M-60 Patton Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Fielding of the M60A3 variant of the M-60 Patton Main Battle Tank (MBT) began in 1979, with nomenclature M60A3 Combat Tank, Full Tracked, 105 mm Gun. Under a service-wide Army upgrade program, almost all existing M60 models were converted to the M60A3 variant with thermal tank sights (M60A3 TTS). Conversion of M60A1 tanks to the M60A3 TTS configuration began in July 1981 at the Anniston Army Depot (AL), and a similar program at the Mainz Army Depot (Germany) began the next year. The Army planned to procure 7,340 M60A3 TTS tanks, 1,741 from new production and 5,599 through conversion of older M60 series tanks. Most of the M60A2 variant tanks were also converted to the M60A3 configuration.
The M-60's crew consisted of the commander, gunner, loader, and driver. It operated at a top speed of 30 mph. Among other innovations, the M60 was the first U.S. tank to be equipped with laser range finders and thermal sights, giving it the capability of being employed at night and under conditions of limited visibility.
The M-60 Patton Main Battle Tank has been replaced in the U.S. military by the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. Its last American combat was the liberation of Kuwait City during Operation Desert Storm in February 1991 where USMC M-60A1 tanks rolled into the city in the vanguard of the liberating force. The M-60 has been used and continues in use with the armed forces of more than 20 countries, including successful combat use by the Israeli IDF during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Thanks to Harry Tenney (US Army, Retired) for help with this page.
M-60A1 Patton Main Battle Tanks of the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, advancing toward Kuwait City during the third day of the ground offensive phase of Operation Desert Storm, 26 February 1991.
M-60A3 Patton Main Battle Tank.
M-60A3 Patton Main Battle Tank, 49th Armored HQ, Ft. Worth, TX, 11 Nov 2004. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.
M-60A3 Patton Main Battle Tank, 49th Armored HQ, Ft. Worth, TX, 11 Nov 2004. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
M-60A3 Patton Main Battle Tank, Highland Lakes Air Museum, Burnet, TX. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
M-60A3 Patton Main Battle Tank, Highland Lakes Air Museum, Burnet, TX.
Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
M-60A3 Patton Main Battle Tank, VFW Post 4239, Sidney, OH. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.
M60A3 Patton Main Battle Tank at 1st Cavalry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. This M-60A3 has a ruby laser range finder, solid state ballistic machine gun, and an external layer of "Applique Armor". The applique armor provides additional armor protection by exploding outward when hit, expending the force of the hit away from the tank. The applique armor is primarily used on the turret and front glacis plate. This unit is one of only five experimental M60A3 tanks of this type produced. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.
