crowdfunded while holding enough explosives to kill and maim enemy armor or even platoons, as seen in Ukraine, where undisciplined Russian troops have been picked off on top of their infantry fighting vehicles.
\n\n\n\nNevertheless, FPV drones do have a weakness: The small payload of a first-person view drone may not be enough to take out armor, and most of the time, another has to be delivered to finish off the target. This would allow modernized militaries to activate electronic countermeasures or drone-busters to protect armor.
\n\n\n\nA potential backdoor to beating loitering munitions is that they are often intertwined with their respective drone operators, whose skills make the drones deadly.
\n\n\n\nIn Ukraine, both militaries are actively hunting drone operators who need to be trained for several months or even a year to conduct accurate strikes. In 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully struck Russian drone operators in a targeted missile strike in Donetsk oblast.
\n\n\n\nThough imperfect, the idea and scenario of autonomous drones, which will require minimal to no human piloting, will become a nightmare in future warfare. The prospect of mass automated drone swarms reaching ammunition depots, defensive fortifications, forward garrisons, and command and control posts is nothing to underestimate.
\n\n\n\nThe proliferation of drone swarms is not yet monopolized, and no country currently has an edge. It could take decades to master the new wave of technological and artificial warfare.
\n\n\n\nA significant impact of loitering munitions is that the psychological effect often has as high of an impact as the physical effect of a targeted strike.
\n\n\n\nCurrently, in Ukraine, targeted strikes by loitering munitions serve as motivation for both frontline armies, but drone attacks are also used for propaganda against each respective belligerent.
\n\n\n\nUnits who see frontline forces become shredded by disseminated drone videos could become emotionally scarred and petrified in combat, knowing a hunter-killer will be watching over their shoulders.
\n\n\n\nRewind to the 2020 Karabakh War, which became world-known for the brutal yet effective drone strikes from Bayraktar TB2 drones. The numerous videos disseminated by Azerbaijan created a psychological effect on the Armenian army, and the feeds became popular in both Turkey and Azerbaijan.
\n\n\n\nDrone swarms can also pose a risk amongst civilian populations: since loitering munitions are cheap and effective, terrorist organizations could use such weaponry for their nefarious purposes.
\n\n\n\nLoitering munitions are here to stay, and militaries must now learn to not only enhance the capabilities to strike with them offensively but also prepare defensive countermeasures if an adversary gains the upper hand on them in the future.
\n\n\n\nThe post FPV revolution: Loitering munitions are transforming how wars are fought appeared first on Sandboxx.
\n", "content_text": "First-person view drones, commonly referred to as FPVs, are becoming instrumental weapons of war, particularly in Ukraine.\n\n\n\nSupplementing for artillery shortage as Western partners look to address Ukraine’s supply issues, FPVs are helping to stabilize the frontlines. They are effective at taking out equipment and troop formations.\n\n\n\nFirst-person view drones are not only effective on the battlefield, but they also have a significant psychological and tactical impact that could soon change the face of warfare.\n\n\n\nFPV drones in Ukraine\n\n\n\nFirst-person view drones/loitering munitions are a form of drone warfare that both Ukraine and Russia are using frequently on the battlefield.\n\n\n\nRussia currently holds an advantage in loitering munitions, such as the Orlan-10, ZALA lancet, and Shahed drones. Lancets are compelling enough that the British and Ukrainian Ministry of Defense acknowledged their effectiveness.\n\n\n\nShahed drones are the most infamous loitering munitions being used during the invasion. The deadly suicide drone has not only hit critical Ukrainian infrastructure but also inflicted numerous civilian casualties.\n\n\n\nUkraine has shown it is more effective at combating Shahed drones, downing numerous of them and creating its own models to strike valuable Russian targets. Effectively neutralizing armored personnel carriers, tanks, fighting positions, and enemy personnel, Kyiv is rushing to mass-produce millions of units to supplement artillery shortfalls.\n\n\n\nTo counter Russia\u2019s advantage, Ukraine\u2019s state arms producer, Ukroboronprom, is massively producing long-range drones day and night. Kyiv\u2019s goal is to make at least two million units by the end of the year, with Europe also ramping up procurement for the war-battered nation.\n\n\n\nRelated: What is the mysterious drone model we spotted in our interview with General Bob Behler?\n\n\n\nLoitering munitions are changing the face of warfare\n\n\n\nChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation FH-901 suicide drone on static display at ARMY-2022, Russia, August 2022. (Photo by Boevaya mashina/Wikimedia Commons)\n\n\n\nLoitering munitions are not only short-term alternatives to artillery in the war in Ukraine but also effective weaponry that is quickly changing the face of modern warfare.\n\n\n\nIn Ukraine, where much of the frontline remains frozen due to trench warfare, numerous minefields, and rigid defenses, FPV drones, which guide them to their destination, make targeting enemy personnel much more effective.\n\n\n\nAs surveillance, drones can be forward observers, spotting troop movements and warning frontline units of a potential combined arms assault. FPVs, often low-priced, can be quickly crowdfunded while holding enough explosives to kill and maim enemy armor or even platoons, as seen in Ukraine, where undisciplined Russian troops have been picked off on top of their infantry fighting vehicles.\n\n\n\nNevertheless, FPV drones do have a weakness: The small payload of a first-person view drone may not be enough to take out armor, and most of the time, another has to be delivered to finish off the target. This would allow modernized militaries to activate electronic countermeasures or drone-busters to protect armor.\n\n\n\nA potential backdoor to beating loitering munitions is that they are often intertwined with their respective drone operators, whose skills make the drones deadly.\n\n\n\nIn Ukraine, both militaries are actively hunting drone operators who need to be trained for several months or even a year to conduct accurate strikes. In 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully struck Russian drone operators in a targeted missile strike in Donetsk oblast.\n\n\n\nThe drones have a major physical and psychological effect\n\n\n\nThough imperfect, the idea and scenario of autonomous drones, which will require minimal to no human piloting, will become a nightmare in future warfare. The prospect of mass automated drone swarms reaching ammunition depots, defensive fortifications, forward garrisons, and command and control posts is nothing to underestimate.