Re: Icons and lbms
Well, originally, the M1 Abrams entered service weighing about 50-55 tons. Now, the latest M1A2 SEPs are what 60-65 tons.
So I would think that a lot of R*D would be going on so that we can get M1A2 SEP protection on M1 Abrams weight levels; to restore the "Expansion" potential that was lost during the Abrams' lifetime.
I've looked up the specs for the US Army's XM291 140mm ATAC gun; it weighed 91 kg *LESS* than the M256 120mm Gun, and it could even be converted to fire 120mm ammo, in about an hour by replacing the gun tube. This 120mm version of the XM291 is right now the current gun of FCS.
Then we got the various other armor technologies; like electromagnetic armor, which can defeat RPG-7 warheads, yet total power drain is less than starting the tank on a cold morning; advanced explosive reactive armor which can defeat incoming APDFS rounds by snapping the penetrator in mid flight, ARENA/TROPHY close in defense systems that launch projectiles to defeat incoming threats....
I've looked up the various Electrothermal Gun technologies; and they offer about 30% imprvoement in muzzle velocity and energy over current conventional propellant guns; while not requiring the total technological base redo that liquid propellant guns do.
Presently, the M256 120mm gun with the M829A3 round can penetrate 81cm at 1000m. If we assume muzzle velocity increases by 30% with an ETC version of the M256, then that means that a ETC M829A3 would have a penetration of around 100cm + at the same range.
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