Future US Tanks....? - Page 2

Sgt.North · 12-13-2009, 07:12 PM

not sure about Fibre-Optics........

Lets see, what is fibre optic, but essentially glass, or this plastic, which will likely be relativly brittle....

what happens when a tank takes RPG rounds / 30mm / IED's etc, its shaken around.......

Lets see how many fibre optic cables get damaged

lonelyjew · 12-13-2009, 07:28 PM

I somehow doubt they would be naked fibers.... There are a lot of sensitive electronics in tanks(the IR camera for instance) that can seemingly take violent shaking just fine.

gazzthompson · 12-13-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt.North

not sure about Fibre-Optics........

Lets see, what is fibre optic, but essentially glass, or this plastic, which will likely be relativly brittle....

what happens when a tank takes RPG rounds / 30mm / IED's etc, its shaken around.......

Lets see how many fibre optic cables get damaged

im pretty sure when they decided to use fiber optics, they gave parameters and stress tests to the fiber to make sure it is suited for the punishment it will take.

Drunkenup · 12-13-2009, 08:36 PM

I don't understand where Optic Fiber would be on any tank and if it could substantially lower weight while retaining strength. If anyother material is to ever be implemented, than I'm guessing it would have to be some kind of Composite.

Getting back on topic, I read a article on how the M1 Abrams may be the United States last Main Battle tank. It talked alot on the lines of implementing ATGMs and other heavy anti-tank weapon systems to smaller, faster, lighter vehicles. Now, to be honest, you're probably not gonna have a very high success rate by going in, Attacking, messing up, than running away. Tanks today were made to take hits from others, and should continue to show that role in the United States Military.

If you're looking it in terms of future MBTs, than they're going either two ways. Heavier, or lighter. Heavier as in being heavier, thicker armor, as well as larger cannons. Or lighter by using composites, advanced materials, or just rethinking things from square 1, which the Abrams has done in its design.

Until then, we should see how the M1A3 should do for our forces. Hopefully it'll integrate more technologies than the current M1A2 and its improvement upgrades.

Expendable Grunt · 12-13-2009, 09:15 PM

The fiber optics would be connecting electronic systems. Instead of copper wire.

I wonder if the US will ever go back to rifled barrels? I heard it caused problems using HEAT rounds, but...do we really need those anymore?

M.

[R-DEV]Eddie Baker · 12-13-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expendable Grunt

HEAT rounds, but...do we really need those anymore

Yes. The current US 120mm HEAT round is actually a multi-purpose round (sometimes referred to as MPAT) since it has gunner-selectable fuzing, including an airburst function. These capabilities make it even more effective against infantry in the open, in structures/bunkers and helicopters.

[R-CON]Burton · 12-13-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expendable Grunt

Fiber optic cables is all I know of; it saves 3 tons per tank apparently.

M.

A wise man once said anyone who uses "aparently" when listing Facts almost certainly heard the information in a bar from an intoxicated man.
Or something like that..

..

[R-DEV]Eddie Baker · 12-13-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burton

A wise man once said anyone who uses "aparently" when listing Facts almost certainly heard the information in a bar from an intoxicated man.
Or something like that..

..

The same could be said for the phrase "almost certainly"

Or was that part of the joke? Humor doesn't always translate well on the internet.

Hellbrawler · 12-13-2009, 09:34 PM

Mmmmm...A new engine and rocket interceptors on the Abrams would be nice. I hope they put that on the A3 and we're set for decades to come.

Maybe replace the smoothbore canon with a rail gun when the technology is more advanced :P

Z-trooper · 12-13-2009, 09:46 PM

TUSK II upgrade with an additional coax .50 cal is also quite interesting:

12-13-2009, 07:12 PM	#11
Sgt.North Join Date: May 2007 Location: Over the hills and far away in a sand pit. Posts: 144	Re: Future US Tanks....? not sure about Fibre-Optics........ Lets see, what is fibre optic, but essentially glass, or this plastic, which will likely be relativly brittle.... what happens when a tank takes RPG rounds / 30mm / IED's etc, its shaken around....... Lets see how many fibre optic cables get damaged
	God is Airborne only because he failed the commando course.

12-13-2009, 07:28 PM	#12
lonelyjew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3,169	Re: Future US Tanks....? I somehow doubt they would be naked fibers.... There are a lot of sensitive electronics in tanks(the IR camera for instance) that can seemingly take violent shaking just fine.
lonelyjew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3,169	Thanks luizinhuu for the find To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. People are hopelessly ignorant of their own ignorance. -Me

12-13-2009, 08:36 PM	#14
Drunkenup Join Date: Mar 2009 United States of America Location: Bridgewater, NJ Posts: 786	Re: Future US Tanks....? I don't understand where Optic Fiber would be on any tank and if it could substantially lower weight while retaining strength. If anyother material is to ever be implemented, than I'm guessing it would have to be some kind of Composite. Getting back on topic, I read a article on how the M1 Abrams may be the United States last Main Battle tank. It talked alot on the lines of implementing ATGMs and other heavy anti-tank weapon systems to smaller, faster, lighter vehicles. Now, to be honest, you're probably not gonna have a very high success rate by going in, Attacking, messing up, than running away. Tanks today were made to take hits from others, and should continue to show that role in the United States Military. If you're looking it in terms of future MBTs, than they're going either two ways. Heavier, or lighter. Heavier as in being heavier, thicker armor, as well as larger cannons. Or lighter by using composites, advanced materials, or just rethinking things from square 1, which the Abrams has done in its design. Until then, we should see how the M1A3 should do for our forces. Hopefully it'll integrate more technologies than the current M1A2 and its improvement upgrades.

12-13-2009, 09:15 PM	#15
Expendable Grunt Join Date: Mar 2007 Mongolia Location: Hollywood, MD Posts: 4,641	Re: Future US Tanks....? The fiber optics would be connecting electronic systems. Instead of copper wire. I wonder if the US will ever go back to rifled barrels? I heard it caused problems using HEAT rounds, but...do we really need those anymore? M.
	To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Former [DM] captain. The fact that people are poor or discriminated against doesn't necessarily endow them with any special qualities of justice, nobility, charity or compassion. - Saul Alinsky

12-13-2009, 09:34 PM	#19
Hellbrawler Join Date: Aug 2008 United States of America Location: Texas Posts: 262	Re: Future US Tanks....? Mmmmm...A new engine and rocket interceptors on the Abrams would be nice. I hope they put that on the A3 and we're set for decades to come. Maybe replace the smoothbore canon with a rail gun when the technology is more advanced :P
	Freedom of speech is a deadly weapon.

12-13-2009, 09:46 PM	#20
Z-trooper Retired PR Developer Join Date: May 2007 Denmark Location: (0,0,0) Posts: 4,075 Blog Entries: 13	Re: Future US Tanks....? TUSK II upgrade with an additional coax .50 cal is also quite interesting:
	"Without geometry, life is pointless"

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