House says the goal is to replicate the functions of 3-73 although he admits it will be hard to locate a modern version of the Sheridan.

The Army considered buying a replacement for the Sheridan, the Armored Gun System, but that program was terminated after the Army had bought just six vehicles. The last unit to operate the Sheridan was the 3d Battalion, 73d Armor Regiment of the 82d Airborne Division, which was inactivated in July 1997 following a wave of cost cutting. Production of the 16-ton Sheridan ended in 1970 after approximately 1,700 vehicles were delivered to the Army. Light tanks existed in the Army’s inventory from World War I until the end of the Cold War.

The current plan is to provide the XVIII Airborne Corps - a fast-to-the-scene 911 force - a flotilla of light tanks that can be flown by C-130 cargo planes and parachuted into the warzone. “The forcible entry forces we put in harm’s way lack sufficient protected firepower platform.” In a future war, they contend, Army airborne forces would parachute into a warzone equipped with only light weapons and might have to confront more heavily armed enemies.Īrmy leaders understand that, after 12 years of war, the infantry brigades have a “capability gap,” House says in an interview from Fort Benning, Ga. Ed House, Army Training and Doctrine Command manager for the infantry brigade combat team.Įven in these times of deep budget cuts and a projected steep decline in purchases of military hardware, senior Army officials believe that a light tank is a high priority that should be funded. “The infantry needs more protection and more firepower,” says Col. Army paratroopers gave up their tanks in 1997.

Modern us light tanks