M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank

The M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank is the principal tank of the United States Army and Marine Corps. Originally developed and deployed in 1983, The M1 and its variants proved themselves in Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm as one of the premier MBTs in the world. Originally (M1) produced with a 105mm main gun, variants produced since 1986 are fitted with a 120mm main gun (M1A1). Its characteristic low profile and angular appearance set it apart from other tanks. The M1's four man crew is protected by "Chobham" armor on glacis and turret, armored bulkheads between turret and engine, blow out panels over the main gun

ammunition compartment and an effective fire-suppression system. A new depleted uranium armor has been in production since 1988. Power is provided by an Avco-Lycoming AGT-1500 1500 hp turbine engine and a Detroit Diesel X-11-3B transmission. Aside from the main gun, the Abrams is fitted with a coaxially mounted 7.62mm machine gun, another 7.62mm machine gun for loader and a .50 caliber M2 machine gun for the commander.

Specifications

Weight (pounds) 67.5 tons

Length 32'4"

Width 12'

Height 9'6"

Forward speed 42 mph

Reverse speed 25 mph

Engine 1500 hp AGT-1500C turbine

Vertical obstacle climb 49 in

Maximum width ditch 108 in

Fording Depth 48 in

Main Gun M256 - 120mm cannon

Coaxial machinegun M240 - 7.62mm

Loader's machinegun M240 - 7.62mm

Commander's machinegun M2 - .50 cal

Weapons Specifications

Weapon Maximum Effective Maximum Rounds

Main Gun 2,500 m 25,000m 40 rounds

Coaxial machinegun 900 m 4,000 m 10,000 rounds

Loader's machinegun

900 m 4,000 m 1,400 rounds

Commander's machinegun

1,500 m 6,700 m 900 rounds

M2/M3

The M2 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) is a fully tracked, lightly armored vehicle that offers significant improvements over the M113 series of armored personnel carriers. The M2 posses 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. This "battle taxi" can transport and support them with fire if necessary. The M2 can keep up with the US Army's main battle tank, the M1A1 Abrams series, and support armor forces as well.

The M3 CFV (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.

HISTORY: Entered US Army service in 1983.

Crew 3

Infantry Dismounts 6

Length 21'2"

Width 10'6"

Height 9'9"

Weight 50,000 lbs

Road Speed 45 mph

Range 300 miles

Engine Cummins VTA-903T water-cooled 4 cycle diesel.

Armament 25mm cannon (Chain-gun) ; 7.62 mm coaxially mounted machine gun; TOW missile launcher with twin tubes.

M3: 25mm cannon (Chain-gun) ; 7.62 mm coaxially mounted machine gun; TOW missile launcher with twin tubes.

AH-64A Apache

AH-64A APACHE The AH-64A is an attack helicopter. Its firepower and armor make it equivalent to a tank, flying around the battlefield, day or night, finding and killing targets. The Apache entered the Army inventory in 1986 when 811 helicopters were purchased. The design specifications made no compromises in the areas of sensors, weapons, agility, and survivability. The AH-64 is invulnerable to 7.62mm projectiles, tolerant against 12.7mm/.50 caliber projectiles, and survivable again 23mm explosive projectiles. A key system on the Apache is the Target-Acquisition Designation Sight and Pilot Night-Vision Sensor (TADS-PNVS) system. It is mounted on the nose and is composed of a thermal imaging sight which is tied to the movement of the pilot's helmet. The TADS-PNVS is used whenever the Apache is being operated in adverse weather, heavy fog or dust, or at night. The pilot receives all pertinent flight and target data through an eyepiece that is placed below the eye.

Crew 2

Speed 140 knots

Range 690 km

Engine Twin turbine engines.

On board Weapons

30mm chain gun

2.75-inch rocket pods

Hellfire modular missile systems

Armament

Varies by mission

POC: http://www.dmi.usma.edu/Milresources/weapons/index.htm#Tanks

United States Military Academy Training Office

R SIRMONS - 026120