M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (Army and Marine Corps)
There are three variants of the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank in service: M1, M1A1 and M1A2. The M1 had a 105mm main gun. The 120mm main gun on the M1A1 and M1A2, combined with the powerful 1,500 hp turbine engine and special armor, make the Abrams tank particularly suitable for attacking or defending against large concentrations of heavy armor forces on a highly lethal battlefield.
In addition to the 120mm main gun, the M1 Abrams is armed with a .50 cal. machine gun and a 7.62mm machine gun.
Specifications of the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank
| Crew | 4 |
| Weight | 58 tons |
| Height | 7ft, 10in |
| Width | 11ft, 11in |
| Length | 32ft |
| Engine | Avco Lycoming AGT-1500C |
| Horsepower | 1500 @ 3000 rpm |
| Road speed | 45 mph (governed) |
| Range | 278 miles |
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics |
In March 2005 the U.S. Army announced the TUSK program for the Abrams, the "Tank Urban Survival Kit." TUSK is a series of improvements, including some still in development, that will improve the Abrams’ ability to survive in urban areas off the traditional battlefield for which it was designed. To combat the urban 360° threat, TUSK includes additional protection at the loader’s gun station on the turret, the commander’s gun station, reactive armor to protect the tank’s side from attack by rocket-propelled grenades and slat armor to protect the tank’s rear from the same weapon, and the tank/infantry telephone to allow infantry and armor soldiers to work together in combat.
M1-E1 prototype of the M1 Abrams tank, 1st Cavalry Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.
M-1A1 Abrams MBT.
M-1A2 Abrams, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.
M-1 Abrams, TX National Guard Center, Weatherford TX, 20 May 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.
M-1 Abrams, TX National Guard Center, Weatherford TX, 20 May 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.
