Land Weapons

Heavy Tank (1953)

Chrysler

M103

M103
M103

The M103 was the only US heavy tank that entered service in the Cold War and like its British counterpart, the Conqueror, was designed to take on the Soviet Il-3 and T-10s. Teething troubles with the prototypes delayed its introduction until the early 1950s but these continued thereafter, prompting US authorities to declare it unfit for service until 1957. Many of its problems stemmed from being underpowered, giving it short range and making it prone to breaking down. Nevertheless, it's 120-mm gun was the most powerful used on a US tank until the M1A1 Abrams and could fire various armor piercing and high explosive ammunition. Given the delay in its introduction, it was only in service briefly with the US Army and the US Marines (its main user) before it was replaced by the M60, by which time the heavy tank category was retired. It was never used in combat.

The prototype T43 was one among many heavy tank designs developed after the end of World War II, and the only one to eventually be placed in production as the T43E1. These were eventually retired in order to resolve its mechanical deficiencies. The result of as many as 150 modifications was the M103, which was further upgraded with a new fire control system into the M103A1. Later versions, known as the M103A2 were fitted with the same engine as the M60 (most of these being conversions). Due to the size and weight of the tank, a new recovery vehicle based on its chassis was necessary, and this was known as the M51.

Preceded by:

M47 Patton (1951)

Succeeded by:

None

Datafile

DesignM103
TypeHeavy Tank
Year1953
Crew5
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)6.98 m (11.32 m)
Width3.758 m
Height2.880 m
Ground Clearance0 m
Track0 m
Track on Ground0 m
Weight
Combat56,700 kg
Ground Pressure0.91 kg/cm²
SuspensionTorsion bar
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)34 km/h
Range (Off-Road)130 km
AmphibiousNo
Gradient60%
Powerplant
Engine1 x 810-hp
Continental
AV-1790-5B
FuelGasoline
Power/Weight14.29 hp/t
Armament
Main1 x 120-mm
120-mm M58

Rifled Gun
↑ 15° / ↓ -8° / ↔ 360°
SecondaryCoaxial:
2 x 7.62-mm
M1919A4 .30 cal
Anti-Aircraft:
1 x 12.70-mm
M2HB .50 cal
Ammo7.62-mm: 8,150
Armor
TypeSteel
Thickness25 - 250 mm
Max Effective130 - 250 mm RHAe
Hull Upper Front130 mm
Hull Lower Rear25 mm
Turret Mantlet250 mm
Turret Front180 mm
Turret Rear38 mm
Production
Built219
Total300

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