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Dontos · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:05 am Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

- genepresta

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!

DUDE!!

Don

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

Backatcha!

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

Here is the first photo of the new camouflage scheme for Australian M1A1s:

In less than six months, Saab Barracuda has delivered prototype camouflage systems fitted to Australiaâ€™s Darwin based fleet of M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks and M88A2 Hercules Armoured Recovery Vehicles giving them stealth qualities and higher survivability on the battlefield.

The contract worth 4.5 million AUD was signed in December 2007 to design, manufacture and fit camouflage to these tracked vehicles. The Australian Army identified the need to reduce the multispectral signatures and to customize the vehicles for Australian conditions. These special design camouflage systems significantly reduce the visual, radar and infrared signature of the vehicles. The second part of this requirement was achieved using Saabâ€™s Heat Transfer Reduction technologies which make the internal environment of the vehicle more liveable in the extreme conditions of northern Australia.

Saab has been supplying the Australian Defence Force with its signature management capability for thirty years, and this project reaffirms their trust in Saabâ€™s capability and experienceâ€?, says Bob Fuller, Managing Director of Saab Barracuda Pty Ltd.

The Abrams tanks are built in USA but they needed multispectral camouflage systems and crew heat protection appropriate for the Australiaâ€™s theatre of operations. The effectiveness of the multispectral camouflage systems is being verified in tests conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.

The design and manufacture was carried out by Saab Barracuda in Sydney with materials and support from Saab Barracuda, Sweden, and other local suppliers. This camouflage system now has export potential for the other countries using advanced classes of main battle tanks.

23 April 2008

www.saabsystems.com.au/news.htm

Dontos · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

WOW Thats COOL!!

After 21years on the Abrams, I must say the Aussies made 'her' look cool !! Rolling Eyes

(Where can I sign up,.... Mr. Green

) I WANT ONE OF THOSE!!

Jens_O_Mehner · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 6:40 pm Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

- Dontos

(Where can I sign up,.... )

Glad to help Don, have a look here. Mr. Green

Jens O.

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

M88A2 in the same scheme:

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

MM forgot to add the M88 that goes with the ABRAMS...........(sorry for the small image, all we got at the mo)

the M88A2 with the same Camo:

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

SNAP!

Dontos · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

- Jens_O_Mehner

- Dontos

(Where can I sign up,.... )

Glad to help Don, have a look here.

Jens O.

HA HA HA,....I actually might qualify,.....hmmmm. No, don't think my wife would warm up to that idea.

I would be interested to see how the camo system reduces thermal signature, as well as how it is applied. Is it applied, or a screening net system. Guess I need to do some digging.

Still a neat addition. I wonder if 'we' will consider adoption of this, if it hasn't been undertaken already.

Thanks for this update.

Don

Joe_D · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

Any takers??

ABC news

Joe D

Dontos · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: M1A1 AIM SA

- Joe_D

Any takers??

ABC news

Joe D

I don't know NOTHING! Wink

Don

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

- Dontos

- Jens_O_Mehner

- Dontos

(Where can I sign up,.... )

Glad to help Don, have a look here.

Jens O.

HA HA HA,....I actually might qualify,.....hmmmm. No, don't think my wife would warm up to that idea.

I would be interested to see how the camo system reduces thermal signature, as well as how it is applied. Is it applied, or a screening net system. Guess I need to do some digging.

Still a neat addition. I wonder if 'we' will consider adoption of this, if it hasn't been undertaken already.

Thanks for this update.

Don

It's a blanket/overlay system called the SAAB Barracuda system, previouly used to good effect on the LEO I's..............the image below is a CV90-40C with a similar system, you can see the overlay nature of the system.

The original specification gives you an idea of its impact.............

Multi-Spectral Camouflage System (MCS) for the M1A1 and M88A2 AFVs

The MCS is a visual camouflage system that provides heat transfer reduction to reduce the impact of solar loading on the vehicle structure with a subsequent reduction in thermal stress for the vehicle crew.

Other key components of the MCS is the ability to reduce the vehicleâ€™s signature in the visual/near infrared, thermal and radar wavelengths. Signature reduction lessens the vehicleâ€™s detectability, and therefore enhances survivability, on the battlefield.

The MCS needs to be capable of manufacture in different materials and/or colours and camouflage patterns to provide for different signature management schemes more appropriate for conditions both within and outside of Australia. This provides flexibility to meet specific operational scenarios.

The MCS shall be capable of modification should future structural modifications be made to the vehicle. These vehicle modifications could include such additions as appliquÃ© armour packages, external weapon stations or protection systems.

The MCS shall reduce the thermal signature of the vehicle at all times of the day in both the 3-5mm and 8-12mm by 5 dB. The MCS shall attenuate the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of the vehicle in the 8-18 GHz frequency ranges by 12 dB.

The MCS shall not support fungal growth when tested in accordance with AS/NZS 1157.2.

The MCS shall remain fixed to the Vehicle when it is being transported by train at a speed of up to 115 km/hr.

An approved Pattern scheme for the appliquÃ© system is issued at Annex D to the SOW. Alternative pattern schemes proposed by the tenderer will be reviewed by the Commonwealth for suitability to the northern Australian environment and the shape of the vehicles themselves.

Regards,

BUG

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