![]() This meant that nearly all of the Abrams tanks deployed in the Gulf War were shipped by cargo ship. Due to the shear size and weight of the Abrams, the C-5 Galaxy, the largest cargo aircraft in the US Air Force inventory, was only able to handle one tank at a time. Immediately following President Bush's decision to commit US forces to the Gulf region in defense of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, American armored units began the difficult process of relocating to the threatened area. There were also doubts about the combat survivability of the extensive turret electronics. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, there were concerns that the Abrams would fall victim to the sand and long months of continuous operation without the luxury of peacetime maintenance facilities. When required, the Abrams may be fitted with "reactive armor" to thwart armor-defeating munitions.Īlthough fielded in 1980, the Abrams remained untested for over 10 years. The hull and turret are protected by advanced armor similar to the Chobam armor developed by the British Ministry of Defense. Both the fuel and ammunition are compartmented to enhance survivability. It has day/night fire on the move capability which is provided by a laser range finder, thermal imaging night sight, optical day sight, and a digital ballistic computer. The main armament is a 120mm smooth bore cannon, which replaced the 105mm gun on the initial M1 version. Despite it's weight, the M1 can attain a top speed of nearly 45 miles per hour. It's tactical crusing range is approximately 275 miles. The M1 series tank is equipped with a 1500 horsepower Lycoming Textron gas turbine engine coupled to an Allison hydrokenetic transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. The Army will continue to field M1A2s to the CONUS contingency corps and other first to fight units into the next decade. The initial M1A2 fielding to the First Calvary Division, Ft. This system enhancement program will be fielded in the 2000 time frame concurrently with the M2A3 Bradley and other advanced digital systems. The Army also initiated a modification program for the M1A2 to enhance its digital command and control capabilities and to add the second generation forward looking infrared (FLIR) sights to improve the tank's fightability and lethality during limited visibility. ![]() In lieu of new production, the Army is upgrading approximately 1,000 older M1 tanks to the M1A2 configuration. The newer M1A2 series includes all of the M1A1 features plus a commander’s independent thermal viewer, an independent commander’s weapon station, position navigation equipment, and a digital data bus and radio interface unit providing a common picture among M1A2s on the battlefield. The M1A1 series, produced from 1985 through 1993, replaced the M1’s 105mm main gun with a 120mm gun and incorporated numerous other enhancements, including an improved suspension, a new turret, increased armor protection, and a nuclear-chemical-biological protection system. Three versions of the Abrams tank are currently in service the original M1 model, dating from the early 1980s, and two newer versions, designated M1A1 and M1A2. Production of new M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams tanks is in its final phase for Foreign Military Sales. Over 8,800 M1 and M1A1 tanks have been produced for the US Army and Marine Corps, and the armies of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Production of M1A1 tanks for the US Army is complete. The Abrams Tank System synchronizes its high tempo, distributed manuever via its digitized situational awareness and the fusion of onboard and remote battlefield sensors. It is capable of engaging the enemy in any weather, day or night on the multi-dimensional, non-linear battlefield using its firepower, manuever, and shock effect. The purpose of this vehicle is to provide mobile firepower for armored formations of sufficient capability to successfully close with and destroy any opposing armored fighting vehicle in the world, while providing protection for it's crew in any conceivable combat environment. It is the backbone of the armored forces of the United States military, and several of US allies as well. Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff and commander of the 37thĪrmored Battalion. The M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) is the namesake of the late GeneralĬreighton W.
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