The Future Is Now (A Profile of the M1A2 Abrams)

The Future Is Now A Profile of the M1A2 Abrams by Captain Tlmothy Garth No one can ikgue the effectiveness of the MlAl Abrams tank during Op emtion DESERT STORM. The level of firepower, mobility, survivability, and ease of operation of the MlAl ensured a quick, decisive victory in Southwest Asia. This tank is the latest and greatest, right?

Not quite, young trooper. Waiting for its debut with the soldiers of the 1990s is a tank more advanced than the MlAl - the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank.

The M1A2 Abrarns Tank looks like just another Abrams variant, an evolutionary step in U. S. tank production. However, it is more a giant leap forward in tank technology. Nothing like the M1A2 has ever reached the soldier. In the age of electronics and data management, the M1A2 gives the tanker more lethality, fightability, and ease of use. Let’s look at its components.

Intewehicular Information System (IVIS) M S allows the tank crew to communicate with other tanks, including higher and lower echelons, using digital data burst communications. Operations orders, overlays, reports, calls for fm, and other information can be sent by digital data burst through the SINCGARS radios.

PosItIon/NavIgatIon Svstem (POSMAV)

The PositioWavigation System (POSbJAV) is a totally autonomous system that gives the crew its position in a military grid reference system format. This system does not depend on satellites or any other external devices for maintaining location. Input from the POSbJAV is used f a own vehicle location and, when combined with the laser rangefmder (Lw and M S, enemy and other far target locations are known. IVIS sends friendly tank positions to other tanks every 15 minutes, or 100 meters of movement. With this information, tankers will always know the position of other vehicles in their unit, even without visual contact.

Commander‘s Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) The CITV allows the tank commander to search for and engage targets independently of the gunner. The tank commander can use auto scan and search a sector he has chosen, or scan manually with the Commander’s Control Handle Assembly (CCHA). Once the commander identifies a target, he merely presses the designate button, and the main gun is aligned with the CITV and the target. The gunner can engage this target while the commander searches for the next target. This “Hunter-Killer” a-pability greatly enhances the abilities of the MIA2 crew to destroy multiple enemy targets.

With the CITV’s stadia reticle, the commander can estimate range and engage a target even if the laser rangefinder is inoperative. Improved Commander’s Weapon Station (ICWS) ”le ICWS has improved vision blocks that give the tank commander a full 360degree view outside the tank. Each vision block has overlapping view and directed energy weapons protection.

The Core Tank The internal and external structure of the M1A2 hull and turret are the same as the MlA1. Inside this battle-proven, highly survivable structure is a totally new concept in tank systems. The basic wiring of the tank is an all-new digital system. The 1553 data bus of the MIA2 allows each Line Replaceable Unit (LRU)/component to share a communication link and operate as a system. The 1553 data bus allows enormous amounts of data to lMPROVED flow through the tank, providing the tank and its crew information not previously available.

This electronic wonder provides a degree of redundancy, and, therefore, improved survivability.

All display panels in the M1A2 are new. The Commander’s Integrated Display (CID) contains Screens for IVIS and CITV functions. The tank commander can look on the CID to view operations orders, replTS, or map overlays. He can also draw overlays and send them through IVIS. Radio setup and control is another feature done through the CID. The CID can provide backup for both the gunner’sand driver’s panels. The Gunner’s Control and Display Panel (GCDP) contains readouts of all data the gunner needs. All ballistic inputs, both automatic and manual, can be accessed on the GCDP. The GCDP can also back up CID functions.?he Driver’s Integrated Display (DID) is a single panel that replaces the three driver’s panels on the MlAl. The driver can use the steer-to indicator to follow the come set by the tank commander through IVIS and Interior of the M1A2 ClTV dome on left turret front identifies the M1A2 version. the FQS/NAV. He can use the backup function to accomplish limited tank commander (CID) functions if required The Dual Axis Head Assembly @AHA) in the GPS enables the M1A2 to more accurately track and engage evasive targets, both on the ground and in the air. When used with planned ammunition improvements, the M1A2 becomes a more lethal component of the future battlefield. The M1A2 Abrams will greatly enhance the warfghting capability of the Armor Force of the future. Greater command and control realized by this system will increase our ability to mass and commit decisive combat power on the battlefield. Aside benefit of increased command and control is better identification of friend or foe. Real time information will be provided through a display screen instead of long radio transmissions. The MlA2’s increased engagement and target destruction capabilities put it head and shoulders above the current tanks -THE FUTURE IS

NOW!

Captain Timothy Garth was commissioned in 1982 from ROTC at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va. A graduate of AOB, AOAC, CAS3 and the Materiel Acquisition Management Course, he has served as a platoon leader, company XO, and support platoon leader in 2-8 Cav, 1st Cav Division, Ft. Hood, Texas; as battalion S4 and company commander in 3-64 Armor, 3d ID, FRG; and as a test offiier at TEXCOM

Armor and Engineer Board at Ft. Knox. He is currently the logistics officer in the TRADOC System Manager for Armored Gun System (TSM-AGS) at Ft. KMX.

GunnMs Control and Dsplay Panel (GCDP) Commanders Integrated Dsphy (CID) Dnver’s Integrated Display Panel lrrprwed Commander’s Weapon Stalnn (ICWS)