M1 Abrams new TUSK
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The M1 abrams is growing a tusk(tank urban survival kit). The Tank Urban Survival Kit, or TUSK, is a series of improvements to the M1 Abrams intended to improve fighting ability in urban environments. Historically, urban and other close battlefields have been the worst place for tanks to fight—a tank's front armor is much stronger than that on the sides, top, or rear, and in an urban environment, attacks can come from any direction, and attackers can get close enough to reliably hit weak points in the tank's armor, or get sufficient elevation to hit the top armor square on.
Armor upgrades include reactive armor on the sides of the tank and slat armor (similar to that on the Stryker) on the rear to protect against rocket-propelled grenades and other shaped charge warheads.
A gun shield and a thermal sight system are added to the loader's top-mounted M240B 7.62 mm machine gun, and a Kongsberg Gruppen Remote Weapon Turret carrying a .50 machine gun is in place of the tank commander's original .50 machine gun. An exterior telephone allows supporting infantry to communicate with the tank commander.
The TUSK system is a field-installable kit that allows tanks to be upgraded without needing to be recalled to a maintenance depot.
While the reactive armor may not be needed in most situations in maneuver warfare, items like the rear slat armor, loader's gun shield, infantry phone, and Kongsberg Remote Weapons Station for the .50 machine gun will be added to the entire M1A2 fleet over time.
In addition to this, a Transparent Armor Gun Shield may also be implemented.
when are we going to make our amx-13 tanks wireless access points for our men in the field to have internet access and make skype phone calls
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I will prefer a system that will be integrated with the thermal imaging system. Better say a steal beast type system which allows the crew to just see the enemy using the thermal sytem aim and lase using it and fire.
Kaboom. -
Hey what happened to that futuristic force field thingy developed by israel??
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Still doesnt solve the ATGM threats. No cage or mesh seems to be included in the TUSK, nor any Active Defense System noted.
2ndly, the phone at the back of the Abrams.... err I wonder who will be the poor guy making the call man. Those gas turbine engines are HOT as HELL. -
I know that SAF also have a programme to adapt Singapore's armoured forces for urban warfare, now it is at an experimental stage. One such example is a transparent shield around the cupola of the 40/50 turrent which is made of protective material. Personally i think it looks quite weird. I saw this some where but can't remember from where. Anyone can provide the link?
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_Armor_Gun_Shield
but I still think we should make our SM1 wireless access point enabled -
Actually i have a better idea...test in the SM1 and finally use in the new light tank. SM1 too old to make further upgrades worth while. The old SM1 have a function which is present in the new M1A2 TUSK though...which is the telephone at the back!
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It's about high time we changed the damned SM-1s....
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I think in the not too distant future we will be having RAFAEL's Samson RCWS 30 remote controlled weapon station on our Bionix and Terrex (if we buy them). This weapon station will definitely be suitable for armour in urban environment as safety is well taken care off. The overall low profile of the vehicle with this weapon station, the fact that now the commader and /or gunner are safely in the hull itself and no open hatches which can attract molotov cocktails and grenades proves that its much safer.
http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/area.aspx?FolderID=402&docID=994 -
the SAMSON turrets were on display at AA2006.Originally posted by tankee1981:I think in the not too distant future we will be having RAFAEL's Samson RCWS 30 remote controlled weapon station on our Bionix and Terrex (if we buy them). This weapon station will definitely be suitable for armour in urban environment as safety is well taken care off. The overall low profile of the vehicle with this weapon station, the fact that now the commader and /or gunner are safely in the hull itself and no open hatches which can attract molotov cocktails and grenades proves that its much safer.
http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/area.aspx?FolderID=402&docID=994
If I'm not wrong, they are SPIKE LR capable too. -
SM-1 is outdated like 20 odd years out of their time..
it's time for a change..
maybe SAF shd save some money from RSAF and divert to getting new tanks and the infantry some new toys -
well..... just wait and soon u will see new armour toys....Originally posted by beavan:SM-1 is outdated like 20 odd years out of their time..
it's time for a change..
maybe SAF shd save some money from RSAF and divert to getting new tanks and the infantry some new toys
fyi, armour has got the most $$ in the army......i.e: armour's share of the army's budget is the biggest.....
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Yes that is very true, armour's share of the budget for the army is the highest. This is because the maintainence and repair costs are very high. The POL also adds to the cost.
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I thot our armor vehicles run on diesel???
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how the hell the israeli manages to maintain a fleet of thousands of tanks and APCs on their yearly budget I have no idea ...
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Yes all our A vehicles run on diesel but as compared to other formations such as infantry,guards,commandos,artillery and so on, the amount of fuel we used is much more. The number of types of weapons we have is also more from the basic SAR-21 all the way to the 75mm main gun on SM1. These vehicles especially the old SM1 need maintenace and repairs regularly, much more than the normal tonners. All these adds up to higher operating cost.
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heard from some crabs that the cost of training tankees and AIs are the highest among all combat formations ... your one live firing exercise can last a company from botak days till they turn ops .....Originally posted by tankee1981:Yes all our A vehicles run on diesel but as compared to other formations such as infantry,guards,commandos,artillery and so on, the amount of fuel we used is much more. The number of types of weapons we have is also more from the basic SAR-21 all the way to the 75mm main gun on SM1. These vehicles especially the old SM1 need maintenace and repairs regularly, much more than the normal tonners. All these adds up to higher operating cost. -
I notice that every single discussion on tanks almost invariably turns into pleas to replace the AMX-13SM1.
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of cos it's old and it sucksOriginally posted by fudgester:I notice that every single discussion on tanks almost invariably turns into pleas to replace the AMX-13SM1. -
as usual, the mindef would just keep quiet... buy liao also won't tell u la....
shhhh~~~~~ isn't it better that the enemy thinks that we have SM1 and centurion only?
anyway, armour vehs, run on diesel fuel. but it also require lots of $$ for maintainence. eg: lubricants, tracks, spare parts..... also armour uses lot of ammo. target L/F use oil drums which is also not cheap... than overseas training leh? ship the vehs overseas can die liao.... me last time did budgeting la that is y i know... -
oh well,armour is an essential thing in SAF's doctrines
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Cos everybody is sick of that old hunk of junk. Time to parade our gundams next year.Originally posted by fudgester:I notice that every single discussion on tanks almost invariably turns into pleas to replace the AMX-13SM1. -
They do use a large chunk of their annual budget but also get help from a large numbers of jewish presence in the big apple and a very powerful lobby movement, so powerful that congress have to give them 2 billion in aid every year thats why can maintain so many toys.Originally posted by Fatum:how the hell the israeli manages to maintain a fleet of thousands of tanks and APCs on their yearly budget I have no idea ...