\n\n\n\nThe proliferation of drone swarms is not yet monopolized, and no country currently has an edge. It could take decades to master the new wave of technological and artificial warfare.\n\n\n\nA significant impact of loitering munitions is that the psychological effect often has as high of an impact as the physical effect of a targeted strike.\n\n\n\nCurrently, in Ukraine, targeted strikes by loitering munitions serve as motivation for both frontline armies, but drone attacks are also used for propaganda against each respective belligerent.\n\n\n\nUnits who see frontline forces become shredded by disseminated drone videos could become emotionally scarred and petrified in combat, knowing a hunter-killer will be watching over their shoulders.\n\n\n\nRewind to the 2020 Karabakh War, which became world-known for the brutal yet effective drone strikes from Bayraktar TB2 drones. The numerous videos disseminated by Azerbaijan created a psychological effect on the Armenian army, and the feeds became popular in both Turkey and Azerbaijan.\n\n\n\nDrone swarms can also pose a risk amongst civilian populations: since loitering munitions are cheap and effective, terrorist organizations could use such weaponry for their nefarious purposes.\n\n\n\nLoitering munitions are here to stay, and militaries must now learn to not only enhance the capabilities to strike with them offensively but also prepare defensive countermeasures if an adversary gains the upper hand on them in the future.\n\n\n\nThis article by Julian McBride was originally published by 19FortyFive.com.\n\n\n\nRead more from Sandboxx News\n\n\n\n\nKinetic Diplomacy: Why Iran\u2019s attack was not meant to start World War III\n\n\n\nThe MEU(SOC) pistol armed elite Marines for decades\n\n\n\nHow Marine Raiders benefit from their diverse occupational and cultural backgrounds\n\n\n\nThe Royal Navy is going through difficult times\n\n\n\nBecoming a Marine Raider officer\n\nThe post FPV revolution: Loitering munitions are transforming how wars are fought appeared first on Sandboxx.", "date_published": "2024-04-16T13:00:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-04-16T12:11:13-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "1945", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/author/1945/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "1945", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/author/1945/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Russian-Armor-on-Fire-in-Ukraine.jpg", "summary": "Loitering munitions are here to stay, and militaries now must how to use them and best defend against them." }, { "id": "https://www.sandboxx.us/?post_type=news&p=94465", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/news/the-north-korea-russia-summit-a-deep-humiliation-for-putin/", "title": "The North Korea \u2013 Russia summit: A deep humiliation for Putin", "content_html": "![\"Kim](\"https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Kim_Jong-un_and_Vladimir_Putin_2019-04-25_01.jpg\")
It appears that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will soon visit Russia for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. North Korea already transfers significant amounts of ammunition to Russia, and this visit promises to expand cooperation between the two nations. What can each side offer the other? What does the meeting portend for Russia\u2019s war effort and for its foreign relations?
\n\n\n\nNorth Korea could use a little bit of everything. The DPRK shut down more aggressively in response to the COVID-19 pandemic than just about any country in the world. Trade with China, its most important partner, collapsed by over 90%.
\n\n\n\nWe lack good measures for the extent of misery in North Korea, but there seems little doubt that suffering is extensive. Russia can help fill many of the gaps in North Korea\u2019s requirements, especially in the energy sector. Russia can also offer technology partnerships with North Korean industry, especially in the defense sector. Deeper cooperation with Russia (something that Moscow has resisted in the past) also gives the DPRK more leverage in its relationship with China. Russia cannot exactly wean North Korea off China, and in any case Moscow does not want to antagonize Beijing. But anything that decreases the DPRK\u2019s dependence is good news from Pyongyang\u2019s point of view.
\n\n\n\nFinally, North Korea has long needed the friendship of a country like Russia. China and Russia view North Korea as a backward neighbor and a bit of an embarrassment. Now that Pyongyang has something Moscow needs, however, the tenor of their relationship may change.
\n\n\n\nAbove all, Russia needs ammunition. Reports from the front indicate that Russian units are suffering from shell hunger, and the inability to meet their daily operational needs for ammunition. Russia has used artillery to considerable effect in the war thus far, depending on it both on the offensive and the defensive. Over the course of the summer, however, Ukraine has at times matched or even exceeded the weight of the Russian barrage. If Russia hopes to turn back the Ukrainian offensive, and especially if it wants to launch a winter offensive with any hope of success, it needs more artillery shells.
\n\n\n\nHowever, since Russia has already acquired some ammunition from the DPRK, this summit could herald more substantial cooperation. North Korean military capabilities are primitive compared to South Korea, but it operates large numbers of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles that are comparable with what Russia has already lost in its war.
\n\n\n\nNorth Korea adopted a more extreme version of the Soviet practice of stockpiling massive amounts of military equipment, and it goes to reason that Russia might want access to more than just shells. North Korea has sought to expand the export footprint of its arms industry, and Russia could offer a spectacular opportunity to make a global impact.
\n\n\n\nRelated: The Marines\u2019 new drone-truck can take out enemy ships from 1,000 miles out
\n\n\n\nIt remains to be seen whether Pyongyang\u2019s decision to escalate its participation in Russia\u2019s war will affect decision-making in Seoul. North Korea\u2019s decision to enable Russian aggression against Ukraine makes a mockery of South Korea\u2019s decision to mostly stand on the sidelines of the conflict. Seoul has supported Ukraine\u2019s war effort, but only indirectly \u2013 it has transferred munitions to the United States that Washington has passed along to Kyiv. South Korea\u2019s extensive arms industry could undoubtedly help support the Ukrainian war effort, and Ukraine would offer a useful proving ground for South Korean weapons.
