Syria’s Steel Beasts: The T-72

[TechnoFox]

They rolled in with M1A1's into Fallujah and had very little trouble. They learned they were decades ahead of anything the world could throw at them and so they introduced the M1A2 to widen that gap. Who else has depleted uranium mesh-reinforced composite armor on their tanks in the world today?

After the M1A2's lessons in Iraq came the TUSK package - Tank Urban Survival Kit.

It's counterintuitive, infantry in builtup cities armed with mine, IED, EFP, RPG or ATGMs are the bane of tanks everywhere, hence the need for infantry or air support to cover tank movements, but the TUSK package did offer the M1A2 more survivalbility when it didn't have the luxury of support while in cities.

The field-installed kit includes armor upgrades to the rear and bottom of the hull; an installation of slat armor to protect the engine compartment and use of appliqué reactive armor tiles to improve flank protection. A CROWS remote controlled weapon station (RWS) mounting a .50 caliber machine gun is replacing the commander's 0.5" cupola mounted heavy machine gun, enabling the commander to operate the weapon when "buttoned up" under closed hatches. RWS is provided only for M-1A2 TUSK sets. The M-1A1s will be fitted with a thermal sight coupled with remote- viewing and firing capability.

The TUSK kit includes a bolt on armored gun shield attached to the M240 (7.62mm) external machine gun, which will help to protect the loader when he is in the open-hatch firing position. When "buttoned up" the loader will be able to use the weapon from inside, aiming it via a thermal sight which projects the target image into a pair of goggles. A tank-infantry phone linked to the tank's intercom will also be added to improve connectivity with supporting forces.

Lessons learned with TUSK have been incorporated into SEP:

The baseline M1A2 tank uses advanced armor, reinforced with depleted uranium layers. The M1A2 SEP has a further upgraded depleted uranium armor components with graphite coating. Protection of this MBT is considered as one of the best in the world. The M1A2 SEP has significant level of protection against all known anti-tank weapons. It can also employ counter-IED equipment. Protection can be further increased with add-on explosive reactive armor.

The tank is armed with the same 120-mm M256 smoothbore gun as its predecessor. Range of effective fire is in excess of 4 km. It can fire the M829A3 APFSDS rounds with depleted uranium penetrator and M1028 canister rounds that discharges massive blast of tungsten fragments at muzzle exit. This round has devastating lethality against assaulting infantry between a range of 200-500 meters. Ammunition for the main gun is stored in the turret bustle, fitted with blow-out panels.

The SEPv2 (version 2) added CROWS or CROWS 2 remotely operated weapon station, armed with a 12.7-mm machine gun. This weapon can be fired from inside of the tank without exposing the crew to enemy fire. Also there are two 7.62-mm machine guns. One of them is mounted coaxially with the main gun. The other is mounted on top of the roof and is operated by the gunner.

The M1A2 SEP has a more advanced fire control system with upgraded ballistic computer. Both the gunner's sight and commander's independent thermal viewer use new 2nd generation FLIR technology and have improved thermal imaging and night vision capabilities. Commander and gunner can designate and track multiple targets simultaneously. This gives the tank a hunter-killer engagement capability.

M1A2 SEP V2:

And M1A2 SEP V2 TUSK:

*This one lacks CROWS

that lessons adopted??

The implementation of the TUSK, SEP and SEP V2 TUSK were all a result of M1A2 operations and lessons in urban Iraqi cities.

Each upgrade is designed to counter both open and urban battlefield situations including mines, AGTMs, RPGs, tanks and IFVs and IEDs.

The next iteration of the M1 series may have the Advanced Tank Cannon system:

*Note this is only a prototype M1A3. The program is in its initial stages.

This 140mm cannon was first shown on the CATTB prototype M1:

 

[jamahir]

great info, @TechnoFox .

@levina , @WAJsal - he made it into simple enough language for even a amateur like to understand.

to our syrian friend, @Syrian Lion , to pass onto the syrian forces.

 

[forcetrip]

After the M1A2's lessons in Iraq came the TUSK package - Tank Urban Survival Kit.

It's counterintuitive, infantry in builtup cities armed with mine, IED, EFP, RPG or ATGMs are the bane of tanks everywhere, hence the need for infantry or air support to cover tank movements, but the TUSK package did offer the M1A2 more survivalbility when it didn't have the luxury of support while in cities.

