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Picture of olfuzzy
posted
If it works, this is great Cool


U.S. Army M1 Abrams tanks are being upgraded with a sort of invisible shield that will destroy incoming antitank missiles and other threats before reaching the tank.

Known as Trophy, this cutting-edge technology will provide M1 Abrams tanks with 360 degree protection from threats.

Since the 1950s, the Army has been determined to give tanks something called “active protection systems.” The goal of these sorts of systems is to stop incoming projectiles before they reach the tank – creating a sort of invisible shield around them.

The Army has chosen Raphael’s tech to upgrade 261 M1 Abrams tanks with Israeli-made Trophy active-protection systems. For nearly a decade, Trophy has already been protecting Israel Defense Force Merkava main battle tanks and relied on in conflicts in the Gaza Strip for example. Now approximately 3 brigades worth of U.S. tanks will also bring Trophy into battles.

Several relevant militaries have already equipped some of their tanks with active protection systems. Russia is one country that has been aggressively ramping up their tanks and other assets with active protection systems like Trophy. They’ve also armed them with a deep arsenal of anti-armor weapons that can seriously damage or destroy the targeted tank in spite of its armor.

And the U.S.? In addition to the iconic Abrams tank, the Army is upgrading a number of other combat vehicles. The Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 is expected to provide a significant improvement. This latest version of Abrams delivers a better hull armor and turrets. They also feature enhanced radio systems and power generation amongst other enhancements.

For example, should a conflict erupt with Russia, then American tanks absolutely must be prepared to counter Russian firepower. Trophy is an important step to better protect American soldiers and match adversary capabilities.

What is Trophy?

The Trophy Active Protection system, aka “Windbreaker," gives tanks 360 degrees coverage. The system includes four antennas and two rotating launchers mounted on the tank.

If an enemy launches a weapon, like an anti-tank missile, at a U.S. Army tank protected with Trophy, radar or sensors recognize and locate the incoming threat. Tracking radar identifies what kind of threat has been launched at the tank. It distinguishes a rocket from an anti-tank missile, for example.

Trophy instantaneously works out where the weapon would strike. If the missile will strike the tank, then it swings into action to protect the soldiers.

The system figures out the necessary firing angles to intercept the incoming weapon. The computers relay the firing angles to the two launchers positioned on either side of the tank. The launchers rotate to the correct position and fire a countermeasure.

The counter-measure intercepts the anti-tank missile aimed at the U.S. Army and destroys it at a distance before it can reach the tank.

One countermeasure option can be a sort of giant, powerful shotgun loaded with buckshot approach. Trophy can fire canisters filled with ball-bearings at the enemy projectile to defeat it.

Invisible shields

Active projection systems create a sort of protective bubble around a tank. Systems like Trophy aim to prevent any incoming threat from getting close to the tank and stop them at a distance away from it. To do so, systems like Trophy use visible countermeasures like the canisters.

Another countermeasure in development to fortify this shield around the tank is entirely invisible. Electromagnetic signals can be fired off to interfere with incoming threats and against prevent them from penetrating this protective bubble and reaching the tank.

One concern is the detonation of threats in the battlespace.

If Trophy fires a countermeasure and the enemy missile for example is detonated, then safety for those outside the tank could be an issue. While it may not pierce that protective bubble around the tank and successfully prevent Soldiers inside from being wounded, the detonation of the enemy weapon outside the bubble could put nearby dismounted troops at risk.

During the past couple of years, the Army leased and purchased some Trophies to test and investigate and resolve these sorts of concerns before moving forward with the large-scale Trophy upgrades to their M1 Abrams main battle tanks.

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/20...ncoming-threats.html
 
Posts: 5181 | Location: 20 miles north of hell | Registered: November 07, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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sounds like an impressive improvement to an already battle-proven weapon system

i can watch M1 videos on youtube all day long

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQijwnhA79A

-----------------------------


Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
 
Posts: 8940 | Location: Florida | Registered: September 20, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Maybe good for crowd control too! Big Grin

That tank with "Boris the Blade" on the barrel! LOL!




Train how you intend to Fight

Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat.
 
Posts: 8974 | Location: Woodstock, GA | Registered: August 04, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
delicately calloused
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Windbreaker? I don't like the sound of that in the close quarters of a tank....



