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1. d (deprecated_ii@poa.st)'s status on Monday, 09-Oct-2023 17:11:02 JST d

   in reply to
   @Gerfand the merkava is almost as heavy as the latest abrams. 65 long tons = 71.5 short tons; the newest abrams is like 73 short tons. but even if it wasn't quite that heavy it wouldn't matter, you can't carry 50+ short ton loads on a regular lowboy, you need special equipment for it. the abrams is so heavy now that the US Army's heavy equipment transport system, specifically designed to transport the abrams in its original 60 short ton spec, can barely handle it
   
   but I'm not really talking about the merkava. their APCs are *extremely* heavy, all 45-55 long tons except the M113, which they don't like because it's not invincible. their APCs are as heavy as a T-72, twice the weight of a Bradley. so they all require special transport (or rail), instead of just needing special stuff for the tanks and being able to use lighter vehicles for APCs
   
   note that when I say you "can't" carry these loads on regular lowboys, I don't mean it's literally impossible. obviously a tank or heavy ass APC can be put on the trailer and dragged around. but the US Army didn't develop HETS out of boredom and relying on civilian gear like the Israelis evidently plan to do is going to lead to significant failures in transporting armor in a timely manner