ultimate factories-the M1 Abrams

Just thought I would share this one with everyone. Well worth a watch if anyone is interested in this kind of thing. I never realised that they aren't built as new anymore (since 1993) but that they are actually scrapped and refurbished.

Part 1





Part 2





Some interesting little facts in there. The actual tank hull goes through a 30ft high shot blaster which I thought was quite interesting.

a reply to: sg1642

They're essentially new build by the time they're done with them.

It's like when Hickam refurbished their housing. They wanted to rebuild them totally but the contract called for refurbishment only. To get around that they demolished everything but one wall and rebuilt around that. They got brand new housing without violating the contract.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: sg1642

They're essentially new build by the time they're done with them.

It's like when Hickam refurbished their housing. They wanted to rebuild them totally but the contract called for refurbishment only. To get around that they demolished everything but one wall and rebuilt around that. They got brand new housing without violating the contract.

Yeah when they come off the line at the end they look brand new.

Goliath has his weak points, not so indestructible as we are led to believe…
What a waste.

a reply to: intrptr

Nothing is but it has one of the best records of any tank that had seen combat. No one ever said it was indestructible.

originally posted by: intrptr
Goliath has his weak points, not so indestructible as we are led to believe…

What a waste.

80 plus were lost in Iraq and Isis have done a number on a few getting full penetrations with anti tank missiles (not sure if these are under armoured but one thing for sure is the sub standard training of the crew).


I'd just like to point out we've only ever lost one challenger to enemy action.

(Never mind the fact we've only ever had about three in the field )

a reply to: sg1642

The first losses with the Abrams were accidents. A number of them were destroyed by the US after they were damaged and recovery was problematical.

Fighters in the area have had years to figure out weak points in the armor and if it doesn't have the armor upgrades that makes it a little more vulnerable.

Videos not working for me

a reply to: intrptr

Weak points? Really? How about R.O.E.? How many would be in this shape-let's include casualties- if the concern for collateral damage was matched by concern for our own.

The real weak point is our leadership.....

a reply to: Phatdamage

Pt 1.
youtu.be...

Pt 2.
youtu.be...

I saw that rebuild show earlier, great post thou! The Abrams is a hell of a tank. The gas mileage is brutal but that's small potatoes.

I still think the Israeli tank Merkava is the best right now. It seems that constant use over the decades is the best way to test and redesign. The active defense that shoots out to stop anti-tank missiles is really cool to watch.



link
www.youtube.com...

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Phatdamage

Pt 1.
youtu.be...

Pt 2.
youtu.be...

Thanks zaphod.

Those throphy systems are defintly a clever piece of kit. Good vid. a reply to: noeltrotsky


All the best
B. V. H.

originally posted by: nwtrucker
a reply to: intrptr

Weak points? Really? How about R.O.E.? How many would be in this shape-let's include casualties- if the concern for collateral damage was matched by concern for our own.

The real weak point is our leadership.....

Agreed. And the corporate funding behind them. As far as weak points, although the protection system is the best available, its still vulnerable to IEDs. Even if not penetrated the force of a sufficiently large amount of buried explosive can still 'lift' the Abrahams so quickly tankers are subjected to severe head, neck and back trauma as a result.

a reply to: intrptr

Which is true for any tank built. The top and bottom of all tanks is vulnerable.

a reply to: noeltrotsky

Pretty clever stuff it's basically buckshot on steroids. I'd rather a projectile was taken down at a distance than put to the test against slab armour.

To keep an M1-Abrams operational is a logistical nightmare of epic proportions if I'm correct.

originally posted by: DrChinstrap
To keep an M1-Abrams operational is a logistical nightmare of epic proportions if I'm correct.

It's the same with any tank (although the Abrams is a thirsty beast). You need a constant supply of fuel, ammunition, stores for the crew, maintenance etc.

a reply to: intrptr

Yeah, a miserable failure, look, they get damaged in war. Toyota pickups are so much better.
I rate this video as propaganda and should be banned. We are supposed to enjoy the music?

originally posted by: sg1642

originally posted by: intrptr
Goliath has his weak points, not so indestructible as we are led to believe…

What a waste.

80 plus were lost in Iraq and Isis have done a number on a few getting full penetrations with anti tank missiles (not sure if these are under armoured but one thing for sure is the sub standard training of the crew).


I'd just like to point out we've only ever lost one challenger to enemy action.

(Never mind the fact we've only ever had about three in the field

)

Where did you get your information? 80 tanks seems high to me.