I believe you would see a large difference in the capabilities of NATO forces come the 1980s vice the 1970s. In the US we had converted a lot of our 8-inch to MLRS with much greater range and lethality. The firing batteries in all US units went from 6 to 8 guns...while not seeming like much it allowed a battery to have 2 firing platoons with one firing while the other displaced. Also the M109A3s started to get replaced by M109A5s with a much greater range and accuracy.
There was also the differences in doctrine (which S-2 would be much better at than I). The US believed in massing fires on a target, shifting and shooting the next target, then the next target. Another key system coming on line which allowed this to occur was the TACFIRE digital fire control system. It was faster, more accurate and reliable than the older system.
All the NATO members were upgrading at the same time.
Conversely the Warsaw Pact modernized somewhat but in order maintain the momentum a lot of their guns had to be displacing forward.
There was also the differences in doctrine (which S-2 would be much better at than I). The US believed in massing fires on a target, shifting and shooting the next target, then the next target. Another key system coming on line which allowed this to occur was the TACFIRE digital fire control system. It was faster, more accurate and reliable than the older system.
All the NATO members were upgrading at the same time.
Conversely the Warsaw Pact modernized somewhat but in order maintain the momentum a lot of their guns had to be displacing forward.
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