M1 Abrams

The M1 Abrams is a modern main battle tank used by the United States. It is also exported to several countries. It is a well armed, well protected, and fast tank designed for modern armored ground warfare.[4] Notable features of the M1 Abrams include the use of a powerful engine, layered armor, and a low profile. It is one of the heaviest tanks in service, weighing almost 70 short tons.

M1 Abrams
Abrams-transparent.png
M1A2 Abrams
TypeMain battle tank
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service1980–present
Used by United States
 Egypt
 Iraq
 Saudi Arabia
 Kuwait
WarsGulf War (Operation Desert Storm)
War in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom)
Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom)
Production history
DesignerChrysler Defense
Manufacturer United States
Unit costUS$6 million [1]
No. builtOver 10,000[2]
VariantsXM1, prototype
M1, first production model
M1A1, bigger gun
M1A2, technology upgrades
Specifications
Mass67.6 Short Tons
LengthGun forward: 32.04 ft (9.77 m)[3]
Hull length: 26.02 ft (7.93 m)
Width12 ft (3.66 m)
Height8 ft (2.44 m)
Crew4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

ArmorComposite, Steel, depleted uranium mesh
Main
armament
105 mm rifled cannon (M1)
120 mm 120 mm smoothbore cannon (M1A1, M1A2)
Secondary
armament
1 x 12.7 mm machine gun
2 x 7.62 mm machine guns
Enginemulti-fuel turbine engine
1,500 shp (1,120 kW)
Power/weight24.5 hp/metric ton
SuspensionTorsion bar
Ground clearance0.48 m (1 ft 7 in) (M1, M1A1)
0.43 m (1 ft 5 in) (M1A2)
Fuel capacity500 us gallons
Operational
range
280 mi
Maximum speed Road: 42 mph (67.7 km/h)
Off-road: 30 mph (48.3 km/h)

The M1 Abrams entered U.S. service in 1980, replacing the M60 Patton.[5] Three main versions of the M1 Abrams have been deployed, the M1, M1A1, and M1A2, incorporating improved armament, protection and electronics. These improvements, as well as periodic upgrades to older tanks have allowed this long-serving vehicle to remain in front-line service. The M1A3 is currently under development. It is the principal (main) main battle tank of the United States Army and Marine Corps, and the armies of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and in 2010 Iraq. The M1 Abrams is anticipated to be in U.S. service until the 2050s.

M1 Abrams Media

Notes

  1. "Department of Defense - Annual Report FY99".
  2. Pike, John. Lima Army Tank Plant (LATP). Globalsecurity.org, 21 August 2005. Accessed on 9 July 2009. (Production cost of M1A2, upgraded)
  3. Abrams fact file. U.S. Army
  4. M1 Abrams Main Battle tank. FAS.org, 14 April 2000
  5. Hunnicutt 1984, pp. 6, 149, 408.

References

  • King of the Killing Zone by Orr Kelly, 1989. W.W. Norton Company.
  • Rostker, Bernard: Environmental Exposure Report:Depleted Uranium in the Gulf. DoD Publication, 1998.[1] Archived 2010-06-03 at the Wayback Machine.
  • United States General Accounting Office:Operation Desert Storm: Early Performance Assessment of Bradley and Abrams. Washington, January 1992.PDF.
  • Halberstadt, Hans. Desert Storm Ground War. Osceola, WI, Motorbooks International, 1991. 128 pp.
  • Hilmes, Rolf (1 December 2004). "Arming Future MBTs - Some Considerations". Military Technology. Mönsch.
  • Hunnicutt, R. P. "Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank." 1984, Presidio Press; ISBN 0-89141-230-1.
  • Forty, George: Tank Action. From the Great War to the Gulf, Allan Sutton Publishing Ltd., Phoenix Mill 1995.
  • Zaloga Steven J., & Sarson, Peter: M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1982-1992. Osprey Military, New Vanguard. Reed International Books Ltd, 1993.
  • "M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank". FAS Military Analysis Network. Retrieved January 17, 2004.
  • "TUSK to update Abrams for urban battle". Army News Service. Archived from the original on March 16, 2005. Retrieved April 6, 2005.
  • Army Times - Two soldiers die in attack on Abrams tank, October 29, 2003 Archived December 9, 2012, at Archive.today
  • DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty - Dec 25, 2005 attack
  • DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualties - June 04, 2006 incident

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