http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/2116/lighttanks.htm
While the fatally-flawed General Dynamics Land Systems "Stryker"
armored car cannot even successfully mount and fire a 105mm gun,
the tracked M8 Armored Gun System which the Army should buy is
up-gunning to 120mm! Note that this vehicle is just a "proof of
Principle" test bed not a full prototype. UDLP built it in 4 months
and displayed it at the 2003 AUSA show in Washington because
General Dynamics, Land Systems Division was telling (lying)to the
U.S. Army that it was "not possible" to integrate a 120mm tank gun
into a light combat vehicle. GDLS can't even get a 105mm gun to
work on their Canadian-made Stryker MGS deathtrap armored car. This
vehicle also has band tracks and a hybrid-electric drive instead of
a conventional transmission.
UDLP successfully fired about 50 x rounds of 120mm M866 TPFSDS and
M831 HEAT-TPT, with an autoloader, stationary and on-the-move
before the 2003 AUSA Show. On 9 December, UDLP fired 5 x M829A3
SLUG rounds obtained from PM TMAS since this is the highest impulse
120mm round in development, and the UDLP firing range does not
permit firing DU.
Thunderbolt's recoil severity is slightly less than that of the
105mm AGS firing the most powerful 105mm cartridge, the M900
APFSDS. The reason for this rather suprising result is that its
impulse increase is less than the doubling of its recoiling mass.
For comparison:
Vehicle Severity Index
M1 tank (105 &120mm) .2
Thunderbolt (120mm)
.7
AGS (105mm)
1.0
M551 Sheridan (152mm)
2.5
M56 SPAT (90mm)
5.0
M8 Buford Armored Gun System (AGS) Overview:
The Armys M8 Buford Armored Gun System (AGS) was designed for use
by Airborne and Light Infantry/Cavalry forces and is C-130 and
larger aircraft airland transportable and parachute air-droppable.
The AGS fires the entire suite of 105mm munitions, from
anti-personnel (beehive) to the M900 Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized
Discarding Sabot (APFSDS-T-DU), which provides lethality equal to
the M829 120mm round.
Its main gun shoots-on-the-move day or night to defeat bunkers,
buildings, point targets and all type of combat vehicles such as
the BMP, BTR, BRDM, SPH, and T72 main battle tank.
Status and Availability as of September 2003:
Four AGS vehicles were reconditioned and fully prepared for
deployment to Ft. Lewis in summer 2000. These four fully
operational vehicles are located in York, PA. One additional
vehicle and a spares package, including four complete sets of
on-vehicle equipment, Basic Issues Items (BII) and level II armor,
and 3 sets of level III armor (defeats RPG and 30mm medium caliber
guns) are with the vehicles. This package is sufficient for
deployment and can be quickly supplemented for prolonged operation.
Technical manuals were developed and validated under the original
AGS contract and are immediately available. A complete training
package, including training aids, exists. Gunnery and maneuver
training device are still in the Army system for AGS and a cadre of
active and retired master gunners and trainers are available. These
first four vehicles could be delivered within weeks of contract
start date, immediately into the hands of Soldiers.
In short, the people, equipment, support package, and the
ammunition are in place to expeditiously train, deploy and support
deployment of the existing M8 AGS assets. New M8 AGS production
vehicles could be available within 18 months of contract award,
assuming M35 cannon availability, since necessary production
tooling exists for the system. Furthermore, the AGS design
leverages many common components with the Bradley and M113 Gavin
family of vehicles, which can be available through an already
qualified vendor base.
Thunderbolt: Armored Gun System (Block II)
The M8 Armored Gun System can also be enhanced to bring Future
Combat System technologies to the current force in the near term.
Those advanced technologies include: hybrid electric propulsion,
band track, improved ceramic/composite armor, Second Generation
FLIR Night Vision technology, digitization, an 120mm main gun along
with its 120mm auto loader - creating Thunderbolt: a Lightweight
Silent Killer. This demonstrated system upgrade retains the M8s
C-130 Hercules air transport capability, as well as the AGS 3-man
crew.
This spiral development approach leverages an existing platform,
which results in tremendous time and cost savings. The AGS has a
1553 Digital Data Bus, which can support the insertion of
additional electrical components and embedded training programs. As
such, preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) processes
can be instructed directly over the vehicles communication and
information system, so that tomorrows Soldiers wont need to dig
out the technical manuals in the rain and mud. The data bus also
supports the advances in situational awareness and common operating
picture that is critical to small unit success on the modern
dispersed battlefield, adding to the Armys flexibility to network
with multiple joint forces.
Considerable experience has already been gained with hybrid
propulsion in this class of military vehicles. Hybrid Electric
Drive M113 Gavins, Bradleys, and advanced reconnaissance vehicles
(the U.S./UK TRACER) have been built and tested. Further, a
Transformation Technology Demonstrator (TTD) called the Mobile
Tactical Vehicle Light and based on a modified M113 Gavin with
Hybrid Electric Drive and Band Track was presented over two years
ago at the AUSA Symposium in Fort Lauderdale. Many senior Army
officers, including the then Chief of Staff, have had a test ride
in this vehicle and experienced its rapid acceleration, smooth
ride, and stealth mode operations. Recently, the Future Scout
Cavalry System/TRACER integrated demonstrator completed
field-testing in the UK, further proving that a hybrid electric
tank is right at our fingertips.
The M8 AGS has a ramp door in the rear that lowers for the
Engine/Transmission power train to be rolled out for easy
maintenance. With the conversion to Hybrid Electric Drive and the
flexibility of positioning drive train and suspension components,
significant space is freed up in the existing propulsion system
compartment for increased stowage and mission payload.
One such configuration could include a crew compartment for a
4-Soldier fire team akin to the IDF's Merkava heavy tank. With the
Hybrid Electric Drives flexibility, a better center of gravity and
space utilization is realized. Weight reduction and related mission
equipment stowage improvements are also gained. With such a
propulsion and power management system, Soldiers will have a long
range, extremely fast, and silent killer, with a reduced logistics
tail.
