Damian90 Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 https://tankandafvnews.com/2016/08/23/marine-corps-modernizing-tank-commanders-weapon-sation/ Marine Corps Systems Command is modernizing the tank commander’s weapon station on the M1A1 tank by developing a suite of systems that give tank commanders and their gunners a hunter-killer edge over their enemies. The new Abrams Integrated Display and Targeting System, Tank Commander Single Handle and slew-to-cue capability make up the modernized trifecta that cuts time to enemy engagement by half while increasing accuracy, range and lethality on the battlefield. ABRAMS INTEGRATED DISPLAY AND TARGETING SYSTEM Responding to feedback from Marines, the Abrams Integrated Display and Targeting System, or AIDATS, upgrades the thermal and day sights on the stabilized commander’s weapon station through a state-of-the-art, high-definition camera and permanently mounted color display. “The most significant benefit—the main reason why AIDATS was started—is the color display,” said Michael Kreiner, AIDATS project officer in MCSC’s Armor and Fire Support Systems. “Users didn’t like the black and white camera that was in the tank before, because they have a hard time distinguishing between different color trucks.” In battle, situational awareness is key for tank commanders. Kreiner and his team are leveraging technology currently available in the marketplace to provide a thermal sight that can be used around the clock and provide a color day camera with a color display. “The thermal sight can be used for 24 hours,” said James Shaffer, systems engineer in AFSS. “It has low light capabilities, can see through obscurants, and works in the diverse environments under adverse weather conditions.” The display for both upgraded thermal and day sights will be hard mounted in front of the tank commander, allowing him to minimize extra movement and focus on the action. Better optics enable commanders to increase identification and detection range while in the tank, which will improve situational awareness. With AIDATS, tank commanders will have double the identification range with thermal sight and triple the identification range for the day sight, said Gunnery Sgt. Dennis Downes, M1A1 project officer in AFSS. “AIDATS also has an azimuth indicator that will allow the tank commander to identify where his weapon is in relation to the vehicle at that moment,” said Downes. “On the legacy system, the tank commander had no situational awareness of where the weapon system is in relationship to the turret.” 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12Alfa Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 "the tank commander had no situational awareness of where the weapon system is in relationship to the turret.” WTF!!!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian90 Posted August 23, 2016 Author Share Posted August 23, 2016 There is no indicator, tough it's a bit exaggarated compared to reality, you can see it in SB 4.0 how older CWS cupola is used, SCWS have added stabilization, simplified controls and new day and thermal sights, the improved SCWS that tanks will receive now will add some more features. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12Alfa Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 (edited) Well in our army if one does not know where his wpn is facing, he will not be in charge of said wpn . I find it difficult that the Marines commanding weapon systems are allowed to operate a system that could kill friendlies or friendly nation troop on the modern battlefield without knowing at all times where the weapon is pointing. I would like to hear from other nations if they allow their commander such disregard for everyones safety. This may explain blue on blue we have seen. This must be a reporting mistake!! Edited August 23, 2016 by 12Alfa 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian90 Posted August 23, 2016 Author Share Posted August 23, 2016 It is inpossible in M1/M1A1 series for commander to not know where his weapon is facing, simply immposible due to technical and physionomy reasons. To operate his weapon station he needs to use controls and sight that are always facing the same direction where CWS weapon does. I think they just meant they want additional indicator that will be necessary right now, because display for improved SCWS will now be fixed in front of commander station always facing turret front, so most likely improved SCWS controls will be moved to commander CCHA or a second control handle like in M1A2SEPv2 where there is CCHA and second control handle for CROWS, all view from sights will be displayed on the central display and improved SCWS will rotate on it's own without need for commander to rotate with it to look through sights. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12Alfa Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 So the report is very misleading. The CAV Sqn that I was deployed to knew at all times were their weapons were pointing, very switched on unit. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grenny Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 4 hours ago, 12Alfa said: So the report is very misleading. The CAV Sqn that I was deployed to knew at all times were their weapons were pointing, very switched on unit. Why the fuss, you'll know where you weapon is pointing if you watch where the first tracer flies ;-) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azure Lion Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Oh, one has to love the things people will regurgitate. Sounds like a phrase one would use to get funding from congress. "Yep, we need funding for a new aeroplane because the current version doesn't respond to pilot input" 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12Alfa Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 7 hours ago, Grenny said: Why the fuss, you'll know where you weapon is pointing if you watch where the first tracer flies ;-) What if there in the direction of your troops? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ssnake Posted August 24, 2016 Members Share Posted August 24, 2016 17 hours ago, 12Alfa said: So the report is very misleading. Shocking. Fortunately that has never happened before, and hopefully never will again. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian90 Posted September 11, 2016 Author Share Posted September 11, 2016 Here are some photos showing upgraded SCWS. http://www.doncio.navy.mil/CHIPS/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=8177 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maj.Hans Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 On 9/11/2016 at 1:56 PM, Damian90 said: Here are some photos showing upgraded SCWS. http://www.doncio.navy.mil/CHIPS/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=8177 That is what should be on the A2 instead of the CROWS mount... Also, I want this SCWS in Pro PE, perhaps it can be part of an M1A1/HC model........I hope Nils is taking notes.... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian90 Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share Posted September 15, 2016 4 hours ago, Maj.Hans said: That is what should be on the A2 instead of the CROWS mount... There was similiar upgrade for M1A2 series ICWS cupola. 4 hours ago, Maj.Hans said: Also, I want this SCWS in Pro PE, perhaps it can be part of an M1A1/HC model........I hope Nils is taking notes.... Well M1A1SA and M1A1FEP are more than that, they got M1A2SEP armor, FCS (software upgrade + partial hardware upgrade) and some other goodies like commander multifunction display. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian90 Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share Posted September 15, 2016 4 hours ago, angmar said: I think the m1a1 firecontrol system is much less effective then other MBTs. When the tank is moving its very hard to hit anything beyond 2000 meters. Depends if you think about original FCS and optics or the new FCS and optics that are based on M1A2SEP. Today all M1A1's in active US military service are M1A1SA's and M1A1FEP's with armor same as in M1A2SEP, gunner optics same as in M1A2SEP, FCS (software and partially hardware) same as in M1A2SEP and other improvements. As for original FCS, it is a matter of practice and taste, I personally preffer the M1/M1A1 FCS than Leopard 2 FCS. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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