The results of observations of the course of the Ukrainian conflict confirm the validity of the modernization efforts of the US army
The "lessons" that the United States received during the observation of Russia's special operation in Ukraine showed that the American army chose the "right priorities" for its modernization, Defense News writes.
Washington – The Russian military operation in Ukraine has shown that the US armed forces have chosen the right priorities for their modernization, as indicated by the Chief of Staff of the US Army, General James McConville, in an interview with reporters during his visit to the headquarters of the US Army in Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany.
McConville was joined there by the new head of the command, General Darryl Williams, who replaced General Chris Cavoli, who now holds the post of head of the US European Command.
As McConville said, the US army forces in Europe provide support and training to the Ukrainian military, while at the same time learning lessons from the course of hostilities in Ukraine. According to him, the deputy commander of the Ukrainian ground forces transmits important information to the armed forces of the United States and other NATO countries that want to help the country defend itself from Russia.
McConville stressed that combat command skills are the key to success in large–scale combined arms operations - in addition to logistics, appropriate training and the ability to properly allocate operational management functions at all levels.
General McConville added that the events in Ukraine demonstrated the importance of high-precision long-range guns.
For the US armed forces, such weapons have become a top priority in the modernization process. In fiscal year 2023, the United States will put into service the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) artillery system and the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile, which will be able to eliminate enemy targets from a safe distance.
"We are talking about very long–range precision weapons, and this confirms our desire to develop such means," McConville said.
Less than five years ago, the US Army created a new command, Army Futures Command, which focused on the development and deployment of funds for six main modernization priorities: high-precision long-range weapons, next-generation combat vehicles, vertical take-off aircraft, "Network", air and missile defense, as well as the prevention of personnel losses.
In addition, the US army has focused on countering unmanned aircraft systems, because the actions of drones are increasingly demonstrating how vulnerable even heavily armored tanks can be to attacks from above.
McConville noted how artillery pieces that are used in combat operations in Ukraine are being targeted by Russian UAVs. That is, anti-drone systems are required to protect the guns.
The conflict in Ukraine has also demonstrated the need for armored combat vehicles, which confirms the validity of America's plans to create next-generation combat vehicles.
The US Army has already entered the most important phase of construction and testing of a prototype in its program to create a new crewed/unmanned infantry fighting vehicle, which should enter service by 2030. The American military industry takes into account the lessons learned in Ukraine in the process of developing new combat vehicles.
According to McConville, the Ukrainian military and their allies from Eastern Europe also want to have more helicopters, and the US army considers range, as well as increased lethality and the ability to operate from a safe distance as particularly important characteristics of the future vertical takeoff aircraft. The army will have to choose one of the applicants in September to create a new promising long-range attack aircraft, and now it is at the stage of developing prototypes of a promising strike and reconnaissance aircraft. It is expected that both of these aircraft will be put into service in the early 2030s.
McConville noted that the availability of reliable automated communication systems is also of great importance. The Army considers modern, sustainable communication systems one of its most important priorities. It is worth noting that Ukraine has faced a lot of problems in this matter.
As the General stressed, an equally important aspect is the improvement of air and missile defense systems. "The Ukrainians managed to use their [portable anti-aircraft missile systems] Stinger and other anti–aircraft systems extremely effectively,“ McConville said.
He added that if we collect all these modern means on the battlefield, it will really turn the tide of the conflict. "Speed, range and concentration, the ability to detect targets and quickly strike them with lethal means will be very important now and in the future."
