Armored Vehicles Course

Lesson 1 • Crew Roles and Responsibilities

Outlines commander, gunner, driver, and loader duties. Establishes crew interdependence as the foundation for all subsequent operational training.

Lesson 2 • Vehicle Classification and Roles

Defines main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, APCs, and support vehicles. Links each class to its battlefield function and crew requirements.

Lesson 3 • History and Evolution of Armor

Traces armored vehicle development from WWI to modern platforms. Provides context for understanding current design philosophies and tactical doctrines.

Lesson 1 • Powertrain and Suspension Systems

Covers engine types, transmission configurations, and track or wheel suspension designs. Students connect powertrain choices to mobility and terrain performance.

Lesson 2 • Fire Control and Sighting Systems

Introduces ballistic computers, laser rangefinders, and thermal imaging sights. Students understand how these systems integrate to produce accurate first-round hits.

Lesson 3 • Turret and Armament Systems

Examines turret drive mechanisms, main gun configurations, and coaxial weapon mounts. Provides the mechanical basis for fire control training in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Electrical and Communication Systems

Covers vehicle power distribution, intercom systems, and radio integration. Students trace electrical circuits and understand communication architecture within the vehicle.

Lesson 1 • Before-Operations Checks

Covers fluid levels, track tension, tire pressure, and weapons system readiness checks. Students execute a complete pre-operations inspection within standard time limits.

Lesson 2 • Maintenance Philosophy and Schedules

Establishes operator-level versus organizational-level maintenance boundaries. Students apply scheduled service intervals to prevent mechanical failure in the field.

Lesson 3 • Common Faults and Troubleshooting

Presents systematic fault isolation for engine, electrical, and weapons system malfunctions. Students apply decision-tree logic to identify root causes efficiently.

Lesson 1 • Night and Limited-Visibility Driving

Covers passive night-vision driving, thermal driver aids, and reduced-speed protocols. Students apply heightened situational awareness to prevent accidents in darkness.

Lesson 2 • Controls, Instruments, and Pre-Drive Checks

Familiarizes students with all driver controls, gauges, and startup sequences. Correct pre-drive checks are established as a non-negotiable safety habit.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Procedures and Recovery

Addresses vehicle immobilization, fire response, and self-recovery techniques. Students execute emergency drills to minimize crew risk and restore mobility.

Lesson 4 • Cross-Country and Obstacle Driving

Applies driving skills to slopes, ditches, water crossings, and soft ground. Students assess terrain risk and select appropriate speed and approach angles.

Lesson 1 • Sight Picture and Aiming Techniques

Teaches reticle alignment, lead calculation, and aim-point selection for stationary and moving targets. Students achieve consistent sight pictures before live-fire exercises.

Lesson 2 • Engagement Techniques and Corrections

Addresses observation of fall of shot, correction procedures, and re-engagement. Students apply corrections rapidly to achieve target destruction within ammunition limits.

Lesson 3 • Ballistics and Ammunition Types

Explains internal, external, and terminal ballistics alongside main gun ammunition variants. Students select correct ammunition for target type and engagement range.

Lesson 4 • Fire Commands and Crew Gunnery Drills

Standardizes fire commands, loader actions, and gunner responses during engagements. Students execute crew gunnery drills to build speed and accuracy under stress.

Lesson 1 • Bounding Overwatch Techniques

Teaches successive and alternating bounds with overwatch positioning. Students coordinate movement so at least one element maintains observation and fires at all times.

Lesson 2 • Vehicle Formations and Their Uses

Covers column, line, wedge, echelon, and herringbone formations with their tactical applications. Students select formations based on terrain, threat, and mission requirements.

Lesson 3 • Navigation and Route Planning

Integrates map reading, GPS use, and terrain association for armored vehicle navigation. Students plan and execute routes that exploit terrain and avoid known threats.

Lesson 4 • Tactical Movement Principles

Establishes cover, concealment, dispersion, and speed trade-offs in tactical movement. Students apply these principles as the decision framework for all formation choices.

Lesson 1 • Combined Arms Integration

Explains coordination with infantry, artillery, engineers, and aviation assets. Students synchronize armored vehicle actions with supporting elements to achieve mission success.

Lesson 2 • Defensive Operations and Battle Positions

Teaches battle position selection, sector of fire assignment, and defensive engagement. Students integrate terrain and obstacles to maximize defensive effectiveness.

Lesson 3 • Urban and Restricted Terrain Operations

Adapts armored tactics to cities, forests, and narrow corridors where maneuver is limited. Students apply modified formations and heightened crew vigilance in close terrain.

Lesson 4 • Ambush and Counter-Ambush Drills

Addresses immediate action drills for near and far ambushes from armored vehicles. Students execute rehearsed responses to reduce casualties and restore initiative.

Lesson 1 • Orders Production and Briefing

Teaches the five-paragraph operations order format tailored to armored vehicle missions. Students brief subordinates clearly and confirm understanding through back-briefs.

Lesson 2 • Rehearsals and Confirmation Briefs

Addresses terrain model, map, and reduced-force rehearsal methods for armored units. Students synchronize actions and identify coordination gaps before execution.

Lesson 3 • After-Action Review Methodology

Establishes the four-step AAR process: review, discuss, identify lessons, and record. Students facilitate peer-level AARs that produce actionable improvement points.

Lesson 4 • Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield

Covers terrain analysis, weather effects, and threat assessment for armored operations. Students produce a structured intelligence picture that drives course-of-action development.