M1 Abrams Tank Tactics in Ukraine 

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The Abrams acoustic signature is generally lower than diesel powered tanks. The trick is that it sings tenor rather than bass, and higher frequencies attenuate more rapidly with distance.

two cappy videos in one day? And they're both well made and a proper length? You spoil us, Chris. Thank you for the hard work.

I was around tanks for 26 years. Abrams are really quiet compared to other tanks. You can hear the tracks rattling before you would hear the engine.

Well this video aged really poorly😂😂 Ukraine lost 4 Abrams in 5 days the first time they finally put them On the front lines

I was a member of a Marine Infantry Battalion. Every Marine infantrymen received flash cards of different tanks and armored vehicles. I made sure every Marine in my squad could identify with 100% accuracy from those cards. We did not want to shoot a Bradly or any other allied vehicle with our AT Missiles and rockets.

You know its deadly serious when Chris does double upload in 9 hours

It has been an absolute pleasure seeing this channel grow from memeing, to still memeing, but also putting out the highest tier of analytical/informative content.

The loudness of an Abrams is interesting. I read an article some time ago that while close up the Abrams is louder, it puts off higher frequency sounds than a diesel engine. Those frequencies don't travel as far, so from a distance the Abrams is very hard to hear, while the lower frequency sounds of a rumbling diesel are much easier to hear even from far away.

As a former Army mechanic I can firm the bit about Americans replacing parts is true. Mechanics are basically finding the problem, removing the part, and putting a new part on. With that said, removing an engine is always a struggle. It's never easy to replace an engine because you always need a crane and like 5 people make sure everything is going correctly. I wished the engines had a rail system that would make it easier to just slide out of the engine bay.

Cap, a correction. Abrams is *louder* close up, but at a distance it's much quieter than any diesel engined tank. The reason for this is due to how sound attenuates over distance. Low frequencies (diesels) will travel much further at a higher sustained volume over ambient than higher frequencies will. Another correction is that while yes, the Challenger 2 is also a 120mm, because it carries a rifled main gun, it is not compatible with NATO standard 120mm projectiles. Challenger 2 uses multi-piece ammunition with the munition and charges inserted seperately.

I think the final commentary over the skies over Ukraine is an understatement. There is no contest, Russia dominates the airspace.

The frequency in which you manage to produce new videos is admirable!! Thank you, sir! (and your team, probably?)

The Challenger 2 tank doesn't use the same ammo at all. Although it is a 120mm gun, it is rifled.

It makes a lot of sense for everyone involved to send older tanks already in Europe. The US gets to get rid of old stock to replace with the Abrams X without having to decommission them. Ukraine gets a bunch of refurbished tanks quickly that are already in Europe.

I don't have much to give, but you have been absolutely pumping these out and they are so well done, well made, and well researched, you deserve more than just my views. Thanks Cappy, hooah.

That's a very helpful video supplying lots of new information. Thank you very much.

Cappy, the rate and quality of your content is absolutely phenomenal. This channel continues to go from strength to strength - your ongoing success is well deserved! Keep up the great work.

Turbine engine in Abrams we'll have them glowing bright for KA52 thermals and whirlwind.

Excellent video, as per usual. I appreciate the work and effort that you put into the videos.

You do a fantastic job. Your research and presentation is outstanding. Even someone without a military background like me can gain a huge amount of knowledge from your videos. Thank you.

9:26 "If what you looking at is another Abrams Tank: Showes Abrams A Leopard tank: Shows T- sires A Soviet T-sires: Showes Leopard 2

You are really cranking out those videos this weekend. And 20+ minute ones, not just some short ones.

2 vids in one day . Thanks, Chris. We know you are working hard .

Great info and the research is insane. Thanks!

T&P crushing it. Thanks Cappy, the hard work of you and your team is obvious. 🤘

That AT mine and Lancet combination is quite terrifying on the mentality of an armoured crew. Imagine knowing that you've just thrown a track, typically a fixable problem, but you simply don't know if there's loitering munitions waiting. Will be interesting to see how armoured vehicles are going to deal with these loitering munitions in the future.

Couldn't wait to see your coverage on this

Thanks for the in depth reporting on the Abrams as well as it's modular repair system. Really useful reporting. 31 is silly and a pretend effort but having this background is good. We did see more of a direct engagement from tanks around the time of the Robotyne counteroffensive. Reports showed AFU tanks at a standoff distance, acting somewhat successfully in more of a sniper role, from the northeast quadrant of the battle area. Given the mines this makes sense. Obviously, the handful of Abrams with their longer range accuracy would be useful in this kind of role.

Damn, Cappy is absolutely killing it with these back to back uploads. Great work as always 👍

You gotta admit the Abrams is a beautiful tank.

So happy for this veteran and his incredible, informative channel.

