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US tanks use turbine, not Diesel engines. More military could have used those, especially as infra-red signature of turbines is lower, but it is chicken and egg
by fpoling 8y ago
US tanks use turbine, not Diesel engines. More military could have used those, especially as infra-red signature of turbines is lower, but it is chicken and egg problem. The present market is small and for tanks a turbine initially developed for helicopters were adopted. For other vehicles entirely new development is necessary. And it is very costly.
- davidgould 8y ago> infra-red signature of turbines is lower Can you provide a source for this? It has been my understanding that turbines had more of an infra-red signature due to the hot exhaust and high mass flow.
- fpoling 8y agoExhaust from a Diesel has much brighter IR signature as it’s exhaust particles are black bodies that radiates and scatter IR very effectively. As turbine generate much cleaner exhaust of molecules that does not radiate much in IR on their own, it’s IR signature is lower despite higher temperature and more exhaust mass. This is a rare example when pollution is bad both for environment and military applications. I do not have references. I learned it from a buddy whom I trust.
- davidgould 8y agoThanks, that is interesting. Would a particulate filter reduce the signature significantly?