Do tanks have AC?

2019-11-22T20:34:22-05:00

My question is does tanks have air conditioning to keep their crew cool down and how does tank crewman not overheat in the tank especially during the summer time or deployed out in the desert how does this work how does the crew not get ain't exhausted or even pass out from heat stroke from all that Cuz I am actually wanting to be a crew member for a tank and I'm kind of wondering how all that works? and what i need to know before joining in this mos all the info I can get about this job will help me as well there ant a lot about this job on YouTube.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2019 8:38 PM

2019-11-22T20:38:55-05:00

I was on an M1A1 my first deployment. The answer to your question is NO. But there are some tricks. Cracking the hatches, and keeping the breech down while on overwatch helps. Also, once you get good and sweaty? There are NBC hoses that blow air. Stick one of those down your pants or your collar? Best feeling ever. I know it sounds like I'm screwing with you, but I promise. I'm dead serious.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Nov 22 at 2019 8:39 PM

2019-11-22T20:39:06-05:00

To my knowledge, no, there's no A/C. I was only ever in one, though, and only for a limited amount of time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2019 12:44 AM

2019-11-23T00:44:37-05:00

Don't listen to those guys. There is definitely an AC there, it's right next to Bose audio and the captains chairs. You know that thing has a jet engine inside it, right? Coldest AC in any Army vehicle right there!

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Nov 23 at 2019 1:20 AM

2019-11-23T01:20:42-05:00

That was a good question and one I didn't know the answer to. I learned a few thing from the
responses of the guys here. thank You all.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Nov 24 at 2019 12:13 PM

2019-11-24T12:13:14-05:00

I know they have heaters. I envied the tankers when I was in Germany as a mechanized infantryman. Only officers had heaters in their armored personnel carriers. Everyone else had over mileage APC which their heaters were stolen or broken years ago. I knew tankers that never got off their tanks in the field. There are many ways to stay cooler in a hot tank. Furthermore it does get cold in the desert.

Response by CPL Joseph Elinger made Dec 2 at 2019 9:53 AM

2019-12-02T09:53:34-05:00

With all due respect, this question is not necessary. The Forces won't deploy troops & equipment to a functionally non viable environment ie Submarines to shallow water, Tanks for mountain warfare, or without the needed environmental planning to make the team (the tank & tanker) a suitable mission. Most tank warfare is used in 3 season climates. Armored Personnel Carriers are more for Infantry team & urban deployments. Hope this helps a little.

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Dec 9 at 2019 9:08 AM

2019-12-09T09:08:46-05:00

"Red-neck air-conditioning"- If you can drive with the hatches open, the faster you go , the faster the wind blows and cooler you might get.

Other than that they do have a turret blower ( a fan) and the NBC system works kinda like a fan. They both blow hot air around inside. On a good day they might bring the temperature inside down 40 degrees or so. From 140 degrees to a nice cool 100 degrees LOL

However where M1 tanks shine, is on cold/super cold days and/or rainy days. You have the best space heater , clothes dryer, hot plate and coffee maker in the world (their jet engine). When you stop in the field , crowds of cold ,dirty, wet, hungry, homeless bums (a.k.a.-infantry) from miles around will immediately gather behind your tank , with clothes lines tied to the back of your tank , laundry hung up drying , themselves warming up/drying out and chairs set-up ,smoking cigarettes, coffee brewing and food cooking on the jet exhaust grills, and happy faces all within 3-5 minutes of you stopping.

The spot behind a running M1 tank on a really cold day is truly the meeting spot/and coffee break area of the entire US Army.

Response by SSG Sean Cornelison made Dec 18 at 2019 9:43 PM

2019-12-18T21:43:22-05:00

THERE IS NO FUCKIN AC. YOU GET A GAY “COOLING VEST” THAT DOESNT FUCKKN WORK

Response by SSG Rajeev Kirpalani made Dec 20 at 2019 12:33 PM

2019-12-20T12:33:28-05:00

There is an A\C in there but honestly I dont think its designed for crews comfort its more for cooling the internals of the tank, I never really used it I think the NBC hose works better, just shove it in your nomex lol.

Response by 1SG Clifford Barnes made Dec 22 at 2019 10:19 AM

2019-12-22T10:19:00-05:00

Never seen one with it

Response by CPL John McCulley made Dec 24 at 2019 10:24 PM

2019-12-24T22:24:05-05:00

I was a Ranger in 3d Ranger Bn. We never had the problems raised by the confinement of a tank, but heat exhaustion/stroke was still a real problem humping everywhere we went, carrying everything we needed on our backs. Honestly, with no disrespect to my brothers in armor, we thought they were rolling coffins

Response by SSG David Milholen made Dec 25 at 2019 9:03 PM

2019-12-25T21:03:24-05:00

Kevin,
Being a former 19K in Desert Shield/Storm I can tell you that the Abrams 1st gen did not they had an nbc system that was a high pressure fan but the M1A1 series absolutely did and in fact the upgraded system came with mesh vest we wore underneath our bdu tops and you could connect a hose up to it and it blow a cool 40 degrees on a very hot day :)
I had some great adventures as a tanker and close calls and not just from incoming but not paying attention.
I did get distinguished armor while serving at Ft hood Tx.
Just have focus and endurance on any obstacle that gets in your way. OR.. Just run it over LOL
Work hard and do your best and then some and youll make it and get that distinguish armor title.

Response by SGT Michael Frachiseur made Dec 25 at 2019 9:30 PM

2019-12-25T21:30:05-05:00

Not in the M60's I was used to !

