May 25, 2005: The U.S. Army is equipping its M1 tanks with new features to make them more effective when fighting in urban areas. The upgrade, called TUSK (Tank Urban Survival Kit), is being implemented gradually, with new features added as quickly as items can be purchased. For example, 130 armored shields, for the 7.62mm machine-gun on the top of the turret, have been shipped to Iraq so far. This machine-gun is normally operated by the 120mm gun loader. The tank commander operates the other gun up top, a .50 caliber machine-gun.
The gun shield is transparent ballistic glass, so the loader doesn't have his vision blocked. This is important for street fighting. The loaders machine-gun is also equipped with a thermal sight, making it more deadly at night. The commanders .50 caliber machine-gun is also being equipped with CROWS, a system that allows the gun to be operated remotely, while the tank commander is inside the turret. This is particularly useful if the tank is taking a lot of small arms fire.
Other components of TUSK are reactive armor panels for the side and rear of the tank, to provide added protection from RPGs. There will also be a telephone added to the side of the tank, so that infantry can more easily communicate with the crew when the crew are all inside the tank. | As I recall, the M-60 series had a telephone on the rear of the tank. |
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