main battle tank family From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The M1 Abrams is a modern main battle tank used by the United States. It is also exported to many 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(use), weighing almost 70 short tons.
M1 Abrams | |
---|---|
Type | Main battle tank |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
In service | 1980–present |
Used by | United States Egypt Iraq Saudi Arabia Kuwait |
Wars | Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) War in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) |
Production history | |
Designer | Chrysler Defense |
Manufacturer | United States |
Unit cost | US$6 million [1] |
No. built | Over 10,000[2] |
Variants | XM1, prototype M1, first production model M1A1, bigger gun M1A2, technology upgrades |
Specifications | |
Mass | 67.6 Short Tons |
Length | Gun forward: 32.04 ft (9.77 m)[3] Hull length: 26.02 ft (7.93 m) |
Width | 12 ft (3.66 m) |
Height | 8 ft (2.44 m) |
Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) |
Armor | Composite, 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 |
Engine | multi-fuel turbine engine 1,500 shp (1,120 kW) |
Power/weight | 24.5 hp/metric ton |
Suspension | Torsion bar |
Ground clearance | 0.48 m (1 ft 7 in) (M1, M1A1) 0.43 m (1 ft 5 in) (M1A2) |
Fuel capacity | 500 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 used, 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.
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