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What's this on the Abrams?


Cybermat47
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I was looking at photos of Abrams tanks, when this caught my eye:

 

post-166949-0-60549400-1490442628_thumb.jpg

 

It looks like there are items being stored in that box-like protrusion coming out of the rear of the turret.

 

My question is, what's being stored there? My first thought was spare parts or survival equipment, but it seems weird to place those things outside of the armour (then again, I'm no tanker or tank designer), unless, of course, it's something as large as a wheel.

 

Any answers would be very much appreciated, thank you :)

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If I recall (having been a tanker for 20 years, but never mounting these), they are thermal identification panels. The "louvers" can be seen through thermal sights, making friendly identification easier in low-light environments.

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Manchu Warrior

We also had these panels on the sides of are Bradley's. There was also a smaller one located on the back of our BFV's. The first two photos were taken somewhere in the ROK and you can see the smaller panel to the right of my dismounts. I say my dismounts because I was a crew member. The other photo was taken somewhere on the Iraqi border when I was a crew member on an M113, and as you can see we had the panels on those as well. If my memory serves correct they were painted with some kind special paint so it was easy to identify.

post-1412-0-01345400-1490455155.jpgpost-1412-0-79877600-1490455140.jpg

post-1412-0-01177700-1490455170.jpg

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Manchu Warrior

Manchu, great pix! Thanks for sharing those.

Terry

 

It gave me a reason to go digging through my old photos and I was happy to do it.

 

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  • 7 months later...

Theyre called combat identification panels (CIP). They appear dark when viewed thru thermal imaging systems. The material and stand-off from the vehicle create a very distinct cool (dark) shape.

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