When you are sat inside a challenger 2 during live firing of the weapons systems you tend to become oblivious to the firing of the chain gun or the bang from the 120mm 4. Cavalry in the late 1930s and developed at the same time as the infantrys very similar m2 light tank. The m1 abrams was designed by chrysler defense and produced under the general dynamics brand. It was a small twoman, onegun tank, armed with a m1919 browning machine gun and capable of a maximum speed of 8 mph. Freight train vs m1 abrams tank spacebattles forums. Armys technological improvement of the basic m1a1 design and the most modern battle tank in the world. The machine gun can be fired remotely from inside the tank, but visibility is poor, it may jam, and tank commanders have a fatal habit of riding in their open hatch anyway. For protection against newer antitank weapons, the m1 turret and hull has advanced armor protection similar to the english chobham armor used on the challenger and leopard 2 main battle tanks. The m60a1 and a3 variants of the m60 tank series and earliest preproduction xm1 prototypes of the m1 abrams tanks are armed with the m68e1 variant of the gun. If not, wait until youve stopped to rest and then take a nap in the back.
The vehicle does shake a little but this adds to the adrenaline when youre scanning for targets and ensuring you engage the targets in time. Jan 06, 2015 scenes from inside the m109a6 paladin howitzer during livefire operation. The m60 patton main battle tank began development in 1957 to counter rumors that the soviets were working on a new main battle tank of their own armed with a 115mm smoothbore main gun. M1 abrams main battle tank the m1 abrams main battle tank mbt is the namesake of the late general creighton w. The driver sits in the front center in a semireclining position when his hatch is closed. See all 3 photos i follow wentzel like a vapor trail, trying. Most drivers dont have reason to worry about how long gasoline has been in their car, because it doesnt sit for very long. Or maybe your wintertime fueling habits dont include keeping your tank as full as possible. This early tank features the track retaining ring on the rear drive sprocket and the original rear track skirt. The abrams featured stateoftheart armor protection for the crew complete with armored compartments for fuel and ammunition stores. Find highquality m1 abrams stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. That being said, tight, cramped, and close quarters are all applicable descriptors.
The m1, he says, is a safer tank for the tc and his crew driver, gunner, arid loader. Very difficult to get an overview on the terrain and one hit might be the end of everyone inside. After a lot of effort, the tank wont get out, so the soldier stays in the tank and tries to call base about this. Conceived for modern armored ground warfare and now one of the heaviest tanks in service at nearly 68 short tons almost 62 metric tons, it introduced several innovative features, including a multifuel turbine engine, sophisticated chobham. Army in 1980, but it wasnt until 1991s operation desert storm that the world fully appreciated the weapons capabilities. Dec 02, 2015 the american m1 abrams tank is one of the last tanks to have a human main gun loader. Members of the 386th air expeditionary wing monitor the offload of a m1 abrams tank from a c17 globemaster iii here, sept. After the spanish civil war, most armies, including the u. M1 abrams entered the service on 1980 and replaced the m60 tank.
It is the backbone of the armored forces of the united states military, and several of us allies as well. Design began in 1963 and entered production in 1981. The ford 3ton m1918 was one of the first light tank designs by the u. The m1 chassis also serves as a basis for the grizzly combat engineering vehicle and the m104 wolverine heavy assault bridge. Details of the 105mm gun mount are also visible, including the aperture for the gunners auxiliary sight on the bottom and the base of the barrel shroud for the 7.
As part of the tank and armor unit, they are ready to defend our country anywhere in the world. In addition to the main gun, which is a devastating cannon that can level a city block with ease, the m1 abrams boasts a host of other weapons, including a coaxial machine gun, the loaders. Abrams, former army chief of staff and commander of the 37th armored battalion. The m1 abrams main battle tank is operated by a four man crew, consisting of driver, commander, gunner and loader. One m1 crew managed to drown in their tank when they tried to cross the tigris on a bridge that couldnt hold the weight of their tank. Army and marine corps deployed nearly 2,000 m1s to the persian gulf, and all but 18 returned in working condition. The 3ton was a twoman tank designed so that american forces could use another tank besides the renault ft. The thing of course looks totally different if you sit in an outdated tank. The tanks sped over the rough desert terrain, through. Spectacular color photos capture wwii tank crews in training.