16:29 Slight caveat: the Challenger doesn't and can't use the same 120mm rounds as the Abrams and the Leopard because it has a different gun, an L30 from Royal Ordnance as opposed to the Rheinmetall Rh-120/M256. The L30 uses separate charges and projectiles whereas the the Rheinmetall gun uses cased cartridges.

Thanks for bringing back your good ol’ spare parts army humor to this video in just the appropriate places. Well done.

Basically a big slow moving target that any modern Russian ATGM will destroy, or a Lancet will land on top off.

It's not like they didn't get Challenger 2, Leopard 2, M-55Ss and are not getting the Leopard 1s that all require 4 man crews. Also T-62s and T-55s on Russian side have four man crews.

DU is used as a backer for the composite matrix. It's always a "plus" (other than weight). It will probably be replaced with tungsten; and if not that, just steel.

Sorry Cappy, but one of the reasons it took so long to get them there, was they had to be converted to the A1 'Export' model. That means the DU armor had to be taken out. ( It's an Export controlled item; U.S M1's are the only one's with it).

well actually🤓 abram engine noise is louder than diesel at close range but is actuallly quiter from farther away than a diesel engine. a bit more Heat signature doesnt really matter when diesel engine run over 300 degree hot

Compassion and happiness are not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

The CITV is great, but it can be hard to use when on the offensive. Most TCs want to look around, even if just with the hatch at open-protected posture. The CITV requires the TC to sit down inside the turret, making it harder to keep your situational awareness. Additionally, while the hull is heading one direction, the turret is constantly slewing left and right. Add in the CITV turning independently of both hull and turret, and before you know it, the TC is looking behind the tank, rather than offset from the turret's orientation. One of the big benefits of the -A1 model vs the A2, is that mechanics (and crew) can actually fix things, versus just swapping 'Line Replaceable Units' or LRUs. From a cost perspective, a newer -A2 has 3x thermal sites - Gunner's TIS, CITV and the .50 cal RWS. An M1A1 only has 1. An M1A1 also holds 2 fewer rounds - not a game-changer, but when you only have 40, 2 extra is apppreciated. Ukrainians will have to learn about loader responsibilities, as they have no reference for this job. As air guard, it has some real value in a drone-filled world. Finally, as some have mentioned, the noise of an M1 is fairly unique, due to the higher pitch turbine whine. It often isn't that noticeable when at lower RPMs (not accelerating). Also, I don't think DU armor will go to Ukraine. No export M1s (including Australia's) have this. This would be a significant break from precedence.

Who said “ please don’t target them “ ? , 5k bonus on the head of each one for a Russian soldier , Russians rubbing there hands “ brucey big bonus 🤭”

I respect the grind!!! Godddamn

Best journalist out there. Dude does in depth reports with FACTS and he let's US make our own mind up on the news that is reported. Great video Cappy

"They can't hear us if we blow 'em up" might be my favorite line ever 😂🤣💥

We will also send Stacey Abrams… she is built like a Tank and is a real killer.

3:13 can we take a moment to appreciate the 91A specialist that marked the main gun on that Abrames. Chef kiss.

I spent 10 years on the M1A1 and I guarantee, a majority of these tanks will be dead lined before they even see any action! Trying to keep up with maintenance and parts alone in the American Army was a bear, I can't imagine how it will fare in Ukraine without a steady flow of parts, fuel, and turboshaft, notwithstanding, the expertise needed to keep these beasts on the battlefield and not back at the UMCP!

Smashing it T&P ! Two top quality videos in 12 hours 💪🏼💪🏼

M1 Abrams MBT Repair Schedlue. 1. Look at tank 2. Have a smoke 3. Photograph tank for social media profile. 4. Call Tech Support 5. Listen to music 6. Engage with Auto Callhandler. 7. Swear at Auto Callhandler 8. Have a smoke 9. Listen to music 10. Talk to human operator 11. Repeat everything you already told ACH 12. Listen to more music 13. Have a smoke 14. Talk to new operator and repeat Step 11. 15. Swear at operator 16. Get cut off 17. Have a smoke 18. Read Manual 19. Fix it yourself

Great videos! Keep up the good work, Ranger! 😃🇺🇸👍🏾

From what I’ve heard from former Abrams tankers was that the Abrams was loud, but only in the rear. Because it’s a jet engine that’s pushing the tank around, the sound is very directional, so it’s pretty quite from the front, even more quite than a diesel engine (I know, that’s hella surprising). But at the same time, it’s insanely loud from the rear, far louder than a diesel, and hotter as well. Just the nature of engines, what beautiful mechanisms they are.

I thought the nickname for Abrams back in the day is Whispering Death due to how quiet the AGT1500 is compared to diesel engine like MTU MB 873?

One note: Almost all Russian tanks seen in Ukraine do have laser rangefinders and all T-72s, T-80s, and T-90s seen have these systems.

