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Armor materiel
The main armored vehicles of the US Armor are tanks and IFVs.
M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) is the namesake of the late General Creighton W. Abrams. It is the backbone of the Armored Forces of the United States military, and several of US allies as well. The purpose of this vehicle is to provide mobile firepower of armored formations for successfully close with and destroy any opposing armored fighting vehicle in the world, while providing protection for its crew in any conceivable combat environment. It is capable of engaging the enemy in any weather, day or night on the multi-dimensional, non-linear battlefield using its firepower, maneuver, and shock effect. The Abrams Tank System synchronizes its high tempo, distributed maneuver via its digitized situational awareness and the fusion of onboard and remote battlefield sensors. Chobham spaced armor resolved the problem of protection versus mobility. A sophisticated fire control system provided main gun stabilization for shooting on the move and a precise laser range finder, thermal-imaging night sights, and a digital ballistic computer solved the gunnery problem.
The MlA1 had improved armor and a 120 mm main gun that had increased range and kill probability. Three versions of the Abrams tank are currently in service: the original M1 model, dating from the early 1980s, and two newer versions, designated M1A1 and M1A2. The M1A1 series, produced from 1985 through 1993, replaced the M1’s 105 mm main gun with a 120 mm gun and incorporated numerous other enhancements, including an improved suspension, a new turret, increased armor protection, and a nuclear-biological-chemical protection system. The newer M1A2 series includes all of the M1A1 features plus a commander’s independent thermal viewer, an independent commander’s weapon station, position navigation equipment, and a digital data bus and radio interface unit providing a common picture among M1A2s on the battlefield.
In lieu of new production, the Army is upgrading approximately 1,000 older M1 tanks to the M1A2 configuration. The Army also initiated a modification program for the M1A2 to enhance its digital command and control capabilities and to add the second generation forward looking infrared sights to improve the tank's fight ability and lethality during limited visibility. The M1 series tank is equipped with a 1500 horsepower Lycoming Textron gas turbine engine coupled to an Allison hydrokinetic transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. Its tactical cruising range is approximately 275 miles. Despite its weight, the M1 can attain a top speed of nearly 45 miles per hour. The main armament is a 120 mm smooth bore cannon. It has day/night fire on the move capability. Both the fuel and ammunition are compartmented to enhance survivability. The hull and turret are protected by advanced armor similar to the Chobham armor developed by the British Ministry of Defense. When required, the Abrams may be fitted with "reactive armor" to thwart armor-defeating munitions. The M1A2 tank provides various warnings and cautions to crewmembers in the case of an NBC system problem. These warnings and cautions are displayed visually at the commander's integrated display and at the driver's integrated display.
The M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement Package) is the digital battlefield centerpiece for Army XXI. It is the heavy force vehicle that will lead Armor to the Future Combat System. The M1A2 SEP is an improved version of the M1A2. It contains numerous improvements in command and control, lethality and reliability. The SEP includes improved processors, color and high resolution flat panel displays, increased memory capacity, user friendly soldier machine interface and an open operating system that will allow for future growth. Major improvements include the integration of the second generation forward looking infrared sight, the under armor auxiliary power unit and a thermal management system.
Armored Vehicles
M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle is a fully tracked, lightly armored vehicle that offers significant improvements over the M113 series of armored personnel carriers. The M2 possesses greater power, greater acceleration, and an advanced suspension for a significant increase in cross-country speed. Like the M113, the primary purpose of the M2 is to carry infantryman on the battlefield, and transport and support them with fire if necessary. The M2 Bradley carries a crew of three (Commander, Gunner & Driver) and a six-man Infantry section into combat.
M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle is exactly the same chassis as the M2 IFV with some minor internal differences. The M3 is a cavalry/scout vehicle, instead of carrying 6 dismounts in the payload compartment; the M3 carries a pair of scouts, additional radios, ammunition, and TOW and Dragon or Javelin missile rounds. In fact, the only noticeable differences between the M2 and the M3 are that the external firing ports for the squad M16s are absent on the M3.
M113 A1 Armored Personnel Carrier is a lightly armored full tracked air transportable personnel carrier designed to carry personnel and certain types of cargo. The M113A3, full-tracked armored personnel carrier provides protected transportation and cross country mobility for personnel and cargo. It carries 11 infantry personnel in addition to the vehicle driver and track commander. It is capable of sustained speeds of 41 mph on level roads.