The M1A2 Abrams tank has 8" thick steel on its forward-facing surfaces. Somehow the dudes at Lima Army Tank Plant weld that to the 4" and 5" steel that makes up the side frames and panels. Every weld is X-rayed.
I should put all this in past tense; it's what I saw there in 1983-84 when the plant was in full production in the glory days of the Cold War. It was a gearhead paradise, I'll tell you what: 1,000,000 SF under one roof, with new steel coming in one door and finished tanks driving out the other. Each one weighs about 70 tons.<img src="https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2012/05/abrams-tank-teetering-1337297377.jpg">
I'll stick to my buzz box.
The M1A2 Abrams tank has 8" thick steel on its forward-facing surfaces. Somehow the dudes at Lima Army Tank Plant weld that to the 4" and 5" steel that makes up the side frames and panels. Every weld is X-rayed.
I should put all this in past tense; it's what I saw there in 1983-84 when the plant was in full production in the glory days of the Cold War. It was a gearhead paradise, I'll tell you what: 1,000,000 SF under one roof, with new steel coming in one door and finished tanks driving out the other. Each one weighs about 70 tons.<img src="https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2012/05/abrams-tank-teetering-1337297377.jpg">
I feel like if I tried that I'd burn my hand off.
Saudis have first dibs.
How much DU do you want with that?
I'm still outfitting my new garage, moving stuff in from storage. I have room for the torch, but do I really want to bring it in?
Yeah, probably.