The field-installed kit includes armor upgrades to the rear and bottom of the hull; an installation of slat armor to protect the engine compartment and use of appliqué reactive armor tiles to improve flank protection. A CROWS remote controlled weapon station (RWS) mounting a .50 caliber machine gun is replacing the commander's 0.5" cupola mounted heavy machine gun, enabling the commander to operate the weapon when "buttoned up" under closed hatches. RWS is provided only for M-1A2 TUSK sets. The M-1A1s will be fitted with a thermal sight coupled with remote- viewing and firing capability.

The TUSK kit includes a bolt on armored gun shield attached to the M240 (7.62mm) external machine gun, which will help to protect the loader when he is in the open-hatch firing position. When "buttoned up" the loader will be able to use the weapon from inside, aiming it via a thermal sight which projects the target image into a pair of goggles. A tank-infantry phone linked to the tank's intercom will also be added to improve connectivity with supporting forces.

Lessons learned with TUSK have been incorporated into SEP:

The baseline M1A2 tank uses advanced armor, reinforced with depleted uranium layers. The M1A2 SEP has a further upgraded depleted uranium armor components with graphite coating. Protection of this MBT is considered as one of the best in the world. The M1A2 SEP has significant level of protection against all known anti-tank weapons. It can also employ counter-IED equipment. Protection can be further increased with add-on explosive reactive armor.

The tank is armed with the same 120-mm M256 smoothbore gun as its predecessor. Range of effective fire is in excess of 4 km. It can fire the M829A3 APFSDS rounds with depleted uranium penetrator and M1028 canister rounds that discharges massive blast of tungsten fragments at muzzle exit. This round has devastating lethality against assaulting infantry between a range of 200-500 meters. Ammunition for the main gun is stored in the turret bustle, fitted with blow-out panels.

The SEPv2 (version 2) added CROWS or CROWS 2 remotely operated weapon station, armed with a 12.7-mm machine gun. This weapon can be fired from inside of the tank without exposing the crew to enemy fire. Also there are two 7.62-mm machine guns. One of them is mounted coaxially with the main gun. The other is mounted on top of the roof and is operated by the gunner.

The M1A2 SEP has a more advanced fire control system with upgraded ballistic computer. Both the gunner's sight and commander's independent thermal viewer use new 2nd generation FLIR technology and have improved thermal imaging and night vision capabilities. Commander and gunner can designate and track multiple targets simultaneously. This gives the tank a hunter-killer engagement capability.

M1A2 SEP V2:

And M1A2 SEP V2 TUSK:

*This one lacks CROWS

The implementation of the TUSK, SEP and SEP V2 TUSK were all a result of M1A2 operations and lessons in urban Iraqi cities.

Each upgrade is designed to counter both open and urban battlefield situations including mines, AGTMs, RPGs, tanks and IFVs and IEDs.

The next iteration of the M1 series may have the Advanced Tank Cannon system:

*Note this is only a prototype M1A3. The program is in its initial stages.

This 140mm cannon was first shown on the CATTB prototype M1:

Had no idea about so many variants for the M1's. Also did not know they used M1A2's in 2003. Could you give any references which units had the A2's? I also think these extra armor package were all possible due to the extremely amazing engine fielded by the American tanks over the years. I also am sure some might disagree.

 

[alimobin memon]

Studying this i wonder the turret of alkhalid is ill equipped. I think the turret should be protected 360 like leopard or abrams alkhalid turret should be widened and add armour extra in rear so that explosive by ammunition is less likely

 

[forcetrip]

Studying this i wonder the turret of alkhalid is ill equipped. I think the turret should be protected 360 like leopard or abrams alkhalid turret should be widened and add armour extra in rear so that explosive by ammunition is less likely

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You can see how even the M1 export version have a secluded weapons hold. The Metis M ATGM pierced through the weapons hold and took it out immediately.The tank even when destroyed allowed the commander to exit the vehicle. Do not think the Gunner was that lucky. But this just shows that crew compartments are built to withstand internal explosions upwards to give crew maximum survival chances. We can not compare any pre 70's and even 90's design to the M1 let alone the design of Al Khalid. Our requirements are much different than the west. Price per unit is more important than the crew due to having a huge pool of human resources. One more thing is that the M1 export version does not share the same armor as their own tanks. Its a huge step down.

 

[yugocrosrb95]

You can see how even the M1 export version have a secluded weapons hold. The Metis M ATGM pierced through the weapons hold and took it out immediately.The tank even when destroyed allowed the commander to exit the vehicle. Do not think the Gunner was that lucky. But this just shows that crew compartments are built to withstand internal explosions upwards to give crew maximum survival chances. We can not compare any pre 70's and even 90's design to the M1 let alone the design of Al Khalid. Our requirements are much different than the west. Price per unit is more important than the crew due to having a huge pool of human resources. One more thing is that the M1 export version does not share the same armor as their own tanks. Its a huge step down.

