This is what can happen if you run a red light.
Slovak-Polish Diana Self-propelled Howitzer debuts at MSPO
September 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Jane’s is reporting that at Poland’s MSPO defense exhibition in Kielce, the new 155mm Diana tracked SPH was unveiled. Developed for a requirement by the Indian Army, the Diana SPH is a product of Konstrukta Defense and consists of a Slovakian autonomous 155mm L55 armed turret mounted on a Polish Bumar-Labedy UPG-NG tracked chassis. This turret was originally developed for use on an 8×8 wheeled chassis. According to the Jane’s article, the primary reason the Polish tracked chassis was selected was because it shares many common components with the T-72 main battle tank, a vehicle used by many of the potential customers for this artillery system. The UPG-NG vehicle was initially designed for the Krab SPH, but was dropped in favor of the SOuth Korean K9 chassis.
Jane’s article here.
For those that would like more information on both the Polish Krab SPG and the Diana SPG, and are willing to use google translate, this Polish Language LiveJournal post may be of interest. Here are the stats for the Diana SPG as provided in the LiveJournal post:
Diana (like Zuzana 2) using the automated loading system is capable of five shots in the first minute of opening fire, or 13 shots during the three minutes. Manual loading is possible if required. SAU Diana has a very impressive ammunition load of 80 rounds and 80 charges, out of which 40 projectiles and 40 charges placed in the automatic loader, and the other 40 projectiles and 40 charges – lie in the aft hull. The combat weight of Diana is 50 tons, length is 11, 8 m, width 3.5 m, height of the tower on the roof of 3.69 m. Engine S12U. The maximum road speed of 60 km / h on the highway cruising range to 650 km.
Crain’s Business article on M1 Abrams tank
September 5, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Crain’s Detroit Business recently posted an article about the past and future of the M1 Abrams tank. As can be expected, the article focuses primarily on the business end of things, giving a brief history of M1 production and discussing challenges faced by the Lima Army Tank Plant in the era of sequestration. Also mentioned are the M1 tanks sold or given as aid to foreign countries.
Article excerpt:
The former Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant in Warren, which had produced the M1 Abrams since its early days, discontinued new tank assembly in late 1991 and closed down completely in late 1996. Since then, General Dynamics Land Systems has housed all Abrams production and equipment upgrades for the Abrams at the government-owned Lima Army Tank Plant.
That plant, which was refurbishing about 2 1/2 tanks per day in early 2009, is handling a small fraction of that volume today. At issue at least since sequestration began affecting defense budgets in 2012 is whether the Lima plant can remain operational on a mix of foreign military sales and some limited production orders until M1A3 production begins in two years.
“The Army’s notion was they could mothball the plant and reopen in three years, but as GDLS can attest, you can mothball equipment but not people,” said Loren Thompson, a defense industry analyst and COO of the Arlington, Va.-based Lexington Institute.
US tanks go back to green
September 3, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Stars and Stripes is reporting that as focus shifts away from the middle east and toward Russia, US tanks in Europe are being repainted to woodland green rather than desert tan. According to the article, US vehicles in Europe are being repainted in forest colors to more closely match the European terrain and NATO allies. The article also mentions other issues concerning US AFV logistics in Europe, noting that:
The fighting vehicles stored here are a key part of USAREUR’s rotation of troops and vehicles into the Baltics and eastern Europe.
At Coleman, military officials discussed ways to improve the flow of equipment to the region, much of which moves by rail. For the Army, large-scale gear and troop movements around Europe have demanded that the Army relearn old logistical skills not exercised during the war years in Iraq and Afghanistan, officials said.
“We need to rebuild competency on several levels,” said Maj. Gen. Duane A. Gamble, commander of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command.
Morocco to purchase Abrams Tanks
September 2, 2015 by 3 Comments
According to local TV news in the Lima OH area, Morocco has agreed to purchase 222 M1A1 Abrams tanks. This purchase was announced at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima by Senator Rob Portman. According to the article, Morocco has committed to the purchase of 222 M1A1 Abrams Tanks from the JSMC under the foreign military sales program. Portman also announced that the initial contract for upgrading turrets has been awarded. The Moroccan ambassador to the U.S. and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces were recently urged by Portman to move forward with the foreign military sales program.
T-72 cracked up after hitting brick wall
August 31, 2015 by 5 Comments
At some point during the recent Tank Biathlon event in Russia a T-72B3 tank hit a concrete wall while travelling at high speed. The tank suffered serious damage, including cracks to the front hull armor plates.
Video: China’s T-99 battle tanks at V-day parade
August 29, 2015 by Leave a Comment
CCTV recently posted this video of Chinese T-99 tanks on parade as part of the Victory Day celebration. According to the video description, “China’s T-99 main battle tanks will be one of the main attractions at the September 3 military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the victory of China’s war against Japanese aggression and the world anti-Fascist war.”
Spotlight on: Oryx Blog
August 29, 2015 by Leave a Comment
For those looking for images and information on armored vehicles in current battle zones such as Syria, Libya and Iraq, be sure to check out the Oryx Blog. While the blog is not exclusively devoted to armored vehicles, there is quite a bit of content there on the topic. Here are some posts that will be of particular interest to the AFV enthusiast.
Syria’s Steel Beasts: The T-62
Syria’s Steel Beasts: The T-72
Syria’s Steel Beasts: The T-55
The Republican Guard’s armour upgrades: Products of a Four Year War
Oshkosh Defense wins JLTV program
August 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Big news while we were away for a few days! It has been announced that Oshkosh Defense has been awarded by the US Department of Defense the highly coveted Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. JLTV is intended to partially replace the HUMVEE that has been in service with the US Army since the 1980’s. Oshkosh beat out competitors AM General and Lockheed Martin for the contract, reported to be worth 6.7 billion dollars. The Army and Marine Corps is are expected to buy 16,901 vehicles as part of this initial contract, with a potential for 49,000 vehicles purchased by 2040. Production is expected to start next year and the first vehicles are expected to enter service with the USMC in 2018.
For more information on this story, we recommend this article from Defense News.
Here is the link to the JLTV page on the Oshkosh website.
Promotional video from Oshkosh showing their JLTV:
Beasts of Kabul: Inside the Afghan Army’s Soviet Tanks
August 23, 2015 by 1 Comment
This video was brought to our attention over at Tanknet.com. Although it’s a year old, we thought it was still worth posting. The piece contains some nice footage showing the interior of the T-62 tank, giving the viewer an idea of how much (or how little) space there is inside the vehicle.
Tank and AFV News 