\n\n\n\nIn any case, Russia has now interjected itself in a forceful way into the politics of the Korean Peninsula, a move that will have potentially far-ranging effects on the foreign policy of both Koreas.
\n\n\n\nAt the same time, the growing relationship is surely bittersweet from Russia\u2019s point of view. Seventy-three years ago, Kim Jong Un\u2019s grandfather had a series of conversations with Josef Stalin that paved the way for Kim\u2019s invasion of the South. The Soviet Union then bankrolled the war efforts of both North Korea and the People\u2019s Republic of China. Today, Putin meets Kim Jong Un virtually hat in hand, begging for the shells and equipment that the Soviet Union originally licensed for North Korean production. However Putin tries to frame it, the moment represents a deep humiliation for Russia\u2019s foreign and military policy.
\n\n\n\nThis article by Robert Farley was originally published by 19FortyFive.com.
\n\n\n\nThe post The North Korea \u2013 Russia summit: A deep humiliation for Putin appeared first on Sandboxx.
\n", "content_text": "It appears that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will soon visit Russia for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. North Korea already transfers significant amounts of ammunition to Russia, and this visit promises to expand cooperation between the two nations. What can each side offer the other? What does the meeting portend for Russia\u2019s war effort and for its foreign relations?\n\n\n\nWhat North Korea needs\n\n\n\nNorth Korea could use a little bit of everything. The DPRK shut down more aggressively in response to the COVID-19 pandemic than just about any country in the world. Trade with China, its most important partner, collapsed by over 90%. \n\n\n\nWe lack good measures for the extent of misery in North Korea, but there seems little doubt that suffering is extensive. Russia can help fill many of the gaps in North Korea\u2019s requirements, especially in the energy sector. Russia can also offer technology partnerships with North Korean industry, especially in the defense sector. Deeper cooperation with Russia (something that Moscow has resisted in the past) also gives the DPRK more leverage in its relationship with China. Russia cannot exactly wean North Korea off China, and in any case Moscow does not want to antagonize Beijing. But anything that decreases the DPRK\u2019s dependence is good news from Pyongyang\u2019s point of view. \n\n\n\nFinally, North Korea has long needed the friendship of a country like Russia. China and Russia view North Korea as a backward neighbor and a bit of an embarrassment. Now that Pyongyang has something Moscow needs, however, the tenor of their relationship may change. \n\n\n\nWhat Russia needs\n\n\n\nAbove all, Russia needs ammunition. Reports from the front indicate that Russian units are suffering from shell hunger, and the inability to meet their daily operational needs for ammunition. Russia has used artillery to considerable effect in the war thus far, depending on it both on the offensive and the defensive. Over the course of the summer, however, Ukraine has at times matched or even exceeded the weight of the Russian barrage. If Russia hopes to turn back the Ukrainian offensive, and especially if it wants to launch a winter offensive with any hope of success, it needs more artillery shells. \n\n\n\nHowever, since Russia has already acquired some ammunition from the DPRK, this summit could herald more substantial cooperation. North Korean military capabilities are primitive compared to South Korea, but it operates large numbers of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles that are comparable with what Russia has already lost in its war. \n\n\n\nNorth Korea adopted a more extreme version of the Soviet practice of stockpiling massive amounts of military equipment, and it goes to reason that Russia might want access to more than just shells. North Korea has sought to expand the export footprint of its arms industry, and Russia could offer a spectacular opportunity to make a global impact. \n\n\n\nRelated: The Marines\u2019 new drone-truck can take out enemy ships from 1,000 miles out\n\n\n\nA sobering occasion for Russia\n\n\n\nIt remains to be seen whether Pyongyang\u2019s decision to escalate its participation in Russia\u2019s war will affect decision-making in Seoul. North Korea\u2019s decision to enable Russian aggression against Ukraine makes a mockery of South Korea\u2019s decision to mostly stand on the sidelines of the conflict. Seoul has supported Ukraine\u2019s war effort, but only indirectly \u2013 it has transferred munitions to the United States that Washington has passed along to Kyiv. South Korea\u2019s extensive arms industry could undoubtedly help support the Ukrainian war effort, and Ukraine would offer a useful proving ground for South Korean weapons. \n\n\n\nIn any case, Russia has now interjected itself in a forceful way into the politics of the Korean Peninsula, a move that will have potentially far-ranging effects on the foreign policy of both Koreas. \n\n\n\nAt the same time, the growing relationship is surely bittersweet from Russia\u2019s point of view. Seventy-three years ago, Kim Jong Un\u2019s grandfather had a series of conversations with Josef Stalin that paved the way for Kim\u2019s invasion of the South. The Soviet Union then bankrolled the war efforts of both North Korea and the People\u2019s Republic of China. Today, Putin meets Kim Jong Un virtually hat in hand, begging for the shells and equipment that the Soviet Union originally licensed for North Korean production. However Putin tries to frame it, the moment represents a deep humiliation for Russia\u2019s foreign and military policy. \n\n\n\nThis article by Robert Farley was originally published by 19FortyFive.com.\n\n\n\nRead more from Sandboxx News\n\n\n\n\nWhy stealth helicopters are so hard to design\n\n\n\nKerch Bridge is key in retaking Crimea, but can Ukraine take it out?\n\n\n\nSandboxx\u2019s Alex Hollings nominated for 5 Defence Media Awards\n\n\n\nThe Soviet version of Operation Paperclip was way bigger (but less successful)\n\n\n\nWhat exactly is MARSOC, the Marines\u2019 elite special operations component?\n\nThe post The North Korea \u2013 Russia summit: A deep humiliation for Putin appeared first on Sandboxx.", "date_published": "2023-09-06T15:24:16-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-09-07T12:36:38-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "1945", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/author/1945/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "1945", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/author/1945/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Kim_Jong-un_and_Vladimir_Putin_2019-04-25_01.jpg", "summary": "Putin may meet Kim hat in hand, begging for shells and equipment the USSR originally licensed for North Korean production." }, { "id": "https://www.sandboxx.us/?post_type=news&p=93894", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/news/ukraines-counteroffensive-is-picking-up-steam/", "title": "Ukraine\u2019s counteroffensive is picking up steam", "content_html": "![\"Ukrainian](\"https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/t-84-ukraine.webp\")
After two months of slow progress in its long-anticipated counteroffensive, Ukraine announced on Wednesday that it recaptured the village of Urozhaine in the southeastern Donetsk region. The liberation of the town came after several days of intense fighting.
