M1A2 tank commander's independent thermal viewer optics: system engineering perspective

David D. Ratcliff

doi:10.1117/12.155822

10 August 1993 M1A2 tank commander's independent thermal viewer optics: system engineering perspective

David D. Ratcliff

Proceedings Volume 1970, Systems-Oriented Optical Design; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.155822
Event: Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1993, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

As successful as the M1A1 Abrams tank was in the Gulf War, a program has been under way for several years to improve and modernize the M1A1 to keep pace with new threats and to take advantage of new technology. This program has resulted in the M1A2 upgrade program which significantly improves the survivability and lethality of the tank. First, the point-to-point wiring and analog signal processing was replaced with digital processing and control with a modern, aircraft-style digital data bus. Additional command and control aspects of the upgrade greatly improved the situational awareness of the M1A2 commander. Finally, an additional thermal imaging system was added for the commander. This system, the M1A2 Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) is the topic of the following paper, which details the design from a system engineering perspective, and a companion paper that presents the optical design perspective.

Citation Download Citation

David D. Ratcliff "M1A2 tank commander's independent thermal viewer optics: system engineering perspective", Proc. SPIE 1970, Systems-Oriented Optical Design, (10 August 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.155822

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