ATK Building Next-Gen Abrams Ammo

[philnopatience]

FYI, the all-round big gun experts at ATK have neen chosen by the Army to make the next generation of 120mm ammo for the venerable M1A2 Abrams tank. The latest version of the tank?s main gun ammunition is designed to penetrate the explosive ?reactive armor?found on modern main battle tanks as well as being effective ?in Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), mountain, and nontraditional battlefields,? according to an ATK press release. The real feature here is that it can defeat reactive armor with one shot.


The round will allow for the use of fewer rounds and allow for faster enemy engagements ? factors that will ultimately increase crew and platform survivability.

The company has been chosen to built the rounds under a $77 million three-year contract to ?develop and qualify? the round, known as the M829E4 120mm Advanced Kinetic Energy (AKE) ammunition. Once this three-year period is up, the company is expected to win another contract for full production of the AKE ammunition.

http://defensetech.org/2011/07/11/at...#ixzz1RvD6oaAg

[Zemciugas]

Another money dump in the already way too old and outdated tank, they couldn't make a proper He round while everyone else using same type of main gun had and instead used the crappy canister round as a substitute. Pretty sure this will go nowhere or will just end up being a sligtly better AP round, but not nearly as good as how it's described now. Or could invest into giving the Abrams proper He rounds or fix many faults on other vehicles for the money.

-snip-

User received an infraction for inappropriate post content - Jigsaw

[Eddie Baker]

There is a multi-purpose HEAT round that already serves the functions of HEAT and HE against hard and soft targets, respectively (M830 HEAT-MP or "MPAT"). The M1028 canister round is just icing on the cake for MOUT and troops in the open. And may I ask where you form your opinion that either of these rounds are improper or crappy?

So, I'm guessing this means you want out of NATO?

[Sidewinder Zulu]

Interesting read.

This is a little off-topic, but does anyone know when the US military is planning to begin phasing out the Abrams and replace it with a new MBT?

I heard might not be till like 2040 or something, but it would be nice to know for sure.

[[R-DEV]Bob_Marley]

Originally Posted by [R-DEV]Eddie Baker

So, I'm guessing this means you want out of NATO?

He's probably just been watching too much of Blacktaildefense's youtube channel.

Next he'll be telling us that the M113 is the best thing ever made by anyone, anywhere. Ever.

[BloodBane611]

Originally Posted by Sidewinder Zulu

Interesting read.

This is a little off-topic, but does anyone know when the US military is planning to begin phasing out the Abrams and replace it with a new MBT?

I heard might not be till like 2040 or something, but it would be nice to know for sure.

First they would need a new MBT with which to replace it. At this point, its completely indeterminate

[USMCMIDN]

Originally Posted by [R-MOD]BloodBane611

First they would need a new MBT with which to replace it. At this point, its completely indeterminate

I have heard of a M1A3 in the works but IDK what is going on with that.

[Zemciugas]

Originally Posted by [R-MOD]Bob_Marley

He's probably just been watching too much of Blacktaildefense's youtube channel.

Next he'll be telling us that the M113 is the best thing ever made by anyone, anywhere. Ever.

Wtf is blacktaildefence? And I just gathered the iformation from various books, internet pages and no, I don't think that the m113 is the best thing...

[Sidewinder Zulu]

Originally Posted by [R-MOD]BloodBane611

First they would need a new MBT with which to replace it. At this point, its completely indeterminate

True. Even the M1A1 still outclasses most of the armor out there. Don't fix what ain't broken.

[Hitman.2.5]

Originally Posted by Sidewinder Zulu

True. Even the M1A1 still outclasses most of the armor out there. Don't fix what ain't broken.

does it out class the leopard 2a7 or the challenger? rifled/smoothbore?