tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post2418899128085943220..comments2024-02-28T20:56:23.768-06:00Comments on Sipsey Street Irregulars: From Mike:The "grunt phone" and other Abrams tank upgrades at Anniston Army Depot.Dutchman6http://www.blogger.com/profile/09935420042995679958noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-62845995551155049482016-06-10T20:15:19.174-05:002016-06-10T20:15:19.174-05:00M1 tanks kind of remind me of Carcano rifles. The...M1 tanks kind of remind me of Carcano rifles. The Carcano was so well built it almost never wore out, making it hard to justify adopting a new rifle that was only a small improvement.Michael Gilsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-56031165010575283922016-06-08T20:31:33.063-05:002016-06-08T20:31:33.063-05:00I'm sympathetic to Neal Jensen's reaction....I'm sympathetic to Neal Jensen's reaction. Unfortunately, proper use of the grunt phone requires a tank commander to recognize that there are infantry in the area who need to talk to the tank crew and order the driver to idle so that this can be accomplished. This would be true almost regardless of where you put the external interface on an M1, as mentioned the tank is designed to move far faster than infantry, and it isn't designed to be particularly safe to be around even when idle.<br /><br />Nevertheless, it proved a crucial lack to not have one, so they added it where they could.<br /><br />I'd prefer an infra-red communication link (perhaps integrated with an improved IFF) to allow people outside the tank to send/receive short text messages from a safer distance...considering that what the tank itself might do in a combat situation isn't the only danger to nearby infantry.<br /><br />Of course, fighting a near-peer enemy in a full-scale conflict would probably make any IFF system a critical vulnerability.Chiu ChunLinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03519192610708043962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-76237071107694150112016-06-08T09:26:38.659-05:002016-06-08T09:26:38.659-05:00I remember seeing (and repairing) many a TA-312 mo...I remember seeing (and repairing) many a TA-312 mounted on the outside of the M60 tanks while stationed in Germany with the 2ACR support company. And don't ask me when.<br />I didn't know that the M1 didn't have the grunt phone. Good to see that it's being added.<br /><br />B Woodman<br />III-perAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-76674246579161851262016-06-08T09:25:25.613-05:002016-06-08T09:25:25.613-05:00As a former tanker and then a tank mechanic, this ...As a former tanker and then a tank mechanic, this idea is stupid beyond words (personal knowledge of these grunt phones). You put personnel in the major blindspot of the tanks while in operation in combat the tank crew will kill the personnel trying to use the phone comms by crushing them under the tracks or between the sprockets and other fixed obstacles because the TC and driver obviously) cannot see or hear personnel where that phone is. Those tanks can move quickly and unexpectedly and placing the phone there is one of the most dangerous spots ANYONE can be when around armored vehicles. This will ultimayely get people killed for another feel good idea that is the brainchild of moronic engineers and NOT using any input from actual soldiers.<br /><br />Sign me, Neal JensenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-21355702200730576712016-06-08T07:53:39.488-05:002016-06-08T07:53:39.488-05:00The external phone, or tank-to-grunt hotline as so...The external phone, or tank-to-grunt hotline as some of us called it, was a feature of US tanks up through the M60A3. It was dropped on the M1 family, as the M1 was envisioned as a fast moving killer, not a plodding support weapon. The phone allowed dismounted personnel to talk to the tank's crew, or with the flip of a switch on the phone's control box, transmit over the tank's radio. A handy device that was very useful to the crew as well as any supporting infantry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-46771339669757934152016-06-08T05:56:11.286-05:002016-06-08T05:56:11.286-05:00Gee, they had tanks with infantry phones in WWII.
...Gee, they had tanks with infantry phones in WWII.<br />Nice to see someone finally realized they still have utility 60+ years later.<br />Everything old is new again.<br /><br />http://www.thortrains.net/armymen/tankfact.html<br />Field Phone: a phone is normally housed at the rear of the tank, so infantry can communicate with the crew when the tank is used in an infantry-support role. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-2621732292357622052016-06-07T21:52:38.097-05:002016-06-07T21:52:38.097-05:00you failed to give us any real details on the &quo...you failed to give us any real details on the "grunt phone"<br /><br />Dr.D ( the phone guy)Dr.Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-79024131369898528142016-06-07T20:03:23.778-05:002016-06-07T20:03:23.778-05:00Abrams are being built, for other countries...the ...Abrams are being built, for other countries...the line is still open.Fidelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14623013337654868540noreply@blogger.com