M1 Abrams-X MBT - Limitations
The Abrams-X prototype displayed still uses the chassis of the M1 tank, with the fuel tank at the front of the vehicle is simply removed to make room for the commander and gunner. Due to the inherent defects of the armor configuration, the body protection of the American M1 series tanks is not the best. Moreover, due to the design of the first and lower shells, the thickness of the upper and upper armor is only 1.5in (38mm). It has no resistance to attacks from the air such as terminal sensitive bombs, and there is no way to strengthen it. Considering the background of the technology demonstration vehicle and the ongoing testing of the next-generation common chassis by the US military, the Abrams-X officially produced in the future could adopt a newly designed body.
Another relatively big problem is the tail compartment loading design adopted by the main gun. The biggest advantage of the unmanned turret is that the part that needs protection is reduced to the range of the artillery, which greatly reduces the pressure on the frontal protection of the turret. However, after the tail compartment is used to load ammunition, the frontal protection area has to be expanded, which directly offsets the advantages of reducing size and weight. Moreover, another problem with the tail compartment loading is that the horizontal projection of the turret is increased, and the range of weaknesses is greatly increased when facing the attack of curved artillery and top-attack anti-tank missiles. Although the explosion of ammunition in the tail compartment of the turret will not harm the crew, it will cause the vehicle to completely lose its combat effectiveness.
The use of a turntable loader places the ammunition in the car body, but separates it from the crew cabin with a riot-proof partition, and uses the turret bomb lifting channel and shell ejection port to set up a pressure relief area, which can greatly improve the protection of the turret. . By setting up a composite armor dome and installing explosive reactive armor, the defense of the unmanned turret can fully achieve immune terminal sensitive bombs and small and medium-caliber series armor-piercing warheads.
For most people, the perception of the maneuverability of main battle tanks is often limited to the competition of unit power. However, the evaluation of mobility actually includes two aspects - tactical mobility and strategic mobility. The performance of tactical mobility is not limited to the acceleration and turning performance of the vehicle itself, but also considers the passing performance.
A dumbfounding reality is that since the upgrade to M1A1HA, the U.S. military has suffered from insufficient performance of supporting support equipment. We must know that the earliest combat weight of the M1 tank was 55 tons, and the M1A2-SEP-V1 became 62 tons. The current M1A2C (SEP-V3) further soared to 66.8 tons (73.6 short tons).
The consequences of constant weight gain can be disastrous. The first to suffer is the "personal nanny" tank carrier. The maximum load of the M1070 trailer and M1000 semi-trailer truck in active service in the US military is only 63.5 tons. The second is the "Battlefield Angel" armored rescue vehicle. The maximum towing weight of the winch of the M88A1 is only 45 tons. Although the improved M88A2 has increased to 70 tons, the number is far from complete. The standard load of the most commonly used MLC-60 impact bridge is only 54 tons, which is not enough even with the 10% maximum overload allowed. Although the MLC-95 impact bridge is sufficient, the span is reduced from 18 meters of MLC-60 to 11 meters. The IRB ribbon pontoon bridge has a maximum load of 63 tons, which is directly overwhelmed.
Compared to doing additions, the new generation of main battle tanks should "lose weight". This time the Abrams-X technology demonstration prototype vehicle was done well, with a total weight compressed to 49 tons (54 short tons). Although it is because the turret has not yet been equipped with composite armor, considering the characteristics of the unmanned turret, the total combat weight of the complete Abrams-X can be compressed to no more than 60 tons, which is a huge improvement.
In terms of power system, the Abrams-X technology demonstration vehicle is full of bright spots, and it adopts the APD gasoline-electric hybrid power system. Among them, the main power adopts Cummins 4-cylinder two-stroke ACE "advanced combat engine" with a power of 735kW (1000 horsepower) and SAPA advanced combat transmission system. The auxiliary power is composed of auxiliary traction motors and batteries linked to the driving wheels. Compared with the LM1500 gas turbine, the whole system reduces fuel consumption by 50%. More importantly, in the case of silent standby and concealed contact with the enemy, Abrams-X can only use electric propulsion, which greatly reduces noise and the infrared signature of the main engine, which has high tactical value. Moreover, the auxiliary power system can also be used for the low-temperature start of the main engine, which enhances the environmental adaptability.
However, as far as the current state of technology is concerned, the powertrain of the Abrams-X still looks weak. The power of the LM1500 gas turbine is 1103kW (1500 horsepower). Even if the M1A2C weighs 66.8 tons, it still has a unit power of 16.5kW/ton. In contrast, even based on 49 tons, the unit power of Abrams-X is only 15kW/ton.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
