Heres another declassified file from my archives, just wanna share the M1 Abrahams before
TITLE:
General Dynamics Land Systems Division M1/M1A1/M1A2 Abrams MBT
DEVELOPMENT:
The XM1 Programme was established in December 1971 and in February the following year the US Army activated a task force with the user, trainer and developer participating to formulate the concept for the new battle tank. This report was published in August 1972 and the proposed characteristics were then reviewed to eliminate unnecessary features and reduce costs to the minimum. The final programme was contained in a Development Concept Paper, as amended, which was approved by the Deputy Secretary of Defense in January 1973.
DESCRIPTION:
The hull and turret of the M1 is of advanced armour construction similar to the Chobham armour developed in the United Kingdom and gives protection against ATGWs and other battlefield weapons.
The driver is seated at the front of the vehicle in the centre and operates the vehicle from a semi-reclining position when driving with the hatch closed. Steering is accomplished by rotating a motorcycle type T-bar which actuates the steering lever on the transmission to produce the steering speed bias of the track. At both ends of the T-bar are twist grip controls which serve as the throttle for the electronic fuel management system.
The infrared Thermal Imaging System (TIS) has been developed by the Hughes Aircraft Company and produces an image by sensing the small difference in heat radiated by the objects in view. The detected energy is converted into electrical signals which are displayed on a cathode ray tube, similar to a TV picture, and the image displayed is projected into the eye-piece of the gunner's sight. In addition, the sight displays target range information and indicates if the laser rangefinder has received more than one return. The operator can select a first or last return mode for lasing the target before firing. Ready to fire indication and confirmation that the systems are working properly are also provided.
TITLE:
M1A1 MBT
DESCRIPTION:
The first production M1A1 was completed in August 1985 and of the anticipated US Army buy of 8064 tanks, 4796 are M1A1s. In addition to the improved armour of the Improved M1 MBT, the M1A1 has the 120 mm Rheinmetall smooth-bore gun and an integrated NBC system. This NBC system provides the crew with conditioned air for breathing and also supplies cooling or heating for the crew as required while they are wearing their protective suits and face masks.
SPECIFICATIONS:
(Data in square brackets relate to M1A1 where different)
Crew: 4
Combat weight: 54,545 [57,154] kg
Max speed:
(road) 72.421 [66.77] km/h
(cross-country) 48.3 km/h
(on 10% gradient) 32.2 [27.51] km/h
(on 60% gradient) 7.2 [6.59] km/h
Acceleration: (0-32 km/h) 7 [6.8] s
Engine: Textron Lycoming AGT 1500 gas-turbine developing
1500 hp at 30,000 rpm
Armament:
(main) 1 x 105 mm [1 x 120 mm] gun
(coaxial) 1 x 7.62 mm MG
(anti-aircraft commander) 1 x 12.7 mm MG
(anti-aircraft loader) 1 x 7.62 mm MG
Smoke-laying equipment: 6 smoke grenade dischargers either
side of turret and integral engine smoke generators
Ammunition:
(main) 55 [40]
(12.7 mm) 1000
(7.62 mm) 11,400 [12,400]
(smoke grenades) 24
Armour: classified
****No NEED FOR PICS IM SURE YOUR FAMILIAR WITH THIS TANK