\n\n\n\n\u201cUrozhaine liberated\u2026Our defenders are entrenched on the outskirts,\u201d Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar wrote on the Telegram social messaging app on Wednesday.
\n\n\n\nVideo of the fighting in and around the village, as well as the aftermath that was recorded by units of the 35th Separate Brigade of Marine Corps, was shared on social media by Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en).
\n\n\n\nIn the video, soldiers were seen raising the Ukrainian flag within the village near a memorial that had been dedicated to Soviet Red Army troops following the Second World War.
\n\n\n\nThis is the first village Kyiv\u2019s forces have taken since July 27, as it has faced stiff resistance, and Ukrainian forces have had to slug through heavily defensive lines largely without any air support. It is also about five miles north of the first defensive positions of Russia\u2019s so-called Surovikin Line \u2013 a network of fortifications that have been under construction since late last year, and named after the Kremlin\u2019s General Sergey Surovikin, who oversaw a consolidation of Russian-occupied Ukraine during his stint commanding the invasion force.
\n\n\n\nUkraine has already incurred staggering losses as it has attempted to break through Russia\u2019s fortified positions, but it remains unclear whether the Kremlin actually has the defense in depth to stop a significant breakthrough.
\n\n\n\nUrozhaine is of several rural settlements near the Mokri Yaly River. It had a prewar population of around 1,000 residents. As with much of the settlements in the region it has largely been destroyed while its residents have fled.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe recapture of the rural community could allow the Ukrainian military to liberate the village of Staromlynivka, located several kilometers to the south. Reuters reported that military analysts see that settlement as a Russian stronghold in the area. In addition, Urozhaine is just over 90 km (55 miles) from the Sea of Azov, and a breakthrough to the sea would cut Russia\u2019s occupying forces essentially in half.
\n\n\n\nThe capture of the village also comes after Kyiv essentially rejected the notion that its troops were not advancing fast enough or that its offensive had already failed.
\n\n\n\n\u201cThe task of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is not to organize large-scale battles for every settlement on the way to the 1991 borders, but to systematically destroy the capabilities of the enemy army: its logistics, technical potential, officers and personnel. And today, Ukrainian defenders are coping with this task one hundred percent,\u201d Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Monday via a post on X, adding, \u201cLong-range missiles for Ukraine now mean a sharp reduction in Russia\u2019s combat capabilities. This is the active destruction of Russia\u2019s reserves and resources on the far outskirts.\u201d
\n\n\n\nThe Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented or confirmed that its forces have been driven out of the village but claimed its artillery and warplanes were attacking Ukrainian forces in the area.
\n\n\n\nThis article by Peter Suciu was originally published by 19FortyFive.com.
\n\n\n\nThe post Ukraine’s counteroffensive is picking up steam appeared first on Sandboxx.
\n", "content_text": "After two months of slow progress in its long-anticipated counteroffensive, Ukraine announced on Wednesday that it recaptured the village of Urozhaine in the southeastern Donetsk region. The liberation of the town came after several days of intense fighting.\n\n\n\n\u201cUrozhaine liberated\u2026Our defenders are entrenched on the outskirts,\u201d Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar wrote on the Telegram social messaging app on Wednesday.\n\n\n\nVideo of the fighting in and around the village, as well as the aftermath that was recorded by units of the 35th Separate Brigade of Marine Corps, was shared on social media by Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en). \n\n\n\nIn the video, soldiers were seen raising the Ukrainian flag within the village near a memorial that had been dedicated to Soviet Red Army troops following the Second World War.\n\n\n\nSlow progress, but still progress\n\n\n\nThis is the first village Kyiv\u2019s forces have taken since July 27, as it has faced stiff resistance, and Ukrainian forces have had to slug through heavily defensive lines largely without any air support. It is also about five miles north of the first defensive positions of Russia\u2019s so-called Surovikin Line \u2013 a network of fortifications that have been under construction since late last year, and named after the Kremlin\u2019s General Sergey Surovikin, who oversaw a consolidation of Russian-occupied Ukraine during his stint commanding the invasion force.\n\n\n\nUkraine has already incurred staggering losses as it has attempted to break through Russia\u2019s fortified positions, but it remains unclear whether the Kremlin actually has the defense in depth to stop a significant breakthrough.\n\n\n\nUrozhaine is of several rural settlements near the Mokri Yaly River. It had a prewar population of around 1,000 residents. As with much of the settlements in the region it has largely been destroyed while its residents have fled.\n\n\n\nRelated: New video shows Russia fail to stop a Ukrainian drone boat named \u2018Sea Baby\u2019 from blowing apart a key bridge with nearly 2,000 lbs of explosives\n\n\n\nThe recapture of the rural community could allow the Ukrainian military to liberate the village of Staromlynivka, located several kilometers to the south. Reuters reported that military analysts see that settlement as a Russian stronghold in the area. In addition, Urozhaine is just over 90 km (55 miles) from the Sea of Azov, and a breakthrough to the sea would cut Russia\u2019s occupying forces essentially in half.\n\n\n\nThe capture of the village also comes after Kyiv essentially rejected the notion that its troops were not advancing fast enough or that its offensive had already failed.