How does a Tank work? (M1A2 Abrams)

2:17 Length: 9,75m Width: 3,66m Height: 2,43m 2:33 top speed 68 km/h 2:51 M1A2 1893 L 0,25 km/L 483 km Avg. car 61 L 10,63 km/L 644 km 7:20 muzzle vel. = 5633kph (1565m/s) distance = 3,2 km

I am an Army veteran (3rd Armored Cavalry) with experience with both the M1A1 and M1A2. I will provide quality control if necessary: @2:30 Top speed on flat, solid ground. Slower over rough terrain, but still capable of rapid pace (well over 30mph) @2:33 Fuel is distributed between 4 tanks: 2 in the rear and 2 in the front. Fuel is standard JP8 petroleum, similar to diesel. M1 can also run on other fuel types in distress. @2:45 .6 mpg while driving, it has been suggested (not verified) that it takes 2 gallons to start the engine. For tanks not equipped with an EAPU (External Auxiliary Power Unit, a.k.a. generator) The engine is often left running to keep vital onboard systems operating even while sitting for extended periods- and in theory, to conserve fuel required by frequent restarts. @3:30 There are 7 PAIRS of roadwheels contacting the ground on either side (the narrator is not specific, but the animation did show them). @3:56 The sensation of riding a tank over rough terrain can be described as being in a boat on choppy water: It "floats" over all but the most extreme obstacles. @4:07 I have experienced extreme inclines (up and down) that I would have only attempted with a modified 4x4 vehicle, bridged trenches and never felt them, crossed through mud that would have swamped any other imaginable vehicle, and travelled at speed across rough terrain at top speed that, if attempted in my jeep, would have jarred my teeth loose and broken suspension parts. @5:40 The "Power Pack", or engine, is modular and designed to be quickly, easily and regularly removed to ease maintenance. It can be prepped for removal by the crew and be out on the ground behind the tank within 20 minutes. It can be replaced just as efficiently. I have done this many times. @6:24 "Make sure to stay clear when the engine is on"- There is a "jet wash" at the rear of the tank while it is running that gets more intense under power. At idle it is minor and is a boon during cold, snowy weather (look for groups of soldiers gathered behind idling tanks in the winter enjoying the heat.). ( "Crank up my $6 million space heater." is a common command from tank commanders during the winter.) @6:27 The phone is for infantry (using the tank as cover, etc.) so that they may coordinate movement and safety with the tank crew who are not able to see them. @7:55 In addition to the loader's MG, the commander's hatch is typically equipped with a .50Cal MG (unknown why this is not mentioned or represented.) @7:58 Smoke Grenade Launchers: The animation is inaccurate- smoke grenades are actually launched from the chambers and disbursed around the area to provide wider visual coverage. Not mentioned is that the tank is also equipped with a smoke generator that sprays fuel into the hot exhaust in order to create a large cloud that can be backed into or allowed to drift in a beneficial direction. @10:13 The driver's compartment is often referred to as "the coffin". It is actually very comfortable and drivers are known to doze off during periods of inactivity. - The only thing not mentioned that I need to add is what makes the M1A2 particularly different from the M1A1 is the addition of the CITV (there are other improvements, but this is by far the most significant): The CITV is the Commanders Independent Thermal Viewer: It is the cylindrical protrusion on top of the turret just in front of the loader's hatch. This allows the tank commander to scan the battlefield and acquire targets independently of the gunner or the orientation of the main gun. This provides two sets of eyes independently scanning for targets and gives much more rapid target acquisition before and after firing; enabling immediate referencing of an identified target after another has been destroyed.

FYI Creighton Abrams was the battalion commander of the 37th Tank Battalion in WW2 which was a spearhead unit for General Patton’s army in Europe during WW2. He was an outstanding tank officer, that is why the tank was named after him - not his service in Vietnam.

I worked on the M60, & A1 prototype and the 1st production vehicle's 74'-90' D/L plants, that was a nice but brief tour

“Its historically accurate too, which means you can learn a lot while playing.” cuts to anime decal on an attack heli

"The tank can even climb some very steep hills" War thunder: nope, he can not

Drive an A1 for a few years, and I have to say I'm impressed with the information in this video. Also, 1st time I got to drive, load, and shoot from an M1A2SEP, it was like a whole new tank to us. Crazy the amount of upgrades between generations, even while the appearance is relatively unchanged.

I have to ask myself.....do I really need to know how a tank works...or, should I be cutting grass right now? Well, you never can tell when I may need to run a tank. I know how to cut grass.

Love the fact that War Thunder is historically accurate. Oh wait my Tiger just got shot by a cold war era tank.

My son said, “I love that guy” when he saw Jared’s photo at the end of the video. Thank you Jared!

Awesome video!! I have a good friend who was a tank commander back in the early 80's. He is so interesting to chat with about battle tanks. Keep up the great videos!!

As a Abrams Mechanic I can say I was surprised how accurate this was, good job mate.

"It's historically accurate too" shows a copter with anime paint job

Great instructional videos! I just want to add that Creighton Adams also fought in WWII. He was as aggressive a commander as Patton, and Patton was to have said Creighton was his only peer.

Great video! It was really interesting to learn about the different parts of the M1A2 Abrams and how they work together. The turbine engine explanation was particularly helpful. I also enjoyed seeing the way the tank steers by controlling the speed of the tracks.

My son just graduated from Fort Benning, one day before the base was renamed to Fort Moore, and he’s an M1A2 tank crewman. He’s loaded and fired the tank, but it seems his subjective training was more focused as a driver. So this is why I’m here, to see exactly what this machine is all about. Thank you sincerely for creating and posting this incredibly well-articulated and visual video, Jared! You’ve brought about much knowledge and catharsis to a soldier’s father who priorly knew very little about the job and machine his son was training on and in. I have absolutely subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work, because you’re doing something beautiful and important.

He could have made a generic round and nobody would have noticed, but he went and accurately modelled an APFSDS round. Mad props.

"war thunder is actually a pretty good way to learn about tanks" Shows a clip of a tank drifting while shooting another tank

Had the pleasure of checking one out up close the other day. It wasn’t operational and being made ready to get shipped.

Easy to understand this famous tank completely. It takes only a few minutes to grasp the reason why this tank is applauded as the excellent.