Revitalizing Reconnaissance: The Evolution and Enhancement of U.S. Armored Cavalry Squadrons
In recent years, the U.S. Army’s ground reconnaissance capabilities have seen significant improvements, particularly within the Armored Brigade Combat Teams’ (ABCT) cavalry squadrons. These changes, implemented in 2016, have aimed to enhance their effectiveness against mechanized formations, making them more capable and resilient.
The primary role of the cavalry squadrons within the ABCT is to provide reconnaissance and security capabilities to the brigade commander. They are tasked with both stealthy and non-stealthy reconnaissance, screening their brigades to prevent enemy observation or attacks on the main force. However, it’s important to dispel the common misconception that reconnaissance can only be done stealthily. In fact, “fighting for information” is a crucial aspect of the cavalry’s role, which involves making contact with the enemy to collect information that wouldn’t otherwise be observable. This could involve provoking a reaction from the enemy or penetrating their screen to gain intel on the main body’s strength, capabilities, location, and intent.
The cavalry also plays a defensive role, screening the brigade to delay or defeat the enemy’s forward elements. This provides the brigade commander with time and space before a confrontation, preventing premature deployment of maneuver forces, conserving their fighting power, and denying the enemy’s element of surprise. This resilience is particularly crucial when facing a mechanized enemy, as a screen that can’t delay the enemy due to a lack of protection or firepower won’t be able to afford the brigade as much time or space.
The ABCTs possess the U.S. Army’s most resilient cavalry capability, being the most lethal, protected, and tactically mobile on the battlefield. This allows them to move more freely around the battlefield and observe a larger swath of the enemy’s force. However, their capabilities are somewhat limited during operations in complex terrain and in situations that call for stealth, as these functions rely heavily on dismounted scout capacity.
The 2016 reforms addressed many of the issues afflicting the scout platoon. The platoon changed to a three-section layout with a platoon HQ and identical A and B sections. Humvees were replaced with three more Bradleys, increasing dismount capacity by 50 percent. This move to all Bradleys means scout platoons now have better protection, tactical mobility, firepower, and more TOW missiles for work against tanks and IFVs. This enhances the troops’ ability to fight for information and survive contact with enemy mechanized forces.
In addition to these changes, an armor company was added to each cavalry squadron, consisting of a company HQ and three tank platoons. The addition of Abrams tanks gives the cavalry squadron a significant boost in lethality and resilience, with their 120mm tank guns and superior protection. Before, if they encountered tank concentrations, the cavalry scouts could have been locally outgunned. Now, with the Abrams, cavalry scouts are more capable of attriting a mechanized advance guard, allowing them to move freely to observe what’s behind them and protect friendly maneuver units.
In conclusion, the recent changes to the U.S. Army’s ABCT cavalry squadrons have significantly improved their capabilities, making them more resilient and effective in their roles. The addition of Abrams tanks and the move to all Bradleys have enhanced their firepower and protection, while the changes to the scout platoon structure have increased their dismount capacity and tactical mobility. These improvements have made the cavalry squadrons more capable of fulfilling their roles in reconnaissance and security, ensuring they can effectively support the brigade commander and protect friendly maneuver units.
