In this article, I’d like to briefly describe our ongoing efforts to transform the Armored Brigade Combat Team. There is little uncertainty about the need to adapt how we organize, equip, and train our armored formations. Over the last several years, articles in this publication have (rightly) highlighted the key features of today’s and future battlefields, where our formations will operate under conditions of constant observation, greater lethality, and with greater frontages and depths. We are driving action today to make our for­mations more lethal, more survivable, and ready for the next fight. The re­mainder of this article outlines what we are doing over the next twelve to eighteen months to transform the ABCT.

Transformation in Contact (TiC) 2.0 an­swers this question: how can we rap­idly adapt our formations to make them more lethal, with the capabilities and technologies available today? To do this, the Army has focused on two levers: the infusion of technology di­rectly into our tactical units and adapt­ing the organizational design of these same formations. The Army has desig­nated two pairs of ABCTs as TiC ABCTs: 2/1 CD and 2/3 ID (with NTC rotations in Fall 2025 and early Summer 2026, respectively) and 1/1 CD and 2/3 ID (with NTC rotations in 2027). All four of these ABCTs will be fielded with a range of materiel capabilities for their home station training and NTC rota­tions. These technology infusions fo­cus on improving the ABCT’s ability to sense, strike, protect, and conduct command and control.

Each of these ABCTs will also experi­ment with organizational design chang­es that will increase the fighting capa­bility of their formations. Key forma­tions under consideration include the

1) Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company (brigade-level sense and strike arm); 2) the multi-Purpose Com­pany (battalion-level sense and strike arm); and 3) the Armored Strike Pla­toon (ASP). The ASP is a battalion-ech­elon specialty platoon that employs air and ground unmanned systems. Put another way, the ASP serves as the landing spot for unmanned systems as they are fielded to the ABCT.

Finally, our branch will drive action and collaboration on ABCT TiC 2.0 efforts using the Armored Transformation and Standardization Initiative (ATSI). Over the past year, the ATSI has focused on creating, developing, and enforcing the Armor Force’s training standards. Over the next twelve months, the ATSI will expand its scope to address ABCT transformation. In addition to pursu­ing training standards, our monthly ATSI councils will now include oppor­tunities for leader dialogue/ collaboration and drive on priorities of work necessary for near-term transfor­mation of our ABCTs.

Even as our mounted formations drive change through Transformation in Con­tact, our community must continue to invest in reinforcing our training stan­dards. Examples of ongoing ATSI ef­forts include: 1) establishing UAS, C­UAS, and emissions control training standards for our tactical units and our doctrine; 2) implementing the Mainte­nance Skills Test to reinforce crew-lev­el maintenance proficiency; 3) imple­menting our new gunnery standards for the Abrams and Bradley platforms; 4) continuing the 1st Cavalry Division pilot of the Standardized Armored Based of Training (SABOT) program; 5) receiving feedback from the field on doctrine development efforts; and 6) improving tank and Bradley field-level maintenance training proficiency.

This is truly an eventful time in the Ar­mored Force and across the US Army as we drive Continuous Transforma­tion. The Armor School is always ready to partner with you as you drive readi­ness and work towards transforming our formations. And as always, if you need anything from the Armor School, just holler!

Forge the Thunderbolt!

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