Roles of the M1A1 tank in the United States Marine Corps

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the operations the Marine Corps' M1A1 tanks could perform in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The research addresses the current and future capabilities of the M1A1 tank employed by today's Marine Corps. Based on these capabilities, lessons learned from training and combat, and conclusions from working groups during the 1996 Armor Conference, analysis on the M1A1's role in the Marine Corps are presented. This research and analysis satisfies the need, established during the Armor Conference, to articulate the capabilities of the M1A1 and the operations it could perform or support. Numerous operations, such as Operations Other Than War and Military Operations on Urban Terrain, which the M1A1 is not currently conducting or supporting are discussed, with the recommendation that the M1A1 be employed in these operations to improve the combat power of the MAGTF. Emphasis is placed on the M1A1's ability to conduct or support operations covering the full spectrum of warfare from high-intensity conflicts to peace keeping operations.