\n\n\n\n\u201cThe task of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is not to organize large-scale battles for every settlement on the way to the 1991 borders, but to systematically destroy the capabilities of the enemy army: its logistics, technical potential, officers and personnel. And today, Ukrainian defenders are coping with this task one hundred percent,\u201d Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Monday via a post on X, adding, \u201cLong-range missiles for Ukraine now mean a sharp reduction in Russia\u2019s combat capabilities. This is the active destruction of Russia\u2019s reserves and resources on the far outskirts.\u201d\n\n\n\nThe Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented or confirmed that its forces have been driven out of the village but claimed its artillery and warplanes were attacking Ukrainian forces in the area.\n\n\n\nThis article by Peter Suciu was originally published by 19FortyFive.com.\n\n\n\nRead more from Sandboxx News\n\n\n\n\nSDV: The secret weapon of the Navy SEAL Teams\n\n\n\nThe Army\u2019s IVAS super-goggle prototypes have arrived but can they live up to the hype?\n\n\n\nHow US Special Forces took on Wagner Group mercenaries in an intense 4-hour battle\n\n\n\n7 weird and rare military jobs that you won\u2019t believe exist\n\n\n\nWe asked AI to show us the secret aircraft hidden in Area 51\n\nThe post Ukraine’s counteroffensive is picking up steam appeared first on Sandboxx.", "date_published": "2023-08-18T16:11:28-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-18T16:23:41-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "1945", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/author/1945/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "1945", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/author/1945/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/t-84-ukraine.webp", "summary": "Although it has been encountering stiff Russian resistance, Ukraine's military is pushing forward and Kyiv says its offensive is alive." }, { "id": "https://www.sandboxx.us/news/uncategorized/ukraine-just-attacked-a-key-bridge-putin-needs-for-his-ukraine-war/", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/news/ukraine/ukraine-just-attacked-a-key-bridge-putin-needs-for-his-ukraine-war/", "title": "Ukraine just attacked a key bridge Putin needs for his Ukraine war", "content_html": "![\"\"](\"https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kerch-bridge-ukraine.webp\")
Ukrainian forces have once again struck what is probably the most vital bridge in the war.
\n\n\n\nIn the early hours of Monday morning, Ukraine attacked the Kerch Bridge that connects Russia with the occupied Crimean Peninsula, causing significant damage.
\n\n\n\nThis is the second attack on the key supply route since the war began.
\n\n\n\nOn Monday morning, the Russian-installed governor of Crimea announced that the Kerch Bridge had been declared under emergency, and that traffic in both directions of the road bridge had stopped.
\n\n\n\nSatellite imagery of the Kerch Bridge reveals significant damage on both sections of the road. The asphalt has detached in places, and there is likely structural damage on the pillars supporting the superstructure. The adjacent railway bridge seems to be intact, but there might be some structural damage as a result of the explosion.
\n\n\n\nIt is still unclear what method the Ukrainians used to attack the bridge. The first time they hit Kerch, they used a truck full of explosives. But now Kyiv has long-range cruise missiles, including the Storm Shadow, that can reach the bridge.
\n\n\n\nRussian President Vladimir Putin, who personally sponsored the construction of the bridge, has also asked that security measures around the Kerch Bridge increase.
\n\n\n\nIt is worth noting that the Kerch Bridge is fully illuminated at night, making it easier to target whether the attack comes from the sky or sea.
\n\n\n\nRelated: These are the small arms the Ukraine Foreign Legion uses against Russia
\n\n\n\nThe rail bridge was opened to freight trains three years ago. Since then, it has played a key role in bolstering the military capabilities of the Russian military on the Crimean Peninsula. More recently, since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its military has relied on the Kerch Bridge to move men and weapons systems into Southern Ukraine.
\n\n\n\nAs the Ukrainian counteroffensive moves closer to Crimea, attacks against the Kerch Bridge are expected to increase. The Ukrainians have shown that they have the capability to strike strategic targets with either special operations teams or drones.
\n\n\n\nThe first attack against the Kerch Bridge back in October completely destroyed a good chunk of the road and damaged the railway. Two of the four lanes on the road then collapsed across a length of close to 300 yards.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Ukrainian military and intelligence services have a habit of trolling Russia \u2014 and even the West on occasion \u2014 as part of a broader psychological operations campaign.
\n\n\n\nAs such, the Ukrainian military took advantage of the situation to conduct some good old trolling on the Russians.
\n\n\n\n\u201cThe number of potential \u00abdomestic\u00bb summer tourist destinations for Russians is falling. With alarming regularity,\u201d the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated in a tweet on Monday.
\n\n\n\nEver since the Russian military invaded and annexed Crimea, the peninsula has been a popular tourist destination for Russians. That is why the Ukrainian military is predicting that the attack on Kerch Bridge will somewhat frustrate the vacation plans of Russian civilians and officials alike.
\n\n\n\nThis article by Stavros Atlamazoglou was originally published by 19FortyFive.com.
\n\n\n\nFeature Image: Kerch Bridge. Image Credit: Social Media Screenshot
\n\n\n\nThe post Ukraine just attacked a key bridge Putin needs for his Ukraine war appeared first on Sandboxx.
