The XM1 program began in 1971 and prototypes from Chrysler and Detroit Diesel were tested out in 1976, with the former winning the contract of what became the M1. These featured the British 105-mm L7 rifled gun, the same fitted on the M60. Additional frontal armor was provided in the Improved M1 (IPM1) but production soon switched to the M1A1 which was the first to be equipped with the now standard Rheinmetall 120-mm gun (produced locally as the M256). This also featured a new NBC system as well as numerous automotive and equipment upgrades, and was the main variant to serve in the 1991 Gulf War. Some of these received additional depleted uranium armor and were known as the M1A1 HA. Shortly thereafter, production began on the M1A2, which featured further armor protection as well as a myriad of equipment and electronic upgrades, including GPS navigation as well as an inter-vehicle information system. Most M1A1s have seen been brought up to A2 standards (standardization of M1 variants is undertaken as part of the M1A2 SEP program), and despite not being used during the initial combat phase of the Iraq war, has been the mainstay of US forces in the theater since. Prototypes of the M1A3 are expected in 2014 with service entry later in the decade. Non-combat versions include the M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge (HAB), and the M1 ABV (Assault Breacher Vehicle) for use by the US Marines.
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Design | M1 | M1A1 | M1A2 | M1A2 SEP |
Name | Abrams | Abrams | Abrams | Abrams |
Code Name | - | - | - | - |
Type | Main Battle Tank | Main Battle Tank | Main Battle Tank | Main Battle Tank |
Year | 1980 | 1985 | 1992 | 2001 |
Crew | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Dimensions | ||||
Length | 7.92 m | 7.92 m | 7.92 m | 7.92 m |
Width | 3.66 m | 3.66 m | 3.66 m | 3.66 m |
Height | 2.38 m | 2.44 m | 2.44 m | 2.44 m |
Weight | ||||
Loaded | 54,545 kg | 57,154 kg | 63,086 kg | 63,000 kg |
Ground Pressure | 0.96 kg/cm² | 1.05 kg/cm² | 1.08 kg/cm² | 1.08 kg/cm² |
Suspension | Torsion bar | Torsion bar | Torsion bar | Torsion bar |
Performance | ||||
Range | 498 km | 426 km | 426 km | 426 km |
Speed | 48 / 72 km/h | 48 / 68 km/h | 48 / 68 km/h | 48 / 68 km/h |
Amphibious | No | No | No | No |
Fording | 1.22 m (2.0 m) | 1.22 m (2.0 m) | 1.22 m (2.0 m) | 1.22 m (2.0 m) |
Vertical Obstacle | 1.07 m | 1.07 m | 1.07 m | 1.07 m |
Trench | 2.74 m | 2.74 m | 2.74 m | 2.74 m |
Gradient | 60% | 60% | 60% | 60% |
Powerplant | ||||
Engine | 1 x 1,500hp Textron Lycoming AGT 1500 | 1 x 1,500hp Textron Lycoming AGT 1500 | 1 x 1,500hp Textron Lycoming AGT 1500 | 1 x 1,500hp Textron Lycoming AGT 1500 |
Fuel | Gas turbine | Gas turbine | Gas turbine | Gas turbine |
Power/Weight | 27.50 hp/t | 26.24 hp/t | 23.78 hp/t | 23.81 hp/t |
Armament | ||||
Main | 105-mm (L/52) M68 Rifled | 120-mm (L/44) M256 Smoothbore | 120-mm (L/44) M256 Smoothbore | 120-mm (L/44) M256 Smoothbore |
Traverse | 360° | 360° | 360° | 360° |
Elevation | -10° / 20° | -10° / 20° | -10° / 20° | -10° / 20° |
Penetration | 440 mm @ 2 km | 610 mm @ 2 km | 730 mm @ 2 km | 765 mm @ 2 km |
Rounds | 55 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
Secondary | 1 x 7.62-mm (c) x 1 x 12.7-mm x 1 x 7.62-mm x | 1 x 7.62-mm (c) x 1 x 12.7-mm x 1 x 7.62-mm x | 1 x 7.62-mm (c) x 1 x 12.7-mm x 1 x 7.62-mm x | 1 x 7.62-mm (c) x 1 x 12.7-mm x 1 x 7.62-mm x |
Length Overall | 9.77 m | 9.83 m | 9.83 m | 9.83 m |
Armor | ||||
Type | Chobham | Chobham/DU | Chobham/DU | Chobham/DU |
Thickness | 0 - 400 mm | 0 - 490 mm | 0 - 900 mm | 0 - 960 mm |
Max Effective | 400 - 400 mm RHAe | 450 - 490 mm RHAe | 650 - 900 mm RHAe | 650 - 960 mm RHAe |
Hull Upper Front | 400 mm | 490 mm | 590 mm | 590 mm |
Hull Lower Front | - | 470 mm | 650 mm | 650 mm | /tr>
Turret Front | 400 mm | 450 mm | 900 mm | 960 mm |
Production | 2,674 | 4,796 | 1,547 | 940 |
Total | 10,520 |