Canada's tanks

[markppcli]

Frankly we shouldn't touch Ajax with a 300ft pole until the vibration and sound issue is solved. Id rather not condemn a generation or two of troops to intentional hearing loss due to poor design.

Been solved for a while now hasn’t it?

 

[Rifleman62]

Id rather not condemn a generation or two of troops to battling with VAC due to intentional hearing loss due to poor design.

 

[AmmoTech90]

Been solved for a while now hasn’t it?

Yes, but no, according to the story Kirkhill posted above.

Soldiers injured in latest mishap with Ajax armoured vehicles

‘World-beating’ fleet of tanks has been plagued by litany of problems with several troops needing hospital treatment over hearing loss

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Might be at certain revs/speed that excessive vibrations/noise appears. Generally not great for the vehicle or crew. Harmonic dampers, track guides, changes in the drivetrain mounts might be needed.

 

[FJAG]

Yes, but no, according to the story Kirkhill posted above.

Soldiers injured in latest mishap with Ajax armoured vehicles

‘World-beating’ fleet of tanks has been plagued by litany of problems with several troops needing hospital treatment over hearing loss

www.telegraph.co.uk

It doesn't sound too excessive now based on the numbers reported. The vehicle has a reputation now and regardless of what the reality is will always become the focus of any medical claim by a soldier who has worked with them.

Military vehicles are noisy and vibrate. Tracked vehicles travelling at speed especially. It's inevitable. It can be controlled to a certain point but can never be eliminated.

We had ear defenders for all our gunners which were worn around the gun position when firing but rarely worn in the vehicles when traveling. Those needing to be on the radio or intercoms couldn't wear them because of the radio headsets which were inadequate. The others just didn't.

 

[KevinB]

It doesn't sound too excessive now based on the numbers reported. The vehicle has a reputation now and regardless of what the reality is will always become the focus of any medical claim by a soldier who has worked with them.

Military vehicles are noisy and vibrate. Tracked vehicles travelling at speed especially. It's inevitable. It can be controlled to a certain point but can never be eliminated.

Some tracked vehicles are deceivingly quiet.
The ones with full rubber tracks especially so.
I saw a prototype hybrid system that was for all intents and purposes silent when on electric drive

We had ear defenders for all our gunners which were worn around the gun position when firing but rarely worn in the vehicles when traveling. Those needing to be on the radio or intercoms couldn't wear them because of the radio headsets which were inadequate. The others just didn't.

These days with modern integrated headset earpro/comms and helmets, it’s hard to justify not wearing them.

 

[Kirkhill]

Brits still proceeding with AJAX

Introduced something new to me...

20 40 40

20% Survival Layer
40% Attritable/Reusable Layer
40% Consumable Layer


Survival Layer - Conventional Weapons (Challenger, Artillery, Attack Helicopters (Ajax))
Attritable/Reusable Layer - High End Surveillance, Reconnaissance Drones, AI Enabled
Consumable Layer - Loitering Munitions, Kamikaze Drones

Presumably that is the budget effort.

 

[Maxman1]

There's probably a Sunk Cost at play with it.

 

[KevinB]

There's probably a Sunk Cost at play with it.

Undoubtably - but I think the UK is in a tough spot regardless as they pissed away the work on the Warrior - and admittedly AJAX offers some capabilities they really need.
Remember when the Bradley was the worst possible Infantry Fighting Vehicle ever? Now it's considered the best performing IFV in Ukraine, in a two generations removed version from current issue M2A4 down here.

The UK has done a lot of work on the platform and from all reports the fixes to the modular armor packing (less modularity and a heavier base vehicle) as well as some other work, has solve the major issues.