M1A1 (AIM v.2) SA: The Abrams Refit

Yontzee · July 20, 2023, 1:57am

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

Yes
No

0 voters

M1A1 (AIM v.2) SA: The Abrams Refit

main-qimg-4d4cec88f28e09aea2b37ad7267321

U.S. Army M1A1 Situational Awareness Main Battle Tank.

Summary:
- This suggestion is for the implementation of the M1A1 SA (Situational Awareness) Abrams which is the most recent upgrade to the M1A1 Abrams used within the U.S. Army.
Description :
- The M1A1 SA (Situational Awareness), also known as the M1A1 AIM v.2, is the most recent variant of the M1A1 Abrams fielded by the United States Army. Introduced in the late-2000’s by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) for the Abrams Tank Upgrade Program (which also introduced the M1A2 SEP v2 and SEP v3 upgrades), was designed to bring older M1A1 models to current “zero-hour” fighting condition. This includes new features such as 3rd generation depleted uranium armor (the same found on the M1A2 Abrams SEP), upgraded 2nd generation FLIR (for the Gunner only), Blue Force Tracking Sensor, Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2), new NBC protection system, as well as the ability to equip the TUSK I armor package. It is currently unknown if the M1A1 SA has been fielded with the TUSK II Armor Package. Another factor is the digitalized fire control system, which is a major upgrade over older generations of the M1 Abrams. The M1A1 SA has seen deployment in Iraq by both U.S. and Iraqi forces during the late stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The M1A1 SA is due to be phased out by the end of the 20’s due to divestment and the introduction of the M1A2 SEPv 3/4 tank programs, it will be still in use by National Guard forces. The Army, through GDLS and other government contractors, has been removing the DU armor packages and replacing them with export armor in preparation for future export. Countries such as Australia, Egypt, Morocco, and Iraq currently field ex-US Army M1A1 SA’s without the DU armor.
- “The Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) Program is the recapitalization program for the M1A1 tank. Under AIM, M1A1 tanks are completely disassembled at Anniston Army Depot, Ala. The depot refurbishes many of the tank’s components. The assemblies are then shipped to the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Ohio, where General Dynamics Land Systems reassembles the tanks to zero time/zero miles standard. The AIM program has fielded tanks to units at Fort Hood, Texas, and in Germany. Annual production now stands at 135 tanks per year and will continue until 2012. In addition, AIM serves as the venue to apply modifications and upgrades to the tank, including embedded diagnostics. AIM also serves as a means to combat electronic obsolescence by introducing improved line replaceable units for those that face technical obsolescence. The AIM process also incorporates redesigned hull and turret network boxes.” Page 343, Association of the United States Army Weapons Guide (1)
Armament:
- Main Weapon: 120 mm M256 L/44 Smoothbore Gun (w/ 40rds)
  - Rounds:
    - M829A3 APFSDS-T
    - M830 HEAT-T
    - M830A1 HEAT-MP-T
    - M908 HE-ORT
    - M1028 Cannister
  - Depression/Elevation: -10°/20°
- Additional Weapons:
  - Commander: 12.7mm M2HB Heavy Machine Gun
  - Loader: 7.62mm M240C Medium Machine Gun
  - Coaxial: 7.62mm M240C Medium Machine Gun
Maneuverability:
- Engine: 1,500hp Lycoming Textron AGT1500C Gas Turbine Engine
- Transmission: Allison DDA X-1100-3C (8-forward, 4-reverse)
- Chassis: High-hardness-steel Torsion Bars w/ Rotary Shock Absorbers
- Max Speed: 67km/h
Dimensions:
- Length: 7.93m (9.77m w/ Gun Forward)
- Width: 3.7m
- Height: 2.4m
- Weight: ~69t
Crew (4x):
- Commander
- Driver
- Gunner
- Loader
Features:
- 3rd Generation Depleted Uranium Armor inserts in the Hull and Turret
  - Capable of stopping most Kinetic Energy rounds currently in-game. Mainly in the Turret Cheeks.
- 2x 6-Barrel Smoke Grenade Launchers
- ESS
- Laser Rangefinder
- Optics (Block I FLIR for Gunner):
  - Driver: AN/VVS-2(V)2A Night Vision Periscope (Standard Night Vision Device)
  - Gunner: Raytheon Gunner’s Primary Sight- Line of Sight (GPS-LOS) (2nd Generation Thermal Imager)
  - Commander: Stabilized Commander’s Weapon Station (1st Generation Thermal Imager)
- Optional Tusk I Package (options are not applied to all vehicles, variations in levels of TUSK equipment may occur due to mission requirements):
  - M-19 Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT)
    - Covers the hull sides in Reactive armor tiles that provides a minimum of 260mm protection against HEAT rounds.
  - Remote Controlled M2HB
    - Additional 12.7mm M2HB placed over the main gun for a total of 4 Machine Guns (2x 12.7mm Machine Guns & 2 7.62mm Machine Guns).
  - Loader’s Armored Gun Shield
    - Protection shield around the M240C to protect the loader against small arms fire.
  - Engine Compartment SLAT Armor
    - Covers the engine compartment to protect against HEAT rounds and explosives.
Reason for Implementation:
- The addition of the M1A1 SA Abrams would provide the U.S. tree a top tier Abrams that is separated from the standard M1A2 SEPv-line. The M1A1 SA provides almost all the same capabilities of the M1A2 SEPv’s with the exception of the CITV. However, due to the Stabilized commander’s Weapon Station (SCWS), the M1A1 SA still maintains 1st generation thermals for the Commander. This vehicle will provide the U.S. tree capabilities to defeat most vehicles of other nations while being different from the venerable M1A2 Abrams.
- If this vehicle cannot be added to the normal tech tree, removing the DU armor/TUSK and providing it with export nations camouflages would give it Squadron Vehicle potential.

Imagery/Videos:

U.S. Army M1A1 SA’s:

Spoiler

[center]M1A1 SA Situational Awareness main battle tank United States U S Army - YouTube

Ohio National Guard video describing the M1A1 SA’s capabilities.

M1A1-SA Abrams tanks crews abilities - YouTube

Video describing crew capabilities in the M1A1 SA.

U.S. Army M1A1-SA Abrams Tank Gunnery Training Action (Oct. 20, 2018.) - YouTube

U.S. Army M1A1 SA conducting exercises, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, October 20, 2018.