Hi,

I have come across a video of an M1 (looks like A2/A2SEP) being hit by IED in Iraq. I have never seen it before and to me it seems kind of rare as the tank doesn't entirely disappear in a cloud of smoke and debris and you can quite clearly see what is happening to it. And the force of explosion is incredible. You have to see it to believe what can happen to a 69-ton tank. My question is: do you think the crew have survived? The tank rolls on after the explosion as if nothing has happened. I highly doubt the Abrams was still operational. It was probably momentum only... Does anyone know anything about this particular incident?
Here is the link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekPutgc1vJk

Thanks and regards,
Michal

My understanding is that the tank was badly damaged but repairable, and the crew did survive, battered and beaten, but still alive. The Abrams is pretty tough, but nothing can withstand that kind of blast. It did preserve the most important part though, the crew.

It's easier to replace a tank than it is to replace a competent crew.

Too bad I can't see a video of the "people" that did this having their heads blown off by an Abrams shell!

Just my opinion...I really can't be OBJECTIVE about video like this.

hey there guys,


I watched the clip a couple of times and it seems, the numbnutss bombers should have payed attention in terror school when they discussed "how to blow up a tank"!
:-) Don' t put a charge beside the road, put it under the road!
that way you actualy blow up the tank, not the pavement :-) :-)

I guess some of the crew sh*t their pants, but héy,
War stinks huh?


Greetz Peter

Nothing that a few mushroom clouds wouldn't sort out. Gets my vote anyway

The greatness of a tank is defined by crew survivability in combat. In this regard, the Abrams is one of the greatest tanks of all times. I don't know exactly how many crewan have died while manning one in combat but I'll bet you can count them all on the fingers of one hand.

Like the others have said, the crew survivability of the Abrams is simple outstanding, but the US Armed Forces have survivability pretty much at the top of the list anyway. They rejected the Pz2000, now the current artillery peice of the German army, and one of the best in the world, because it didn't meet crew survivability standards. And thats for a peice that is traditionally well back of the action.

If they put that much into their artillery, imagine what kind of armour and survivability standards they put into a frontline MBT. Well, you don't have to imagine anymore, you can watch it.

I think youtube yanked that video, because I cant get it to play and I cant find a related video on their site. In a sense, I am kind of glad it didnt play. I was getting bent just anticipating it. I really hate it when terrorists and insurgents fight like "little kittens" (the auto sensor will bleep out what I really mean!)

OORah!

Though the survivabilty rate is very good, the crews do receive a large number of flailing injuries, ie broken arms and legs, head injuries etc. There is a project underway to design and install impact absorbing seats, like they have in helos but with a higher "G-force" rating, with restraints to prevent/reduce the number of injuries incurred from the crew impacting equipment inside the AFV.

The CF is working on a similar system for installation for LAV crew and troop seating. While the crew and troops survive an IED, they take a serious beating from the impact of the explosion.

Its alot like sitting with your back against a steel plate and having your buddy hit it with a sledge hammer. It won't kill you, but it sure will hurt.

Cheers

Rick

I'd stuff the ballot box in this vote!

The Abrams is pretty tough but probably no tougher than a Challenger, Le Clerc or Leopard 2A6. However the Abrams and Challenger have the advantage of being battle tested in a full war situation.

the wikipedia post on the M1 has a list of all of the damged M1s from the first gulf war. Very interesting.

NOW there was an event in the current gulf war where an M1 was penitrated. The article seemed to think that it was an
RPG-27 (iirc) and had photos of the damaged tank. I cant find the photos right now but they are interesting.

a. WWII "boys this is the best tank in the world" Sherman

b. Iraqi freedom "Boys this is the best tankk in the world" Abhrams

which statement is true???

OK found the link.

Very interesting stuff although only the first photo works



http://www.strategypage.com/gallery/default.asp?target=missile_mystery.htm

wow

peircing 4 in thick armor and just grazing the back of the gunner....

that gunner is lucky..........

IIRC from the news media (I know ) I believe it's 3 for OIF. An Abrams fell off a bridge over the Tigris and three of the crew drowned from being unable to escape the overturned vehicle.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure there are some of you more in the know.

Guy's I think the Abrams is a very good tank but I would put the Challenger II on the same level. I remember reading somewhere, may have been here, of a Challenger II in Iraq that was ambushed the knocked out the drivers periscopes then set about taking out all the other periscopes depriving the crew of all vision. Once that had been done they fired RPG's at point blank range with none penetrating, the crew had to wait for backup with not being able to see to fight back or move.


I believe that all the crew survived but if anyone knows more please correct me.

Ciao
Luciano

It seemed the tank is not that damaged, though the JUMP might have damaged the suspensions seriously.
It's simply frightening... how did youtube get this video?

What I meant to say is that I can't be OBJECTIVE about this stuff.

I realize not everyone in the world is involved in this conflict and they can look at this from a different perspective. Looking at video like this, for them, is just like watching video from the second world war

I have a child and friends who are serving, or have served in, Iraq and Afghanistan.

All that having been said, I suppose that if I had to be in a tank that was involved in something like this it would have to be an Abrams or a Challenger. I can't imagine being in a HUMMVEE or lesser armored vehicle and surviving such a blast.

My one buddy, who spent over a year in Iraq and survived IED attacks, said that even though you aren't blown apart by the explosion the shock waves and concussion can turn internal organs into what amounts to mush.

I can only hope that this war ends soon and I don't have to see any more video like that.

Jeff