Finally, we rapidly reset the force to sus- tain a punishing operational tempo and repeat the cycle (Regeneration). We have used the IER framework to forecast the ways we believe transformation will change how units execute the fundamen- tals and identify the associated gaps and challenges.
The Armor Force Fundamentals The Armor School recently codified the Armor Force Fundamentals, giving us a shared understanding of what consti- tutes “the fundamentals.” It is broken into three parts: the Daily Dozen (the basics like security and maintenance), Critical Tactical Tasks (the small-unit actions like react to contact), and For- mation-Specific Fundamentals (the core missions of our tank and scout forma- tions). These fundamentals are designed to help commanders prioritize training and anchor leader development. Trans- formation does not replace these funda- mentals; rather, it profoundly redefines their execution. The following analysis briefly examines this impact.
How the Fight is Changing At a high level, transformation is reshap- ing our fight by moving the ABCT from a platform-centric model to a network-en- abled one. This vision is being realized within the ABCT today, reflecting the Army’s broader objective to become more data -centric, resilient, and expeditionary.
Reconnaissance and security will shift to a forward line of sense (FLOS). Instead of relying solely on a manned screen, we will push a persistent sensor network kilo- meters ahead of our manned formations. This robotic force will be a layered sys- tem of small drones at the platoon, med- ium-range drones at the battalion, and long-range sensors at the brigade, all running software that automatically finds and flags targets. The effect will be ear- lier detection and disruption, allowing commanders to preserve combat power and choose when and where to strike. This is a key enabler of the Isolation phase of IER, allowing us to detect, disrupt, and attrit enemy key nodes before manned platforms are committed.
Airspace and the electromagnetic spec- trum (EMS) have already become core company and battalion fights. The proli- feration of friendly and enemy drones
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means that counter-UAS (C-UAS) has become a fundamental element of local security for every unit. Likewise, emis- sions control (EMCON) is now a critical command and control measure.
Perhaps the most profound change won’t be to our equipment, but to our leaders. The future battlefield will place an unpre- cedented cognitive load on our company and platoon-level leaders. The increasing amount of data feeds at lower levels means that junior leaders must be ready to simu- ltaneously process a drone feed on one screen, an Android Tactical Assault Kit
(ATAK) display on another, and the real world through their sights or the hatch.
A Deeper Look: Redefining the Execution of the Fundamentals The impact of these changes is best un- derstood by looking at how they alter the execution of our fundamentals in prac- tice. For the Daily Dozen, the impact is profound. Security is now about esta- blishing a C-UAS bubble and a robotic FLOS to provide warning time measured in hours, not minutes. Cover, concealment, and emissions control now prioritizes signature management in the thermal
Figure 1. Illustrates the “Isolation Phase’ of the IER framework. CAVALRY & ARMOR JOURNAL Spring 2026
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