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WHEN the Australian Army asked the US to add an exterior fridge and umbrella to the new M1 Abrams tank design, they received nothing but scoffs and scorn from the Americans.
Perhaps visions of Aussie soldiers relaxing and cracking a cold one while on operations came into their heads.
However, in the end these improvements proved to be another example of the Australian Army’s forward thinking operational mindset.
In fact, both the umbrella and external refrigerator serve to protect the soldier from the powerful effects of the sun.
“We wanted these add-ons because of our experience in the north,” said Lt-Col Duncan Hayward, CO 1 Armd Regt.
“Having the umbrella gives good shade against the sun.”
And the purpose of the 40-litre fridge is to keep water cold and drinkable.
“We can’t get soldiers to drink hot water in hot environments,” Lt-Col Hayward said.
“The fridge helps minimise heat stress by keeping soldiers hydrated.”
The intent is to keep the four member crew drinking water by constantly changing their cold water supply.
“We rotate the Camelbak by having one being chilled and the other on the soldier,” he said.
This system works so well that even the US Army is beginning to see its advantages.
“They are now looking into the fridges,” he said.
Along with the fridge and the umbrella the Australian Army also asked for tank telephones to be installed with the Abrams.
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