Quick-thinking NCOs rescue soldiers from burning tank

Army Times ^ | March 28, 2003 | By Sean D. Naylor

[Freedom4US]

The problem isn't just the extinguishers on the flightline though, the Black Hawk, for example, uses 2 firebottles for suppression, either manually discharged or crash sequence triggered via accelerometers.

[TADSLOS]

The fire bottles on the Blackhawk and Apache are still in use.

[Freedom4US]

Ya, that's my whole point. What do we do when existing
stocks run out? I guarantee any replacement will probably
be heavier, or less effective, or more expensive. More likely all three if had to bet on it.

[Rate_Determining_Step]

Brave, brave men over there. The "awe" of this war is the professionalism and bravery of those over there.

Simply outstanding!

Those mo-fo Republican Guard have no idea what awaits them. Although they're getting an idea.

They're the most dedicated, powerful & professional Saddam ass-kicking machine that there ever was!

[crz]

I'd say at least a silver. Makes the kids in the unit look up to him even more.

[TADSLOS]

I seem to recall that there is or was an exception to retaining some types of halon systems based on their unique uses and small quantities. Anyway, you're right. It's an effective and relatively lightweight chemical and would be hard to replace in closed systems like an M-1 or an aircraft engine compartment.

[HangThemHigh]

"Isn't halon an oxygen scavenging system, therefore not appropriate for confined occupied areas?"

"You are correct."

Halon is not an oxygen scavenger, it scavenges free radicals (partially burned fuel, basically). This makes it very effective at fighting fires, even at relatively low Halon concentrations (low enough concentrations that you could get out safely). If the Halon concentration is very high, as it might easily become in a confined space, it can displace oxygen and kill by asphyxiation.

[The Wizard]

the assholes who designed this multi-ton monster had better get back to the drawing board becasue thanks to TV everyone on earth knows you can stop a M1A1 by shooting it in the back

[ExSoldier]

"No way it was an rpg"

My sources still on active duty say it was a new model (RUSSIAN) laser guided SAGGER missile. Designed to take out the Abrams tank. That's why they began putting those neat little "handles" sewn onto the upper soulders of the tankers coveralls. Makes it so much easier to haul a DAT (Dumb Assed TANKER) out the hatch! At least that's what they told me at the Armor Officer's Advanced Course at Fort Knox.

There are three and maybe four HALON "shots" that can be either manually or automatically fired. One in the driver compartment. One in the main turret and one in the critical ammo storage locker that is also protected by a blast door and "blow off" panels on the rear deck. I have seen video shot remotely from the turret when a TOW missile hits the tank and the temperature never exceeds that which is able to support human life.

[chainsaw]

"Do you think it might have been one of those Russian anti-tank missiles?"

I think central command assessed it as a wire guided russian anti-tank missile.

[af_vet_rr]

Medal of Honor? Could be..its above and beyond IMO.

They were being fired upon, rounds were cooking off in the tank...definitely above and beyond. Sgt. Camacho could have written it off as too dangerous and nobody would have disagreed with him.

[glorgau]

Unless they've modified the design, the Abrams series has a halon fire suppression system in the driver's area and engine compartment.

It is a "one shot" system. the idea is that it is supposed to suppress flash fires such as when the hull is penetrated and the hydraulic fluid which powers the gun elevation and turret rotation vaporizes and ignites, or ammunition explodes. It wouldn't be good during a long burn - say from diesel splashed around by a good hit. Incidently, the Challenger 2s are supposed to have electrically powered turrets that eliminate the high pressure hydraulic lines that are in all other(I think) tanks.