The Uncle Rico reference just brings the whole thing home. Well done.

I love the fact you use War Thunder as certain video clips! The way you explain things in your video is top tier😮‍💨 thank you for your super duper assume content

I was a M1A1 crewman in Iraq in 2003 and I'm not really sure how 31 tanks are going to be very helpful. Only 2/3 of them will prolly be battle ready most of the time considering how often they break. When I was at NTC our tank crew got an award cuz we were the only tank that managed to be in every battle in the whole brigade and that was just a 45 day training exercise. Tanks crews are normally only allowed to do 10 level maintenance and that is tank crews in the US Army that have a lot of experience on the vehicles. I knew how to do a lot of 30 level maintenance on the tanks(the only reason my commander wanted me to reenlist lol) but that saved the tanks I was on from missing multiple battles during my enlistment and was able to do "services" that normally took a whole tank crew a week by myself in two or three days cuz I only needed the maintenance section to work on the engine. The whole time I was stationed at fort riley there was only one time that our tank was completely 100% with no issues on our M88 form and we were also the only tank I knew of in the battalion that achieved that(it wud have lasted longer but a ripped drivers headrest on was the m88 for months b4 we got it). 31 tanks are not even 2 full companies and I feel like the US wants to force Russia to give up more than they want Ukraine to actually win cuz they are scared of Russia using nukes but I wish they wud just give Ukraine 1000 tomahawk missiles and this war wud be over in a month because Russia wud have to decide to withdraw or use nukes and even tho they claim they are willing to use them I'm sure if they do the rest of the world wud be a lot more serious about ending the war than they are now.

Two basic errors in this video I noticed so far: 1) Many Russian tanks have no laser rangefinder (that's false, it is not WW2). 2) Challengers and Leopards share same ammunition (false, because the Challenger has a unique rifled gun which requires non-standard ammo).

Great video again. Fantastic

I agree. The Abrams may be a poor fit for front line in Ukraine. But I think the reason the US government was OK with sending them is because thy won't be the offensive solution, but a more defensive tool which will free up many more lighter armored vehicles for the faster combined arms offensives while the M1a1 plays safety to pick off any passes up the middle.

Who think in a couple of years we could have lots of wars going on? I kinda do

M1 Abrams with yellow tape gave off heavy GDI vibe ngl

Thank you for the video.

Thank you and have a great week.

With all the documentation, spare parts and such it's a great vehicle to take a few hits and get repaired rapidly. Especially since crew survivalbility is a huge factor in this war, losing an experienced crew is worse than losing a vehicle. Heavy weight is an issue, so much that the military's already developing a smaller, more lightweight tank, but it's good enough for now. Not like the US can't send some engineering vehicles for bridge building or reinforcing the ground if need be as well.

First there is the Germans tank, destroyed! Then followed up by the British tank, destroyed. M1 Abrams? Not going to make much difference. Finally, the long anticipated M1 Abrams. We'll see some burning M1 Abrams. Russia has been waiting for quite some time now. 😅😂🤣

Bro when you did the uncle rico bit, im pretty sure i stopped breathing for a sec 😂 The perfect analogy for cold war era stuff

You make a lot of sense…knowing your past n quite funny too! Well done!

Ah yes because the Leopards and Challengers smoking on the fields were clearly not also designed to fight soviet T-model tanks as well 😂

These sorts of logistical issues often make me wonder if it would be better to have a worse tank that is logistically easier to support.

Thanks for that Vid.

Wow, the building at 4:57 is my childhood home in Bakhmut, Ukraine. Do you have a longer version of this footage?

Ukraines Counter offensive from June 4 to Oct 4: 90,00 KIA (average age 40) 557 tanks lost 19,000 armored vehicles lost 380km2 or >1% territory reclaimed Solution? Thirty one 80s M1 Abram tanks from the US but 'modernized'.👍 Sources: New York Times, Reuters, Business Insider, Ben Wallace fmr UK Minister of Defence

The Abrahams. The symbol of America. with its German Turbine technology, Its German cannon, Its British armor, The list goes on. A real patriotmobile indeed.

The British Challenger II is equipped with an L30 120mm rifled tank gun ... Completely different than the smooth bore Leopard II and the M1A2

The biggest issue the abrams is going to face is the dirt/mud i have first hand experience using an abrams in Europe throwing track was a common occurrence and once the track in thrown you're a sitting duck for drones and artillery it takes a seasoned crew to not throw track and sometimes its just happens everyone says it was designed for Europe but it does best in the desert

31 tanks that seems very little to make any change on the whole operation, I believe the point to sent it was to trigger the Leopards release

It appears that this war in Ukraine is being kept on a western life support with the sole purpose of hardware testing and the testing appears to be in small batches that will likely not make a huge strategic impact on the war overall.

