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MARKMILES77 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 25

{Army Newspaper

The Abrams Files
Volume 11, No. 43, May 18, 2006
By Capt Paul Henry

An Australian owned Abrams tank is currently on exhibition at the US Armor Symposium at Fort Knox in Kentucky, showcasing the technological advances of the Australian variant.

The tank is an M1A1 AIM SA (Abrams integrated management situational awareness), one of the most advanced of the Abrams main battle tanks. It is one of only a small number of vehicles in the world of such a configuration, all of which are Australian.

The M1A1 AIM SA features enhancements such as second-generation FLIR, an inertial navigation system in addition to the global positioning system, an auxiliary power unit, infantry/tank telephone, far target locator, and the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) battlefield management system. Modified for Australian conditions, the tank has crew cooling fans and a refrigeration unit, and can fit a deep-water fording kit.

The armour package of the Australian Abrams is among the most advanced in the world.
The US Armor Symposium is attended by a large audience of senior US military officers, armoured-vehicle users and procurement personnel. The event is intended to communicate the importance of the newest technology in relation to security, education, training, and awareness for US military members.

The US Army will seek to adopt many features of the Australian variants for introduction to their own Abrams fleet.}

Can anyone tell me what the "far target locator" does?

Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:29 pm Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

- MARKMILES77

Can anyone tell me what the "far target locator" does?

Probably some combination of laser designator / rangefinder and/or thermal imager.

Neil

MARKMILES77 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 25

Army Newpaper
Top Stories
Tonnes of tanks
By Lt Joseph Ternowetsky

Edition 1162, March 22, 2007

TPR James Hannah was all smiles as he off-loaded the first of 41 M1 Abrams tanks on to East Arm Wharf near Darwin.

After days of weather related delays, the cargo ship was finally able to port and unload the new military hardware on March 4.

And soldiers like Tpr Hannah, 1 Armd Regt, could not be happier.

â€œMorale is really high right now because of these tanks,â€? said the 18-year-old, who was the youngest member helping unload the equipment.

â€œI canâ€™t describe the feeling of driving one â€“ it just glides, itâ€™s awesome.â€?

The following day, the tanks were moved to their new home in Robertson Barracks as part of a plan to eventually phase out the Leopard tanks.

These new M1A1 Abrams AIM tanks are part of a $530 million package that includes 59 tanks, seven Hercules M88A2 recovery vehicles, 14 heavy tank transporters, eight refuelling vehicles, and tank simulators for training purposes.

Brig Craig Orme, Commander 1 Bde, said the tanks were an example of the maturing of the Hardened and Networked Army concept.

â€œThe most valuable thing in the Army is its people,â€? Brig Orme said. â€œSo we need combat systems that develop high combat power with low manpower.â€?

The Abrams are designed to do just that. They include many new systems and components to increase mission capability, crew safety and operational awareness. And they are among the fastest and most powerful tanks in the world.

The arrival of the Abrams in Darwin was an historic occasion for the armoured corps.

â€œBut most importantly this represents a quantum increase in the combat power available to the land force,â€? Brig Orme said.

CO 1 Armd Regt Lt-Col Duncan Hayward said Australian soldiers were highly skilled and the Abrams would only add to their effectiveness on the battlefield.

â€œWe are providing equipment that matches our soldiersâ€™ standards,â€? Lt-Col Hayward said.

â€œThis technology will now project our regiment into an advanced state of readiness to support the Hardened and networked army."

Dontos · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 11:38 pm Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

I don't really know. Sounds like improved CITV which is on SEPs. (But CITV doesn't seem to be mounted on 'Aussie Abrams')!! Perhaps FBCB2...??

These are my shots from Armor Symposium back in May 06.

Don

buglerbilly · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 147

Here's another set of shots Mark M took at the just-held Avalon Show which is predominantly an Airshow BUT had a large Land Warfare section this year...........

M1A1SA at Avalon:

Nice Sticker on the back!!!

MARKMILES77 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 25

Abrams at the Australian formula One GP 2007

bsmart · Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:40 am Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

- MARKMILES77

Abrams at the Australian formula One GP 2007

Can you imagine the pit stop to change the 'tires' on that?

MARKMILES77 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 25

16 May 2007
M1A1 Abrams gets its sea legs

The Australian Army's new M1A1 Abrams Tank passed another stage of its introduction into service by completing a successful joint exercise inside Darwin Harbour with the Royal Australian Navy.

The Navy's amphibious ship HMAS Manoora embarked both the 61.3-tonne M1A1 Abrams Tank and M88 Hercules Recovery Vehicle during the exercise. The tank was then transferred by the ship's crane into the Navy's Landing Craft Heavy, HMAS Betano, which was berthed alongside Manoora.

