Photo – LTC Deanna Bague
During Network Integration Evaluation 13.1, elements of 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, are evaluating the mobility of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles during reconnaissance missions.
They’ve been used extensively before and during this conflict but the current evaluation focuses on their use for perimeter patrol and their ability to be used to extend the reach of command and control systems by rapidly placing eyes on areas of interest.
Blame TRADOC for just now getting around to validating the way we actually fight wars. Expect to see more of this as the Army looks to the future and decides which parts of its current capability to keep for the future.
Surely there’s a place for motorcycles – they can only aid command and control systems. Several folks from MCoE (Manuever Center of Excellence), TRADOC and others working on NIE and other soldier systems initiatives will hopefully shed some light in January – http://bit.ly/W5wZ19
Are you kidding me????!!! They are actually spending money on this??? Someone actually THOUGHT this was a NEW concept? WOW. Let me make a suggestion that would’ve saved you MILLIONS of dollars. Walk over to the Marine Corps and ask to see the report on “Sea Dragon” and ummmm I don’t know, maybe come down to JFKSWCS and USASFC and ask how they employ them. Somehow I’m not surprised.
I recall the experiment at Ft Lewis in the 80s with the 9th ID. motorcycles, dune buggies, etc.
not sure what came out of that but the dune buggy Div. was stood down soon after that. But vehicles are better ,cheaper (off the shelf) then they were then. Certainly useful in some environments.
not Sure if the Ranger Reg. still uses them for the Runway clearing mission..
When I was in the Scout PLT @ Ft. Ord from 89 – 92 we rode on specially built motorcycles similar to the Kawasaki KLR 650. The whole motorcycle concept goes back to WWI, to include my grandfather who was a dispatch rider.
As a BDE LNO in the 101st I had a motorcycle to move between CPs back in the 80’s and scouts had them right before I arrived. They got pulled because of safety and licensing requirements.
Just remember what is old becomes new again and in today’s safetyu ridiculous Army the backlash from the first dumb accidents will have an impact. Mark my words…
I’d take a UTV like a Gator or something any day over a motorcycle. It’s that whole “tipping over” thing, that would turn me off. Plus, on a Gator you can mount a M240, plus some of the new Gators are just awesome and fast.
“Army Evaluates Maneuver Capability of Motorcycles and ATVs”
Again? Geez, will they ever read Lessons Learned?
9th ID had motorcycles ages ago. 4/12 Cav had motorcycles for the Air Cav Blues. Armored Cav had motorcycles for the Scout/Observers.
SF uses ATV’s.
The biggest problem is some officer always comes up with a whiz-bang idea that overloads and exceeds the vehicles weight capacity.
They need more donkeys…
https://soldiersystems.net/2012/06/14/i-am-at-a-loss-for-words/
You have got to be kidding me! This was my idea years ago and I was in 1-6IN. It was the “AMP” concept (Assault Motorcycle Platoon), but nobody saw the glory of it all! Damn! I want to ride motorcycles out of the back of BFVs!
Very MegaForce
http://www.dvidshub.net/tags/video/light-tactical-all-terrain-vehicle
Dear Army,
The Marine Corps has been using Motorcycles for years, and I’m sure one of the other services has been using ATVs. Stop wasting my money.
Semper Fi,
Patrick