M1A2 Abrams SEP Antenna

Armor/AFV
1

I have been watching a short video of an M1A2 Abrams SEP on the live-firing ranges.
Something that caught my eye was the pair of very thin flexible antennas; so thin, in fact,
that they swayed great distances whenever the tank moved forwards and backwards.
Three questions: (1) Are these a recent type of antenna?
(2) Are they a specific length?
(3) Are they painted a particular colour, or simply unpainted metal?

Thanks,

Paul

2

Gino answered a few years ago but I think the lengths are backwards.

https://archive.armorama.com/forums/230733/

3

Nope, the lengths that I gave are correct. The newer, thinner antennas are shorter.

1 Like
4

Then the fiberglass antenna length is a lot less as it is shorter.

image
image2848×2144 1.03 MB

5

I believe the thicker antenna in that particular photo is the EPLRS antenna but Gino was referring to the standard radio antenna.

6

Correct. The standard, older antennas are thicker and longer than the new, thinner ones. The short, fat antenna is for EPLRS.

7

And what the hell is EPLRS? I don’t even know what radio systems are in the M1 anymore!
Ken

1 Like
8

Enhanced position location & reporting system. Predecessor to blue force tracker I believe. On the Abrams the system radio (computer?) is on the turret basket floor under the gunners seat.