Essentially, it is the pod inside of which three of the tank s crew members the gunner, the commander, and the loader, as well as 2,000 pounds of electronics and gear will sit. The new version offers enhanced protection and survivability, as well as higher lethality than its predecessors. May 01, 2001 once inside, the tank is surprisingly comfortable. It can travel at a maximum speed of 40mph, and can. The m68e1 gun shares the same firing characteristics as the m68. The bradley ifv was developed largely in response to the amphibious soviet bmp family of infantry fighting vehicles, and to serve as both an armored personnel carrier apc, and a tank killer. Use communications equipment to receive and relay battle orders. Abrams m1a2 sepv3 system enhanced package is a modernised configuration of the abrams main battle tank mbt in service with the us army. How many soldiers fit in a sherman tank during ww2. The m1 can be equipped with mine plow and mine roller attachments if needed. The m18 was also one of the first tanks with a torsion bar suspension a suspension design thats still used on modern day tanks like the m1 abrams, and russian t90. The 3 person crew commander, gunner, driver sit in the frontal hull inside an armored compartment fitted with cbrn protection and climate control for operating in any environment, as well as ergonomic seating and controls for optimal operator performance long operation windows. M1 crew members say that this is far and away the most comfortable position in the tank.
The co driver was the closest to the escape hatch built into the floor of the tank. All other tanks, including the new russian t14 armata tank, have mechanical loaders. Abrams m1a2 sepv3 main battle tank army technology. It had an all welded hull, although some external panels were riveted. An m1a1 abrams main battle tank in saudi arabia during operation desert storm. This beast, an 80s british chieftain, was designed to tear up the toughest, most. When the tank is parked, the gun tube is left over the left rear corner as facing the tank of the hull this allows the driver to exit through the turret, and the loaders hatch to be locked from the outisde all other hatches have to be closed from the inside. The m1 abrams is a thirdgeneration american main battle tank designed by chrysler defense now general dynamics land systems. Oct 22, 2006 4 the driver has a periscope, and can see pretty well ahead, better with the hatch open the periscope incorporates night vision too. It remains the main battle tank for united states army and the us marine corps, also the armies of egypt, kuwait, iraq, saudi arabia and australia. Most tanks, and im assuming that the abrams is no different, rely on the commander to assist the driver, since his elevated position and better visibility allows him to see things that the driver cant and he directs where the tank goes in any. See all 3 photos i follow wentzel like a vapor trail, trying to digest his input through a brain already. Most tanks, and im assuming that the abrams is no different, rely on the commander to assist the driver, since his elevated position and better visibility allows him to see things that the driver cant and he directs where the tank goes in any case.
These were originally of aluminum, but were changed to steel as vehicle weight increased. A group of marines show us around the inside of a m1a1 battle. The bradley is highly capable in crosscountry open terrain, in accordance with one of the main design objectives of keeping pace with the m1 abrams main battle tank. M1 tank platoon is a video game published in 1989 on dos by microprose software, inc its a strategy and simulation game, set in a realtime, tank, vehicular combat simulator and war themes, and was also released on amiga and atari st. Feb 24, 2020 the m60 patton main battle tank began development in 1957 to counter rumors that the soviets were working on a new main battle tank of their own armed with a 115mm smoothbore main gun. The ammunition for the tank s big gun is stored there to the right of the seat next to where the driver sits behind that. In order to fit in the confined space, he has to lean way back in a reclining, formfitting bucket seat, sort of like a dentist chair. A group of marines show us around the inside of a m1a1. During that time i drove 1 year, loaded 1 year, gunned 1 year, and tced 3 years the tank commander is the main source of information on the tank so feel free to ask me anything about the m1a1 abrams, usmc, or military reserve life. The original variant of the m60 tank was equipped with the m68 gun using the m116 mount. Make sure you have a helper toilet tanks are usually in an awkward place and are heavier than they appear.
My head is poking out of the driver s hatch, beneath the 22footlong cannon barrel. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. The ammunition for the tanks big gun is stored there to the right of the seat next to where the driver sits behind that. Drive a tank is possibly the bestknown commercial tank experience on the market right now. The m1 armor crewman is responsible for operating armored equipment such as the m1a2 abrams to destroy enemy positions. Designed in the 1970s by the land systems division of the general dynamics corporation in response to the u. Samojedenap twenty years after his loss to george h. This design allowed dirt to build up underneath and resulted in thrown tracks, so it was redesigned to incorporate a notch around the drive sprocket. Library of congress as the mechanized german army swept through europe in the early years of world war ii, american military brass recognized the need to develop a strong. If youre one of those lucky people who can sit in the passenger seat and sleep, then go for it. Remove the spud washer and take it with you to your local home depot to find the right replacement. The m1 combat car, officially light tank, m1, was a light tank used by the u.
A group of marines show us around the inside of a m1a1 battle tank. The m1 tank offload took little time because of the communication and cooperation of the flight crew, 386th expeditionary logistics readiness squadron personnel, airfield management and the tank driver. Approved for production in 1990, the m1a2 represents the u. When you go to your ait, you will learn how to be the gunner, the number one man, and the driver. People do not understand the amount of heat that gets generated inside of a tank turret during firing engagements, especially when you are firing alot of rounds, a combustable tank round burns at a average temperature of.
