M1 Tank Factory

[jjvman]

I just watched an interesting show on National Geographic Channel. It is in the Ultimate Factories Series. The title was "M-1 Tank". It covered two different facilities, one plant disassembles the turret and hull, strips each down, refinishes the steel and checks out the parts. The other, in Lima, Ohio, takes the turret and hull, retrofits them as needed and reassembles the tank. Worth watching if you get the opportunity.

[Anth]

I saw that over Christmas, followed by one about the Apache helicopter factory (where every helicopter is built by hand).

Brilliant programs.

[sfga6970]

I saw that also, it was quite interesting. After the process is done, they are brand new tanks.

[jjvman]

The fact that these tanks can last maybe 50 years this way is a lot beter than the throw-away concept of the past.

[sfga6970]

That's true, it may be expensive but a whole lot cheaper than building a new tank from the ground up. Plus they are able to put the new electronic and computer systems into the tank. I worked with M-48s and M-60s and thought they were advanced, but the Abrams is a different animal.

[Anth]

Thats what everyone is going for these days - upgradeability. They could keep the Harrier "Jump Jet" running for another 20 years just by changing some of the navigation and control computers.

The less we have to spend on building entirely new systems (tanks, aircraft, ships etc), the more we can spend fitting them with the latest kit.

[sfga6970]

That's very true Anth.