Response by Jerry Rivas made Dec 26 at 2019 5:09 PM

2019-12-26T17:09:41-05:00

I was a crew member on M48, and later the commander on an M60.....No AC, But by God those were the best days of my life......Except for washing the bastards. LOL

Response by CPL David Estes made Jan 23 at 2020 5:58 PM

2020-01-23T17:58:22-05:00

When I was in, the M1A1's had a hose that they plugged into their tanker suits that blew fresh air on them. It wasn't AC but it was better than nothing. I drove an M88 recovery vehicle and it Definitely Did Not Have AC. I don't think any tracked vehicles had AC in them and I don't think the 2 1/2 ton of 5 ton wheeled vehicles had it either. It's old School windows down and pedal to the metal. You just have to deal with it. It's still better than walking.

Response by SPC Richard Zacke made Jan 26 at 2020 8:17 PM

2020-01-26T20:17:18-05:00

Ha Ha that's the funnist damn thing I've read on this site. But don't worry too much the thick metal will help with cooling most of the day. But seriously you will be fine if A/C was necessary they would have put it in. There have been thousands of tankers before you and there will be thousands after you. Enjoy the experience you will look back 20 years from now and laugh with other newbies. You can google it and get alot of questions answered. Good luck and thanks for serving!!!

Response by SPC Andrew K. made Feb 3 at 2020 9:51 PM

2020-02-03T21:51:22-05:00

You’re in 70 tons of steel. WTF do you care if there’s AC when a bounce round could take everything?

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Feb 3 at 2020 11:26 PM

2020-02-03T23:26:37-05:00

OK, so you want to enlist in the British Army where they have a hot plate and a mini-fridge. American Army the tanks are for fighting in and they typically exclude the RV accruments.

Response by SSgt Robert Jorgensen made Feb 16 at 2020 8:19 PM

2020-02-16T20:19:23-05:00

No wasn’t spec to have as it would cost an extra 200 gals of fuel when it was used.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2021 10:57 AM

2021-09-12T10:57:51-04:00

There isn't exactly A/C but there is the NBC system which can do you a lot of good for those stupidly hot days

Response by Bill Williams made Oct 20 at 2023 6:40 AM

2023-10-20T06:40:06-04:00

Heat exhaustion is a real concern, and the military usually has protocols to manage it. The tank's design often includes ventilation systems, and sometimes you might just have to rely on old-fashioned hydration and breaks when possible.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2024 3:15 PM

2024-03-21T15:15:47-04:00

Yeah, there's definitely AC in modern tanks, keeps the crew from getting too hot, especially in places like the desert. I've got a tank with AC from https://savannahtank.com/ and it makes a huge difference in comfort and how well you can operate inside.

Just a heads up, besides the AC, staying hydrated and taking regular breaks when possible are key to avoiding heat-related issues. And gear-wise, wearing light, breathable clothing under your uniform can help manage the heat too. These little things add up to make sure you don't overheat or get exhausted too quickly.

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Response by SGT James Driggers made Jun 11 at 2024 2:41 PM

2024-06-11T14:41:12-04:00

In from 1970 to 1978 vietnam to Germany we used the blower mask hose for the gas mask and wet towels to cool off a little 2ad brigade 1975 to Europe first time 2ad went back to Europe since the 2nd world War. I am very proud to be a tanker hope the newer thanks have something for the tankers to keep cool. Hop this helps you out.

Response by SSG Elbert Thomas made Sep 14 at 2024 11:02 AM

2024-09-14T11:02:58-04:00

Well, the Army once had an AC in what they called the SGT York. It was a twin-barrel 40mm Air Defense Weapon. It was first supposed to be built on a M-1 chassis but the Army wouldn't give up 12 M-1s. So, what did they use? The classic was from a M48, and the suspension, and engine were from an M60 tank. Yes, it did have an AC but in the summer at Ft Bliss you could tell the operators by them carrying their field jackets, it would get cold in there because it was for the computers and not for the crew. One small thing, the AC would get clogged from the dust and die. (That small thing dust + water) To fix it they would have to remove it and replace it. I was the PLL man for the System.

Response by SrA Tracy Leviner made Nov 4 at 2024 11:52 PM

2024-11-04T23:52:04-05:00

I was in Air Defense Artillery in the 80's as a Chaparral Missile Crewman in West Germany. We had convertibles , so we got the rain , snow , wind when you were driving to the field and it was cold with no heaters. Also in time of war no armor protection for you sitting in the cab. In desert conditions same thing except no air conditioners. The only one that had protection from the elements was the Senior Gunner and in time of war his life expectancy was 6 seconds after his first missile launch since most planes fly in formation , you kill one and the others kill you. Other than that it was a great time to be in the Army and made lifelong brothers that to this day I still keep in touch with many of them. I later enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and did 6 years as an Apprentice Pharmacist.

Response by LTC Patrick Turner made Nov 7 at 2024 7:31 PM

2024-11-07T19:31:14-05:00

Kevin: equally important is do they have a HEATER on those cold, COLD tank firing ranges? Answer: yes. Just kinda sorta like a car. You can even warm up your food ie MREs by putting them on certain parts of the tank when it’s warmed up. Don’t have to use Sterno like a Boy Scout?

Response by LTC Charles Millstein made Nov 9 at 2024 8:16 AM

2024-11-09T08:16:17-05:00

I asked my SGT if there was heater on my JEEP. He said Sure, Lieutenant, put your hands on the transmission hump, it gets warm (Ask a stupid question, ...) Thought I was pretty sharp, knew how to start one. Just no one had shown me how to turn on the lights.