Basic Information

Name

M1A1 Abrams American Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

M1A1

Alternate Designation

M1A1

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant

Date of Introduction

1985

Description

The M1A1 Abrams main battle tank was developed by General Dynamics. It is a further development of the M1 Abrams. The M1A1 was revealed in 1985 with production commencing the same year. It entered service with US Army in 1986. Production ended in 1992 and approximately 4 800 M1A1 Abrams tanks were built. Currently, US Army operates nearly 4 400 of these tanks, and US Marine Corps just over 400. It is planned that the fleet of refurbished and upgraded M1A1 tanks will remain with the US military until at least 2021. Export operators are Australia (59), Egypt (1005) and Iraq (140).

Ground Specifications

Crew 4

Mobility Type Tracked

Main Weapon M256 120 mm smoothbore cannon

Engine Multi-Fuel (1500 hp)

Active Protection In addition to the armor, some USMC Abrams tanks are equipped with a Softkill Active protection system, the AN/VLQ-6 Missile Countermeasure Device (MCD) that can impede the function of guidance systems of some semi-active control line-of-sight (SACLOS) wire- and radio guided anti-tank missiles (such as the Russian 9K114 Shturm) and infrared homing missiles.

Range 465.0 km

Variants

M1A1 Production started in 1985 and continued to 1992, pressurized NBC system, rear bustle rack for improved stowage of supplies and crew belongings, redesigned blow-off panels and M256 120 mm smoothbore cannon (4,976 built for the U.S. Army, 221 for USMC, 59 M1A1 AIM SA sold to Australia).

M1A1 FEP USMC The US Marine Corps (USMC) acquired M1A1s that were identical to the US Army counterpart, and has since upgraded them with a Firepower Enhancement Package (FEP).

M1A1SA; M1A1SA/ED; M1A1ED The M1A1SA/ED became the main battle tank of the US Army following upgrades to the M1A1.

M1A1, Australia Australia operates a fleet of 59 M1A1s

M1A1M An export variant ordered by the Iraqi Army with depleted uranium armor removed and older thermal imaging system with lower resolution used.

M1A2 The M1A2 is an improved M1A1 and includes a number of significant changes such as an independent commander’s sight, full digital electronic architecture and a ROWS.

M1A2, Kuwait Kuwait purchased the M1A2 in 1994 in a bid to reinforce its land forces following the Gulf War and the Western-style tank gives the Kuwaiti army the ability to be trained by US forces.

M1A2, Saudi Arabia The M1A2 in service with Saudi Arabia is a newbuild version.

M1A2S, Saudi Arabia The upgrade from M1A2 to the M1A2S standard is designed to facilitate easier operation of the M1A2 in combat and improve the vehicle’s combat capability and reliability.

M1A2 SEP v1 The M1A2 SEP v1 update ran concurrently to the AIM XXI refit as well as the overhaul that led to the M1A1SA/ED.

M1A2 SEP v2 The Systems Enhancement Package v2 (SEP v2) was, until 2017, the most recent operational upgrade for US M1A1 and M1A2 tanks.

M1A2 SEP v3 The M1A2 System Enhancement Program (SEP) v3 is a comprehensive upgrade package for legacy Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs). Its primary goals are to restore the space, weight, and power (SWaP) that previous upgrades have consumed, enhance passive armor protection, simplify maintenance through the integration of Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and a digital architecture, improve situational awareness, and enable the use of programmable ammunition for the main gun. These improvements are accomplished by installing the Next Generation Armor Package (NGAP) on the hull and turret, adding an under-armor auxiliary power unit (APU), implementing an ammunition datalink (ADL), and integrating a vehicle health monitoring system (VHMS). Additionally, the M1A2 SEPv3 is designed to accommodate the Trophy Heavy Vehicle (HV) hard-kill active protection system (APS). One distinguishing feature of the M1A2 SEPv3 compared to other M1A2 variants is the presence of an extended box on the rear left side of the hull, which serves as the exhaust for the under-armor APU. The protection of the M1A2 SEPv3 tank has been significantly enhanced compared to previous models. This upgrade includes the Next Generation Armor Package (NGAP), which offers improved underbelly protection against mines and improvised explosive device (IED) blasts. Additionally, the vehicle features an automatic system designed to disrupt IEDs. To further safeguard against IEDs, the M1A2 SEPv3 incorporates a new crew seating system, reinforced floor stiffeners, lower limb protection for the crew, and modifications to the size and materials of the internal structural supports. The underbelly blast protection now utilizes a thinner and lighter steel plate, which replaces the previously used aluminum plate. Other improvements include modifications to the turret basket structure and measures taken to minimize the creation of secondary projectiles during a blast. Tests of the new blast mitigation system have demonstrated a significant increase in survivability for the entire crew, with particularly notable reductions in the severity of injuries sustained by the loader.

M104 Wolverine The Wolverine is the only horizontally launched armoured bridge in the US inventory.

USMC Assault Breacher Vehicle (M1150) The Assault Breacher Vehicle is an AEV built to clear a path through minefields that friendly forces can follow. It is based on an Abrams hull and is primarily in use with the USMC.

