First sorry the table didn't transfer over from
SIPRI the way I set it up prior to hitting the "
Submit Reply" concerning
Thailand's VT-4 MBT's.
Now on to the other issues from this past week, consider this the
source and view the previous as
additional information.
I have to go with Fully Operational Capability (FOC) many people want to use (And have.) Initial Operating Capability (IOC) the difference between the two is huge. When in IOC the manufacturer is working whatever branch to work out the bugs. This process normally ends with the OPEVAL where the branch is putting the equipment through it's paces. This will normally lead to modifications at times. Once the OPEVAL is completed this is when that piece of equipment will normally go into Full Rate Production (FRP) and depending on the branch will transition to FOC once a magic number is reached or in to the case of the first to tanks below, when production is completed and many things can drive this decision such as minor equipment upgrades (Think software updates or issues concerning all F-35 types.) or replacement or maybe a different engine (ALTAY) etc. etc.
This is for context before I continue below.
Also note I have to use the M1A2 SEP V2 for balance against the next two tanks as well. I don't know what data was used for them, however, we had a lot of data to work from for the M1A2 SEP V2 when it was submitted and except for the date change I submitted for the M1A2 SEP V3 that tank looks good at present.
USMC/CHANGE/M1A1HC FEP VARIENTS/UNITS 467, 468 & 469/START 10/2009 vice 01/2008/TI/GSR 50 vice 45/STABILISER 7 vice 6/UNIT 468 MRAP 7 vice SURVIBILITY 6/SAME MBT AS UNITS 467 & 469// The
FEP was a major upgrade to the
M1A1 tanks the
USMC operated. The contract was awarded on
FEB 05, 2005 for the manufacture and installation of the of the subsystems making up the
FEP package. The FOC was reached as submitted above. I cannot find any information to support any other date but, it should be noted however I found enough to change the date last submitted and after digging deeper, I will gladly in this instance "eat a
little crow" concerning that last submission that "
I didn't see it before 2010..." at least based on the data I had then.
https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a608067.pdf
(Pg. 6/Para B. Note they used JANE's 2013 ref.))
http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?item=156
(Para 4)
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/art...-(dec.-6).html
Paras 1 & 6)
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...1-tanks-01874/
(Covers both programs as of 2006.)
https://www.heritage.org/military-st...s-marine-corps
https://www.heritage.org/military-strength
(For context only. One of the very few "think tanks" that grade militaries and specifically are the only to do so for ours. The second will get you to the other branch's.)
https://www.theengineer.co.uk/issues...ets-new-sight/
(This last ties in the FEP and SEP programs. And as normal USA first.)
The
DID Ref above lead me to this next UNIT(s) as they definitely fit the timeframe needed for the
FEP upgrade.
USMC/CHANGE/LAV-25 A2 (CS)/UNIT 993/LAV-25A2/UNIT 061/TI/GSR 45 vice 40/FC 22 vice 25/Laser R/F 20 vice Range Finder 15 & 14 respectively/Of course ARTY & AT units wouldn't receive this upgrade// This is a "smaller package" as compared to the
BRADLEY and size matters with this kind of equipment, that being said they're better then what they are now and it fits the
FEP package well. I don't think I missed any other UNITS.
You'll forgive me I hope as the
LAV updates and verification threw me off track and as I was up well into what is now, yesterday morning and as I've got to take care of a couple of other issues before I hit the rack, I'll just say
Good Night or morning wherever you may be!!.
Hopefully I'll get to the
ABRAMS &
BRADLEY units later today or Tuesday evening as I have the "
fight course" that morning/afternoon.
Don if you desire more on the
FEP LAV let me know but, I believe a couple of the others mention it as well. The DID Ref confirms the money was allocated and funded.
As a reminder and as recently posted
M1A2 SEP V3/M1A2C OPEVAL is at
2.5+ yrs. and still going on. The
ARMATA if still on schedule and from Russian Ministry of Defense as posted will start it's
OPEVAL around
mid to late 2021. I might just be right on that one given the
SEP V3 above.
Regards,
Pat
