FCS Cancelled?!?

[sgtgunn]

Anyone have a clue what an M1A3 might look like?

Are we looking at an M1A2 SEP with FCS C4 goodies, TUSK and an APS, or something more dramatic?

I think a new powerplant would be a good idea - possibly a diesel-electric hybrid. A modular armor system as well - would make armor upgrades easier and lest costly through the life of the vehicle. Maybe a new turret with an autoloader as well - though I have mixed feelings about the loss of a fourth crewman.... (unless they make an autoloader that can pull radio watch and help break track).

Adrian

 

[eckherl]

Anyone have a clue what an M1A3 might look like?

Are we looking at an M1A2 SEP with FCS C4 goodies, TUSK and an APS, or something more dramatic?

I think a new powerplant would be a good idea - possibly a diesel-electric hybrid. A modular armor system as well - would make armor upgrades easier and lest costly through the life of the vehicle. Maybe a new turret with an autoloader as well - though I have mixed feelings about the loss of a fourth crewman.... (unless they make an autoloader that can pull radio watch and help break track).

Adrian

We already have some of the FCS program goodies shoe horned into the M1A2 SEP V2 mainly with network capability. Here is some of the other upgrades that will come out with M1A3:

1. Light weight dual caliber gun/ recoil mechanism, titanium is fun to work with.
2. TUSK 3 modular armor package, Tusk 2 is being fielded now.
3. Auto loader with four man crew, yes it could happen.
4. Your favorite engine pact will be around for quite some time due to a new over haul program(TIGER) for existing power pacts that will extend them out to 700 hours, after that, look for the LV100-5 to come on the scene, same engine pact tested and decided on for the now shelved Crusader project, LV100-5 was tested for M1 series and found to give us close to 50% reduction in fuel loss, as you know this is a result when the tank is at idle.
5. APS most likely will be Iron Fist though not fully decided on, there is no perfected system regardless of what some folks think that they know.
6. FCS upgrades to assist with some new projectiles, maybe.

Modular armor kits and weight reduction gains for gun/ breech mechanism are clear indications that our FCS program has made some strides in certain areas.

 

[sgtgunn]

Any word on an M2/3A4?

I'd like to see an uprgrade from M242 25mm Bushmaster I to MK 44 30mm Bushmaster II. With the adoption of the 30mm Bushmaster II by the USMC for it's EFV and the USN for it's LPD-21 ships, the weapon and ammo are already being introduced into the DoDs logistical system, it would seem to make sense. Aparently it has already been sucessfully mounted into a Bradely turret.

Adrian

 

[recon110]

M2a4

As far as SO1, it failed miserably to integrate on the M2A3. All 6 M2A3 have been taken back to original configuration both San Jose and AETF. The JTRS and BCS was not mature enough to be implemented on our vehicle. The BCS was cumbersome and took close to 40 minutes to set up and start working with the Pre EDM JTRS. Heat was part of the problem for JTRS failures as PAs only had seconds of up time for transmissions. The Data storm issues across the A3s 1553 data databus was terrible too. We finally tried going to the GD switch but still had problems. The size increase of the JTRS suite for the production JTRS hindered further development. Eventually talk was leading to the HMS small form fit radio system but it never made it to integration on the A3. If you were not at Ft Bliss last year then you don't know what I am talking about.

M2A3 Block 2 formally V1 has now been brought back to life. M2A4 formally V2 has No funding yet.

 

[Firn]

Hm it really seems that overall the funding has been shuffled around quit a bit.

So the integration of this key elements to enhance the M2 does truly pose serious problems?