Several Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division spent two days learning how to install the Abrams Reactive Armor Tile system on their M1A2 SEP v2 Abrams main battle tanks at Camp Aachen in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
The Soldiers are in Germany in support of Atlantic Resolve and learning how to install the tiles on their tanks serves as the first time tank crews have mounted the tiles on their battle tank themselves. Once they have mastered the skill, they will be able to go on to train other tank crews within the battalion.
"If my crew can do it, that will save us time," said 1st. Lt. Stephen Craig, tank platoon leader, 1st Bn, 66th Armor Rgt. "If we can do it ourselves without having to rely on mechanics or contractors to put it on then we are actually more combat effective."
The ARAT is a component of the Tank Urban Survival Kit that was mounted on Abrams tanks during deployments to the Middle East. It consists of a set of two types of reactive armor tiles, said New Equipment Training Instructor from Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Keith Gillette.
"What we are doing here is just teaching the crew to install ARAT 1 and ARAT 2," Gillette said. "There is the square box which is call the M19 and then there is the one that looks like a terra cotta tile, that's the M32."
Teaching the Soldiers to install did the armor was not difficult said Gillette.
"The basic concept is always going to be the same," said Gillette. "You are going to hang the skirt, you are going to hang the hangers on the skirt rails and then (the tiles) slide in place."
Maneuvering the Abrams on the European continent requires different armor configurations. Using the ARAT and not the TUSK will allow the tanks the maneuverability and operability they will need in more verdant areas, said the company commander for Bravo Company, Capt. James England.
"You retain the cross-country abilities of the tank because it is not completely loaded down with extra armor," said England. "Then you have the added benefit of being more capable against things like heat rounds and things like explosive ordinance that get fired at the tank"
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