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From: grassm@eecs.nwu.edu (Mark O. Grasse)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Dune Buggies
Message-ID: <27088@amdcad.AMD.COM>
Date: 2 Sep 89 07:29:32 GMT
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Approved: military@amdcad.amd.com



From: "Mark O. Grasse" <grassm@eecs.nwu.edu>
  From around 1981 through early 1989, the U. S. Army 9th Infantry Division
(Motorized) has been equipped and or used "Dune Buggies" in several 
configurations.
  I do not have the technical specifications of the vehicles however I do
know that: 
   a. They had a crew of 2.
   b. Armament ranged from the m16's of the crew through machine guns of 
      various calibers (M60's through M2 models), MK19 40mm grenade launchers,
      DRAGONS, and TOW missiles.

  As the 9th Division begins reconfiguring to a typical Mechanized Division
structure, the FAV (Fast Assault Vehicle, i believe this is correct) are 
being phased out.  The 9th I.D. was the high tech test bed for the 
Army and were the ones chosen to test "exotic" concepts.  The Buggies were
formed into several different battalion structures including Light assault,
Heavy Assault, and Combined Arms Battalions were tested.  They were all
Infantry Battalions though.

  Advantages:  Fast, quiet, maneuverable, more fire power per squad.
  Disadvantages:  Lack of Armor protection, low number of infantry dismount
                personnel, lack of "staying" power.

  They were good for a quick projection of force; economy of force missions;
ambushes, and some recon work.
  Their vulnerability to mines and artillery makes them a very delicate
   asset.

  Reference: the comment made that they were vulnerable to being run over
           by tanks:  As a tank commander, let there be no doubt, ANYTHING
           on the battlefield is vulnerable to being run over by a tank.

                        Mark Grasse