Possible M1A2 Blueprint/Reverse engineering diagram

[ileaveuptiers]

@TheArcticFoxxo

Unless there is proof saying otherwise, the M1A1HA and M1A1HC both use the same internal structure.

The only proof that WOULD point towards that would be armor, in which external dimensions were changed to accompany HAP implementation.

I’m not disputing that those two are different at all. I am saying that the original M1 hull is different though. Data from the CATTB program suggests that the hull was structurally reinforced due to stress issues. Perhaps from that research they applied that to the HA/HC hull.

@TheArcticFoxxo

And that’s explained perfectly by the replacement of the Improved BRL pattern to HAP-1/2… In the turret alone.

I highly doubt that they were able to add 5 tons of turret armor without having to reinforce the hull. My guess is they used some of the 5 tons out of that weight difference to increase hull rigidity.

@TheArcticFoxxo

Because the M1A1HC and M1A2 both use HAP-2, instead of the original BRL-2 layout.

I’m not disputing that

[ileaveuptiers]

Weight was a huge issue for the US when they were choosing between the XM-1 and Leopard as their MBT. I’d guess that the hulls of the M1 were made specifically for the weight it required. Stress from turret rotation and firing were only thought out for that specific hull. That’s another reason why I believe the hulls were strengthened. I don’t think they planned on reusing the M1 for 44 years.