\n", "content_text": "Ukrainian forces have once again struck what is probably the most vital bridge in the war.\n\n\n\nIn the early hours of Monday morning, Ukraine attacked the Kerch Bridge that connects Russia with the occupied Crimean Peninsula, causing significant damage.\n\n\n\nThis is the second attack on the key supply route since the war began.\n\n\n\nAttack on Kerch Bridge\n\n\n\nOn Monday morning, the Russian-installed governor of Crimea announced that the Kerch Bridge had been declared under emergency, and that traffic in both directions of the road bridge had stopped.\n\n\n\nSatellite imagery of the Kerch Bridge reveals significant damage on both sections of the road. The asphalt has detached in places, and there is likely structural damage on the pillars supporting the superstructure. The adjacent railway bridge seems to be intact, but there might be some structural damage as a result of the explosion.\n\n\n\nIt is still unclear what method the Ukrainians used to attack the bridge. The first time they hit Kerch, they used a truck full of explosives. But now Kyiv has long-range cruise missiles, including the Storm Shadow, that can reach the bridge.\n\n\n\nRussian President Vladimir Putin, who personally sponsored the construction of the bridge, has also asked that security measures around the Kerch Bridge increase.\n\n\n\nIt is worth noting that the Kerch Bridge is fully illuminated at night, making it easier to target whether the attack comes from the sky or sea.\n\n\n\nRelated: These are the small arms the Ukraine Foreign Legion uses against Russia\n\n\n\nThe rail bridge was opened to freight trains three years ago. Since then, it has played a key role in bolstering the military capabilities of the Russian military on the Crimean Peninsula. More recently, since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its military has relied on the Kerch Bridge to move men and weapons systems into Southern Ukraine. \n\n\n\nAs the Ukrainian counteroffensive moves closer to Crimea, attacks against the Kerch Bridge are expected to increase. The Ukrainians have shown that they have the capability to strike strategic targets with either special operations teams or drones. \n\n\n\nThe first attack against the Kerch Bridge back in October completely destroyed a good chunk of the road and damaged the railway. Two of the four lanes on the road then collapsed across a length of close to 300 yards.\n\n\n\nRelated: A Russian soldier\u2019s newly translated account of the war in Ukraine reveals the poor state of Russia\u2019s military\n\n\n\nUkraine is trolling Russia\n\n\n\nThe Ukrainian military and intelligence services have a habit of trolling Russia \u2014 and even the West on occasion \u2014 as part of a broader psychological operations campaign. \n\n\n\nAs such, the Ukrainian military took advantage of the situation to conduct some good old trolling on the Russians. \n\n\n\n\u201cThe number of potential \u00abdomestic\u00bb summer tourist destinations for Russians is falling. With alarming regularity,\u201d the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated in a tweet on Monday. \n\n\n\nEver since the Russian military invaded and annexed Crimea, the peninsula has been a popular tourist destination for Russians. That is why the Ukrainian military is predicting that the attack on Kerch Bridge will somewhat frustrate the vacation plans of Russian civilians and officials alike. \n\n\n\nThis article by Stavros Atlamazoglou was originally published by 19FortyFive.com.\n\n\n\nFeature Image: Kerch Bridge. Image Credit: Social Media Screenshot\n\n\n\nRead more from Sandboxx News\n\n\n\n\nDid you know that the last trench gun survived until the Iraq War?\n\n\n\nMARSOC Raiders to deploy in smaller, tech-loaded teams as conflict gets more complex\n\n\n\nThese are the 5 best service rifles the US military has ever had\n\n\n\n3 pieces of special operations gear that give troops \u2018superpowers\u2019\n\n\n\nThis 60-year-old plane is moving the Marine Corps\u2019 warfighting strategy into the future\n\nThe post Ukraine just attacked a key bridge Putin needs for his Ukraine war appeared first on Sandboxx.", "date_published": "2023-07-18T01:40:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-07-28T01:01:12-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "1945", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/author/1945/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "1945", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/author/1945/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kerch-bridge-ukraine.webp", "summary": "Ukraine is predicting that the attack on Kerch Bridge will somewhat frustrate the vacation plans of Russian civilians and officials alike." }, { "id": "https://www.sandboxx.us/news/uncategorized/the-us-army-needs-to-fix-its-remaining-fires-gap/", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/news/the-us-army-needs-to-fix-its-remaining-fires-gap/", "title": "The US Army needs to fix its remaining \u2018fires\u2019 gap", "content_html": "![\"\"](\"https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/m777-3-howitzer.webp\")
In recent years, the U.S. Army\u2019s top modernization priority has been long-range precision fires (LRPF). As the war in Ukraine demonstrates, this was a prescient decision. But when it comes to addressing the needs for an entirely new portfolio of fires systems, the Army has only solved part of the problem.
\n\n\n\nIn the next year or two, the Army expects to field several new fires systems, including the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF), and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW). These will give the Army the ability to engage targets at ranges between 100 and several thousand kilometers. What remains to be accomplished is the fielding of new capabilities to provide precision fires at ranges less than 100 km. The Army\u2019s sole modernization program in this area is the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA),
\n\n\n\nMoreover, while the ERCA is expected to have twice the range of the current self-propelled howitzer, the M109 Paladin, it will go to Armored Brigade Combat Teams and higher-echelon formations. The remaining gap in the Army\u2019s new fires portfolio is a replacement for the venerable towed 155mm howitzer, the primary long-range fires system for Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) and Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs). The Army needs to solve this problem by investing in a more survivable and lethal wheeled 155mm system.
\n\n\n\nRelated: The long-range fires that will define the Ukrainian counteroffensive
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/M777-howitser-Stryker-Brigade-Combat-Team-1.webp\")
Following Moscow\u2019s 2014 seizure of Crimea and the emergence of a continuous conflict in the Donbas, the U.S. Army confronted the prospect of armed conflict with Russia. In assessing its relative strengths and weaknesses in comparison to the Russian military, the U.S. Army realized that it had a major deficit in both capabilities and capacity to conduct long-range fires. The U.S. Army was both outranged and outnumbered by Russia\u2019s long-range fires systems.
\n\n\n\nExisting U.S. Army cannon artillery, the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled 155mm howitzer and M777 towed 155mm howitzer, each have maximum ranges of 40 km with enhanced munitions. The Army\u2019s two battlefield rocket systems are the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), with a maximum range of 92 km, and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with a range of 180 km. The Army needed fires capabilities with greater range, precision, and rates of fire. It also enables these capabilities to be more survivable, primarily through improved mobility.
\n\n\n\nFaced with the prospect of a great power conflict, the U.S. Army instituted a program to modernize critical capabilities, with its highest priority being long-range precision fires. The Army\u2019s LRPF modernization program is focused on four new capabilities the ERCA, PrSM, SMRF, and LRHW. It is worth noting that each of these programs will be mobile, either on an armored chassis or on a truck.
