Redefining Operational Maneuver With the FCS

<p>As the military continues transformation and focuses on capabilities-based organizations to meet guidance provided in the National Security Strategy and The Quadrennial Defense Review the Army is in position to redefine operational maneuver. Army Field Manual 3-0 defines operational maneuver as placing Army forces and resources at the critical place in time to achieve an operational advantage. It is complex and often requires joint or multinational support. Deployments and intra-theater movements are operational maneuver if they achieve a positional advantage and influence the outcome of a campaign or battle. Currently the Army does not conduct operational maneuver with mechanized forces using inter- or intra-theater lift because of the limitations of the current force. The weight of our heavy forces limits the ability to attack the enemy throughout the operational depth of the battlespace with ground maneuver forces. The weight prevents movement of large forces using intra-theater airlift additionally the Army 's weight limits the options available to policymakers and requires a build-up of equipment and resources. As the Army transitions to a Future Combat System (FCS) equipped force the possibilities for operational maneuver by armored forces can grow exponentially. A lighter force possessing the same lethality of the Army 's current heavy force can provide numerous options to support operational maneuver using intra-theater lift as well as providing strategic deployment from the United States to contingency areas. The purpose of this monograph is to prove the Army can redefine operational maneuver with the FCS and support of the Joint Force. As we look forward on the ability of the FCS to redefine operational maneuver there are examples throughout history which display how major changes in warfare where developed through new and innovative applications of the technology available. The primacy of maneuver over firepower was established at the beginning</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>