You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier
 
Posts: 30003 | Location: Norris Lake, TN | Registered: May 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of 229DAK
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quote:
Originally posted by darthfuster:
Windbreaker? I don't like the sound of that in the close quarters of a tank....

It's all good if you are wearing your old chem suit.... Big Grin


_________________________________________________________________________
“A man’s treatment of a dog is no indication of the man’s nature, but his treatment of a cat is. It is the crucial test. None but the humane treat a cat well.”
-- Mark Twain, 1902
 
Posts: 9398 | Location: Northern Virginia | Registered: November 04, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Big Stack
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This is old news. Good news, but known for a while.

The M1 is a great tank. But it's an old design. The army should probably be looking at a replacement.
 
Posts: 21240 | Registered: November 05, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Frangas non Flectes
Picture of P220 Smudge
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quote:
Originally posted by myrottiety:
Maybe good for crowd control too! Big Grin

That tank with "Boris the Blade" on the barrel! LOL!


At 2:09 and 2:15 in Sig 209's linked video, there's one with "COOL STORY BRO" on its barrel. Big Grin


______________________________________________
“There are plenty of good reasons for fighting, but no good reason ever to hate without reservation, to imagine that God Almighty Himself hates with you, too.”
 
Posts: 17887 | Location: Sonoran Desert | Registered: February 10, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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cool armor fact (i was infantry so armor guys correct me if i am wrong)

the tank names start with the letter of the company they are in.

A Company tank names start with A - A-Aron
B Company tank names start with B - Boris The Blade
C Company tank names start with C - Cool Story Bro
etc (Headquarters Company start with H - Horrible Idea)

-----------------------------------------------


Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
 
Posts: 8940 | Location: Florida | Registered: September 20, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Frangas non Flectes
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I wouldn't have guessed that, makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the knowledge drop. Smile


______________________________________________
“There are plenty of good reasons for fighting, but no good reason ever to hate without reservation, to imagine that God Almighty Himself hates with you, too.”
 
Posts: 17887 | Location: Sonoran Desert | Registered: February 10, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by BBMW:

The M1 is a great tank. But it's an old design. The army should probably be looking at a replacement.


Some venerable designs just flat-out work:

M4 / M16 -- 50+ year old design
M1 Abrams -- 35+ years in service
B-52 -- 60+ years in service
A-10 -- 35+ years in service
UH-60 -- 35+ years in service

amazing how some designs stand the 'test of time'

---------------------------------------------------


Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
 
Posts: 8940 | Location: Florida | Registered: September 20, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Frangas non Flectes
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M2 .50 BMG - 85 years in service and just a beefed up version of a 99 year old design. Sitting atop the "old" M1 Abrams. Smile

If it ain't broke....


______________________________________________
“There are plenty of good reasons for fighting, but no good reason ever to hate without reservation, to imagine that God Almighty Himself hates with you, too.”
 
Posts: 17887 | Location: Sonoran Desert | Registered: February 10, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by BBMW:
This is old news. Good news, but known for a while.

The M1 is a great tank. But it's an old design. The army should probably be looking at a replacement.

Israeli's developed the system with French assistance, Russian's have their version on some of their vehicles, the US simply kicked the can down the R&D road as fielding it would cost quite a bit. It works BUT, you don't want standing infantry around when it goes off.
 
Posts: 15195 | Location: Wine Country | Registered: September 20, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Yeah, we finally get parity with the Russian Arena system. Hopefully, we'll see a version for the Bradley and maybe a light version for the stryker.

Hopefully, we get the new 130MM Rheinmetal cannons too.
 
Posts: 4830 | Location: Where ever Uncle Sam Sends Me | Registered: March 05, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Void Where Prohibited
Picture of WaterburyBob
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Sig209:
quote:
Originally posted by BBMW:

The M1 is a great tank. But it's an old design. The army should probably be looking at a replacement.


Some venerable designs just flat-out work:

M4 / M16 -- 50+ year old design
M1 Abrams -- 35+ years in service
B-52 -- 60+ years in service
A-10 -- 35+ years in service
UH-60 -- 35+ years in service

amazing how some designs stand the 'test of time'

---------------------------------------------------

And they are projecting that the B-52 will be in service for another 30 years or so, making that just about 100 years of service.