\n\n\n\nThe ERCA is intended to complement the improved version of the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer. Built on a Paladin chassis, the ERCA has a longer barrel which together with a new rocket-assisted guided projectile is expected to provide nearly double the range of the M109A7 or 70 km. An autoloader is planned for the ERCA, which would significantly increase its rate of fire.
\n\n\n\nRelated: The Army has an artillery problem (and some high tech solutions)
\n\n\n\n![\"ERCA](\"https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ERCA.webp\")
The PrSM is a replacement for the ATACMS. Two PrSMs can be carried in a single ATACMS launch pod, effectively doubling available rounds. It will engage targets between 60 and 500 km with great accuracy. PrSM can be launched by the Army\u2019s existing family of launchers.
\n\n\n\nThe SMRF is intended to provide long-range precision fires for the space between the maximum ranges of the PrSM and that of the LRHW. This capability is based on the Tomahawk cruise missile and the Standard Missile 6, both currently in production.
\n\n\n\nThe last Army fires program is the LRHW, which has a range of up to 2800 km. The LRHW intended to go after deep targets, including command and control facilities, air and missile defense complexes, and long-range fires systems.
\n\n\n\nThere remains one glaring capability gap in the Army\u2019s fires portfolio: a replacement for the M777 towed howitzer. Army leadership has long recognized the need to find a new system. The Ukraine war has made this an imperative. While Western-supplied towed 155mm howitzers have helped the Ukraine Armed Forces to hold back the Russian Army, this system is highly vulnerable to counterbattery fires due to the time it takes to set up, fire and move. In addition, the rate of fire for the M777 is not sufficient.
\n\n\n\nRelated: Did America\u2019s next stealth fighter just get revealed on Instagram?
\n\n\n\n![\"M1909](\"https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/M1909-Paladin.webp\")
While Armored Brigade Combat Teams have the Paladin armored self-propelled 155mm howitzer, and will receive the ERCA, IBCTs and SBCTs are currently equipped with the towed M777. As a result, these formations are outranged and outgunned by both Russian and Chinese land-based tactical fires. The SBCTs, built around the Stryker armored wheeled vehicle, are particularly in need of a more mobile and lethal 155mm system.
\n\n\n\nThe solution is a truck-mounted 155mm system, and such systems are available. They include the French Caesar, the British Archer, and the Israeli ATMOS. France and Denmark have provided about 40 Caesar truck-mounted 155mm systems to Ukraine, where they are reported to have performed extremely well.
\n\n\n\nThese systems are significantly better than the towed M777. They can set up, fire multiple rounds, and redeploy in a matter of minutes. This makes it hard for an opponent to employ counterbattery fires. Versions with an armored cab are inherently more survivable than towed systems. In addition, because these systems are mounted on a truck, they can keep up with fast-moving units such as the SBCTs.
\n\n\n\nAlmost two years ago, the Army ran a shoot-off involving four truck-mounted 155mm howitzers: the British Archer, the Israeli Atmos, the French Caesar, and U.S. Brutus. The Army is reported to be conducting studies of its tactical fires portfolio and cannon modernization options. At present, there are no indications of how or when the Army intends to fix the remaining gap in its fires portfolio.
\n\n\n\nRather than more studies, the Army needs to move out now and acquire one of the operational truck-mounted 155mm howitzers. It can start by replacing the towed 155s in European-based SBCT to evaluate their performance. Ultimately, the Army needs to replace the towed 155mms in all the SBCTs. IBCTs in the I and III Corps are also candidates to receive the new system.
\n\n\n\nThis article by Dan Goure was originally published by 19FortyFive.com.
\n\n\n\nFeature Image: U.S. Marines with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer during MEU Exercise 14 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 17, 2014. The purpose of MEUEX is to train the different elements of the 15th MEU to work together to complete various missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jamean R. Berry/Released)
\n\n\n\nThe post The US Army needs to fix its remaining ‘fires’ gap appeared first on Sandboxx.
\n", "content_text": "In recent years, the U.S. Army\u2019s top modernization priority has been long-range precision fires (LRPF). As the war in Ukraine demonstrates, this was a prescient decision. But when it comes to addressing the needs for an entirely new portfolio of fires systems, the Army has only solved part of the problem.\n\n\n\nIn the next year or two, the Army expects to field several new fires systems, including the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF), and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW). These will give the Army the ability to engage targets at ranges between 100 and several thousand kilometers. What remains to be accomplished is the fielding of new capabilities to provide precision fires at ranges less than 100 km. The Army\u2019s sole modernization program in this area is the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA),\n\n\n\nMoreover, while the ERCA is expected to have twice the range of the current self-propelled howitzer, the M109 Paladin, it will go to Armored Brigade Combat Teams and higher-echelon formations. The remaining gap in the Army\u2019s new fires portfolio is a replacement for the venerable towed 155mm howitzer, the primary long-range fires system for Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) and Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs). The Army needs to solve this problem by investing in a more survivable and lethal wheeled 155mm system.\n\n\n\nRelated: The long-range fires that will define the Ukrainian counteroffensive\n\n\n\nA team of artillerymen assigned to 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division prepare to fire an M777 Howitzer during an artillery training exercise on January 12, 2023 in South Korea during Korea Rotational Force 12. (Photo by Sgt. Jerod Hathaway/2ID Rotational BDE)\n\n\n\nFollowing Moscow\u2019s 2014 seizure of Crimea and the emergence of a continuous conflict in the Donbas, the U.S. Army confronted the prospect of armed conflict with Russia. In assessing its relative strengths and weaknesses in comparison to the Russian military, the U.S. Army realized that it had a major deficit in both capabilities and capacity to conduct long-range fires. The U.S. Army was both outranged and outnumbered by Russia\u2019s long-range fires systems.