• Tunnelvision [they/them]@hexbear.net
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    5 months ago

    I think more importantly is the realization that the conscript army is well and truly over. It’s probably been over since the 80’s but Ukraine is the definite end if there was any doubts. The equipment used is just straight up too complicated to be operated by anyone who hasn’t spent their adult life training on it. Being an infantryman is just about the only thing a conscript could theoretically be. Move here, shoot there is about all you can do. It’s the exact reason Russias mobilization was so successful because they wanted people with relevant experience. Then when you compound the problem with US tank design needing a jet engine instead of diesel and you end up with a hunk of steel waiting to be annihilated.

      • Rivalarrival@lemmy.today
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        5 months ago

        Diesel fuel and jet fuel are very similar. All military vehicles that can be deployed to combat zones can burn either diesel or jet fuel. It greatly simplifies logistics when you can burn the same fuel in everything. Now you only need one type of fuel in theater, and every fuel tanker you have can refuel any vehicle.

        The M1 Abrams differs from pretty much every other ground vehicle in that it uses an actual jet engine - a turboshaft- rather than a piston engine. It is still capable of burning either diesel or jet fuel.