



M1 Abrams Tank Test Bed





A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far, Far Away...

Long Before Armata MBT, There was M1 TTB...







Good news from National Army and Cavalry Museum



M1 TTB is restored by the National Army and Cavalry Museum (NACM).



M1 TTB underway to restoration. (copyright: NACM)





M1 TTB Restored (Copyright: NACM)



Here is a video:

https://business.facebook.com/NationalArmorandCavalryMuseum/videos/1868798209851108/







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.





M1 Tank Test Bed (TTB) with Unmanned Turret









The distinctive feature of this Test Bed is the Unmanned Turret with the Autoloader.





M1 Tank Test Bed (TTB) with Unmanned Turret





The crew including the Tank Commander, Gunner and Driver are located in the hull. They are provided with a space ship style seating arrangement.





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).





TTB Turret with AutoLoader













AutoLoader Transfer Unit





The system was electrohydraulically powered to utilize the existing turret power supply.









And the TTB vehicle today....





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



