I think a tank crew should be at least three men in the turret for optimal situational awareness. Could there be a secondary gunner to coordinate with the existing gunner in addition to the TC? His primary objectives are to coordinate with the unit and spot for the gunner, but in mobile warfare the former comes first.
I don't think there should be an autoloader. A human loader in a 3-man turret still is the way to go.
I'm not sure keeping the 4th man in the turret would be a good idea If you eliminated the loader's position. why not have a smaller turret?
having a second spotter but no loader can get the tank destroyed things are set the way they are for various reasons and people a lot more experienced than you make these decisions crew assignments are based on need and efficiency not pipe dreams
I'm guessing you've never been in a tank turret. if there was an autoloader system, that would take the place of the loader. There is no way to have both an autoloader and a 3 person in a turret at the same time. There just isn't any room. And your priorities of the TC is backwards. But then it all depends on what tank you are talking about. There are 4 different variations of tank crews, Wingman, PL, PSG, CO/XO. There are 4 tanks in a platoon, 2 of them are only on the platoon freq. PL and PSG are on platoon and company. as far as keeping formation. most of that is handled by the driver. The TC will point out a landmark in the distance or follow said other tank. After that, the driver really takes over, leaving the TC to coordinate what targets the gunner will shoot at.
