Have you guys seen this version of the Abrams? Very cool. I've found this video and a few pics. Anyone have anymore reference. This would make a killer diorama. Don M.
http://splodetv.com/assault-breacher-vehicle

The original Grizzly for the US Army Corps of Engineers was cancelled. It had an articulated arm with a back-hoe type bucket and an earlier type of mine plow.

This is a more true Assault Breacher. Now that I've seen the video, I think I saw a couple of these being transported by heavy truck transport on I-20 near Columbia, SC about a month or two ago. They didn't have the plows mounted, but did have the add-on armor on the turret sides, no main gun, TC's M1A1 style M2 station, and what I thought were equipment boxes on the engine deck for misc. items boxed up for the transport. I now realize they were the MCLC armored containers. The two ABVs were painted the standard desert tan.

DAMN! I wish I had a camera ready when I saw them!

Don,
I was briefly involved with the program before I retired. At that time the Marine Corps was going to purchase 34 ABV's to be assinged to two platoons, one on each coast with 4 held as spares. I have some photo's in my archive somewhere that show some of the early versions of this vehicle.

Tanks
Andy

the Engineer Museum at Ft Leonard Wood MO has one of the Grizzleys on display. Quite impressive, reminds me of the German Dachs ERV.

There is one at Aberdeen Proving Grounds as well.

Are these actually in service yet?

Yes, The USMC has a few so far. The Army didn't buy them.

USMC M1 ABV (from Defenseindustrydaily.com) :





and two more from Marinetimes.com :





HTH
Frenchy

NICE pictures, Frenchy!!

After seeing the pictures of the tan ABVs, that is what I saw on the interstate.

When I first saw them, I thought they were a new type of Urban Assault version of the M1, like a "TUSK II". This could serve in an Urban/MOUT OPS mission, especially with the push blade as shown in the video.

Well, that is differant than from what I got from a Gunny at Ft Knox in April... The ABV is a whole lot better than putting 21Bs on the ground to do a manual breach of minefields. The story was that the Army was going to springboard off of the Marines efforts to standardize the vehicle, then buy, like the Army did for the 120mm Canister round, thanks Andy, or like the Marines did IRT the M1A1HC... Maybe someone at FLW can give a more definitive answer.

John

Frenchy, thanks for sharring those pics. Awesome. I take it the "boxes" mounted on the turret are a form of reactive armor? The more I see this, the more I think this is one cool vehicle. I checked out Prime Portal and they have some great walkarounds on the Grizzly, but nothing on this yet. Don M.

Are the Marines participating in the TUSK program? If so, would this vehicle be likely to receive reactive armor side skirts?

You're welcome ! Here are a few more (I like the arachnoid look...) :












Enjoy !

Frenchy

Just in case you need more...






Frenchy

Awesome pictures Frenchy!

Are these rebuilt M1s?

Yes the ABV hull is a refurbished M1A1 hull.
Some more info on Defense Industry Daily
HTH
Frenchy

That thing is a beast!!

I found someone has already started scratchbuilding this monster and doing a great job. Lots of pics and drawings. I have no idea who or where this is or what language, but really impressive work. I hop he posts more progress soon. Don M.
http://modelforum.upce.cz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=24740&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Hi, the built is already finnished. The address of this web side has been changed.
The actual is:
http://modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=24740&start=0
It is a Czech KitMaker Server.

FYI. Saw two of these on flatbeds near Camp Lejeune about 3 weeks ago. Not sure where they are now but they were on the base at some point.

Love the photos Frenchy.

Hello, my name is Gunny Rojas and I'm stationed in CA. I can tell you anything you want to know about the ABV. I'm the Platoon Sergeant for the ABV platoon and just came back from a deployment in Afghanistan. I was in charge of five ABV's and I can tell you that it is an outstanding machine and when the insurgent see it, they S-- t their pants. I have all kinds of photos that i can share with you all.

Hi John, PM sent!!!

OK ..Frenchy has throwin in some awsome pics ... John is a platoon Sargent for five of those nice big tracked beasties and has even more pics and help ... now here it is ..... whos gonna be the first to build one ..wont be me ..to freakin busy ,,the challenge is set ............who will be first

Looks like you've missed Captin Caveman's build log

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/166089#1395385

Frenchy