Fleece’s Faves – Abrams Edition

First off, let me say I was never a tanker.  I was an infantryman, mechanized at that, so I was frequently jealous of my “big brothers” in the tank corps with their incredible main battle tank, The M1 Abrams.

This incredible piece of machinery is named after General Creighton Abrams, a tank commander during World War II and commander of overall operation in Vietnam during the close of the war.  He was widely considered one of the best and most aggressive tank commanders in World War II, serving in Patton’s 3rd Army.  In Patton’s own words about Abrams’ abilities, “I’m supposed to be the best tank commander in the Army, but I have one peer – Abe Abrams. He’s the world champion.”

As far as the tank herself goes, she is without parallel.  No tank in the world combines firepower, maneuverability, and crew survivability in such a successful mix as the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank.

Firepower

The main gun of all current American M1’s is the Rheinmettal 120mm cannon.  This is a smoothbore cannon use by most of the major NATO countries who build their own tanks.  It is featured on other MBT’s such as the British Challenger, the German Leopard II and the Israeli Merkava.  The French Le Clerc also uses a 120mm cannon made by GIAT (leave it to the French).  The reason we like to use the same gun is simple, we can share ammo on the battlefield.

This gun is a beast.  A training round from this weapon (inert plastic slug) can take out the Bradley M2 IFV.  The typical anti-tank round, known as an Armor Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) round, is actually a tungsten or depleted uranium dart that is sheathed in a “sabot” or shroud that is expelled as the round leaves the barrel of the gun.  This kinetic penetrator then speeds towards the target at around 5700 ft/s – the speed of sound is 1126 ft/s, so this long, incredibly hard dart is flying over MACH 5.  Needless to say, there are not many tanks in the world that can survive a hit from this round.

Other types of rounds are the High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT – used for non-tank armored targets) and High Explosive Squash Head (HESH – not commonly used and only on 105mm versions).

Maneuverability

The M1 Abrams sports a rather unique powerplant in the tanking world – a turbine engine.  That’s right, basically a jet engine, and it sounds like one too.  It is pretty impressive to hear an M1 spooling up to get moving, and as far as tanks go, this baby can really move, top speed around 45 mph, but most tankers I knew claimed their’s could go much faster.  Oh, I forgot to mention, its power output is 1500 hp.

But engine power is only one aspect of maneuverability, the suspension system of the tank is a huge factor, and the M1 is impressive in that category as well.  The Abrams features a torsion bar suspension that gives it one of the smoothest firing platforms on the battlefield, and a rather nice ride for its crew members.  The only vehicle that has a smoother ride was the M-88 recovery vehicle, which we frequently referred to as the “Cadillac.”  The Bradley used a standard spring suspension system, so we had a pretty bumpy ride – we were infantryman, our sensibilities weren’t so easily offended as the softer members of the combat arms.

Crew Survivability

Only the Israeli Merkava III has a higher reputation for protecting its crews.  The M1’s armor is a form of “Chobham” armor borrowed from the British who invented it.  Chobham armor is a composite armor of ceramic mixed with metal, it is top-secret so most people don’t know how it is made, but the stuff is tough as nails.  Just for comparison’s sake, the front armor on a M1 has the Rolled Homogenous Armor equivalency to that of the side of an Iowa class battleship.

But even if a round does make it through into the turret, the ammo is carried in a completely separate area, protected by a wall of armor and with blow-out armor on top.  If the ammo does begin to cook-off because of damage, it poses no danger to the crew inside the turret.

The M1 also features an over-pressurization system to combat Nuclear Chemical and Biological (NBC) threats.  Basically, the interior atmospheric pressure of the tank is higher than that of the outside air, kind of like a huge air conditioner, no contaminant can get in.  Pretty cool stuff.

Conclusion

I always wanted to be a tanker.  According to my recruiter, I was too tall.  I later learned, every person in the Army was lied to by their recruiter (kind of like every convict is actually innocent, just ask them).  But I have no regrets at choosing the infantry, we are the true bad-asses on the battlefield.  I can be jealous though, the M1 is a beautiful, amazing and deadly vehicle.

Fleece’s Faves

Lot of TSA post this week, but since this topic bores the crap out of me, I ain’t linking them.  Here are my faves from last week, in the order I determined was mostly likely to offend only one person.

American and Proud – talks about the proud heritage of California releasing rapists early

American Elephants – says Democrats are in denial, and the to-do list they need to tackle

America’s Watchtower – I love local and state politics, so I always give preference to them, Steve has a great one about New Hampshire winning a court case allowing kids to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in schools

Be Sure You’re Right, Then Go Ahead – very humorous post on the history of the world and the role of conservatives and liberals

Blog de KingShamus – excellent post on why 2011 won’t be like 1995

Bread Upon the Waters – has a look at how Muslim women are not just trying to get over on us, they do it in Australia too

Bunkerville – talks about Michelle Obama’s new Chief of Staff, she’s a Chicago politician

Capitol Commentary – great post about how taxpayers are paying so rich green freaks can drive expensive electric cars

Conservative Hideout – excellent humor post about New York banning outdoor smoking, also an excellent post on the Parental Rights Amendment
Conservatives on Fire – must read post written by a fellow conservative actually living in socialism under Hugo Chavez

Disrupt the Narrative – more local politics, this time the Virginia GOP and their attempt to keep doing business as usual

Motorcity Times – talks about how apparently Christmas is only a taboo word in America

NoOneofAnyImport – in her normally highly readable writing style talks about why she likes to argue with idiots

Political Realities – Larry talks some Oklahoma state politics here, specifically the earmark battle between his Senators

Proof Positive – short and sweet post about the hypocrisy of our government royalty

Reporter 37 – great “response” post to a liberal – I am betting the lib wasn’t expecting this most excellent reply

Spellchek – talks about the EPA’s new plan to kill 7 million more jobs

The Swash – excellent video post about a douche liberal who hates our military

The Current – great post about the magic trick that is politics explained in football language, I love it =)

The Daley Gator – awesome video of Colonel Allen West talking about defense issues

Planet Moron – hilarious post about the New York City council wanting places to advertise they do not offer abortions