Ask An Expert- LAND Forces.

[kato]

There are no mechanized infantry brigades in the current layout, only "infantry", "stryker" and "heavy". All mechanized infantry was subsumed into "heavy" brigade combat teams.

As for what it is - it's an infantry-based collective unit, with the infantry mounted on Stryker APCs, that's about the size of a Cold War infantry regiment, but integrates artillery, recce and a minimal level of support units. Regardless of equipment, an SBCT is "better" than an IBCT because it essentially has 50% more troops in every respect - nine infantry coys instead of six, three recon coys instead of two, three 155mm batteries instead of two 105mm.

Neither IBCT nor SBCT are capable of combined arms warfare though, so you can't call them brigades anyway. Only HBCTs are combined-arms-capable, albeit at a level of strength that's about 50% of a real brigade.

I think the three brigades in the "superdivision" i served in would have laughed at any of them. And that includes the SBCT-equivalent Franco-German Brigade.

[Native]

I thought counter battery used radar?

[kato]

Sure, since the late 70s / early 80s... but not before that. And, if you don't want to incite counter-counter-battery action or are fighting in a theater filled with artificial static and noise on the airwaves and electromagnetic pulses in the air, you will not use radar.

[gunnut]

How are the seats in a tank like? Are they cushioned? Do they have backs? Are they bucket seats?

How about air conditioning? Is there any?

[Albany Rifles]

How are the seats in a tank like? Are they cushioned? Do they have backs? Are they bucket seats?

How about air conditioning? Is there any?

Driver has a reclined thinly padded couch because he has to be in that posture to fit under the glacis plate. The gunner has a small lightly padded seat with a small back (like an old tractor seat) The leader has much the same. The TC has a platform to stand on with a small swing out seat to perch on.

In a Bradley the driver has a seat like the M1 gunner and the BC and gunner have a simple seat. Not a lot of room in the turret. Troops sit on padded metal benches with seat belts.

That is pretty typical in all Western vehicles....Warsaw Pact had less padding.ooeabout MRAP and Stryker.

[bigross86]

Merkava 4's have air conditioners that are a natural extension of the NBC protection suite. The NBC protection creates on atmosphere overpressure inside the hull anyway, so why not soup it up a bit and provide troop comfort? Each crew member has an individual fan, and the a/c is provided through hoses that connect to jumpsuits designed specifically for the Merkava 4. The jumpsuits themselves are heavier, but when the hose is connected the air literally flows to every single part of your body and cools you down almost immediately.

[Bridgeburner_]

What is the opinion of ex-uniformed personell towards private military companies (as opposed to those who provide logistical/intelligence support or security) ?

More specifically, how cost-efficient are they and how successful are they in achieving goals when compared to regular Army units which do the same?

[kato]

(as opposed to those who provide logistical/intelligence support or security)

Um, you mean the illegal kind of mercenaries then?

[Mihais]

Um, you mean the illegal kind of mercenaries then?

You're getting into subtleties .First I'd examine if the curious one has the slightest idea of what he's talking about.He doesn't.There is no PMC that does what a regular military can do.
There's also a search button.

[kato]

There is no PMC that does what a regular military can do.

Executive Outcomes did, in Sierra Leone. Sandline too, although to a far more limited extent.

[Mihais]

I specifically used present tense.I'm pretty aware of said actions and the merits they had in limiting the butcher's bill.

Also,given the nature of the ops,while EO may have engaged in some sort of conventional ops,their capabilities make them smoke on the water compared to any real army unit of similar size.That may change,and PMC's may get better equipment,but for now,it's not the case.

[Albany Rifles]

As a rule they stink. They do not have the unit cohesion and discipline of real armies. And then there is the motivation of people who do that kind of work.

An oath trumps a paycheck.

[bigross86]

Conversely, one could also argue that there are people willing to die for their country, but mercenaries want to live to spend their paycheck

[Albany Rifles]

Conversely, one could also argue that there are people willing to die for their country, but mercenaries want to live to spend their paycheck

So when the chips are down and the mission HAS to be accomplished, they cut and run.

[gunnut]

As a rule they stink. They do not have the unit cohesion and discipline of real armies. And then there is the motivation of people who do that kind of work.

An oath trumps a paycheck.

Hmmm...I think I have found a problem with our high pay and generous pension for cops.