Hey all-
I had two questions inspired by the recent post about the Abrams growing TUSKS and the unfortunate breaking of the M2HB on the Abrams I am building.
1. How is the commander's weapon fired? Is it necessary to be out of the hatch or is the weapon fired from inside the tank?
2. This on is directed at Tankleader but if anyone else can help it would be appreciated. How was the MK19 attached to the commander's station? Was the mount just made to fit the MK19 and then attached with the same connections used to connect the M2HB?
Any help is appreciated.
Kyle

The first answer depends on the variant. The A1 has a firing switch inside the commanders weapon station (CWS). The A2 you hve to be out of the hatch to fire it manually.

Howdy Phoenix -1. Tank Leader must be asleep. As BroAbrams points out the M-2 HB MG on the M1/M1A1 is fired electrically by the TC depressing a button on the elevation handle from inside the tank. This actuates a solenoid that pushes a roller onto the trigger of the M-2. The M-2 and Mk 19 have the same mounting hole spacing. The MK19 will mount in the Commanders Weapons station(CWS). We need Tank Leader to explain how the solenoid/trigger assembly has been modified to acuate the MK19. I will give him a call manana. He has a day job too. Our here.

The .50 cal is fired electrically from the inside on the M1A1 but it has to be fired from the outside on the M1A2. As far as a Mark 19 being mounted on the Abrams on the commanders weopan station, I couldn't tell you. I've been an Abrams mechanic in the Army for 10 years now and have never seen one mounted. I just dreturned from a 15 month tour of duty in Iraq this past july and never saw one mounted there either. I suppose it is possible to mount one since the mounting points are spaced the same but like I said... I personally have never seen it done. What I can tell you though is the solenoid used for electrical firing mounts to the sear located on the bottom of the weapon. Given that and knowing the configuration for electrical firing used on the M1A1, I would guess that mounting the Mark 19 would be more feasable on the M1A2.

I believe the questions he is asking are in referance to the currently being developed TUSK (Tank Urban Survival Kit) system, not a standard M1A1/A2. On it, is a new weapons station that can mount either an M2 HB or a Mk 19 and it is all remotely fired from within the vehicle using video cameras. It is similar to the Stryker RWS (Remote Weapons System). I believe that Tankleader is on the R&D team for the TUSK, or knows someone who is.

The USMC is looking at the feasibility of mounting the MK19 on the CWS of an M1A1. The TUSK has a remote mounted M-2. It all concept stuff so far and has not been fielded, yet. Our good friend Tank Leader is involved with USMC Armor Policy , Plans and Operations(PP&O).

Hello All,
I've gotten a couple of emails to chime in on this one.. The MK19 was looked at as an additional weapon for the loader, and not the commanders weapon station. It would have required to many modifications to put it there. I've seen one mounted on the loaders skate ring, where the M240 mounts. The lower part of the M240 mount was modified and attached to the lower end of a MK19 mount. It was pretty effective, but simply took up too much room.

Andy

"Tanks" for clearing that up Tank Leader.

Thanks for all of the help guys. One more question... for the commander's station with the TUSK upgrade installed, is the mount for the M2 simply removed and the rest of the station remains the same or is the staion modified?
Thanks again for the help.
Kyle