The M1 Abrams is a third generation American tank that entered service in 1980. This tank model was used in all military operations in which the US Army participated since the 90s. Such weapons are used by the armies of eight countries – the USA, Australia, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia.
The design of the M1 Abrams tank has received many upgrades over the years of its existence. It was the first tank equipped with an anti-tank projectile containing depleted uranium, capable of destroying any armored vehicle.
The tank is designed for a crew of four – a commander, a gunner, a loader, a mechanical driver. The weight of the armored vehicle is 57 tons for the M1A1 version and 61 tons for the M1A2 version.
Abrams armor was created by British specialists on the basis of the development of Chobham. The tank is lined with composite armor made of steel, ceramic and Kevlar, and also covered with protection on the undercarriage and stern parts and fuel tanks.
The M1 Abrams is equipped with a ballistic fire control system, a laser rangefinder and a thermal imager and is placed in the main sight of the GPS gunner. In case of damage to the tank, the fire protection system and the ammunition are detonated.
The armament of the M1 Abrams differs by version. The original version used the M68 105 mm rifled tank gun with a 55-round capacity, while the M1A1 and M1A2 upgrades used the 120 mm M256 smoothbore tank gun. The M68 cannon once had a good reputation among designers, but later versions of the M1A1 and M1A2 tanks use large-caliber guns.
Of the additional weapons, the tank is equipped with three machine guns, the crew can store M16 type rifles or M4 carbines inside the turret.
Aviation (military transport aircraft C-5 Galaxy or C-17 Globemaster III) and heavy M1070 carriers are used to transport tanks.
Source: Port Altele
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