I have a question: Are there original B-52 airframes still in service for 60 years, or have those planes been retired and replaced with ones of newer manufacture?



"If Gun Control worked, Chicago would look like Mayberry, not Thunderdome" - Cam Edwards
 
Posts: 16731 | Location: Under the Boot of Tyranny in Connectistan | Registered: February 02, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Coin Sniper
Picture of Rightwire
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How does it stop a kinetic energy round?




Pronoun: His Royal Highness and benevolent Majesty of all he surveys

343 - Never Forget

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There are three types of mistakes; Those you learn from, those you suffer from, and those you don't survive.
 
Posts: 38478 | Location: Above the snow line in Michigan | Registered: May 21, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Rightwire:
How does it stop a kinetic energy round?

Imagine some one shoots an arrow at you and you shoot the arrow with a shotgun shell. The shots breaks up the arrow and or knocks it off course.
 
Posts: 4830 | Location: Where ever Uncle Sam Sends Me | Registered: March 05, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Coin Sniper
Picture of Rightwire
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by CD228:
quote:
Originally posted by Rightwire:
How does it stop a kinetic energy round?

Imagine some one shoots an arrow at you and you shoot the arrow with a shotgun shell. The shots breaks up the arrow and or knocks it off course.


That was my initial thought as well. But the pellets would have significantly less mass than that dart and without doing the math it seems like you first have to assure the probability of a hit on the dart, then sufficient force to disable or deflect. I'm betting a solid steel arrow would make it through a shotgun blast with minor damage.




Pronoun: His Royal Highness and benevolent Majesty of all he surveys

343 - Never Forget

Its better to be Pavlov's dog than Schrodinger's cat

There are three types of mistakes; Those you learn from, those you suffer from, and those you don't survive.
 
Posts: 38478 | Location: Above the snow line in Michigan | Registered: May 21, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
A Grateful American
Picture of sigmonkey
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
quote:
Originally posted by Sig209:
quote:
Originally posted by BBMW:

The M1 is a great tank. But it's an old design. The army should probably be looking at a replacement.


Some venerable designs just flat-out work:

M4 / M16 -- 50+ year old design
M1 Abrams -- 35+ years in service
B-52 -- 60+ years in service
A-10 -- 35+ years in service
UH-60 -- 35+ years in service

amazing how some designs stand the 'test of time'

---------------------------------------------------

And they are projecting that the B-52 will be in service for another 30 years or so, making that just about 100 years of service.

I have a question: Are there original B-52 airframes still in service for 60 years, or have those planes been retired and replaced with ones of newer manufacture?


All are 56 years and older.




"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
 
Posts: 44720 | Location: ...... I am thrice divorced, and I live in a van DOWN BY THE RIVER!!! (in Arkansas) | Registered: December 20, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Big Stack
posted Hide Post
It doesn't, yet. That's function is still in development.

quote:
Originally posted by Rightwire:
How does it stop a kinetic energy round?
 
Posts: 21240 | Registered: November 05, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Crusty old
curmudgeon
Picture of Jimbo54
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
quote:
Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
quote:
Originally posted by Sig209:
quote:
Originally posted by BBMW:

The M1 is a great tank. But it's an old design. The army should probably be looking at a replacement.


Some venerable designs just flat-out work:

M4 / M16 -- 50+ year old design
M1 Abrams -- 35+ years in service
B-52 -- 60+ years in service
A-10 -- 35+ years in service
UH-60 -- 35+ years in service

amazing how some designs stand the 'test of time'

---------------------------------------------------

And they are projecting that the B-52 will be in service for another 30 years or so, making that just about 100 years of service.

I have a question: Are there original B-52 airframes still in service for 60 years, or have those planes been retired and replaced with ones of newer manufacture?


All are 56 years and older.


Yep, no new ones being built. Just about every major part has been rebuilt or replaced with improved designs but original air frames are as they came out of the factory. The BUFF is an amazing machine.

Jim


________________________

"If you can't be a good example, then you'll have to be a horrible warning" -Catherine Aird
 
Posts: 9791 | Location: The right side of Washington State | Registered: September 14, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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