M1 Abrams Tank Test Bed
A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far, Far Away...
Long Before Armata MBT, There was M1 TTB...
In the mid-80s, US Tank Automotive Command (TACOM) awarded a contract to design and develop a Test Bed for an M1 Abrams with an Unmanned 120mm Turret with the crew in the hull to General Dynamics Land Systems.
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| M1 Tank Test Bed (TTB) with Unmanned Turret |
The distinctive feature of this Test Bed is the Unmanned Turret with the Autoloader.
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The crew including the Tank Commander, Gunner and Driver are located in the hull. They are provided with a space ship style seating arrangement.
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| TTB Crew Layout |
The tank retained the original M256 smooth bore gun albeit in an unmanned turret with the 120-mm “brassboard” autoloader transfer mechanism. This device was required to cycle ammunition from a designated storage position to a simulated gun breech and back, at 12 rounds/minute, while leaving no witness marks on the fragile combustible case after the completion of 20 loading repetitions per round.
The TTB Autoloader was a conspicuous success. The system consisted of a 44-round capacity “carousel” type mechanized magazine, located in an unmanned turret basket; a fully articulated Transfer Unit (including a rammer) positioned at the rear of the M256 120-mm cannon in the turret bustle; and a microprocessor-based, Electronic
Control Unit (ECU).
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| TTB Turret with AutoLoader |
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| AutoLoader Transfer Unit |
The system was electrohydraulically powered to utilize the existing turret power supply.
And the TTB vehicle today....
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TTB Vehicle Today |
Sources:
- Sharoni, A., H., Bacon, L., D., "Ammunition Loading Systems for Future Tanks", Armor, March-April, 1995
- http://infoglaz.ru/?p=47169
- http://btvt.narod.ru/3/blok3/blok3.htm