Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnews!cbnews!military From: ab3o+@andrew.cmu.edu (Allan Bourdius) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: tanks towing trailers Message-ID: <1991Feb7.021603.5142@cbnews.att.com> Date: 7 Feb 91 02:16:03 GMT References: <1991Feb5.044116.6760@cbnews.att.com> Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 20 Approved: military@att.att.com From: Allan Bourdius >From: cash@convex.com (Peter Cash) >Several months ago, I noticed some news footage of M1 tanks towing >trailers, and I posted a query to this group about the purpose of these >trailers. (No one seemed to know.) According to an article in my Sunday >newspaper, these trailers launch projectiles ahead of the tank that are >supposed to detonate land mines. No details about functioning were given. >I assume that the trailer is detached before the tank engages in battle. The M1 and the M1A1 cannot tow the mine-clearing line charge. The exhaust gases from the turbine engine are so hot that there would be a significant danger of detonating the line charge while it was still in the trailer. The trailers you saw must have been something else. Allan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allan Bourdius [MIDN 3/C (Marine Option)/Brother, Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity] ab3o+@andrew.cmu.edu or Box 4719, 5125 Margaret Morrison St., Pgh., PA 15213