During the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, the U.S. deployed its latest M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks and these continued to be used in Iraq during the subsequent occupation period. Due to the threats posed by RPGs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the urban environments, the tanks were upgraded with more protection in the form of Tank Urban Survival Kits (TUSK I) in 2004.
The upgrade included features such as reactive armour on the hull sides, hull underside armour to protect against land mines, an M2 machine gun mounted above the main gun barrel, infrared cameras for the crew, and an external telephone for communication with accompanying infantry.
A further development called TUSK II added features such as tile-shaped reactive armour to the turret and hull sides, armoured shield for the commander, and a rear-view camera. The TUSK kits could be installed in field depots in about 12 hours and different tanks had different features equipped. TUSK kits could only be installed in theatre due to the reactive armour.
The kit contains parts to build any one of three versions, M1A2 SEP V2 with options for CROWS II, TUSK I and TUSK II and three marking options. You’ll find realistic armoured gun shield parts for all three versions. M2 and M249 machine guns are precisely recreated, spotlight for gun included. Other kit features include flexible track and Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS), tile-like reactive armour as well as photo-etched and clear parts.
• 100% new tooling – Current U.S. Army version
• Parts for building either V2, TUSK I, TUSK II (Tank Urban Survival Kits)
• Four marking options
• Includes CROWS (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station)
• Photo-etched parts, including one for the netting on the rear stowage basket
• Rear turret generator
• Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS)
• Flexible tracks
• Clear parts for the bullet-proof glass for turret shield, periscope, front and rear light lenses
• Spotlights for 12.7 mm machine guns
• Spot-on machine gun turrets for TUSK I, TUSK II, V2 CROWS
• Moulded-in anti-skid coating
• Carefully reproduced Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT) for TUSK II
• Block-shaped reactive armour for TUSK I
• Paint and glue not included