Posted on 10/01/2001 8:32:05 PM PDT by lormand
Does anyone have pics of the highway of death? I had a hard time finding any good ones.
The T-55 is most effective against light to medium armor vehicles. The basic ammunition load for the main gun is 43 rounds. External fuel cells make the tank very vulnerable, as does its thin armor protection. The T-55 has a limited ability to depress the main gun, hindering the tank’s fires in defilade from high ground. In addition the gunner’s primary sight is slaved to the main gun, which does not allow the gunner to acquire targets in a hull-down posture.
Although the half-egg shaped turret of the T-55 has good ballistic qualities, it provides cramped working conditions for the crew, resulting in a slow rate of fire; and the protection afforded by its low silhouette (1 meter lower than the M60) is counterbalanced by its poor armor protection which is thin by western standards. By the same standards, its gun control equipment is also crude. It shares the disadvantage of most Soviet tanks in having limited ability to depress the main gun, thus not being capable of firing effectively from defilade and being forced to expose itself to engage targets. Ammunition and fuel are stored in vulnerable positions. The lack of a turret basket presents loading difficulties, and there is limited ready ammunition. The driver, commander, and gunner are all in line.
The T-55 is not airtight. Although crew members are protected from radioactive dust by the filtration system, they must wear individual protective masks and clothing to guard against chemical and biological agents. The tank must thus pass through contaminated areas rapidly and then be decontaminated before it is fully operational.
The tank can be made watertight for fording water obstacles up to 1.4 meters deep (5.5 meters with snorkel). However, it may take up to half an hour to prepare a medium tank unit for a snorkeling operation, and entrance and exit points may also require preparation.
The M1 series tank is equipped with a 1500 horsepower Lycoming Textron gas turbine engine coupled to an Allison hydrokenetic transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. It has a tactical cruising range of approximately 275 miles. Despite its weight, the M1 can attain a top speed of nearly 45 miles per hour. The main armament is a 120mm smooth bore cannon. It has day/night fire on the move capability which is provided by a laser range finder, thermal imaging night sight, optical day sight, and a digital ballistic computer. Both the fuel and ammunition are compartmented to enhance survivability. The hull and turret are protected by advanced armor similar to the Chobam armor developed by the British Ministry of Defense. When required, the Abrams may be fitted with "reactive armor" to thwart armor-defeating munitions.
I forgot about this, but there's a new artillery initiative that the Army's been working on for a few years now. It's intended to replace the M109 series of 155 guns. Ironically -- and appropriately -- the new weapons system is called CRUSADER.
More to follow. Y'all will love this.
Thanks!
Automated ammunition-handling systems, a thermally cooled cannon, and digital decision aids allow Crusader to fight relentlessly -- in all battlefield conditions. This advanced system's power and mobility will allow artillery crews to attack targets faster and provide improved lateral support on the battlefield, creating a tremendous combat overmatch for our cannon force.
Click here and be amazed. Heaven help the bad guys.
Crusader provides the Army's Objective Force with the firepower it needs to win battles quickly and decisively -- with minimal U.S. casualties -- across the entire spectrum of operations.
The system will be able to fire up to 12 rounds per minute relentlessly -- in any weather condition and over any terrain. Responsive, long-range, and accurate fires will allow commanders to extend and dominate the battlefield and set extremely high optempos for land operations.
Plus, Crusader's ability to fire the first rounds of a mission in as little as 15(!!!) seconds will ensure that weapons hit their targets before the enemy has a chance to move. This agility will result in more enemy combat losses and more enemy casualties. It will dramatically reduce direct-fire threats for U.S. combat vehicles and ground troops. And it will allow force commanders to shape the field faster and more efficiently than ever before.
rate of fire
Crusader's automated system accurately fires up to 12 rounds per minute -- at targets up to 40 kilometers away. This means one howitzer delivers as much firepower as an entire battery of Paladins. This rate of fire is even more impressive when you consider the relentless performance of the system.
With today's systems, artillerymen must prepare, load, ram, and fire weapons -- sometimes in extreme heat or extreme cold. In these environments, even the most physically fit and highly determined men will tire -- and that will have an impact on the rate of fire. But Crusader never tires -- no matter what the conditions. Crusader allows the crew to operate at an extremely high optempo for as long as the mission requires.
MRSI
High rates of fire and deadly accuracy allow Crusader to execute devastating Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact -- or MRSI -- missions. Crusader can fire up to 8 rounds that land at the same time on a target that's located up to 30 kilometers away. This devastating attack -- which gives the enemy no time to react or relocate -- is possible because of Crusader's onboard intelligence, high rate of fire, and deadly accuracy.
rate of fire: 10 to 12 rounds
sustained rates of fire: 3 to 6 rounds per minute
MRSI: 4 to 8 rounds
payload: 48 rounds
range: 40 to 50km
rearm: 12 minutes or less
ammunition types: DPICM, Smoke, Illumination, FASCAM, HE/ER, SADARM
MRSI: 4 to 8 rounds
payload: 48 rounds
range: 40 to 50km
rearm: 12 minutes or less
It will work very well against Iraq.
The 82d hasn't gone anywhere. The news has been reporting we have mech and armor units loading out.
You don't send mech or armor into Afghanistan, it's a light fight for air assault troops.
The heavy units aren't going to Afghanistan -- in my opinion. They're headed to Iraq.
I for one hope the Warthog is NEVER retired. And to think, it was slated for mothballing before Sept. 11th.
I dunno about best looking, but it's one hell of a plane. it's a tank with wings. If I were *ever* able to fly a plane into combat, it'd be an A-10 Warthog.
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