M1A1TC Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Will it be included in the Marine module??? "Modifying M1-A2 Tanks to Improve Safety Army News Service | Pfc. April Campbell | February 19, 2008 CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Technicians are modifying M1-A2 Abrams tanks here to make them more safer and more precision-effective in the dense, urban Baghdad environment. For Multi-National Division-Baghdad tankers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division these equipment modifications are taking place in the form of the Tank Urban Survival Kit which is being added to their M1-A2 Abrams tanks. These TUSK additions include an increase to the Soldiers' safety and the tanks' effectiveness in operations in this area north of Baghdad. They are currently being installed in Abrams tanks throughout MND-B by General Dynamics, a government contractor responsible for fielding, issuing and the maintenance of these systems. The modifications include a new driver's safety seat, improved tank armor and vision enhancements, as well as an attached sniper rifle, said Shawn Safford, a senior tank systems technician in MND-B for General Dynamics. Sgt. 1st Class Sean Rinder, who serves as the platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Company C, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd BCT, operated the Abrams during the unit's previous deployment in the more rural provinces of Diyala and Salah al-Din. "Last time I was here, I had to reload the .50-cal. machine gun while I was in contact," he said. "I had to expose myself from the waist up to do that." With the new cupola armor, Rinder said, he would not be as exposed if he were in the same situation. While he said he has always been confident in his equipment and crew, the modifications will add to that security blanket. The increased level of security is echoed outside the tank as well. Tankers are able to more precisely target an enemy with a decreased risk to the surroundings because a gunner's sniper rifle has been added to the tank. "We're still lethal at long ranges without destroying everything. The sniper rifle mitigates the collateral damage," said 2nd Lt. Frank Simmons, who serves as the platoon leader with 2nd Plt., Co. C, 1-68 AR. "The new visual aids will also help the Soldiers target enemies with more precision. These devices will assist the tankers in positively identifying enemies," said Sgt. Albert Arca, a tank gunner with 2nd Plt., Co. C, 1-68 AR. "The improved safety features mean greater piece of mind when conducting missions in sector and will allow us to focus more on the mission." 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazex Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 You mean this one? Made this cheesy photoshop edit long time ago for an old nonsense thread... But seriously - Add it please - if there is time! /Mazex 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyD Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I'll have to thake the TC's word for it that they can see anything when they're heads-up in the commander's hatch. I may have seen a later photo somewhere that had that remote .50 repositioned... somewhere. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TC Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Yep, thats it. It should not be all that hard to modify existing model into M1A2 TUSK, and will be a better match against the T-90 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
76mm Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 How exactly would the "gunner's sniper rifle" work? As a replacement to the coax? Tied to the main gun's optics and computer? Interesting idea, but kinda weird... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyD Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Here's what looks like a more recent picture. Things on the roof are rearranged but it still looks like a jumble to me. From the pict they may have abandoned the remote .50 for armoring-up the TC's pintle mount. That box over the gun - it looks like they mounted a weapon of some sort Israeli-style over the main gun. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sequoia Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Mikey did you sneak into the secret warehouse where they keep the lost Ark to take that picture? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yardstick Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I've been seeing those in-country, it would be sweet if they made it into the next module! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sequoia Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Okay, I misunderstood, I thought it was still just experimental. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibsonm Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Originally posted by Sequoia: Mikey did you sneak into the secret warehouse where they keep the lost Ark to take that picture? No. The picture and the text in the original post come from here: TUSK article 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibsonm Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Double post. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TC Posted May 4, 2008 Author Share Posted May 4, 2008 BUMP!! Why arent these in Marine module?! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Battlefront.com Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Why arent these in Marine module?!I thought the title of the Module would have answered that question That being said, we've been following the TUSK program very closely over the years. It's morphed, changed, been on hold, downgraded, etc. during that time. It's now slowly trickling into Iraq in phases. IIRC about 130+ Phase I kits are in Iraq at the moment and two more Phases are to follow. We want to put TUSK in and therefore we will. Sooner rather than later, but not as a part of the Marines Module. Just be patient and not only will you get it, but it will be a fair reflection of what TUSK actually is instead of what it is on paper. Steve 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splinty Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 The "rifle" is a .50 cal mounted on top of the main gun and set for single shot. This allows the gunner to have a weapon completely boresighted and aligned with the vehicle's main sighting system that won't drop a building every time it's fired. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YankeeDog Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Originally posted by Splinty: The "rifle" is a .50 cal mounted on top of the main gun and set for single shot. This allows the gunner to have a weapon completely boresighted and aligned with the vehicle's main sighting system that won't drop a building every time it's fired. Well, the gunner has always had a 7.62mm coax MG, so he has an option other than the main gun for when that much boom isn't appropriate. I would assume the .50 cal is intended to allow the tank to fill some of the roles a sniper overwatch can in a COIN situation -- punch a hole in the engine block of that vehicle that's behaving like it might be a VBIED, without sending a dozen rounds of MG fire into the crowded market behind it, etc. Cheers, YD 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c3k Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Hmm, It looks like that loader will be able to aim and use his machinegun...with a shield! Regards, Ken 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TC Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 Originally posted by Battlefront.com: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Why arent these in Marine module?!I thought the title of the Module would have answered that question That being said, we've been following the TUSK program very closely over the years. It's morphed, changed, been on hold, downgraded, etc. during that time. It's now slowly trickling into Iraq in phases. IIRC about 130+ Phase I kits are in Iraq at the moment and two more Phases are to follow. We want to put TUSK in and therefore we will. Sooner rather than later, but not as a part of the Marines Module. Just be patient and not only will you get it, but it will be a fair reflection of what TUSK actually is instead of what it is on paper. Steve </font> 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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