Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!apple!veritas!amdcad!amdcad!military From: ab3o+@andrew.cmu.edu (Allan Bourdius) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Tank surface to air, anti missile capabilities Message-ID: <1991May9.064024.12748@amd.com> Date: 8 May 91 13:11:38 GMT References: <1991May7.062305.12334@amd.com> Sender: military@amd.com Organization: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Lines: 41 Approved: military@amd.com From: Allan Bourdius >Pictures of the M1 in Canadian Defence Quarterly (CDQ) show two machine >guns on top of the tank. These are presumably operated by someone who, >with laudable courage, has disdained the protection afforded by the >tank armour, and exposed a portion of his body to the unfriendly >attention of his adversary. The Commander's .50 cal M2HB heavy machine gun can be aimed and fired from inside the turret--the TC does not have to expose himself. The Loader's MG does not have this capability. There is also another MG mounted coaxial to the main armament, controlled by the gunner. Tanks have to rely on other systems for air defense simply because there isn't room on the vehicle for both AA and AT systems. The MBT's job is destroying the armored vehicles of the enemy, no more no less. We have dedicated air defense vehicles, like the M113/M61 Vulcan and the LAV(AD)-25. Putting anti-air systems on the tank would also violate the most important military doctrine: keep it simple, stupid. The crew can only train for one mission--the M1's being anti armor--if you expect them to be good at it on the modern battlefield. Specifically, the LAV(AD)-25 will be fully deployed with all USMC Light Air Defense and Light Armored Infantry Battalions by 1993 or 1994. It uses a 25mm rotary gun, Stinger Missiles, and Hydra 70 rockets. It is unlikely that the main gun would have any utility against attacking aircraft. It can only be elevated to about 20 degrees from horizontal. Allan I would expect that rotary guns aren't mounted on MBT's simply because the ammunition would take up much too much room. M1A1's only carry *40* rounds for the 120mm. -- 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 The opinions in this post/mail are only those of the author, nobody else.