The Key to Armenia’s Tank Losses: The Sensors, Not the Shooters
rusi.org
rusi.org
"To conclude from this that the tank’s days are numbered, however, is a serious error. From the videos in Nagorno-Karabakh it is evident that unarmoured vehicles and dismounted infantry are faring no better, even those dug into positions with camouflage screens. Indeed, the lack of protection means they will likely fare worse since there are more kinds of munitions that are lighter and easier to employ that can kill them."
It is possible, that the inability to hide, and thus the increased ability to quickly inflict losses with concentrated fire, means that the balance has shifted decisively to the offense. Whoever attacks first, is able to disable enough of the enemy firepower to win.
A situation in which the balance of power shifts to the defense, is not great; as WW1 showed, it can favor war of attrition. But a shift to offense, favors attacking first, and that seems even worse.
But I think they can see the days of open warfare are numbered.
"DARPA - UNEARTHING THE SUBTERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT- SUBTERRANEAN CHALLENGE
Revolutionize how we operate in the underground domain"
Maybe influenced by considerations about terrain in the longest war the US waged this century, Afghanistan...
https://www.amazon.com.au/Afghanistan-Cave-Complexes-1979-20...
Even in Vietnam, most tunnel complexes tourists visit are somewhat faked.
DARPAs challenge could be a proxy for fighting in buildings though.
Open warefare is still very possible when you hide in the population.
The arrogance that led to that many deaths in WW1 is easily repeated by multiple parties
Locating the fixed, hardened positions of the defense is relatively easy. Locating the mobile assets of the offense and destroying them before they attack is the new thing.
Scouts and cavalry have had this role this for ages, but drones plus guided munitions are extra good at it.
I would add that they are not only extra good, they are also extremely cheap and thus disposable and able to be deployed in mass.
Do you know what's even cheaper than that? Good old fashioned bullets. Artillery and armored fighting vehicles will never die out because they don't cost ten thousands of dollars to operate per hour.
When you are holding onto ground for 24/7 you can't afford such an expense.