... starting from which date?
Probably 2010 or 2011, tank on photo is M1A2SEP v2, we can see this because it have Blue Force Tracker antenna mounted on main sight "dog house", M1A2 and M1A2SEP v1 do not have this, and probably all M1A2's and M1A2SEP v1's are allready upgraded to SEP v2 version. There are currently 1547 (or even more) of these tanks in US.Army active service, and around 700-800 (or more) M1A1SA in ARNG and some US.Army units, but the plan is that US.Army active tank fleet will be made only from M1A2SEP v2, ARNG active fleet will be a mix of M1A1SA and few M1A2SEP v2's. Older variants will be kept in storage waiting for upgrades or rebuilding in to specialized variants (ABV, M104 etc. but these ones are mainly made from the oldes M1 and M1IP variants, M1A1's with time will probably be upgraded to SA variant). Currently US have 8,725 M1 tanks in all variants.
Do you have this book?Or only photos from net?
I have it, or actually a copy from friend.
About ARAT, it is probably possible to mount M19 on turret sides, look at these mounting frame, it seems that it is designed in such way that mounting both M19 and M32 should be easy if needed... of course in a cost of heavier vehicle. Currently M1A2SEP v2 weight is 63,100 kg, with TUSK-2 it weight should increase to 65,000-67,000 kg probably.
Also currently ARAT-1 and ARAT-2 should be allready standarized (not experimental) so designation should be M19 and M32 not XM19/32. Unless X means not experimental but something else.
Отредактировано Damian (2011-11-05 16:08:17)