AAC - Live-Fire Tank Gunnery Training Devices

American Apex Corporation (AAC) specializes in live-fire gunnery training systems for main battle tanks. Leading the way with the Advanced Inbore Marksmanship Training Enhancement System for Tanks (AIMTEST), AAC has set the standard in live-fire gunnery training device innovation and design for more than a decade.

AIMTEST TANK-GUN TRAINING SYSTEM

The caliber .50 AIMTEST is manufactured by AAC to provide high-quality gunnery training that any organization can afford. AIMTEST is now available for all NATO-standard 105mm or 120mm main tank guns. AAC has also developed systems to fit 73mm to 115mm main guns, and a semi-automatic device to work with auto-loading main guns (such as the Stryker MGS, the T-72 / T-80 and other large-caliber systems).

AIMTEST duplicates the ballistics of several types of 105mm and 120mm caliber standard tank ammunition, through the substitution of more readily available caliber .50 ammunition types. The trajectory of caliber .50 Saboted Light Armor Penetrator-Tracer (SLAP-T) M962 ammunition is an excellent match to 2,000m, sufficient to exercise the tank crew with standard half-scale or full-scale targets. 1,500m capability can be achieved with caliber .50 M17 or M20 ammunition.

AIMTEST GUNNERY TRAINING ADVANTAGES

AIMTEST enhances training standards for the entire crew: all duties performed during normal operational use of the tank are required while using AIMTEST. The main gun electrical firing circuit and manual firing circuit activate the firing mechanism of AIMTEST, and all main gun safeties are operational.

The AIMTEST allows for firing on ranges where the range safety fan is limited. Depending on the type of caliber .50 ammunition, the range safety fan for the sub-caliber only requires a maximum of 6,700m. Additionally, the noise of firing is reduced to small-arms level because of the 'muffling' effect of the main gun tube, Consequently, the crew is subjected to very low sound-pressure levels, allowing them to concentrate on improving target-engagement techniques.

Both range safety fan limitations and reduced noise levels are critical issues in many countries, due to the restrictions upon military-force training close to populated areas..

AIMTEST possesses all the characteristics sought after in military acquisition today and bridges the training gap between simulators and main gun live-firing with tank practice ammunition.

Deploying AIMTEST permits armored forces to maintain operational readiness in areas where standard ammunition cannot be fired. In this age of cost-conscious armed forces, AIMTEST is the right tool at the right time.

AIMTEST COMPATIBILITY CHART

AIMTEST types:

• 73mm – BMP-1, BMD-1
• 76mm – Scorpion, Cougar
• 90mm – AMX-13, Ikv-91, M47, Panhard-90, LAV-90, Dragoon, Pandur, SIBMAS, URUTU, ENGESSA EE-9, ERC-90, VBC-90, Ratel 90 FSV
• 100mm – T55
• 105mm – Leo 1 - A5, M60, AMX 30, Steyr, Type 80, OF-40, Type-74, K1, Px-68, Centurion, M48A5, Stingray, AMX-30RC, Centauro, Rooikat
• 115mm – T62
• 120mm – Leo 2 – A6, Arjun, Ariete, Type 90, Challenger 1 and 2, Chieftan, M1A1 / M1A2 / SEP
• 125mm – T-64, T-72, T-80, T-84, T-85, M-84, T-90, Type -85, Al Khalid, PT-91

We also provide a Gunnery Training System (GTS) for LAV-25s, Bradleys (M2s / M3s), CRV-(T)s, Desert Warriors, VEC scout cars and Mk38 naval guns.

GTS TRAINING DEVICE

The GTS training device allows ATK 25mm (Bushmaster) or other medium-caliber weapon users to use sub-caliber weapons for live-fire gunnery training. It consists of a weapon mount that replaces the medium-caliber barrel, an integration system, and – currently – two firing solenoids.

One solenoid is used for the M2HB .50 caliber Browning machine-gun mounted as part of the GTS; the other fires the GPMG 7.62mm machine-gun. The GTS is adaptable to a 7.62mm mount for firing on ranges with severe live-fire constraints, and allows the crew to train on full or scaled targets at combat ranges at a fraction of the cost of medium-caliber ammunition. The crew trains using the vehicle's existing fire-control system and sights.

A simple, rugged device, the GTS is inexpensive to purchase, operate and maintain. The complete cost of a GTS sub-caliber training device is quickly recovered by significant savings in expenditure on main gun training ammunition, and a reduction in main gun wear.

The GTS is compatible with the M242 (25mm) cannon, L21 (30mm) cannon, and all medium-caliber armored fighting vehicle turrets.

GTS SPECIFICATIONS

The GTS's specifications are:

• Maximum effective range: 2,000m with M962 SLAP-T; 1,500m with M20 API-T or M17 trace
• Length: 112cm
• Width: 8.8cm without ammo stowage box; 27cm with ammo stowage box
• Height: 17.6cm
• Weight: 37.5kg