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WASHINGTON: Even as Congress inches toward cutting off arms sales to Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi and Riyadh’s grinding war in Yemen, the United States is preparing to ship $14.5 billion worth of arms to the increasingly embattled kingdom. Those weapons include “helicopters, tanks, ships, weapons, and training,” a Pentagon spokesman said, confirming they were part of the $110 billion worth of arms the Trump administration pledged to sell Saudi over the next decade. While defense and diplomatic officials declined to put a timetable on the delivery of the equipment — or offer specifics...

We have discussed in-depth the U.S. Army's move to equip some of its M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks with a version of Israeli's proven Trophy Active Protection System, and although we have seen some renderings of what the Abrams may look like with the system, we now have actual pictures, and they look a bit different than expected to say the least. As we noted on our last piece about Trophy, the system works as such: "Trophy... is a so-called “hard kill” active protection system for tanks and other armored vehicles. It combines a radar with launchers that shoot a...

Taiwan is planning to purchase torpedoes and heavy tanks from the United States in an attempt to further fortify its defense capabilities against China. The Liberty Times reported that Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou ordered the country's defense ministry to draft a draw up a shopping list of weapons that include MK-54 torpedoes, dozens of M1A2 tanks and amphibious landing vehicles. If acquired, the Taipei daily reported, the torpedoes will be used to replace Taiwan's aging MK-46s. The decision comes despite an easing of tense relations between China and Taiwan in recent years. The move also follows a decision by the...

Prayers needed!!M1-A2 in hospital with Crohn's. Went down(fainted dehydrated) 08/29/07. Doing better today but will be in hospital for 3-4 more days. He(age 17)was just diagnosed in July. We are just now leaning about this malady. Thanks!! Mom and Dad

The M1A2 Abrams tank is shown with TUSK improvements that will adapt it for the urban battlefield. TUSK to update Abrams for urban battle By Eric W. CramerMarch 9, 2005 WASHINGTON (Army News Service, March 9, 2005) -- The Abrams tank is growing a TUSK – that’s Tank Urban Survival Kit, a series of improvements, including some still in development. TUSK will allow Soldiers in the field to improve the Abrams’ ability to survive in urban areas off the traditional battlefield for which it was designed. Lt. Col. Michael Flanagan, product manager for TUSK, said the goal is to...

The battle-tested Abrams tank is poised to remain in service for at least 25 more years, or until the Army is certain that it has an adequate replacement. The tank will stay in the Army, "until we are convinced that the Future Combat Systems is going to give us better lethality," said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker. Abrams tanks will be upgraded not only so they can stay relevant for many more years but also so they can be used as test platforms for FCS, Schoomaker told National Defense following a hearing of the House Armed Services...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States has offered the prospect of an upgrade of the Abrams tank fleet of Middle East allies. U.S. officials said the Defense Department has discussed the prospect of an upgrade of the M1A1 fleets of such countries as Egypt. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia already have the more advanced M1A2 tanks. Egypt has helped produce and assemble nearly 700 M1A1 main battle tanks. The Pentagon has awarded a $26 million contract to General Dynamics Land Systems for the retrofit of 14 M1A2 Abrams Upgrade Tanks to the M1A2 system enhancement program configuration. A Pentagon statement said...

China has made substantial advances in some areas of its ground and naval forces, including upgrades to tanks and armor, laser systems and anti-submarine warfare. Jane's Defense Weekly, a respected Britain-based military journal, said the People's Liberation Army is set to deploy a new main battle tank, or MBT, that, when fielded, will become the most powerful of its kind in the world. The magazine said the tank will feature a huge 152 mm main gun with an automatic loader that, when coupled with a new advanced aiming system, will enable the tank to fire on the move with high...

FORT HOOD, Texas (Reuters) - Two U.S. Army soldiers have been killed and nine others injured after their tank, one of the most advanced armoured vehicles in the U.S. military arsenal, caught fire during a training exercise. It was at least the second fire in an Abrams M-1A2 tank, one of the world's premiere battle tanks, in three months. "There was a fire inside the tank. The tank was on a gunnery range at the time," said Cecil Green a spokesman for Fort Hood, about 120 miles southwest of Dallas. Seven of the nine injured have been released from a...