I found out that Al Khalid got upgrades with cutting edge reactive armor from Ukraine the Nozh/Knife reactive armor system that can sustain multiple hits which is spectactular. I hope Ukrainians will solve the problem with their 1500HP engine, T-84 Oplot M should be comparable to M1 or M1A1

 

[Beast]

You can see how even the M1 export version have a secluded weapons hold. The Metis M ATGM pierced through the weapons hold and took it out immediately.The tank even when destroyed allowed the commander to exit the vehicle. Do not think the Gunner was that lucky. But this just shows that crew compartments are built to withstand internal explosions upwards to give crew maximum survival chances. We can not compare any pre 70's and even 90's design to the M1 let alone the design of Al Khalid. Our requirements are much different than the west. Price per unit is more important than the crew due to having a huge pool of human resources. One more thing is that the M1 export version does not share the same armor as their own tanks. Its a huge step down.

Really? This M1A1 show other wise.

 

[forcetrip]

I found out that Al Khalid got upgrades with cutting edge reactive armor from Ukraine the Nozh/Knife reactive armor system that can sustain multiple hits which is spectactular. I hope Ukrainians will solve the problem with their 1500HP engine, T-84 Oplot M should be comparable to M1 or M1A1

Yes. Knife ERA is being implemented but its not better protection from a single hit,, its better protection for multiple hits because the targeted area does not damage the neighboring blocks of armor. Any new tank shell or old ATGM can penetrate it. But you are correct, it is still a very good upgrade from what we have and you are also correct in pointing out its under powered engine. The better the engine the more add ons that it can support.

Really? This M1A1 show other wise.

Unfortunately youtube links do not play here. Anyway you can write down the link?

 

[T-55]

T-72 with GoPro

 

[vostok]

Some media reports say that the Syrian army will soon receive a batch of T-72B and BMP-2

 

[Enver Paşa]

Syrian army is finished. they once got 3000MBT and supported PKK in Turkey against turkish state.

Today those syrian tank force is no more. together with 150.000 asad soldiers/warcriminals halal´d.

Whoever attacks Turks will pay the Price. Turks never Forget and never forgive. A superior race.

 

[Inception-06]

You can see how even the M1 export version have a secluded weapons hold. The Metis M ATGM pierced through the weapons hold and took it out immediately.The tank even when destroyed allowed the commander to exit the vehicle. Do not think the Gunner was that lucky. But this just shows that crew compartments are built to withstand internal explosions upwards to give crew maximum survival chances. We can not compare any pre 70's and even 90's design to the M1 let alone the design of Al Khalid. Our requirements are much different than the west. Price per unit is more important than the crew due to having a huge pool of human resources. One more thing is that the M1 export version does not share the same armor as their own tanks. Its a huge step down.

But he is right about the The Turret armour of the AlKhalid Tank, it should have all around ERA-Blocks not only on the front side !

What we need is that here :

Some media reports say that the Syrian army will soon receive a batch of T-72B and BMP-2

I hope so ! They need it very much ! I hope all the new tanks which get, will have extra armour and a machine gun turret for the commander !

Syrian army is finished. they once got 3000MBT and supported PKK in Turkey against turkish state.

Today those syrian tank force is no more. together with 150.000 asad soldiers/warcriminals halal´d.

Whoever attacks Turks will pay the Price. Turks never Forget and never forgive. A superior race.

If you believe in something like "a superior race", than you may know that :
"The dark side of the force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural!"

 

[T-55]

I hope so ! They need it very much ! I hope all the new tanks which get, will have extra armour and a machine gun turret for the commander !

I think Vostok was refering to thanks spoted in Novorossiysk port.

 

[Malik Alashter]

If you believe in something like "a superior race", than you may know that :
"The dark side of the force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural!"

Not to reply to this brain dammage kid.

 

[forcetrip]

But he is right about the The Turret armour of the AlKhalid Tank, it should have all around ERA-Blocks not only on the front side !

What we need is that here :

View attachment 264597 View attachment 264598 View attachment 264599




I hope so ! They need it very much ! I hope all the new tanks which get, will have extra armour and a machine gun turret for the commander !




If you believe in something like "a superior race", than you may know that :
"The dark side of the force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural!"

Fitting a new turret is not as easy as its made out to be. Especially with older designs. The Al Khalid is not a futuristic tank. It fulfills our requirements at the cost it is being produced and the threats we face where this tank will be required. Plus that T62 turret also does not seem to be very protective of the ring of the turret. Actually it exposes it more than any other design i have seen.