While building my M1A2 SEP tank, i noted that the fuel cans are typically mounted on the sides of the BRE although i have seen water cans there instead on several occasions. (ie: picture below)
The question is, since fuel cans are a fire hazard when mounted on the exterior of the tank, has it become doctrine in the US Army that no fuel cans are to be mounted on the exterior for future deployments?
Are there any guidelines for how a fuel can is to be loaded if it had to be mounted to the exterior due to lack of interior compartments?
The can in the photo looks like a plastic water can to me, at any rate the “fuel” cans usually contain motor oil, which while flamable isn’t nearly as combustable as fuel. I don’t know of any doctrinal issues with oil can placement, but I’ve been out of the service for 14 years and things do change. Most units have a load plan for on-board equipment, but it’s mostly designed for uniformity and convenience.
Yup, that’s a standard black water can painted tan. I don’t think there is any real reason to carry a fuel can (with fuel in it) on an Abrams. Really, how long would 5 gallons of fuel last in an Abrams, 5 minutes?
Ditto with the previous post. The jerry cans on an Abrams are molded in black or tan now and are used for water. The engine oil is synthetic turboshaft and comes in 1 quart cans, those would be carried in the turret boxes. usmc is correct, 5 gallons might start that turbine engine but wouldn’t go far. That’s why it holds over 500 gallons of JP-8 or diesel. I hope this helps.
My guess is that the fuel cans actually carry Textron AT-6 transmission oil. It’s a synthetic and just dosn’t have a good burn rate (it’s used at a 265 degree temp in the transmission). It also could be heavy gear oil used in the final drives. But normally if a can like this holds water it will be labled “potable” in one form or another.
As stated, that’s a water can, not a fuel can. The plastic fuel cans are normally OD green and water cans are tan, or if an old 1980s version, molded in black plastic.
Very rarely are external fuel cans stored on the outside of vehicles. It is normally an oil or turboshaft tranny fluid can. About the only time you see fuel cans are around generators or stored in mounts on generator trailers.
never heard of the transmission oil being called “turboshaft” before. Have they changed oils in the gearbox? What we used was red automatic transmission fluid (T-6 to be exact). Did they ever do anything with the way the oil lines were rigged under the turret? There were a real pain to get to before when they leaked.
