Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1446249
naturally, a question emerges - why it was not decided immediately, to procure the M88A3. The answer is simple - the said variant is still in development and has not yet been fielded in the US Army. Possibly, some enhancements would follow the prototype testing stage. The M88A3 meanwhile, is to be fitted with a new powerpack. For now, the selected engine is the 1,350 HP Caterpillar C32 Acert diesel - a major enhancement com- pared to the M88A2 engine. Possibly, a requirement may emerge to increase the power output to around 1,500 HP The M88A3 would also be fitted with a new gear- box, based on the X1100-3B, or X1100-3B1 model, used in the M1 MBT. The new ARV is also going to feature a hydropneumatic suspension system similar to the one tested for the M1 MBTs and lighter vehicles. This solution may be adopt- ed broadly, replacing the conventional torsion bar suspension. This has some major advantages, as the hydropneumatic solution weighs 1-2 tonnes less and takes less space within the hull. It is also easy to replace if damage occurs and allows for clearance adjustment. It may also be locked, for better stability. The procurement of M113 APCs and the specialized vehicles, as the M577 vehicle, should be viewed negatively. These vehicles are known in the Polish military, as they had been acquired along with the Leopard 2A4/2A5 MBTs, nonetheless, the procurement is controversial, as the Polish industry already manufactures a coun- terpart - the HSW LPG platform. LPG is still being developed. It is a platform that is far more modern and offers capabilities greater than the M113. Even the latest variants of the M113 - such as the M113A3 - are approaching the end of their life- cycles, and replacement with the AMPV (Armored Multipurpose Vehicle) platform based on the M2A4 IFV. These come in the following variants: - M1283, general-purpose APC, with a two-man crew and six-person infantry squad - delivered in several subvariants; - M1284, MEDEVAC Vehicle; - M1285, mobile field hospital; - M1286, command vehicle; - M1287, carrier of the 120 mm M120 mortar. Instead of procuring the M113/M577, it would be far better to acquire the Pol- ish-made LPG platforms in numerous specialist variants. The US-made M1150 As- sault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) is a worthy replacement of the above assets - based on the M1 MBT, these platforms feature a turret armed with M58 MICLIC (Mine Clearing Line Charge) launchers. The M1150 utilizes CWS (Commander Weapon Station) cupola for self-defense - already used in the legacy M1 MBTs, with six peri- scopes, daytime sight, thermal imaging sight, and .50-cal. M2A1 machine gun. The M1150 may also feature the MCBS (Mine Clearing Blade System), FWMP (Full Width Mine Plough), or SPCR (Self Protection Combat Roller) systems - there is no need then to equip the MBTs with those. One needs to remember that an MBT, when clearing a minefield, needs to turn its turret to the side, to protect the gun from potential mine-induced damage, and to provide better visibility to the commander using the periscopes. The hatch needs to be closed for safety reasons, and this also somewhat renders the tank exposed to threats. A dedicated ABV may do the very same job, with MBTs taking positions from which they could support the breachers preparing a passage through the minefield. record and transfer imagery from the optronic sensors via BMS, enhanced diagnostics, further integration with the VICTORY (Vehicular Integration for C4ISR/EW Interoperability) system, as well as enhanced MILES/LTEC (Multi- ple Integrated Laser Engagement System/Live Training Engagement Com- position) training system integrations. WHAT THE POLISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE IS WILLING TO PROCURE? Przedstawiciele rządu wyrażają chęć zakupu 250 czołgów, w wersji The government representatives expressed their willingness to procure 250 M1A2SEPv3 MBTs - here one should specify that this probably refers to an export variant based on the US Army's platform architecture. The Arab states, for instance, procure variants based on the M1A2SEPv2 MBT - M1A2S for Saudi Arabia, M1A2K for Kuwait, and M1A2M for Morocco. Meanwhile, Australia procured MBTs wearing the M1A2SEPv3 designation - even though earlier on the Australian vehicles were named M1A2A. The Polish MBTs could be named M1A2PL, but they don't have to. The number of MBTs - 250 - would translate into four battalions, 58 vehi- cles each. This translates into a 232 + 18 structure, where the remaining 18 vehicles are used for training/as surplus stock. One needs to remember that the above is an ad hoc procurement, aimed at the replacement of most T-72M, T-72M1, and T-72M1R legacy MBTs - the oldest, and the least valuable vehicles. One should also stress that procurement of the M1A2SEPv3 is not an implementation of any of the Armament Inspectorate's operational pro- grams, according to the releases issued by this organ. The Wilk program that we are referring to above is not pursued "instead", but alongside the Abrams procurement. It seems justified for the Wilk program to result in an acquisi- tion of at least 500 MBTs, following the first 250. This would make it possible to replace all of the T-72 and PT-91 MBTs, and the Polish Army would only operate two types of MBTs - Leopard 2PL/A5, and M1A2SEPv3. Furthermore, a minor quantity of M1074 bridges based on the M1 platform is to be procured - this is a good decision, as it would fill a capability gap in the Polish Armed Forces. M1074 currently uses a bridge that has MLC95 capacity, being sufficient even for the heaviest of the MBTs. A platform as such would act as a good complementary measure, joining the domestically developed Daglezja-S solution, especially when the Daglezja-G tank-based bridge system project faces delays. Apart from the above, an unspecified quantity of M88A2 ARVs would be pro- cured. Here, a brief discussion of the nature of that platform is required. Con- trary to the rumors circulating the Internet, the M88 is not derived from M48/ M60 MBTs. It is a dedicated ARV designed from scratch. It is true, however, that some of its parts were based on the M48 components, or M60/M60A1 components, starting from the M88A1 variant. The M88A2 platform departs from the aforesaid roots, at least to some extent. Nevertheless, numerous components of the M88A2 platforms are homogeneous with the M1 plat- form - main, tension, and drive wheels, torsion bars are homogeneous. The differences are visible in the power pack though. M88A2 uses a 1,050 HP AVDS1790-8CR diesel engine coupled with the XT1410-5A gearbox (3 for- ward gears, 1 reverse gear). The M88A2 may find it challenging to recover the M1A2SEPv3 in rough ter- rain - two ARVs as such would be needed in these circumstances. Nonethe- less, the M88A2 may also be upgraded, to the latest M88A3 variant. Here, www.fragoutmag.com