Australian M1 Abrams

[James Tainton]

click me to see (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c190/Blargon2002/gdls_m1a1_01.gif) ;)

[sam_dwyer]

Thanks for posting that pic James!!

What a shame they went with that crap CARC tan colour, not the standard 3 tone local camo.

Still, better than no Abrams at all! Bring on the DML kit!

Sam

[brokeneagle]

It needs some weathering with pigments and pastels plus some worn paint. ;)
Pretty plain sucker........its not the usual standard of our stuff with everything broken or missing and in need of some money! :lol:

[Sheeds]

It hasnt been given to the Aussie's yet Hilly......give them time....they'll break plenty of stuff. ;)

Willy.

[west tank]

Are there many other users of the M 1 besides the US?

[James Tainton]

...they have DU armor replaced/deleted plus the Australian Army will not use DU APFSDS but a German Rheinmetall Tungsten round instead...............

First Five Australian M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management Tanks Delivered
General Dynamics
Tue, 21 Feb 2006, 15:07


LIMA, Ohio: During a ceremony at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center - Lima, General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, today delivered the first five of 59 M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) tanks to the Commonwealth of Australia. Awarded in November 2005, this foreign military sales contract is valued at $70 million. The M1A1 AIM tanks will replace the Australian Land Forces' aging Leopard main battle tanks.

The Abrams M1A1 AIM tanks are survivable and affordable vehicles with excellent potential for network-centric warfare that will provide Australian Forces with increased connectivity, mobility and firepower. Additionally, the M1A1 AIM provides a cost-efficient armor solution as it incurs low operational and support costs, and reports high operational readiness rates. Under this contract, M1A1 Abrams tanks from the U.S. Army inventory are completely disassembled, overhauled and refurbished to like-new "zero-kilometer, zero- hour" condition.

General Dynamics Land Systems Senior Vice President for Production, Delivery and Support Richard O. Gillette told ceremony attendees the process for the Australian tanks began last year when 59 M1A1 Abrams were inducted into General Dynamics Land Systems' partner facility, the Anniston Army Depot. "There, the vehicles were stripped of their component parts," Gillette said. "The process comes full circle here at Lima, where upgrades and technology enhancements are completed. Today's ceremony celebrates the first major deliveries under Australia's Foreign Military Sales program with the United States. This is a major achievement."

Brigadier Damian Roche, the Australian Army Military Attache to the United States, represented the Commonwealth of Australia. General Dynamics Land Systems and Australian vehicle crews participated in a symbolic vehicle log book presentation to signify the transfer of the tank from the contractor to the Australian government. Additionally, General Dynamics Land Systems, U.S. Army Foreign Military Sales program managers and Roche signed the first vehicle's official certificate of acceptance.

The Australian M1A1 AIM tank has a cruising range of up to 480 kilometers, the ability to reach speeds of 66 kph on-road (41 mph) and up to 48 kph off- road (30 mph), while carrying four crewmen and ammunition. The primary weapon is a 120mm smooth-bore cannon; it is also equipped with a 50-caliber machine gun for the tank commander and two additional 7.62mm machine guns. The Abrams can fire an advanced kinetic energy tungsten penetrator round against vehicles and a multipurpose round for infantry support.

The Abrams' survivability is enhanced through its nuclear, biological and chemical protection system, crew compartmentalization from munitions and armored blow-off panels, which allow stowed munitions to vent to the atmosphere if detonated.

The 59 M1A1 AIM tanks will be shipped to Australian Land Forces in two increments: June and December 2006. The tanks are part of a large worldwide fleet with known, stable operating costs, and are expected to be in service beyond 2020.

[RC_Hill]

Originally posted by west tank@Mar 9 2006, 05:35 PM
Are there many other users of the M 1 besides the US?
I thought Egypt had some, except not as advanced or something, no?

[crockett]

Originally posted by ramcke_jager@Mar 10 2006, 03:35 PM
I thought Egypt had some, except not as advanced or something, no?
In my sixteen years at the Lima Army Tank Plant, , we sold to the following countries:
M1a1 - Kuwait
M1a2- Saudi Arabia
M1a1- Egypt ( first 100 were American made, then we built a plant so they could make thier own. They had/have serious quality issues with their production facilities and the final products, i.e. tanks that don't work, right off the assembly line. I believe they gave up and it is currently shut down.
Lately,

Australia