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Ronkainen Profile picture
Ronkainen
@ronkainen7k15
3 subscribers
Oct 6 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
A brand new Abrams identified as M1A2T, fresh out of the Lima plant, was spotted on a highway in Ohio. (ⓒMike Haines)
The photo via my friend. This M1A2T may be to supplement the first batch to be shipped to Taiwan. The following are the tips for ID. Image
Image The difference in appearance between the M1A2T and the standard M1A2 SEPv2.
In addition to the tri-color camouflage and M1A1-type hull, it can be noted that the suffix Ē on the turret serial number represents the FMS export armor. Image
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Sep 25 • 17 tweets • 9 min read
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.


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Image 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. Image
May 7 • 12 tweets • 7 min read
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have released a promo video of their M1A1 (Situational Awareness) SA Abrams tank with many close-ups. The following will illustrate the differences in the Ukrainian M1A1 configuration.

Image From the ‘UKR’ in the turret serial number suffix, we can know that the Ukrainian M1A1 uses a different ‘Ukrainian’ armor package, which is different from the US Army’s Heavy Armor (HA) package.
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Apr 18 • 12 tweets • 5 min read
Today, the US Army unveiled the first LRIP batch of M10 Booker Combat Vehicles (BCV) for the first time at the historic naming dedication ceremony for the M10 Booker. It also means that the M10 program is moving into the Production and Deployment (PD) phase now.
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Image The LRIP configuration of the M10 Booker is different from the XM10 prototypes built the year before last, and has been modified in details. Image
May 5, 2023 • 15 tweets • 7 min read
In the late 1990s, General Dynamics Land Systems came up with an interesting concept named the Abrams Lightweight Variant Tank, which provided an air transportable MBT at significant weight reduction. For simplicity purposes, the concept tank will be referred to below as ALVT. Image The primary design goal of ALVT is to reduce the vehicle ship weight to a target of 39 tons (35 tonnes), consistent with the C-17 cargo aircraft lift requirements (two units on a C-17). While at the same time it is desired to maintain the high survivability and lethality. ImageImage
Mar 21, 2023 • 5 tweets • 4 min read
In addition to Cummins Advanced Combat Engine (ACE) used on GD's AbramsX tank, looking back at history, there have been many different dieselization options proposed for the Abrams: GM/MTU MT883 Ka-500 (manufactured by GM), a 27.36 litre 12 cylinder 1500hp diesel engine, coupled to Allison XT 6775 7-speed automatic transmission, was provided for M1 Block III (M1A1 hull).
Jan 27, 2023 • 22 tweets • 9 min read
The @ArmorCollection recently preserve one of twelve prototypes of BAE Systems' Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) vehicle for historic and research purposes. This is a special design and different from the winning GDLS proposal. This thread will introduce it a bit more. (Thanks Jim Miller, BAE Systems’ vice president of business development, for the great information.)
Jan 19, 2023 • 22 tweets • 9 min read
A thread to discuss why the US Army doesn't call MPF a tank Image First of all, what is the purpose of Mobile Protected Firepower? The MPF's purpose is to defeat targets that could compromise the effectiveness of the Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Image
Dec 23, 2022 • 7 tweets • 5 min read
A thread about the US Army's Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) vehicle. I recently chatted with a related person of the program, and learned that some potential upgrades can be implemented on MPF in the future. The first is the commanders weapon station. The pedestal mounted .50 HMG is already used on current prototype vehicles, but the Army owns a lot of CROWS always available. MPF will likely be modified by modification work order (MWO) with CROWS system when initial fielding is done.
Jun 29, 2022 • 6 tweets • 1 min read
General Dynamics Land Systems wins a $1.14 billion contract to built new Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) light tank for the US Army Infantry Brigade Combat Teams. ImageImage Specifications

GENERAL
Combat weight (short tons): 38
Crew: 4
Air transport: 2 RORO on C17
May 3, 2022 • 11 tweets • 9 min read
A short thread about the various variants of Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle in the US Army SBCT. The basic Flat Bottom Hull (FBH) model is designated M1126 ICV, powered by 350 hp Caterpillar 3126B (early) or Caterpillar C7 (later) engine and equipped with an M151A0 (early) or M151A2 (later) Remote Weapon Station.
Apr 3, 2022 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
The train with M1A2K Abrams tanks is in LaGrange, KY on the Short Line from Cincinnati, OH. The M1A2K ordered by Kuwait can be identified from the Auxiliary Cooling and Power System, the Counter Sniper Anti Meterial Mount for a barrel mounted and turret serial number w/ suffix Ē. Image
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Feb 13, 2022 • 18 tweets • 10 min read
US Army Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) is designed to accompany IBCTs in new Joint Forcible Entry Division and Standard Light Division. MPF will keep them relevant in large-scale combat operations against near-peer threats. ImageImageImage First of all, We need to know that US Army will implement its planned WayPoint force structure changes, the return of the division as the center of tactical action, by 2028-2030. Image
Dec 24, 2021 • 31 tweets • 15 min read
The US Army has posted a video earlier this month providing an overview about the Waypoint 2028 reorganization plan of the US Army. One of goal of Waypoint 2028 is to rebuilt the Army's organizational structures to ensure success and defeat peer threats in great power competition. This thread is about to explain what will change in the future.
Nov 7, 2021 • 19 tweets • 9 min read
United Defense Thunderbolt 120mm light tank technology demonstrator shown at AUSA 2003. Thunderbolt is a 120mm smoothbore-armed derivative of canceled M8 Armored Gun System. Initially, UDLP sees Thunderbolt as a cheaper alternative to the Mounted Combat System of the FCS program. In August 2003, prior to mating with its intended hull, the Thunderbolt turret incorporating the XM291 gun and modified AGS autoloader was mounted on a old diesel-driven M8 hull and test fired at Camp Roberts, CA.
Sep 30, 2021 • 16 tweets • 10 min read
FMC's Close Combat Vehicle-Light (CCVL) light tank proposed for the US Army's Armored Gun System (AGS) program during 1980s. Although it was never selected, it led to development of the XM8 AGS by FMC (later United Defense). At the design stage a number of key goals were drawn up for the CCVL, which included mobility comparable with Abrams, lethality that would defeat threat tanks or BMPs. It should need the minimum of logistic support, be airportable by C-130, be able to use LAPES and be survivable.
Sep 27, 2021 • 8 tweets • 6 min read
Rheinmetall Lynx Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) for the US Army's Bradley replacement. American Rheinmetall Vehicles has set up the Team Lynx, is made up of ARV, Raytheon, L3Harris, Textron and Allison. Its OMFV will use RM’s proven Lynx KF41 as the base for the design Image Lynx OMFV features a new LANCE 2.0 Remote Controlled (RC) unmanned turret. The turret is capable of hosting either 30mm XM813 or 50mm XM913 cannons. The rendering shown is armed with 50 x 228 mm XM913 cannon. ImageImageImageImage