HELLO
CAN SOMEBODY SEND ME PICTURES OF M1A2 TUSK IN IRAQ?
THANK YOU
CHRIS

I don't think all the TUSK upgrades have been implemented to the M1A2 yet so pics from Iraq may be a bit difficult.

Erik

Sorry, none out there. As Erik said, TUSK has not been fielded, only parts of it have been used. The rear cage was installed for a short time, then abandoned since it was a problem with maintenance. The only parts that have been fielded are the T/I phone, barrel mounted .50 cal (in limited #s) and the loader's gun shields.

Also, could you please type in regular sentence case? All caps is seen as yelling on the forums and is harder to read.

There is a series of photos out there that show some of the frames and ERA blocks fitted, but of course I can't remember where they were. They also have the loaders gun shield. I've cropped one of the down a bit, from the ones I saved on the comp. Maybe someone recognizes it?


Jim

That looks like some of the feild modifications carried out on the Abrams. Apparently there is a weak point between the first and second road wheel, so they applied those blocks to cover the gap. Makes hitting that spot with an RPG much harder, but I don't think that is the TUSK upgrade.

That is a field mod by adding Bradley ERA blocks to cover a weak spot. It is not the TUSK upgrade. They do have the loaders shields as I stated above though.

Jim,
Those Loader's shields in the picture are actually TAGS (Transparent Armored Gun Shields) that have been out since 2004... They can be found on HMMWVs, M113s as well as tanks. We had some on our tanks (3ID) in 2005. The TUSK shields were actually smaller and angled, like the shields found on an SdKfz 251/1. The TUSK also features a series of armored plates that form a parapet around the loader's position.
HTH
John

Gino, I think we may need to change our info on that soon. My understanding is that TUSK either has been or will be deployed within in the next few months. Its obviously in limited numbers, but I think I was reading in Armor or Janes about it. I'll have to go back and look for it....

Jeff