HMAS Betano then sailed across Darwin Harbour to the shore establishment at HMAS Coonawarra, where the M1A1 drove ashore.

rynoki · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 8:57 am Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

Great pics there. Is the Abrams coming out of the lower level under its own power? (That's quite a gradient) Also, how many Abrams can the Manoora hold?

MARKMILES77 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 25

Yes, the Abrams was driving up under it's own power!

I don't know how many can be carried on the Manoora.
The vehicle deck has 810 square metres, although the weight of the Abrams may limit the number which can be carried rather than the available space.

MARKMILES77 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 25

11 July 2007
1st Armoured Regiment at Mount Bundy

Over 500 guests have joined 1st Armoured Regiment at Mount Bundy on Monday to see soldiers firing the Leopard AS1 Main Battle Tank for the last time. This historical event will also include a live-fire demonstration with four M1A1 Abrams Tanks.

In 1977 Australia acquired 103 leopard AS1 Main Battle Tanks as a replacement for the Centurion Tank. Fitted with a 105mm gun and two 7.62mm machine guns, the light and fast tank served the Australian Army exceptionally well in environment with little threat of mines and improvised explosives. After 30 years of service in the Australian Army, the Leopard Tank's last live-fire is a historical occasion.

Deputy Chief of Army Major General John Cantwell, and the Head of the Armoured Corps Major General David Chalmers flew to Darwin with numerous previous serving soldiers to observe the live-fire.

This final live-fire activity brings to an end the 1st Armoured Regiment's 58th birthday celebrations that included a formal parade to signify the readiness of the first M1A1 Abrams Squadron, a 1st Brigade Capability Display and Regimental Ball.

1st Armoured Regiment tank crews break from their parade formation to run and start their Leopard tanks on the 1st Brigade parade ground at Robertson Barracks.

20070707adf8243523_029
The new M1A1 Abrams squadron to come online at 1st Armoured Regiment salutes during the parade on the 1st Brigade parade ground at Robertson Barracks.

The last Leopard Tanks in service for the Australian Army are farewelled by a guard of 1st Armoured Regiment's new M1A1 Abrams Tanks from the 1st Brigade parade ground at Robertson Barracks.

The 1st Armoured Regiment Standard is marched through a guard of M1A1 Abrams Tanks on the 1st Brigade parade ground at Robertson Barracks.

The last Leopard Tanks in service for the Australian Army depart formalities of the 1st Brigade parade ground to return to 1st Armoured Regiment at Robertson Barracks.

M1A1 Abrams Tank crews wait cautiously for their turn to fire during the feu-de-joie on the 1st Brigade parade ground at Robertson Barracks.

Roy_A_Lingle · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:36 am Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

Hi Folks!

Looks like those old Leo's received a proper retirement parade.

May they all find good homes or caring museums to rest in.
Sgt, Scouts Out

rynoki · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:08 am Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

Great pics there. Indeed, let's hope they don't all go overseas ( to south america ). I'm sure there is plenty of blokes that would one in their backyard, me included.

MARKMILES77 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 25

A retiring Leopard Tank from 1st Armoured fires its final rounds for the Australian Army while an M1A1 Abrams Tank waits for its turn at the Mount Bundy Training Area in the Northern Territory.

A retiring Leopard Tank falls-in behind 1st Armoured Regiment's new M1A1 Abrams Tanks after firing its last rounds in the Australian Army at the Mount Bundy Training Area in the Northern Territory.

The last Leopard Tank crew to serve the Australian Army pose with their tank after firing its last rounds at the Mount Bundy Training Area (MBTA) in the Northern Territory. (from left) Trooper James Moore (operator), Trooper Michael Colley (gunner), Corporal Nicholas Zerafa (crew commander), Trooper Craig Hancock (driver).

Commanding Officer of the 1st Armoured Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Hayward answers questions from the media about the unit's transition from Leopard to Abrams at Robertson Barracks.

genepresta · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jul 21, 2007 Posts: 4

I helped field these to the Australians here at Fort Hood last year. We trained their Armor school teacheers and some other NCOs and officers from their Armor Regiment.

What made their tanks unique was the FLIR from the SEP was installed in the gunner station. The SA (Situational Awareness) indicates a BFT type of insatallation using their GPS gear.

I got to work with these guys and it was the highlight of my time at General Dynamics. The were extremely professional and kept you on your toes with their questions.

For DONTOS, I am no longer a lurker! Twisted Evil

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