BNSF 5677 train moves through La Plata, MO, with a load of 12 Abrams tanks, heading southwest toward Kansas City and eventually to the west coast. The tanks are identified as M1A2T with tri-color camouflage, note the ACPS on the bustle and M1A1 style hull with old tiedown eyes.
These M1A2T tanks will go to a west coast port and be loaded onto ships, and eventually shipped to Taiwan. It's reported that the Taiwanese army will receive 38 M1A2T tanks in December this year.
The M1A2T is a custom M1A2'X' with analog modifications, with the turret structure and sights equivalent to the M1A2 SEPv2, but the onboard electronics equivalent to the M1A1 SA standard. Most of its subsystems is similar to the M1A2S or M1A2K.
As part of the M1A2T modifications, the Auxiliary Cooling and Power System (ACPS) is mounted on the rear of the turret in the rear turret bustle, which replaces old Thermal Management System (TMS). The ACPS is also installed on the Kuwaiti M1A2K.
It's worth noting that the M1A2T hull retains the M1A1-style headlight guard, unlike the US M1A2 SEPv2. Not to mention the M1A2 SEPv3 has extended tiedown eyes.
Unlike the M1A2T prototype (converted from the M1A2K) with baseline green camouflage, the M1A2T production vehicles delivered to Taiwan are equipped with a tri-color camouflage.
Let's talk about the internal changes.
According to the M1A2T layout slides provided to Taiwan MoD by GDLS, the TC of the M1A2T retains the Commander's Display Panel (CDP) and has a CROWS-LP Weapon Station Control Panel (WSCP) behind him. It's worth noting that the M1A2T has a customized Taiwan BMS with display.
Like the M1A2 SEPv2 with CROWS II/-LP, the M1A2T has two controller grips to operate the turret and CROWS-LP respectively. However, the M1A2T uses Upgraded Tank Commander Panel (UTCP) to control the master power, smoke grenades and NBC equipment. UTCP is also used in the M1A1 SA.
The gunner's sight is similar to the M1A2 SEPv2, but the M1A2T retains the M1A1 Ballistic Computer Control Panel (BCCP) instead of the digital Improved Gunner's Control Display Panel (iGCDP).
There is a display in front of the driver to check the image of the Rear View Sensor System (RVSS). The driver of the M1A2T has a unique driver control panel, but it is not the improved Integrated Display (iDID) of the M1A2 SEPv2.
The radio sets have been configured as the Taiwanese CS/VRC-191 to maximize commonality with their CM34 wheeled IFV.
Link to slides: mnd.gov.tw/NewUpload/2022…
According to documents released by the ACC, the M1A2T uses Redesigned Turret/Hull Networks Box (RTNB/RHNB), which means it cannot store the same critical data for the FCS like the M1A2 SEPv2's Improved Turret/Hull Mission Processing Unit (iTMPU/iMHPU).
Overall, the M1A2T is a custom analog/digital hybrid Abrams designed specifically for Taiwan that makes full use of components from the AIM program to provide foreign customers with a low-cost M1A2 SEP solution.
@KarlKristo I thought you might be interested.
@DRatka1 @AllAboutM1A @2805662
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