Look at source ;-) It will explain all.
BTW: - without sources problem - There is
If Tarasenko is a source then I strongly recommend to ignore him.
Knowledge about American tanks from the non American and not good sources (sometimes unofficial ones unfortunetly) is poor.
Well this is why I plan to write several good books maybe in future about this subject in our language.
But this is a future, and for now to explain.
The M1A2 was first tank of the digital era. In fact French might say otherwise, but Leclerc recived true BMS, the FINDERS system only some time after their induction. M1A2's IVIS system, even if it had buggy software, was first succesfull BMS system ever fielded.
This gave incredible advantage to the M1A2 equipped units. For example it greatly increased commanders situational awareness, because he knew where his tanks are, and what they are doing... this gives new tactical options for commanders in the field. Also fire support requests were easier.
But the real revolution comes with M1A2SEP. With the new more modern FCS, new optronics, better thermal sights, the FBCB2 BMS system and FTL system, everything was improved significantly over what the older IVIS offered.
For example a such situation. Many claims that tanks with GLATGM of a 5km range have advantage of engagement range of 1 km over M1A2SEP but...
With the new optics with maximum 50x zoom, crew of such tank can detect and identify target over far greater distance than ever before and in any currently known tank. So if they know about target that is let's say 6km's away? TC can use FTL system, or far target locator. This means that he laze the target, computer calculates the distance between the tank and it's target, then use GPS to calculate exact coordinates of that target. The TC via FBCB2 system can send these coordinates to the nearest artillery unit and... do I really need to explain what hell is DPICM munitions bombardment on enemy tank unit?
This gives incredible boos in potential for units equiped with M1A2SEP's.
What about armor protection someone would ask? Well Americans because they had much greater real combat experience, are more keen to improve armor whenever they can. The newest US Armed Forces M1 Abrams tank variants, the M1A1SA, M1A1FEP and M1A2SEP had the newest, most improved to this date armor package. I'am not even sure if this is the well known 3rd generation special armor package fielded with first M1A2SEP in 1999.
By reading some documents, my conclusion is that the newest armor package is something new, and besides improving front protection, there is also significant improvement in side protection.
That's enough for now I think. But gives good idea about what advantages American tanks have currently over their analogs all over the world.
You, as always underestimated Leo2A6 About FCS As I remember Leo2A6 achive better result durin greek tank trial test then M1A2...so be cerfull about "outdated FCS".
Because Americans had problems with ammunition. Ballistic data in vehicles FCS was different than ammunition sent for trails. Besides this You will messure FCS effectiveness by one single trail? AFAIK the difference in hit percentege was insignificant.
By pure advancement American FCS is better and gives more capabilities.
About Altay - this tank about turret just coppy Leo-2 turret desine. It's amoust the same. Hull ammo is not not so bad idea:
For the one side hull ammo store is short target and covered by frontal armour and side skirts but for the other hands - In Leo2 all ammo is placed on one side and driver on second so angle are better then in that case. IMHO it slighty sefer, but its not so bad in Altay. This tank have more from Leo-2 then from K-2... Interesting how taken Leo-2A4 had influence on Altay program. Turret is just copied.
Well good patterns alwyes will be copied.
What? I do not see any similarities in Altay turret to Leopard 2 turret. Altay turret is more based on K2 and M1 than Leopard 2. On graphics it is clearly visible that sights are completely behind armor and through turret roof. Just like in K2 and M1. I suspect Turkish designers are fully aware of these "good patterns" in Leopard 2 turret design.
The only similarities between Leopard 2 and Altay is powerpack and hull ammo placement pattern.
