US Army receives rare upgraded T-72 M5 SCARAB tank for testing
We previously wrote about a T-72 tank being spotted in Utah. As it turns out, it is a Czech upgrade that was ordered by the US Army.
Here's What We Know
Dave Trojan, a retired US Navy aviation technician, was the first to publish photos of the fighting vehicle. The tank was covered with a tarpaulin, but later a photo of the fighting vehicle with the cover partially open appeared on social media. It was this photo that allowed the tank type to be identified.
@CT24zive TV report at the time. @excaliburarmycz sold two T-72M5 tanks to the USA for 10 million CZK (~458k USD). pic.twitter.com/5GGnN0Hke0
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As it turns out, the T-72 M5 SCARAB has arrived in the US. It is a tank from the Czech company Excalibur Army. The US Army ordered the fighting vehicle for testing. For this reason the tank is being transported to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
The T-72 M5 SCARAB is equipped with a DYNA explosive reactive armour package and a 618kW engine. The fighting vehicle is capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h. The US Army has ordered two tanks at a cost of nearly $460,000.
Source: @praisethesteph