CHALLENGER 3

A VIEW FROM THE RECONNAISSANCE & ARMOURED TACTICS DIVISION (RATD) – NAVIGATING THE FUTURE

Major Godfrey Wilkinson – SO2 Armoured Tactics RATD

Good news! The quality of prospective tank commanders we are seeing from the Royal Armoured Corps is high and the Royal Tank Regiment is more than holding its own.

For tank commanders past and present reading this article, the course has been updated and refined as one would expect but the core mission that defines the tank and its crew remains the same. After all, as we know, the character of war may be constantly evolving but the nature of war endures. What therefore must also endure is the preparation of tank commanders ready for advanced training and operations. They will be responsible for a devastating weapon system that combines shock action with lethality. They must be of sharp mind and possess bold determination with an ability to read the battlefield. The (sadly) discontinued RAC Tactics Volume 1 The Armoured Squadron neatly describes the requisite qualities of a tank commander as follows:

Situation awareness. The ability to read the tactical situation and move, strike and seize the initiative from the enemy. With the aptitude to observe and read the ground combined with an understanding of the enemy picture and the commander’s intent, a tank commander will be able to achieve effective manoeuvre.

Firm leadership. One must lead from the front. Underpinned by the facility to communicate succinctly and with unquestionable discipline. Anticipation and speed of reaction. The capacity to think and act fast to regain the initiative and destroy the enemy.

Knowledge. The armoured commander should be master of his tank’s capabilities. One should know the enemy and its capabilities and have a clear picture of how a battlegroup works to defeat this enemy. Common sense. Flair, boldness and initiative all have their place but should be tempered by common sense in order to prevent rash, hasty or ill-considered action.

As I say to each course on day one, you will not leave RATD as the finished article, but we seek to give you the tools with which to continue your journey. You will build upon your skills throughout your careers through continued education, advanced training and experience to ultimately prepare you for operations.

THE ARMOURED COURSE: WHAT HAS CHANGED OR IS CHANGING?

n Urban training has increased using both

Copehill Down Village and Imber Village for offensive and defensive actions. n Use of Cubic trackers and analysts to provide better, evidence based, after action reviews.

Exploiting the Defence Learning Environment to provide all course administration and learning material to promote a ‘flipped learning’ approach and for consolidation.

Reference material in a variety of formats provided for wider learning and for use beyond the course. n All courses are already aligned with

Armoured Infantry but now two of the three courses per year will exercise alongside the

Armoured Close Reconnaissance course for the summative latter stages thus giving a more realistic 1:1 Battlegroup FTX. Work is ongoing to integrate further capabilities from RA, RE, AAC (and Int Corps) to further develop the Battlegroup experience. n The threat and, where possible, employment of the enemy will be more closely aligned with Project HANNIBAL to prepare students for continuation training. n A better, more interactive, and relevant approach to AFV recognition to supplement professional tactical knowledge.

SUMMARY

A tank commander is directly responsible for three other souls and indirectly for many more. They command a multimillion pound killing machine. A force multiplier, one tank commander’s actions on a battlefield can be decisive. Successful students should leave RATD proud that they have achieved something significant and hungry to hone the qualities described above. We want students to succeed and understand that individuals learn at different rates. For those who may need extra time to achieve the training objectives, the staff will work tirelessly to support you if you have the right attitude. RATD looks forward to welcoming the future generations of armoured commanders (and especially Tankies) to the tactics course.

INNOVATION IN THE RTR

Captain Rhodri Lloyd

Innovation is deep rooted in the RTR’s history and traditions. From Percy Hobart’s fire-breathing and amphibious tanks to the most pioneering methods of acquiring booty on Cambrai-eve, the Regiment’s soldiers have continued to innovate through the ages.

As the Regiment turns its attention towards a deployment on Op CABRIT in Estonia, focus has turned from the urban environment and the STREETFIGHTER project to warfighting in forests & woodblocks. The complex environment offers fresh challenges for the tank’s lethality & survivability.

Hobart’s Committee, the Regiment’s forum for identifying and implementing new ideas, has continued to deliver numerous capability improvements. SSgt Mitton has worked closely alongside the Armoured Trials and Development Unit (ATDU) to introduce power tools to the tank park, drastically improving the speed at which maintenance tasks can be conducted. Further work will be conducted to identify a way of charging the power tools using the Challenger 2’s onboard batteries. On the theme of power tools, Cpl Foster (CYCLOPS) has developed a track maintenance tool which assists with the arduous task of replacing trackpads. Adapting an electric demolition hammer to fit and remove the pads. The introduction of power tools to the tank park improves morale and reduces fatigue, resulting in an alert and energised crew, ready to find and fight the enemy. The only disadvantage identified so far will be the lack of opportunity for young subalterns to attempt the mythical “one hit wonder” on a trackpad in an ill-advised attempt to gain favour with their new troop.

One of the most successful pitches at the Dragon’s Den style committee has been LCpl O’Donnovan’s range management and accounting tool. The project is now being developed by the Ground Manoeuvre Experimentation Team and we look forward to participating in further trials on Castlemartin ranges in 2022.

The most recent Hobart’s Committee was conducted upon the return of the Regiment from training in Germany. Here, fresh ideas were pitched based on experiences on the Sennelager training area. Huge credit must be given to Capt Tom Quant for his work to develop innovation projects over the past few years. For his tireless efforts to identify, develop and implement capability improvements, Tom was awarded a Commander Field Army’s Commendation.

Streetfighter 2 in the urban environment