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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
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How many Abrams in the Fighting 13th (MEU) ?
11Bravo_C2
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Posted: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - 01:28 AM UTC
First of, apologies to my brothers in arms from the USMC.
I have no idea how an MEU is broken down in terms of Battalions, Companies, Platoons, etc..

How many Abrams tanks in the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and are they all loaded into one Amphibious Assault Ship or multiple ships when deployed?

Trisaw
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Posted: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - 02:43 AM UTC
See page 10 and 19 of this PDF.

The USMC MEUs have four M1A1s and they're usually loaded onto the LPD-17 San Antonio class ships.

http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Amphibious%20Ready%20Group%20And%20Marine%20Expeditionary%20Unit%20Overview.pdf
Tank1812
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Posted: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - 03:04 AM UTC
When deployed that is the case. Not all Meu's have tanks attached. Additionally those tanks and all other equipment is attached to the Meu, from the parent unit (1st or 2nd Tank Batt these days), the Meu it self has very little.
11Bravo_C2
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Posted: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - 03:04 AM UTC

Quoted Text

See page 10 and 19 of this PDF.

The USMC MEUs have four M1A1s and they're usually loaded onto the LPD-17 San Antonio class ships.

http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Amphibious%20Ready%20Group%20And%20Marine%20Expeditionary%20Unit%20Overview.pdf


Thanks. Been on several Marines' web pages and must've not been looking right.
Trisaw
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Posted: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - 08:18 AM UTC

Quoted Text

When deployed that is the case. Not all Meu's have tanks attached. Additionally those tanks and all other equipment is attached to the Meu, from the parent unit (1st or 2nd Tank Batt these days), the Meu it self has very little.


That's correct. The "well deckless" USS America will deploy without its platoon of M1A1 tanks.

http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/05/24/keep_tanks_with_the_meu_111446.html

If the US Army ever develops and fields a light tank, I believe the USMC would definitely behoove to have some as they take up less space and weight than an Abrams.
Tank1812
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Posted: Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 06:05 AM UTC
It's possible but then it's another supply train. I am surprised they haven't added an 'engineering' gun (think m728) to the Lav or AAV family for heavier firepower on a lighter frame for times when the tank is not deployed.
Trisaw
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Posted: Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 07:22 AM UTC

Quoted Text

It's possible but then it's another supply train. I am surprised they haven't added an 'engineering' gun (think m728) to the Lav or AAV family for heavier firepower on a lighter frame for times when the tank is not deployed.


Well, if the USMC had the money and drive, there's a LOT of nicer newer weapons that the USMC could buy, such as the Israeli mortar on the back of the HMMWV, the 105mm howitzer that folds down off the back of the HMMWV for better shoot-and-scoot, so forth and so on. European and Asian nations now make some awesome light to medium weapons systems shown at their defense expos.

There was even talk of mounting the M777 on the cargo bed of the MTVR for a 155mm French Ceasar 6X6 SPH, but I guess nothing came of that idea.

So yes, there are many ways the USMC could "up-arm" itself and not be such a light force by just buying weapons systems made internationally and ready for purchase.

I know I'm getting off-topic here since this isn't really talking about modeling...
Bravo1102
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Posted: Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 10:33 AM UTC

Quoted Text

It's possible but then it's another supply train. I am surprised they haven't added an 'engineering' gun (think m728) to the Lav or AAV family for heavier firepower on a lighter frame for times when the tank is not deployed.

Especially since that was done in the past and it worked.(starting with the old LVTs and LVTP )

There are off the shelf tank gun turrets that would work on a LAV. Or heaven forbid the Stryker AGS. Heresy! Burn him!
Tank1812
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Posted: Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 04:06 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

It's possible but then it's another supply train. I am surprised they haven't added an 'engineering' gun (think m728) to the Lav or AAV family for heavier firepower on a lighter frame for times when the tank is not deployed.

Especially since that was done in the past and it worked.(starting with the old LVTs and LVTP )

There are off the shelf tank gun turrets that would work on a LAV. Or heaven forbid the Stryker AGS. Heresy! Burn him!


I don't like the AAV turret location is ideal for a big gun like its for fathers but adding one to the Lav seems reasonable to me. Yes, you might be able to use the ags gun but it's about as long as the Lav and has an autoloader. Something from the Lav-150/300 or M1117 family on a Lav-25 would work imho. No, Lav-AG won't work at all.
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