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| U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams with production TUSK explosive reactive armor package installed |
The M1 Abrams is a third-generation American main battle tank named after General Creighton Abrams and designed by Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems). Designed as a highly mobile main-battle tank for modern armored ground warfare,[14] the M1 is well armed and heavily armored. The Abrams introduced several notable and innovative features such as a powerful 1500 hp AGT1500 multifuelturbine engine, sophisticated Chobham composite armor, a computer fire control system and separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment along with NBC protection for crew safety. While the initial models of the M1 were armed with a licensed-produced 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 gun, later variants feature a licensed Rheinmetall 120 mm L/44 for increased firepower. Weighing nearly 68 short tons (almost 62 metric tons), it is one of the heaviest main battle tanks in service.
The M1 Abrams was developed as a result of the cancellation of the MBT-70 project, which was afflicted with numerous technical issues and cost overruns. In 1971 Congress cancelled the project and ordered a less costly alternative replacement for the aging M60. Both Chrysler and General Motors supplied prototypes and the Chrysler model was selected for further development. Eventually the M1 Abrams entered U.S. service in 1980, ultimately replacing the M60 tank, which had seen two decades of service at the time.[15] The M1 currently serves as the main battle tank of the United States Army and Marine Corps, and is also used by the armies of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Iraq. The Abrams was first tested in combat in the Persian Gulf War and has seen service in both the War in Afghanistan and Iraq War under U.S. service, while Iraqi Abrams tanks have seen combat in the war against ISIL and have seen use by Saudi Arabia during the Yemeni Civil War. The Abrams was due to be replaced by the Future Combat Systems XM1202 but due to the cancellation of the program the U.S. military has opted to continue maintaining and operating the M1 Abrams for the foreseeable future by upgrading the tank with improved optics, armor and firepower.
Three main versions of the M1 Abrams have been deployed, the M1, M1A1, and M1A2, incorporating improved armament, protection, and electronics with each new model. These improvements and other upgrades to in-service tanks have allowed this long-serving vehicle to remain in front-line service. In addition, development of the improved M1A3 version was first publicly disclosed in 2009.[16][needs update] Extensive improvements have been implemented to the latest M1A2C and D (formerly SEPv3 and SEPv4, respectively) versions such as improved composite armor, better optics, digital systems and ammunition.[17]
