Field Artillery Battalion on the Nuclear Battlefield

This research examines the organization of the field artillery battalion, 8", self-propelled, and its effectiveness in a tactical nuclear environment--European theater. The field artillery's requirements for accuracy, command and control, service support and target acquisition are discussed in detail. To determine the battalion's operational parameters particular emphasis is given to the enemy threat, divisional defensive operations and the field artillery techniques to support those operations. Further, it is ascertained that dispersion, responsiveness and austerity of units are of paramount importance on the nuclear battlefield and do impact upon the battalion's organizational effectiveness. Three possible battalion configurations are examined, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each. These configurations are, in turn, compared to the current battalion organization. The comparison reveals that the current organization is capable, but inefficient. Additionally, it is found that many personnel and equipment assets are misutilized. Finally, an optimal battalion organization is proposed that eliminates the current inefficiencies without exceeding current manpower and material authorizations.