Excellent information

Has anyone else noticed that the gun barrel of the t-72 (?) at :19" appears to bent? Not to mention the shrouds affixed to it looks like the chimney stack from a wood fired stove.

The M1 Abrams success in Gulf war is due to air superiority. In Ukraine war, it will not be able to enjoy the same success until Ukraine air superiority.

Super expensive, with a few major advantages over other tanks available to Ukraine. Meaning there will be few opportunities to make it worthwhile using these. That is areas where: targets are are beyond 1500m, tank is close to roads to reduce fuel usage, allow resup and repair, likely at night. No point using these in most of the battles being fought, which are occuring at relatively close range, and being exposed to mine fields and trench systems. Likely will be used as part of an attack or raid to hit targets from extreme range, enabling over vehicles to close with the Russians, then will either withdraw, or stay 1 or 2 klm behind the advancing units, and called as fire support. Much like a big heavy expensive battleship, stays as far away as possible, hitting from extreme range, and surrounded by supporting weapons to keep it relatively safe. Because there are only 30 in country, of that only 10 or 15 will be available for use at any one time - repair and maintenance being done on 20 odd. And then there will be vehicles lost to enemy actions. 30 - really is not very many. The over all effect on the war will be minor, but Ukraine needs everything that anyone will give it.

Thx cappy. We watch most of T&P vids thru. I was gonna enter the scope contest knowing I'm not quite ready to build my AR15, unfortunately the contest requires a purchase to be made per T&P's other vid. Since Israel is at war, we're gonna focus on those vids

Correction: M1 abram is not louder than diesel tank, it’s higher pitch and dissipate quickly but more annoying for the crew and it runs cooler than diesel engines too, M1 has exhaust temperature of 500f and leopard 2 has 600f but this doesn’t matter, they all show up on thermal

77 tons... yeah sure this thing can only fight in space where there is no gravity

Laser rangefinders were standard on t72-t90 FC systems, so those tanks definately will be fine for ranged combat. But it's easy to say there is a probably 1 in 2 chance the t72-t90 your fighting in Ukraine at the moment has thermal vision

The M1 A1 'Ese' version.. South California edition ... bling, hydrolics, spinning rims and fuzzy dice!

Love your thermals...........black hot looks really cool

Some people raised a point that the Hamas's attack in Israel was possibly encouraged by Russia to draw attention and support away from Ukraine. Moscow talked to Tehran, then Tehran talked to Gaza. Sounds quite far fetched but I don't know. Just need China and North Korea to show some actions and we're on the brink of world war 3.

I remember seeing a video where, I think it was ISIS, shot a kornet at an Abrams on the side. Every single one of those inhuman beings started screaming Allahu Akbar!!... Until the turret of the M1 started turning towards them and you could hear the panic in their voices.

I was a E5 gunner on a M1A1 tank in second armored division from 90to 94ish. Returned as prior service in 2003 in the same capacity except I had to accept a corporal, rank due to the time away, and return to Iraq with the 1st cavalry division. that being said, I agree and loved everything you said, but I take great exception to what you said about the noise level an Abrams tank makes. It is a high-pitched whine when starting the turbine which takes probably less than 20 seconds , and after that, it is a sound signature that does not travel,far at all. I am not schooled or have a PhD in Phonetics or whatever you would call it. But I Will tell you from experience, A LOT of experience but I can tell you that an Abrams turbine engine is far less discernible on the field at distance than a diesel engine.

Are they invisible as there doesn’t seem to be any footage of them in action, or are they being kept out of harms way like the challenger 2. We can’t have them getting destroyed as it might look bad.

Doesn't take 2 years to upgrade 31 to M1A2, it could take 2 years IF the deliveries were not to interrupt other considerations..Come on, be more precise

16:24 - no, they don’t all use the same tank rounds, the Challenger 2 uses the L30 rifled gun, totally different ammunition. 👍

Amazing research ❤❤

Just a correction here but the turbine engine of an Abrams makes less noise than a conventional diesel engine although the increased IR signature might really be an issue. Turbine engines are famous for their low noise such as the well known turbine powered race car known as silent Sam.

I would like to point out that while yes, the abrams turbine engine is louder up close, it is actually quieter at range because higher pitched noise is more easily attenuated by the terrain

You are exactly right. There hasn’t been hardly any tank on tank warfare in Ukraine. Most tanks have been destroyed via mines, drones, and anti tank missiles. That means almost no sabo rounds. The battle of 73 easting in Iraq may be the last great tank on tank battle we will ever see.

I understand that the Abrams is less and not more noisy than diesel tanks. I also read that the Abrams idling fuel consumption problem was fixed with an auxiliary generator, were these included in the M1A1SA?

Thanks for a well reasoned and detailed explanation of what the Abrams can bring to the Ukrainian war effort.