\n\n\n\nExisting U.S. Army cannon artillery, the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled 155mm howitzer and M777 towed 155mm howitzer, each have maximum ranges of 40 km with enhanced munitions. The Army\u2019s two battlefield rocket systems are the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), with a maximum range of 92 km, and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with a range of 180 km. The Army needed fires capabilities with greater range, precision, and rates of fire. It also enables these capabilities to be more survivable, primarily through improved mobility.\n\n\n\nFaced with the prospect of a great power conflict, the U.S. Army instituted a program to modernize critical capabilities, with its highest priority being long-range precision fires. The Army\u2019s LRPF modernization program is focused on four new capabilities the ERCA, PrSM, SMRF, and LRHW. It is worth noting that each of these programs will be mobile, either on an armored chassis or on a truck.\n\n\n\nThe ERCA is intended to complement the improved version of the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer. Built on a Paladin chassis, the ERCA has a longer barrel which together with a new rocket-assisted guided projectile is expected to provide nearly double the range of the M109A7 or 70 km. An autoloader is planned for the ERCA, which would significantly increase its rate of fire.\n\n\n\nRelated: The Army has an artillery problem (and some high tech solutions)\n\n\n\nExtended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program supported by ACCNJ #contractingforvictory. (Photo by Kristen Rounsaville/U.S. Army Contracting Command)\n\n\n\nThe PrSM is a replacement for the ATACMS. Two PrSMs can be carried in a single ATACMS launch pod, effectively doubling available rounds. It will engage targets between 60 and 500 km with great accuracy. PrSM can be launched by the Army\u2019s existing family of launchers.\n\n\n\nThe SMRF is intended to provide long-range precision fires for the space between the maximum ranges of the PrSM and that of the LRHW. This capability is based on the Tomahawk cruise missile and the Standard Missile 6, both currently in production.\n\n\n\nThe last Army fires program is the LRHW, which has a range of up to 2800 km. The LRHW intended to go after deep targets, including command and control facilities, air and missile defense complexes, and long-range fires systems.\n\n\n\nThere remains one glaring capability gap in the Army\u2019s fires portfolio: a replacement for the M777 towed howitzer. Army leadership has long recognized the need to find a new system. The Ukraine war has made this an imperative. While Western-supplied towed 155mm howitzers have helped the Ukraine Armed Forces to hold back the Russian Army, this system is highly vulnerable to counterbattery fires due to the time it takes to set up, fire and move. In addition, the rate of fire for the M777 is not sufficient.\n\n\n\nRelated: Did America\u2019s next stealth fighter just get revealed on Instagram?\n\n\n\nU.S. Soldiers assigned to the 166th Cavalry Regiment, calibrating a Paladin M109A6 155mm Army System during Decisive Action Rotation 15-09 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. The National Training Center provides an opportunity for soldiers to use their skills in an immersive and realistic environment. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Blanton)\n\n\n\nWhile Armored Brigade Combat Teams have the Paladin armored self-propelled 155mm howitzer, and will receive the ERCA, IBCTs and SBCTs are currently equipped with the towed M777. As a result, these formations are outranged and outgunned by both Russian and Chinese land-based tactical fires. The SBCTs, built around the Stryker armored wheeled vehicle, are particularly in need of a more mobile and lethal 155mm system.\n\n\n\nThe solution is a truck-mounted 155mm system, and such systems are available. They include the French Caesar, the British Archer, and the Israeli ATMOS. France and Denmark have provided about 40 Caesar truck-mounted 155mm systems to Ukraine, where they are reported to have performed extremely well.\n\n\n\nThese systems are significantly better than the towed M777. They can set up, fire multiple rounds, and redeploy in a matter of minutes. This makes it hard for an opponent to employ counterbattery fires. Versions with an armored cab are inherently more survivable than towed systems. In addition, because these systems are mounted on a truck, they can keep up with fast-moving units such as the SBCTs.\n\n\n\nAlmost two years ago, the Army ran a shoot-off involving four truck-mounted 155mm howitzers: the British Archer, the Israeli Atmos, the French Caesar, and U.S. Brutus. The Army is reported to be conducting studies of its tactical fires portfolio and cannon modernization options. At present, there are no indications of how or when the Army intends to fix the remaining gap in its fires portfolio.\n\n\n\nRather than more studies, the Army needs to move out now and acquire one of the operational truck-mounted 155mm howitzers. It can start by replacing the towed 155s in European-based SBCT to evaluate their performance. Ultimately, the Army needs to replace the towed 155mms in all the SBCTs. IBCTs in the I and III Corps are also candidates to receive the new system.\n\n\n\nThis article by Dan Goure was originally published by 19FortyFive.com.\n\n\n\nFeature Image: U.S. Marines with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer during MEU Exercise 14 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 17, 2014. The purpose of MEUEX is to train the different elements of the 15th MEU to work together to complete various missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jamean R. Berry/Released)\n\n\n\nRead more from Sandboxx News\n\n\n\n\nHands-on with an S&W M1917 revolver \u2013 the weapon that armed the US in WWI\n\n\n\nCombat swimmer operations and their importance in a near-peer conflict\n\n\n\nBermuda\u2019s awkward Mini 14 GB \u2013 Service rifles from around the world\n\n\n\nWhy America\u2019s new NGAD fighter could be a bargain, even at $300 million each\n\n\n\nAirmen in Kangerlussuaq, a military town nobody has heard of\n\n\n\n\n\nThe post The US Army needs to fix its remaining ‘fires’ gap appeared first on Sandboxx.", "date_published": "2023-07-11T02:00:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-07-28T01:05:02-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "1945", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/author/1945/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "1945", "url": "https://www.sandboxx.us/author/1945/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.sandboxx.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/m777-3-howitzer.webp", "summary": "There remains one glaring capability gap in the Army\u2019s fires portfolio: a replacement for the M777 towed howitzer." } ] }