Howdy everyone, here some images of the 1st USMC M1A1 Abrams to touchdown in Afghanistan on Thanksgiving Day 11-25-2010



Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Kinda thought it would have the up-armored commander & loader's stations, if not the full ERA package that the Army M-1's utilize (unless all this gear gets added in-theater.

Thanks for posting those pictures.

John

Hi John,
if my information is correct they are undergoing some maintenance in A'stan and are equipped with all the extra-bits afterwards. So I think we'll all have to wait a little bit to see them fully equipped.

Cheers Alex

Actually USMC for the first time is fielding M1A1FEP's, analog to US.Army M1A1SA (also known as M1A1AIM v.2 or M1A1SA/ED), both variants are equipped with TIP, rear plug hole for outer power source, thermal sight for TC CWS, new armor package (same like on M1A2SEP, public sources claims the same weight for M1A2SEP and M1A1SA and M1A1FEP, ~63,100kg) and probably more upgrades. I wonder if M1A1FEP's recive upgraded CWS with full stabilizastion like Army M1A1SA's, it is called SCWS.

My source claim that tanks will be equipped with new TUSK kit, probably TUSK-3 because some characteristics of that "Afghanistan" TUSK are similiar to that described for TUSK-3.

Howdy Damian, your sources are confused. The FEP(Fire Power Enhancement Program) GPS (Gunners Primary Sight) pieces have been on USMC M1A1s for over three years as well as the TCs thermal sight for the .50 cal. The Slave start receptacle and heavy duty TI Phone box on the rear have been standard since late 2007(FY 08). And in a couple of weeks we will be able to see what additions they actually make to the tanks survival package. Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Yes I know that, but You agree that actually more sense is to send newest more capabale version than older M1A1HC's or M1A1HA's. Well everything would be more clear if we could have access to docs about tanks upgrades and repairs in ANAD and LATP/JSMC.

The only way to actually say if these are FEP's is interior upgrades, like FTL system.

BTW, I was stuned that in any public source, there are even no single info about how many M1A1HC's were manufactured, do anybody of You guys have some info's on that? I only know in what quantities GDLS manufactured M1, M1IP's, M1A1's, M1A1HA, some estimations about M1A1D and new builded M1A2's, and any info's how many tanks were already converted/upgraded to newest variants (M1A1SA, M1A1FEP and M1A2SEP)?

Damian, the USMCs small fleet of tanks is the newest more capable version as far as the good ol' M1A1 goes. And a Heavy is a Common and the USMCs M1A1s are both. And if you do not believe me that they are FEP equipped then go surf the Internet, specifically the Defense websites and you will find the information out there. And as far as number of tanks produced I guess you will have to remain stunned along with the rest of us. Anyway that information is not required to build a model tank. I am more stunned that there is no one public source to know how many Dragon #3535 M1A1 AIM tank kits have been produced. I still have room on my shelves for more.
Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Id've thought it would have been flown in with the additional armor as well. It got me curious as to whether or not it would even fit, if the bay of a C-17 is wide enough? So I googled it and the tank has about 3 1/2 feet to spare on each side, but I guess there is a required amount of space around the vehicle, or if its weight alone that doesn't allow fully equipped Abrams to fly, or if that's just how it's done

1/35 C-17 anyone?

Howdy Lucas, from what I gather it is a weight thing. Only one fat 68 ton girl on the cargo deck allowed! They even made her sit by the ramp.

A 1/35th C-117 Globemaster III would be impressive! Vacu-form for sure.
Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Yes I know that Army and Marines use both HA and HC variants, so both are Common but M1A1HC have some design changes as far as my research goes, for example Carl Schulze in his book "Iraqi Insurgency, U.S. Army Armored Vehicles in Action part 2" describes 3 Heavy M1A1 variants, M1A1HA, M1A1HA+ and M1A1HC, only differences between them are not publicized besides some thing like small changes of turret ammo racks, etc.




Well I belive You, I'am just very curious and modern MBT's, especially US made are my passion so I will be continue to find more info's, but one thing that can describe FEP from older tanks with upgrades like FBCB2, TIP etc. is Far Target Locator, I think it is not mounted on older versions with these small upgrades right?




Oh, well You probably right, but I only say that getting in to consideration that M1A1HC production started in 1990, and overall production of new tanks in GDLS ended in 1992/93 it gives us enough years to produce near or ~2,000 tanks, so adding this to other known numbers of builded tanks, this gives us ~10-11,000 M1 tanks builded for US armed forces, very impressive as for 3rd generation MBT, and getting in to consideration tanks completely lost and written off (less than ~100 in OIF and few in and after ODS) + modified and sold to Australia (59), Iraq (140) + additional 58 for Saudi Arabia that still gives US huge quantity of modern MBT's... well at least this is what I was capabale to digg out, I could be wrong tough.

Howdy Damian, the only M1A1 the USMC currently uses are the Heavy Common version . . . period. The FEP upgrade involves replacing the Guunners Primary Sight assembly and some internal electronic boxes. There is also the addition of a small Global Positioning System antenna on the rear turret top.If you placed a FEP equipped tank next to one with the original sight assembly you would not be able to tell them apart from the ground. Soon there will be two types of M1A1 in USMC service, those in A-Stan and those that are not. And you hurt the Egyptian and Kuwaitis feelings by leaving them off your list!
Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Kuwaiti and Egyptian tanks were new build export variants, not tanks taken from US stocks and modified to these export standards as Iraqi, Australian M1A1SA (hybrid in fact, of Army and USMC eqiupment used in tank) and 58 additional (M1A1's, probably the first one sto be upgraded to M1A2S standard) besides these more than 200 new builded M1A2's for Saudi Arabia.

As for the FEP, ok I will not continue, my knowledge is still small, so I would back to books and other sources and continue my research.

Thanks for replys. :-)

Howdy Damian, I am a USMC Tanker(ret) with a couple of years of sevice and basic knowledge of the Abrams system. If you use the search function of this site and Missing Link you will find all sorts of informative posts regarding the Abrams series from XM-1 to todays current fleet. Have fun with your research.
Outta here, Mike sends . . .