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The U.S. Army is the best-equipped force in military history, from the simple bayonet to multi-million-dollar technological marvels like the M1 Abrams tank and Apache Longbow helicopter.
This We’ll Defend outlines the most important weapons and equipment the Army currently uses. All facts, figures and images in this ebook are direct from publicly available Army sources, edited and annotated to form a short, easy-to-use but comprehensive reference.
Genre: HISTORY / Military / WeaponsSince their first appearance in the latter part of World War I, tanks have increasingly dominated military thinking. Armies became progressively more mechanised during World War II, with many infantry being carried in armoured carriers by the end of the war. The armoured personnel carrier (APC) evolved into the infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which is able to support the infantry as well as simply transport them. Modern IFVs have a similar level of battlefield mobility to the tanks, allowing tanks and infantry to operate together and provide mutual support.
The Abrams tank closes with and destroys enemy forces on the integrated battlefield using mobility, fire power, and shock effect. There are three variants in service: M1A1, M1A2, and M1A2 SEP. The 120mm main gun, combined with the powerful 1,500 HP turbine engine and special armour, make the Abrams tank particularly suitable for attacking or defending against large concentrations of heavy armour forces on a highly lethal battlefield.
Features of the M1A1 modernisation program include increased armour protection; suspension improvements; and an improved nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection system that increases survivability in a contaminated environment. The M1A1D modification consists of an M1A1 with integrated computer and a far-target-designation capability.
The M1A2 modernisation program includes a commander's independent thermal viewer, an improved commander's weapon station, position navigation equipment, a distributed data and power architecture, an embedded diagnostic system and improved fire-control systems.
The M1A2 System Enhancement Program (SEP) adds second-generation thermal sensors and a thermal management system. The SEP includes upgrades to processors/memory that enable the M1A2 to use the Army's common command and control software, enabling the rapid transfer of digital situational data and overlays.
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French
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Translation in progress.
Translated by Sourou Abdel-Aziz Ali Orou
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