Moroccan state television reveals footage of new Abrams M1A1SA tanks

[Zarvan]

Moroccan Medi1TV state television revealed footage of new Abrams M1A1SA tanks of Royal Moroccan Army. That reported by Hammer Head.

The Royal Moroccan Army’s receives first upgrade M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks from USA. The first batch of Abrams tanks was spottedin Morocco in July 2016.

Morocco receives tanks from the US as part of the general contract for 222 tanks , worth $ 1.015 billion, which was approved by the US Congress in 2011 and signed in 2013. Earlier, in 2013, it was already informed about the contract for 50 tanks , delivery of which should be completed by November 30 2016.

Under the $358m foreign military sales (FMS) contract, the General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) company will upgrade a total of 150 M1A1 Abrams tanks for sale to the Kingdom of Morocco.

The advanced M1A1 SA tank features gunners primary sight, new Block I 2nd generation forward-looking infrared technology, and a blue force tracking system for enhanced effectiveness in the battlefield.

According to the company, the refurbished tanks also incur lower operational and support costs and report higher operational readiness rates.



http://defence-blog.com/army/morocc...ealed-footage-of-new-abrams-m1a1sa-tanks.html

@DESERT FIGHTER @Dazzler @Horus @Ceylal @Sulman Badshah @Tipu7

 

[bidonv]

Morocco first batch of Abrams M1A1 MBT tanks shippement.

 

[50cent]

Guess there is a jet engine in it so guess fuel costs

 

[Penguin]

Guess there is a jet engine in it so guess fuel costs

Gas turbine engine.

'The M1A1 SA is motorized with a Lycoming Textron AGT 1500 gas turbine. The engine operates primarily on diesel or kerosene-based fuel, but can operate on petrol during emergencies. Approximately 70 per cent of the engine accessories and components can be removed without removing the power pack from the tank. The complete power pack can be removed and replaced in less than an hour. The Power Train Improvement and Integration Optimization Program (Total InteGrated Engine Revitalization (TIGER) engine and improved transmission), which provides more reliability and durability. '
http://www.armyrecognition.com/unit...data_sheet_specifications_pictures_video.html

The gas turbine propulsion system has proven quite reliable in practice and combat, but its high fuel consumption is a serious logistic issue (starting up the turbine alone consumes nearly 10 US gallons (38 L) of fuel). The engine burns more than 1.67 US gallons (6.3 L) per mile (60 US gallons (230 L) per hour) when traveling cross-country and 10 US gallons (38 L) per hour when idle.

GTUs are more fuel hungry e.g. because, unlike diesels, they don't idle at low revs. In December 2014, Congress again allocated $120 million, against the wishes of the Army, for Abrams upgrades including improving gas mileage by integrating an auxiliary power unit to decrease idle time fuel consumption.
https://aerospace.honeywell.com/en/...iciency-enhancements-to-m1-abrams-tank-engine

The current AGT-1500 engine could be replaced by the GD LV100-5 gasturbine. This is lighter and smaller (43% fewer parts) with rapid acceleration, quieter running, and no visible exhaust. It would also feature a 33% reduction in fuel consumption (50% less when idle) and is a near drop-in replacement. General Dynamics is also offering the Tognum America/12V883 diesel engine with new Diehl 570P3 tracks. This is a licenced copy of a German MTU engine that is offered as part of the MTU Europack, and used e.g. on Merkava 4.

AGT-1500 gasturbine engine is also quiet, earning the M1 the nickname 'Whispering death' and give good accelleration and speed.

 

[Nilgiri]

Morocco first batch of Abrams M1A1 MBT tanks shippement.

How are relations between Morocco and Algeria these days?

 

[bidonv]

How are relations between Morocco and Algeria these days?

Morocco and Polisario are on the verge to renew hostilities, and I'm pretty sure Morocco will try to drag Algeria in an hypothetique conflict.

Guess there is a jet engine in it so guess fuel costs

I'm more worried about the maintenance cost, and facilities needed to fuel such monsters.............

 

[Mustang06]

How different are these from the one's operated by SA and Egypt?