Australian Abrams Tank Arrival

spencer99 SG

The 59 tanks will be part of a Brigade.. doesn't mean they will "form" a brigade... most probably it is a tank Bn or two tank Bns with some amoured infantry.

digger SG

First Abrams now in Puckapunyal

(Source: Australian Department of Defense; issued Sept. 26, 2006)

On Friday, 22 September, Army took delivery of the first 18 Abrams M1A1 AIM Main Battle Tanks and five Hercules Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs).

These first 18 Abrams were moved by road, on the Heavy Tank Transporters, to the School of Armour at Puckapunyal, where they will be stationed and used for training. These vehicles were moved via Westgate Bridge, Western Ringroad and the Hume Highway without incident.

In March 2007, the next shipment of 41 Abrams and two ARVs will arrive by sea in Darwin. Armys fleet of 14 Heavy Tank Transporters will be on hand to move them by road when and where required.

Army has been assured by the Chief Transport Inspector of Northern Territory Roads that we will be able to access our normal training areas, as required.

Army is well practiced in deploying tanks by road from Darwin via Katherine to training areas in the south of Australia. Army is well practiced in deploying tanks by road from Darwin via Katherine to training areas in the south of Australia. The current Leopard tank and transporter exceeds 50 tonne and has moved through Katherine with the approval of the NT Chief Transport Inspector without issue.

An extensive rail study has been undertaken and a request for tender will soon by released to obtain the necessary rolling stock to support the movement of the Abrams family of vehicles in Australia. This rolling stock will be delivered in a timely manner and will not only support the Abrams but will also be able to lift a range other armoured vehicles, artillery and heavy engineering equipment.

The Australian Abrams weighs less than 62 metric tonnes in its combat configuration, which includes a full complement of fuel, rations, ammunition and crew. The transit weight without these is far less.

The Abrams is powered by a gas turbine engine and operates on diesel fuel. In its current configuration, fuel consumption and engine-wear has been reduced by around 40 per cent due to improved mechanical efficiency and the use of simulation. Indeed, by using simulation for basic training, the amount of actual driver on-road training can be reduced by 65 per cent.

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=6029

tankee1981 SG

The Australian purchase of these tanks may signal the eventual deployment of these vehicles to Afganistan as the war on terror is far from over.

Shotgun SG

I think the australians would be still at least 1 year away from being operational after recieving the tanks.

lionnoisy SG

Are the tanks second handed and old model?

Manager433 SG

Our amx gunners can dream of having ex with their m1 liao.

Shotgun SG

Second handed, but rebuilt/remanufactured. Probably ex-USMC.

lionnoisy SG

awsgc24
Chief Commissioner,Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:46 am

That's 12' 0" or 3.66m.

The Australian Standard Ultimate Loading Gauge, adopted at about 1910 or so, envisages rolling stock 10' 6" wide at platform level. These tanks are thus 1' 6" too wide.

The standard track centres adopted at the time of electrification in Sydney in the 1920's was 12' 0" or 3.66m. Clearly 12' 0" wide tanks are bound to have trouble on Sydney tracks, especially when crossing tanks going the other way.

However, new double track lines in NSW, including crossing loops, are now normally done to 4.00m centres (13' 1 1/2").

On the Adelaide to Darwin line, which is almost entirely single track, there are mostly low level platforms, and probably few bridges with girders that are foul of the tanks.

If there are structures that are too narrow for these tanks, then any upgrading work should be done at the same time as raising height limitations preventing double stacking.

Whatever the case, a loading gauge test train should be operated to find measure inadequate widths and heights on the network.

An extensive rail study has been undertaken and a request for tender will soon by released to obtain the necessary rolling stock to support the movement of the Abrams family of vehicles in Australia. This rolling stock will be delivered in a timely manner and will not only support the Abrams but will also be able to lift a range other armoured vehicles, artillery and heavy engineering equipment.

---lets see Can Aussie do it.

3.this frequent traveller and military nut
seems credibleNB pl also go to his Defense section--published by Kev September 25th, 2006 in Defence.

Earlier this year when I tried to get my LR Discovery on the Indian Pacific railway from Sydney to Perth I found I had to load it at Adelaide. The reason? The vehicle was too high for the rail link from Sydney to Perth.

moca SG

'sillypore'?

Where are you from, you cowardly creep?

moca SG

Any idea why the oversized, over-weight and over-stated, fuel-guzzling M1A1 is chosen over the Leopard 2 or other vehicles?

Because of price?

lionnoisy SG

List Of Roads And Bridges In Singapore With Restricted Weight Limit.pdf .In sg,most of the loading of bridges is only 42 tons,

2.How about in Aussie where MBT move around?

3.In the Aussie news,some people mentioned that heavy
parts of MBT can be removed before run on roads/bridges.
Can it be done in war time?
It take how long to remove and put back the heavy parts.

digger SG

"Any idea why the oversized, over-weight and over-stated, fuel-guzzling M1A1 is chosen over the Leopard 2 or other vehicles?

Because of price?"

Oversized....Compared to what?

Over-weight.....Again compared to what (certainly not the 2A6)

Overstated....By who? (certainly not the troops who have gone to war in/with it)

Fuel-guzzling ...Read my first post

The price....Yes, Australia got a great price,a great tank and inter-operability with a major ally.

As for transportation,here is a quote from Army newspaper (sorry no link):

"In addition to providing rail tranportation in the future for the armored vehicles, the Chief Transport Inspector of NT has assured ARMY that the HTTs and their cargo will be able to access their normal training areas in NT. The weight restrictions on NT bridges are based on axle weight, not total weight, which places a fully loaded HTT well under the limits."

So realy, it's a storm in a tea cup.

A good read: http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/default.htm

justcooler SG

Built LSD or something similar, then perform a ocean hook to land the tanks, or loan some civilan ships to it.

Aus has very good navy, so maybe the ocean access can be guarded

<Precious> SG

Why no px wan? Twisted Evil

digger SG

"Built LSD or something similar, then perform a ocean hook to land the tanks, or loan some civilan ships to it."

Link: http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/lsp/amphibs.cfm

Everyone is hoping that the Spanish design gets the nod.

lionnoisy SG

2.what is the max loading of bridges in North terrorities,i dunt care their
law,what is the max weight the bridges can support the loadings?

does it require the MBT to remove the gun etc before it can cross?

what is axis wt??

3.the figures of sg may not be up dated.sg have almost completed
some strengthening/upgrading of all bridges.Loading may increase.

Ponders SG

Penguin colonies usually head for the southern shores of australia for their mating season.

Ponders SG

Originally posted by lionnoisy:
[b]
List Of Roads And Bridges In Singapore With Restricted Weight Limit.pdf .In sg,most of the loading of bridges is only 42 tons,

2.How about in Aussie where MBT move around?

3.In the Aussie news,some people mentioned that heavy
parts of MBT can be removed before run on roads/bridges.
Can it be done in war time?
It take how long to remove and put back the heavy parts.

[/b]

Off-topic.. if singapore bridges are designed to maintain a load of 42 tons Static..

what happens if Benjamin Sheares bridge is loaded with 50 cars (1 ton each), 5 SBS bus, 5 40-feet containers?

Which is almost like every day?

Shotgun SG

I think this is a question we need to ask civil engineers. Does the 42 tons mean that the entire length of bridge can only handle 42 tons, or does it mean that one particular section can only handle 42 tons. Perhaps, what the tolerance levels are as well.

Lance_han SG

well. correct me if i'm wrong, but i remember that our benjamin sheares bridges can handle abit 45 - 50 tons per something.. forgot about what unit is used to measure it though. Laughing

« Previous Page Next Page »