80 Abram tanks have been sent back to the us to be rebuilt. another 40 have been 'written off' since the iraq invasion.
Only 18 were lost in the whole of the cold war. The abram was designed for frontal impact and is being destroyed/killing the interal crew with 1. One RPG from a side impact to the turret or a rear impact to the engine or turret.
The Tusk kit was aimed to give these tanks extra protection against such attacks however militants generally use mines or IED's to try and blow of the tracks rendering the tank immobile. Insurgents follow behind the tank with RPG and mortar.
Allthough the tank loss is high bear in mind tanks will be #1 Target in such a place.
The Challenger tank also deployed in IRAQ fairs much much better as t appears has far greater protection from a 360 perspecitive. I dont know the figures from damages to challeners but im about to look it up.
I Cant seem to find any reports that any challenger 2 tanks have been lost as stated by this website. Also the source of raquiems pretty banner
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2891059.stm
The abram TUSK upgrade kit fitted:
http://img365.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 5223kx.jpg
Some Info on the Upgrade kit for the Challenger 2:
'Challenger 2E has a new integrated weapon control and battlefield management system, which includes a gyrostabilised panoramic SAGEM MVS 580 day/thermal sight for the commander and SAGEM SAVAN 15 gyrostabilised day/thermal sight for the gunner, both with eyesafe laser rangefinder. This allows hunter/killer operations with a common engagement sequence. An optional servo-controlled overhead weapons platform can be slaved to the commander's sight to allow operation independent from the turret.
The powerpack has been replaced with a new 1500 hp Europack with transversely mounted MTU 883 diesel engine coupled to Renk HSWL 295TM automatic transmission. The smaller but more powerful engine allows more space for fuel storage, increasing the vehicleâ$™s range to 550km.'