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Transforming Engagement Capabilities for Future Battlefields: The Elevated Brigade Combat Unit Adaptation

Photos emerging in Ukraine depict networks of fiber-optic cables adorning tree branches, these being remnants from one-way assault drones – a sight eerily similar to piles of spent artillery shells from World War I. These war relics, years apart, underscore the unrelenting nature of conflict.

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4 min read
Images of fiber-optic cable networks, strewn on tree branches, displayed on Ukraine's warfront,...
Images of fiber-optic cable networks, strewn on tree branches, displayed on Ukraine's warfront, hail from depleted one-way drone attacks. This recalls the piles of spent artillery shells from World War I. Both depictions of war debris, spanning over a century, serve as harsh reminders of the persistent endeavor to wage conflict.

Transforming Engagement Capabilities for Future Battlefields: The Elevated Brigade Combat Unit Adaptation

Revised Article:

In the 21st-century battlefield, the US Army is faced with evolving threats and the need for quick response. Picture this: fiber-optic cables on tree limbs in Ukraine, reminiscent of World War I artillery casings, emphasize the constant effort to gain an upper hand through technology and attrition. As we edge closer to undeniable conflicts, such as those focused on deterring China, the Army must be prepared to adapt swiftly. With limited resources and threats lurking around every corner, every logistical move counts.

Take the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), for example. These formations are widely used, but their performance varies greatly. Infantry and Stryker brigade combat teams lack the necessary armor support, while armored brigade combat teams are heavy, require vast logistics, and lack infantry. Something's amiss in this battleground ballet.

Enter the Army's Transformation in Contact initiative, an attempt to revamp the battlefield playbook. It's clear they're addressing the shifting sands of war. Two prominent trends demand immediate attention: robotics and antitank missiles. While neither is a completely new concept, their increasing sophistication and affordability provide non-traditional armies with an upper hand. Enemy armies that can't maintain advanced armored systems can now obtain some parity through these tools. Watch out for those drones and missiles - they're becoming lethal in the hands of the underdog.

The ABCT is outdated. Rather than trying to patch up the current construct, it's time to elevate the game and create an enhanced brigade combat team (EBCT). The EBCT is a reorganized formation that opts for a balanced fusion of infantry and armor, prioritizing agility, efficiency, and lethality.

Iraq in 2003 serves as a cautionary tale. Imagine how the US ABCTs might have fared against today's drones and antitank systems during their approach march to Baghdad. The EBCT, with its drones, missiles, infantry, and integrated armor, is better prepared to tackle these modern threats head-on.

What does this EBCT look like? Imagine an EBCT squadron optimized for **all-weather reconnaissance and security** using Infantry Squad Vehicles to maintain tempo, disperse, sustain, and hide as needed. Two infantry battalions are equipped with ISVs, Bradleys, Abrams, and Bookers, providing the right mix of infantry and armor for various terrains. If disordered combat is a concern, the EBCT's heavy battalion can seamlessly take over. Equipped with human-machine integration companies, it offers local situational awareness and is a true combined arms battalion.

The Army needs to focus on modernizing and reorganizing ABCT formations, especially given the challenges posed by adversaries like China. The EBCT is our best bet for winning battles in the ongoing chess game. It's not about relying on sheer mass to win – it's about agility and intelligent combat applications that maximize profit on the battlefield.

In conclusion, ABCTs need to adapt to the new age, or they risk irrelevance. The Army acknowledges this reality, and the EBCT is an exciting solution. The road ahead will be tough, but with the right blend of modern technology, skilled personnel, and determined leadership, we'll emerge victorious. The stage is set, and it's time to rewrite the script of combat.

Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Suthoff, currently serving in Colorado with his family, recently commanded the 3rd Cavalry's 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team. His views expressed here do not reflect those of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.

Image credit: Mark Schaeuer, US Army Yuma Proving Ground.

Enrichment Insights:

  • The U.S. Army is actively modernizing Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs) with emerging technologies to help them remain effective on modern battlefields
  • The Army is focusing on rapid modernization, particularly with continuous fielding of new systems, accelerated deployment, and improved command, control, and communications systems
  • An example of continuous modernization is found in the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who recently conducted a combat training center rotation at Hohenfels, Germany
  • The Army is reorganizing some National Guard units into Mobile Brigade Combat Teams (MBCTs), which are more agile, cost-effective, and well equipped for rapid deployments and multi-mission tasks
  • In addition to modernization, the Army is focusing on improving ABCT antitank capabilities and employing robotics and uncrewed systems for intelligence, reconnaissance, and target acquisition
  • Rapid deployment and operations are critical in resource-constrained environments, and both ABCTs and MBCTs are being designed to meet this need, ensuring they remain relevant in future conflicts.
  1. The military is exploring the use of drones and advanced antitank missiles, leveraging artificial-intelligence and technology, as part of its Transformation in Contact initiative to adapt to evolving threats in war-and-conflicts.
  2. The Army is revamping its Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) structures, moving towards the creation of an Enhanced Brigade Combat Team (EBCT) that balances infantry and armor, prioritizing agility, efficiency, and lethality.
  3. The EBCT could have proven crucial during the US ABCTs' approach march to Baghdad in 2003, better equipped to tackle modern threats such as drones and antitank systems.
  4. The EBCT includes squadrons optimized for all-weather reconnaissance and security, using Infantry Squad Vehicles for temper, dispersal, sustainment, and hiding when necessary.
  5. In today's political climate, the ABCTs' continued success depends on their ability to modernize and reorganize, ensuring they remain effectively prepared for a wide range of future conflicts.
  6. The Army is also focusing on improving its antitank capabilities, integrating robotics and uncrewed systems for intelligence, reconnaissance, and target acquisition in line with the general-news trend of rapid deployment and operations in resource-constrained environments.

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