The Abrams (M1, M1A1 & M1A2) main battle tank uses a Honeywell AGT1500C multi-fuel turbine engine. It runs on anything from diesel to JP-8 (Military avgas). It develops 1,500 hp (1,119 kW)
The problem with it is that it sorta dry-roasts dismounted infantry who hide behind it and are unlucky enough to end up in the exhaust wash.
I seem to recall SAAB messed about with trying to get a gas turbine into some passenger cars, at one point during the 1980s.
I thought that too when I read the bit about the Russian tanks, but I think the point being made was that the Russians did it in the 1970s. (Must be one helluva gearbox!)
There used to be an early jet-powered snow blower at Brooklands museum - looked a bit hick, with the cab built from plywood.
ReplyDeletepart way down the page:
http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/2008/01/brooklands-museum-biglorryblog.html
Seems it was from Dunsfold, where they record Top Gear.
The Abrams (M1, M1A1 & M1A2) main battle tank uses a Honeywell AGT1500C multi-fuel turbine engine. It runs on anything from diesel to JP-8 (Military avgas). It develops 1,500 hp (1,119 kW)
ReplyDeleteThe problem with it is that it sorta dry-roasts dismounted infantry who hide behind it and are unlucky enough to end up in the exhaust wash.
I seem to recall SAAB messed about with trying to get a gas turbine into some passenger cars, at one point during the 1980s.
I thought that too when I read the bit about the Russian tanks, but I think the point being made was that the Russians did it in the 1970s.
ReplyDelete(Must be one helluva gearbox!)
The M1 was released in 1979, after testing through the 70s. The transmission is an Allison DDA X-1100-3B. I can't find out much about it.
ReplyDeleteOf course, us Brits got there first
ReplyDeleteDid we do the Merlin-powered "The Beast" recently?
ReplyDelete