WinSPMBT v13 Corrections

[DRG]

Well, you just got a M1A1HC FEP-T starting 2019 as a RC 91 as an MBT and CS MBT

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The U.S. Army is still testing the application of the APS system. I've already posted on this issue this past year when I submitted all the ABRAMS issues in the MBT Thread which I'm still working on in putting into the Patch Thread, which now seems to be more important that I get this done by reading these posts.

I guess I should identify what the test bed is to establish a possible timeline when they might be ready. As I already submitted, the MBT in question is the M1A2C (Formally the M1A2 SEP 3) which might reach FOC this Fall (I believe I submitted OCT 2020.) as a best guess.

Because the U.S. Army received around 250 TROPHY units doesn't mean they have them certified for use. There is a high degree of anticipation that they should work without any major configuration or operational modifications needed to support the ABRAMS.
https://news.am/eng/news/498095.html

I DID FIND THIS: "Michigan-based General Dynamics Land Systems was contracted to add the system to an Armor Brigade Combat Team’s M1A2 SEPv2 at a cost of close to $10 million with an expected completion date by the end of March 2019."
This Brigade of tanks was to prepared for rotational deployment to Europe.

However I haven't been able to find anything yet to support it was installed as noted above at that time or after, this includes whether they where actually deployed with it to Europe.

To the BRADLEY, the IRON FIST system due to budget and minor operational testing issues, is at a minimum months behind schedule in getting the systems installed on those platforms compared the ABRAMS.

The STRYKER program will also be delayed to the fact that the ARMY has decided to evaluate the IRON FIST against a German System. Evaluations starts this Summer I believe.

I provided so many refs even from the Army to show in regards to the ABRAMS in particular, that FOC is generally established when X-number of brigades have them, in other words, at their operational combat strength.

About ABRAMS FEP, when I was asked to look into this (And that started the ball rolling on all things ABRAMS last year.), my biggest issue was the speculation that it included armor improvement plan (Some early refs suggested this possibility.) as well. I can't tell you how many hours I put into just that tank alone sorting through the data. The answer was simple and stared me right in the face ready? USMC A1M1 FEP or Firepower Enhancement Program that is all.
Concerning the APS. when comes to the USMC tanks, those improvements follow the ARMY that funds them.

Taking the last sentence of the above para into account, I feel that the USMC might have a platoon or company testing them due to the unique operating environment they'll be transported in and possibly used.

But I can't find it if that's the case though I didn't do a "deep search" into the matter. However, I'll stake my reputation on the fact I strongly believe the USMC will see TROPHY at near pace to the ARMY's full acceptance of that system. But it did take years to get the FEP upgrades, again of which I had many good official refs to.

It might not be worth much but, I feel we just need let this work itself out when the ARMY says it's fully operational which so far it hasn't done.

The M1A2C once operational will most likely be equipped with TROPHY from the start.

Also I just remembered that the BRADLEY is to be equipped with a smaller version of TROPHY, this was another reason for it's delay.

No permanent change to my normal schedule, just had the "fight course" today. Sixty and "Still Going Strong Baby"!?!

Regards,
Pat


Postscript: This falls in line with what I've posted and have seen taken from the below ref.
"Last year, the Army chose Trophy APS for its Abrams tanks, as did the Marine Corps. The Army expects to equip four armored brigade combat teams by late 2020."

That coincides to the timeline/or date I submitted for the M1A2C/SEP 3 FOC.
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-...ound-vehicles/

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

About ABRAMS FEP, when I was asked to look into this (And that started the ball rolling on all things ABRAMS last year.), my biggest issue was the speculation that it included armor improvement plan (Some early refs suggested this possibility.) as well. I can't tell you how many hours I put into just that tank alone sorting through the data. The answer was simple and stared me right in the face ready? USMC A1M1 FEP or Firepower Enhancement Program that is all.
Concerning the APS. when comes to the USMC tanks, those improvements follow the ARMY that funds them.

Taking the last sentence of the above para into account, I feel that the USMC might have a platoon or company testing them due to the unique operating environment they'll be transported in and possibly used.

Pretty much my understanding as well.
The FEP upgrade was NOT an armor upgrade, merely a targeting, fire control, and vision systems upgrade. That said, while they were upgrading the fire control systems they also upgraded any M1A1s that were not already the HC (Heavy Common) variant to that variant. And upgraded all of them to the latest (at the time) HC variant, armor wise.

As to Trophy, yes, some systems were acquired, and deployed in the Mid East, how many I'm unsure, but the USMC didn't have that many tanks over there so probably enough for most, if not all of them. And, yes, it was basically live fire field testing. I wouldn't expect general employment until the US Army adopts them (buy them in bulk via the US Army contract).

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by DRG

Well, you just got a M1A1HC FEP-T starting 2019 as a RC 91 as an MBT and CS MBT

Add a TUSK and an MCBS, those two are more likely to be the targets of concentrated ATGM fire.