jmasly@mainz-emh2.army.mil (John Masly) (11/22/90)
From: John Masly <jmasly@mainz-emh2.army.mil> This is the first time for me on this forum, so if this question has been answered before, I'm sorry for being redundant. In VOL 6 #3, Michael Lanham (jumper@hobbes.ncsu.edu) states "Actually I think CNN is getting their tank designators wrong. The new M1s being sent are in fact M1A2s........" Acutally, CNN has the tank designators correct. There are only three variants of the M1 Abrams Tank: IPM1 (Initial Production M1), M1, and M1A1. There is no such model as the M1A2. Now the differences in these models is as follows: As designated, the IPM1 was the first batch of vehicles to come off the production line. As anyone who has designed and fielded equipment knows, the real testing isn't over until you put the item into the hands of the troop units, and discover the new and unique ways they find to break the item. As problems were discovered with this first batch of tanks, engineering changes were made and incorporated into the production process to correct the problem. After a period of time, the problems encountered became fewer and of a less serious nature. The vehicle design was "frozen" at that time, and became known as the M1. The M1A1 model resulted from an effort aimed at improving the lethality and survivability of the tank as a whole. The 105mm main gun was removed and replaced by the 120mm smoothbore main gun (this gun is a German design, check out the German Main Battle Tank, the Leopard III). The basic on-vehicle ammo load was reduced, since the same number of 120mm rounds could not fit in the same space that the 105mm rounds did. Additionally, extra armor was added to the front of the turret for increased crew survivability, and the NBC system was added. Because of these changes, the tank weight increased, which necessitated changes having to be made to the vehicle suspension, transmission, and final drive. With the addition of the NBC system, a modification had to be made to the tank's turbine engine to provide engine bleed air to operate the NBC system. There were many other changes made to on-board systems, specially fire control systems, that are invisible to the casual observer, and in some cases are classified. What I've given above are the major differences. By the way, the gunner's M240 coaxial machine gun, is a design that the U.S. bought the rights to from Fabrique National de Herstal, Belgium. ***************************************************************** * John R. Masly, Mechanical Engineer, Mainz Army Depot, Germany * * "The U.S. Army's Depot on the Rhein" (German Spelling) * ***************************************************************** ON THIS DAY: 1789 North Carolina ratifies the Constitution after Congress proposes the Bill of Rights.
Allan Bourdius <ab3o+@andrew.cmu.edu> (11/29/90)
From: Allan Bourdius <ab3o+@andrew.cmu.edu> John Masly writes: >There is no such model as the M1A2. Incorrect. The M1A2 is FMC's contender for the UK's competition to select a replacement for the Challenger. The M1A2 (when built early next year) will compete against the Challenger II and a development of the Leopard 2 for the British Army contract. Allan
graper@BRL.MIL (MTSD/FIO) (12/03/90)
From: Graper Brad P (MTSD/FIO) <graper@BRL.MIL> The M1A2 is also being bought by the Saudis. somewhere between 315 and 700 of them, dep[ending on what Congress OK'd. All M1 tanks are made by general dynamics at one of two tank plant. FMC makes Bradleys, M113 series vehicles, and the launcher for the MLRS.