“Following the upgrade, tank crews should have 100 percent visibility, which allows tank crews to look at the battlefield with a clear-view picture and wide line of sight.”
— Brian Hanson
By Scott Prater
Mountaineer staff
Isac Aguilar, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pushes the turret on an M1A2 Abrams tank as a fellow crew member cranks the tank’s manual traverse mechanism Jan. 9, 2018, at a brigade motor pool. Mechanics are in the process of bringing unit tanks up to standard for modification. During the next several months, contractor mechanics will upgrade 87 3rd ABCT tanks, making up to four modifications on every M1A2. (Photo by Scott Prater)
During the next few months, the Army will upgrade 87 tanks at Fort Carson with updated modern systems. As part of the massive project, all 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, tanks scheduled to be upgraded will receive one or more of four planned modifications.
“These modifications have been performed on many M1A2 Abrams around the Army for some time now,” said Brian Hanson, coordinator, Project Manager, Main Battle Tank System, Abrams
Modification Work Order. “Since the 3rd ABCT has now returned from its most recent deployment to Eastern Europe, it gives us a chance to perform the upgrades here at Fort Carson.”
M1A2 Abrams tanks belonging to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team receive capability upgrades inside a large maintenance facility on post Jan. 5, 2018. The modernization effort, conducted by contracted mechanics, will upgrade many of the tanks’ weapons, armor, surveillance and software systems. (Photo by Scott Prater)
The modifications are extensive and could require more than 100 man-hours per tank, depending on the modifications installed. Specialized contracted mechanic crews will install the upgrades, which should take several months to complete, he said.
Some of the brigade’s tanks will receive all four upgrades, and 87 will receive at least one, depending on need.
Planning for the event began more than six months ago, according to Ned Bryan, Army Field Support Battalion-Carson deputy commander. He said unit mechanics worked through the holiday weeks to get their tanks ready to be modified.
Spcs. Juan Zuniga and Ronelie McKay, mechanics with 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, troubleshoot a Hull Power Distribution Unit on one of the brigade’s M1A2 Abrams Tanks Jan. 8, 2018. The mechanics are preparing their unit’s tanks to meet induction status prior to receiving modernization upgrades. (Photo by Scott Prater)
The modification project began Jan. 4, 2018, in a large maintenance facility on post. There, 3rd ABCT tanks are being outfitted with up to four modernizations, which include Abrams Reactive Armor Tile
(ARATS) weldments, a Common Remotely Operated Weapon System (CROWS) upgrade, a Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS) upgrade and Abrams system software updates.
“All of the upgrades are designed to improve the weapons’ capability,” said Bryan.
The RVSS, for instance, provides a reverse-camera capability that pops up on the tank commander’s display.
“The CROWS II to CROWS LP upgrade improves the tank’s capability by reducing the CROWS silhouette down about a foot,” Hanson said. “Following the upgrade, tank crews should have 100 percent visibility, which allows tank crews to look at the battlefield with a clear-view picture and wide line of sight.”
Contracted mechanics place a jig over a 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team M1A2 Abrams tank turret Jan. 5, 2018, in a maintenance facility on post. The mechanics are preparing the tanks to receive modernization upgrades during a modernization effort. (Photo by Scott Prater)
Hanson said the Abrams system software upgrade to version 4.6 will also enhance portions of the system software and provide better capability. Following these upgrades, tanks will then move to a different area of the facility where mechanics will install new ARATS weldments. This step requires mechanics to meticulously measure and place weldments so that the reactive armor tiles can be added quickly, increasing the tank’s readiness in a short time prior to entering a battlefield.
Though the project may seem fairly cut and dry, it is no small feat. Hanson estimated the ARATS upgrade will take more than 58 man-hours to complete. Crews will need another 42 hours to install the RVSS upgrade and up to 12 hours to upgrade CROWS II systems to CROWS LP. Mechanics will require another 1.5 hours to install the system software upgrade.
Spc. Jean Crecian, left, and Pvt. Ivan Garcia, mechanics with 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, repair a suspension part on an M1A2 Abrams Tank Jan. 8, 2018. The mechanics are preparing their unit’s tanks to meet induction status prior to receiving modernization upgrades later this winter. (Photo by Scott Prater)
Up to 20 tanks will be modified at one time, and once those are complete, a new set of 20 tanks will roll in to receive their modernizations, followed by another 20, until all 87 have been modified.
The modifications are being performed in a deliberate order because certain battalions will conduct live-fire exercises this February 2018.
“We want all of those units’ tanks to be front loaded during the process,” Bryan said. “Our original equipment contractor also brought a team down to (Fort Carson) last year to help units get their tanks ready for the modifications.”
Project leaders expect this modernization event to be complete in the April timeframe.
“With the enemy dynamics changing daily, the Modification Work Order specifically targets the changes and upgrades we need to be prepared to fight tomorrow’s battles,” said Maj. Marrio Almada, chief, 3rd ABCT logistics support teams.
M1A2 Abrams tanks belonging to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team receive capability upgrades inside a large maintenance facility on post Jan. 5, 2018. The modernization effort, conducted by contracted mechanics, will upgrade many of the tanks’ weapons, armor, surveillance and software systems. (Photo by Scott Prater)