I used to drive m1a1 and m1a2 main battle tanks for the us. Yes, the gas in your car can go bad heres how to tell. What it looks like to load and fire inside an abrams tank. One specific design requirement was that it should be as fast as the new m1 abrams main battle tank so that they could maintain. And yes i have been uncomfortable inside a m1 series, especially after firing a whole combat load or going thru mop 4 drills. With the exception of the crew seat bottoms, there isnt one soft or padded surface anywhere in this machine. However, the m1 abrams has nothing, probably because its designers wanted a cleanmean look. I was a tank crewman for 6 years in the marine corps reserves. Alot of countries still use the old russian tanks from the 50s, and those stand no chance against an m1. Also, the older tr85 tanks have a conventional driver s seat bolted on the floor of the tank, wherereas the m1 version has a parachuteharness like arrangement. Operate tracked and wheeled vehicles over various terrain. Even though an m1 has 4 fuel tanks, we used to have. The driver sits in the front center in a semireclining position when his hatch is.
The commander, gunner and loader sit in the turret the commander and gunner on the right and the roader on the left. May 18, 2016 in addition to the main gun, which is a devastating cannon that can level a city block with ease, the m1 abrams boasts a host of other weapons, including a coaxial machine gun, the loaders. The only exception to this is if you can sleep sitting up. We got an upclose look at an m1 abrams tank the king of the battlefield.
M1a2 abrams army tank crew members positions driver. The m1 abrams must fight 5 is3s, 3 tiger 1s, 4 isu152s, 3 jagdtiger tank destroyers, 4 m26 pershings, 5 t3485s, and 1 maus tank. Army and marine corps deployed nearly 2,000 m1s to the persian. Scenes from inside the m109a6 paladin howitzer during livefire operation. Crew accommodations were for four personnel and consisted of the tank commander, gunner, loader and driver. The extreme slope of the tank s glacis forced the driver to sit in a reclined position. When shuttle diplomacy fails and the worlds buttheads tax our patience beyond the point of. The driver sits centered in the hull and forward of the turret, while the loader, gunner and tank.
We got upclose look at an m1 abrams tank training in the. Isis drone dropping bomblet on abrams tank is just a sign. Oct 31, 2014 while on a training run in its homeland the us, an m1 abrams tank for some weird reason gets stuck on train tracks in the middle of nowhere. Same as round 4 except the m1 abrams treads are destroyed so it cannot move around the battlefield. The m1a1 abrams main battle tank is the final vehicular response in u. In addition to the main gun, which is a devastating cannon that can level a city block with ease, the m1 abrams boasts a host of other weapons, including a. Lift the tank straight up and off the toilet base and set it upside down on the floor on an old towel or rug.
Tank commander tc, gunner, and loader and the driver s hole. The american m1 abrams tank is one of the last tanks to have a human main gun loader. The system has been featured in the 1991 gulf war and bosnia along with the us invasions of afghanistan in 2001 and iraq in 2003. I would have to say the biggest deficiency in modern tanks is probably the fuel econemy. With this armament, the soviet offering was capable of outgunning the latest m48 patton series, then the staple of the american armored corps. The tank was introduced in 1979, entered service in 1980 and is still undergoing production. For protection against newer anti tank weapons, the m1 turret and hull has advanced armor protection similar to the english chobham armor used on the challenger and leopard 2 main battle tanks. Army, realized that they needed tanks armed with cannons, not merely vehicles armed with machine guns.
Videos like the ones below, from various militant groups in the middle east, have become increasingly common, although taking on a m1 abrams main battle tank, and the tanker standing in its hatch. The vehicle eventually put into production was the t22e2, a 6. Conceived for modern armored ground warfare and now one of the heaviest tanks in service at nearly 68 short tons almost 62 metric tons, it introduced several innovative features, including a multifuel turbine engine, sophisticated chobham composite armor, a computer. The driver sits centered in the hull and forward of the turret, while the loader, gunner and tank commander occupy the turret, with the. The m1 served during the gulf war, in bosnia, in afghanistan and iraq.
Part of this is due to the sheer number of packages and vehicles available. Powerful images of the m1 abrams tank military machine. May 26, 2012 a group of marines show us around the inside of a m1a1 battle tank. Maybe you have a car that you never drive it sits for months at a time. Bush, michael dukakis is perhaps his own toughest critic. In this way, the driver does not have any contact with the hull except on the pedals and is out of the shockwave area of exploding land mines or ieds. The driver sits in the front section of the hull, directly under the main gun.
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