Weps

Should have the Army really gotten rid of the M60A3 TTS?

It was a revolutionary peice of armor. First U.S. tank to have Thermal Imaging devices and many other technological advancements. Horzontial Stablization, weather and windage sensors, laser rangefinder, hybrid solid-state ballistic computer, improved fire control system, State of the art NBC system.



Should that Army really have gotten rid of the M60A3 TTS tank or kept in it's arsenal for use as a medium or light tank?

Fuel wound not be a problem. The M1A1 has a multi-fuel turbine engine capable of burning JP-8, gasoline, and diesel. While the M60A3 has a diesel engine, it runs a bit better in desert conditions.

Ammo is not a problem either. 105mm ammo is still made by the U.S., or they could have upgunned the M60 to 120mm.

Armor is not a problem. It's current rolled armor with the Blazer Reactive armor would be enough to handle RPG's and other HEAT warhead ATGM's.

Crews would not be hard to train. Most current U.S. Army Master Gunner's are trained on the M60A3 TTS platform.

Updating the ballistic computers, FCS and a few other items and you have a competent MBT.

dalem

Speaking as a layman, why the heck do we need more MBTs? Who are we going to need to use them against?

Now, taking old M60s and putting a simple 105mm howitzer in the turret for use as infantry support assault guns, I'd be all for.

-dale

leib10

We have enough Abrams already. However, as dalem said, using them in the "assault gun" role might be prudent.

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Weps

True. We have 5000 M1's between the Army and USMC. Forget the 105mm use the 165mm demo gun like on the M278 CEV.

I just don't understand why the Army got rid of such a superb tank, plus the M1 doesn't do to well in MOUT's.

Wraith601

The Iraqis tasked with defending Baghdad might not agree with you.

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Anon

The A3TTS was an excellent tank but for it's conventional RHA armor.

Having looked through both the TIS of the M-1 and the TTS of the M-60A3, i can verify that the TTS unit is a much better sight, with much greater resolution.

Weps

I have only had the honor of seeing through the M1's TIS, but from talking with my father and uncle who have both served on the A3 TTS. They definatly agree the A3 TTS is still a superb paltform and has an excellent TIS.

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Wraith601

Couldn't this sight be fitted to an Abrams?

Bluesman

I would think the fire control system - sight, computer, stabilizer, range finder - would have to be re-done, too, because everything is integrated. Not practical (as a guess).

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Anon

The M-1A2 has an improved thermal sight IIRC, so if my memory serves me, it no longer uses the TIS of the earlier Abrams models.

Weps

Everything one the M1A2 is intergrated.

Bluesman

Right. Which is why the 'modular' approach - like the suggestion to add in the sight - isn't practical. Correct?

Shek

The M1A2 isn't optimized for MOUT like the Merkava, but it has fared well in MOUT. I don't know much about the M60 series - how would it function better in a MOUT scenario?

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Anon

"how would it function better in a MOUT scenario?""

The commanders coupola weapon is completely enclosed in armor.

That's a nice feature for MOUT ops.

Shek

Agreed. Is it spherical protection (i.e. protected from above)?