M1150 ABV Assault Breacher Vehicle.

Technical Data

• Armament

  For its self-protection, the M1150 ABV is armed with a .50 (12.7 mm) M2 HB machine gun. This machine gun is mounted to the commander cupola, A bank of standard electrically operated grenade launchers are fitted on either side of the superstructure to cover the frontal arc.

• Design and protection

  The M1150 ABV is built on the same chassis as the General Dynamics-built M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. The ABV will provide crew protection and vehicle survivability while having the speed and mobility to keep pace with the maneuver force. For the ABV role, the turret of the M1A1 Abrams MBT has been removed and replaced by a new all-welded steel structure to which has been added the latest explosive reactive armor (ERA) package. This provides a higher level of protection against anti-tank weapons fitted with a High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead fitted to weapons such as the RPG-7 (Rocket Propelled Grenade). Operated by a crew of two soldiers, the ABV enhances combat engineers' operational capabilities by offering increased mobility and protection. It is designed to maintain the pace with fast-moving forces on the ground. The ABV effectively clears a path the width of a tank through mine-laden terrain by firing a MICLIC across the area and detonating it, subsequently using the FWMP to confirm the safety of the lane and employing the LMS to mark the cleared path.

• Mobility

  The chassis used for these M1150  ABV were supplied from surplus Army stocks and were refurbished to a common standard with the current M1A1 Abrams MBT used by the US Marine Corps. The M1 Abrams is powered by a 1,500 horsepower (1,100 kW) Honeywell AGT 1500 gas turbine, and a six-speed (four forward, two reverse) Allison X-1100-3B Hydro-Kinetic automatic transmission, giving it a governed top speed of 72 km/h (45 mph) on paved roads, and  48 km/h (30 mph) cross-country. The suspension of the ABV is composed on each side with 7 road wheels and 2 track-return rollers, on each side of the chassis. The drive sprocket is mounted at the rear and the idler at the front.

• Combat Equipment

  Major components of the M1150 ABV include a Full-Width Mine Plow (FWMP), two linear demolition charges (LDC) which utilize Mine Clearing Line Charges (MICLIC) propelled by rockets., a lane-marking system, a remote control system, and weapon station integration on a modified M1A1 tank chassis. ABV will fill the requirement to clear a lane of sufficient width and depth for the assault forces and will be operated by a two-man crew with an option for remote control.

  The MICLIC is typically rocket-propelled and can be launched to a distance that ensures safety for the launching vehicle and its crew. The standard range for a MICLIC is approximately 100 to 150 meters from the point of launch to the target area. This standoff distance allows the ABV to remain at a safe distance from the explosive effects of the charge and any mines it may detonate. Upon detonation, the MICLIC unrolls a line charge filled with powerful explosives across the minefield. The explosion is designed to trigger and clear mines within its effective range, which can create a breach lane that is typically around 8 to 14 meters wide and 100 meters long. This cleared path is sufficient for the passage of infantry and vehicles.

  The M1150 ABV is equipped with a variety of specialized equipment supplied by the British company Pearson Engineering. The HLA (High Life Adaptors), whilst providing an increased approach angle to the ABV, allows the rapid fitting and removal of the full suite of ABV front-end equipment and sub-systems. For clearing minefields, the FWMP (Full Width Mine Ploughs) can be swiftly installed at the front of the vehicle which can be rapidly replaced by the CDBB (Combat Dozer Blades) that, in addition to clearing battlefield obstacles, can also be used to prepare firing positions. Another alternative installation at the front of the vehicle is the Pearson Engineering ROBS (Rapid Ordnance Removal Systems) or an SMP (Lane Marking Systems). The plow mounted on the front of the ABV lets it construct hasty earthworks for cover and to barrel through enemy obstacles. Mounted on the rear of the ABV turret structure is the Linear Demolition Charge System containing two launchers with an updated firing system. Each of these launchers is fitted with an MK 2 solid-propellant rocket attached to an M58 linear charge. The ABV included the same communications system and a deep fording capability as the M1A1 Abrams MBT.