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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
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Question about M1A2 TUSK
Tiger16
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: September 17, 2008
KitMaker: 54 posts
Armorama: 39 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 11:26 PM UTC
Hi,

I was wondering how common the RPUSA (Rear Protection Unit Slat Armor) was as a part of the TUSK 1 used on M1A2's in Iraq?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Duncan
SPRWITTMANN
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: August 12, 2007
KitMaker: 111 posts
Armorama: 108 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 12:05 AM UTC
G'day Duncan. It is to my understanding that the rear slat armor for the TUSK was trialled for a very short time as it was found to be too heavy to use operationally in the field and was therefore abandoned. Don't quote me on it though.
Frenchy
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Rhone, France
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 12:48 AM UTC
I believe Tony's right. IIRC, the slat armor made engine maintenance more tedious. Here's one M1A2 SEP fitted with it back in 2004 :



HTH

Frenchy
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 12:56 AM UTC
Concur, it was only used for a short time and is no longer used.
Tiger16
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: September 17, 2008
KitMaker: 54 posts
Armorama: 39 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 11:57 PM UTC
All,

Thanks for the insight. I had a feeling this was the case.

Cheers,

Duncan
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