History Of Us Army Afvs

[FatOtaku]

On 10/15/2021 at 5:29 PM, Wiedzmin said:

 

and one for weight reduction

That's very interesting, where did you find it? Also the link seems dead, could you please re-upload one?

[shep854]

 

[FatOtaku]

On 10/6/2024 at 4:21 AM, shep854 said:

 

The fire control system wasn't as evolutionary as the M47, although it would still be very interesting to see an IRL demonstration of how the one on the M46 works.

[DogDodger]

2 hours ago, FatOtaku said:

The fire control system wasn't as evolutionary as the M47, although it would still be very interesting to see an IRL demonstration of how the one on the M46 works.

Agree, would love to see the cant-correcting telescope mount in action.

[shep854]

 

[Damian]

Dunno if this was posted or not.

[shep854]

 

[Bichri001]

What is the purpose of that handle circled in red?

I suspect it's used for the TC's .50cal manual rotation or locking the -5' cal ring in place?

[Manic Moran]

There are two of them, one each side. I wonder if it's a grab handle to swing the cal. .50 ring around the hatch.

[Damian]

@Bichri001@Manic Moran These are indeed grip and stop handles to help move it and lock it in place.

[Renegade334]

Those were, IIRC, only installed on tanks that were fitted with the TUSK II kit, since the grips are bolted to the reinforced commander hatch ring that serves as mounting point for the 360° Shield (which adds a lot of mass for the commander to swing around). It has not become standard issue since then, as I don't recall seeing it on pictures of the SEP v3/4.

From another angle:

 

It is, unsurprisingly, not present on tanks that have the CROWS-LP instead and thus did away with the 360° Shield kit.

Edited January 29 by Renegade334

[Damian]

41 minutes ago, Renegade334 said:

Those were, IIRC, only installed on tanks that were fitted with the TUSK II kit, since the grips are bolted to the reinforced commander hatch ring that serves as mounting point for the 360° Shield (which adds a lot of mass for the commander to swing around). It has not become standard issue since then, as I don't recall seeing it on pictures of the SEP v3/4.

From another angle:

 

It is, unsurprisingly, not present on tanks that have the CROWS-LP instead and thus did away with the 360° Shield kit.

These handles, are present from the very start on M1A2 series. It have nothing to do with TUSK kit.

 

[Bichri001]

What are those three"pipes" mounted on the Bradley's gunner sight housing?

 

Edited April 1 by Bichri001

[Damian]

So, it seems that GDLS built a prototype of GCV IFV in the past, and I found that vehicle. Prototype seems to be stored at the backyard of GDLS HQ in Sterling Heights.

 

[Przezdzieblo]

Orenda OT-4 aka AGT600 gas turbine on sale: click.

In 1961 Canadian company Orenda won competition with Ford and Solar (of International Harvester). It is one of 3 prototype engines that were tested by US TACOM in the mid-60s. Those were mounted in modified M48 hulls. There was also a naval version dubbed AN600, proposed for new minesweepers.

Both US Army and US Navy projects were terminated. In the case of AGT600 the reason was that 600 hp was not enough for future tanks. In 1965, the new project of a 1500 hp AGT1500 gas turbine was started, this time from American company Lycoming. 

Edited April 26 by Przezdzieblo

[Damian]

Ok, now I think I can confirm that vehicle in the backyard of GDLS HQ is their GCV.

[sunday]

I have the impression of that VP owing his position mainly to his surname.

[old_goat]

5 hours ago, Damian said:

Ok, now I think I can confirm that vehicle in the backyard of GDLS HQ is their GCV.

Sad. That thing deserves to be in a museum. Unfortunately, unlike aircraft, armored vehicles do not enjoy much respect in USA. So many prototypes and rare vehicles were destroyed in ranges/melted down over the decades since ww2, barely any survived. 

[Damian]

36 minutes ago, old_goat said:

Sad. That thing deserves to be in a museum. Unfortunately, unlike aircraft, armored vehicles do not enjoy much respect in USA. So many prototypes and rare vehicles were destroyed in ranges/melted down over the decades since ww2, barely any survived. 

US Army have new museum that is collecting these vehicles. Recently they got prototype no.9 of M1A2SEPv4. However GCV prototype might be property of GDLS. However perhaps it will be possible to send it to the US Army Armor and Cavalry Museum.

[Bichri001]

Is this a (cross)wind sensor?

[shootER5]

5 hours ago, Bichri001 said:

Is this a (cross)wind sensor?

 
It sure looks like one.

[Manic Moran]

On 3/30/2025 at 7:32 PM, Bichri001 said:

What are those three"pipes" mounted on the Bradley's gunner sight housing?

 

We use them to stick flags into. Green, yellow and red, they are used to indicate status for gunnery. M1 has them as well, somewhere

[DB]

And there was me thinking it was for the parasol.

https://www.fineartstorehouse.com/bettmann-archive/tank-driver-parasol-39053993.html

(I know, wrong vehicle)

[shep854]

On 4/25/2025 at 9:00 AM, DB said:

And there was me thinking it was for the parasol.

https://www.fineartstorehouse.com/bettmann-archive/tank-driver-parasol-39053993.html

(I know, wrong vehicle)

Improvise and overcome.  Improvised shade was rather common in Afghanistan.

[alanch90]

Latest M1E3 concept available. Its a further iteration of a full scale mockup shown not too long ago so apparently the overall design is locked. IMO it should get a completly different designation because theres almost nothing left of the Abrams itself. Whichever General it should be named after ("Starry" IMO is very adequate) I fear it may get the "M47" designation. Because we are already getting an "F-47" so...


https://mdex-ndia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GVSC-Briefings-to-Industry-09APR2025.pdf