Battle for Baghdad

As the war drags on beyond popular western expectations and the initial euphoria of a popular uprising in Al Basra fades—the battle for Baghdad becomes a reality.

It is well known that in urban fighting many of the technological advances deployed by the coalition are likely to be compromised. However, the key question remains whether we have seen all the technologically advanced weapons the coalition is likely to deploy during Battle for Baghdad? It appears not to be so.

In a recent Centcom briefing when asked how the coalition is going to fight street battles, the reply was “..we have some surprises..” In the last few days I have spent hours in front of the TV watching CNN, BBC, and Sky. There are many retired generals analyzing various strategy, tactics, etc., but interestingly, no discussion on how the coalition is going to fight the street battles. It appears that they are very secretive about this issue, which adds fuel to the apprehension that we are yet to witness more new gizmos.

It is well known that the Special Forces will form the spearhead in any assault on Baghdad because they are particularly trained for these roles. One may wonder why the US is so irritated about the night vision goggles? Since it is predictable that all power stations in Baghdad will be destroyed just before the start of street fighting in Baghdad and most infantry assaults in the city will be during the night, in pitch darkness, the presence of night vision capability for the Iraqis will seriously jeopardize the coalition advantages and increases the probability of additional causalities among them.

It appears that we will see, at least, the following two new weapons:

1. Non-lethal gas:

Non-lethal gas is a very effective weapon in urban street fighting. The term “non-lethal” means that they do not kill but temporarily immobilize the victims. Once the gas has been discharged and target immobilized, they can be quickly neutralized. It may be noted that all coalition troops are equipped with-at least-gas masks, which will protect them from the gasses.

However, it is also deeply worrying that the discharge of non-lethal gas, in the fog of war, may be interpreted by the Iraqis as “lethal” and they may respond with lethal chemicals resulting in massive civilian causalities.

2. Unmanned Reconnaissance and Fighting Vehicles (Street Fighting Robots)

It is very likely that we will see the deployment of Street Fighting Robots. It may be noted that the 4th Infantry Division is the most technologically advanced division of the US Army.

The Street Fighting Robots (SFR) will have the following capability:

a. It will have both infrared, heat, electro-megnatic, and sound sensors enabling target identification in extremely hostile conditions and will be transmitting the target information to a command and control station at the rear.
b. It will have laser (or other advanced) designators so that target information can be automatically relayed to other firing platforms such as Artillery, Tanks, Helicopters, and Armored Fighting Vehicles, enabling coordinated target engagement by various platforms, including cruise missiles and aircraft.
c. The SFR will have a digital map of Baghdad embedded and will be able to independently maneuver and zero in on predetermined and remotely transmitted target coordinates.
d. The SFR will not only have a reconnaissance role but also fighting (target destruction) capability. It may be equipped with special missiles with both high explosives and armor piercing capability. It may also have some kind of incendiary capability similar to a flame thrower, an automatic granade launcher, and off course, multiple standard projectile weapons such as machine guns.

This robot will act as the eyes and ears of the Special Forces and will be used to identify and suppress difficult targets.

Even though the above assumptions are purely hypothetical but extremely likely.