Joint Assault Bridge XM1075 (JAB) The Joint Assault Bridge was designed to provide the USMC and US Army with a vehicle launched bridge based on the hull of a modified M1 hull.

System

Alternative Designation M1A1

Type Main Battle Tank

Manufacturer Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant

Crew 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)

Dimensions

Length, Hull 7.92 m

Width, with Skirts 3.65 m

Width, without Skirts 3.48 m

Track Length on Ground 4.65 m

Track Width 0.64 m

Ground Clearance, Center of Hull 0.48 m

Ground Clearance, Sides 0.43 m

Height 2.89 m

Gun Length 9.83 m

Height to Turret Roof 2.44 m

Weight, Combat 57,154 kg

Ground Pressure 0.96 kg/cm sq

Automotive

Engine Name Textron-Lycoming AGT-1500 2-spool free-shaft, multi-fuel turbine

Engine Type Multi-Fuel

Engine Power 1,500 hp at 3,000 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio 23.80 hp/metric ton (M1A1)

Fuel Capacity 504 gal (1,908 liters) internal

Transmission Allison X-1100-3B hydro-kinetic, 4 forward and 2 reverse gears

Suspension advanced torsion bar, 7 road wheels with 15-in (381-mm)travel, rear drive, front dler, 3 internal rotary shock absorbers, 2 return rollers

Braking hydro-mechanical

Road Speed 66 km/h

Speed, 10 Deg Upslope 27 km/h

Speed, 60 Deg Upslope 7 km/h

Acceleration 32 km/h

Range 465 km

Main Gun

System

Name M256 smoothbore

Type 120 mm/46-cal M256 smoothbore with fume extractor and thermal sleeve

Caliber 120 mm

Length 5.6 m

Barrel Length 5.3 m

Width 728 mm

Bore 120-mm/44-caliber, smoothbore fitted with fume extractor and thermal sleeve

Gun Weight 1,905 kg

Barrel Weight 1,175 kg

Recoil, Maximum 370 mm

Recoil, Normal 340 mm

Recoil System 2 hydraulic buffers and 1 hydropneumatic recuperator

Breech Type semi-automatic vertical sliding wedge

Muzzle Velocity 1373+ m/sec

Maximum Range 4,000 m

Turret Type electro-hydraulic, manual backup

Feed System Manual

Elevation -10/+20 deg

Traverse 360 deg

Ammunition (Option 1)

Name M829A2

Type APFSDS-T

Caliber 120 mm

Basic Load A total of 40 of 120mm ammunition are carried inside the tank, with 34 in the turret bustle and six in a rear hull box.

Ammunition (Option 2)

Name M829A3

Type APFSDS-T

Caliber 120 mm

Basic Load A total of 40 of 120mm ammunition are carried inside the tank, with 34 in the turret bustle and six in a rear hull box.

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x 7.62 mm M240 machine gun

Type General-Purpose Machine Gun

Caliber 7.62 mm

Length 1,260 mm

Barrel Length 630 mm

Width 120 mm

Height 260 mm

Weight 12.5 kg

Action Gas-operated long-stroke piston, open bolt

Rate of Fire M240, M240E1, M240C, M240D and M240G: Gas Setting 1: 650–750 RPM Gas Setting 2: 750–850 RPM Gas Setting 3: 850–950 RPM M240B, M240L and M240H: 550–650 RPM Barrett 240LW and 240 LWS: 550–650 RPM

Muzzle Velocity 853 m/s

Maximum Firing Range 3,725 m

Effective Firing Range 800 m (bipod) 1,100 m (tripod)

Feed System Belt-fed using M13 disintegrating links

Sights Iron sights: front blade and folding rear leaf with aperture and notch

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.62 mm

Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO

Basic Load 6,000 Rounds

Auxiliary Weapon System

Weapon 1 x 7.62 mm M240 machine gun on Skate Mount

Basic Load 6,000 Rounds

Commander's Weapon System

System

Name 1 x .50-caliber M2 machine gun

Type Heavy Machine Gun

Caliber 12.7 mm

Length 1,654 mm

Barrel Length 1,143 mm

Weight 38 kg 58 kg with tripod and T&E (Traverse and Elevation Mechanism)

Action Short recoil-operated

Rate of Fire 450–600 rounds/min (M2HB) 750–850 rounds/min (AN/M2) 1,200–1,300 rounds/min (AN/M3)

Muzzle Velocity 890 m/s

Maximum Firing Range 7,400 m

Effective Firing Range 1,800 m

Feed System Belt-fed (M2 or M9 links)

Sights INA

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 12.7 mm

Cartridge .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)

Basic Load 1,000

Fire Control

Name INA

Computerized FCS Yes

Ballistic Computer Hughes 12 kilobyte digital computer

Main Gun Stabilization Yes

Day Optics Hughes primary stabilized sight with 3- and 10-power day optics

Night Optics Hughes night-vision/sight with thermal imaging

Rangefinder Unity vision with 18-deg field of view, integrated Hughes Nd-YAG laser

Accuracy 10 m or less

Protection

Hull Armor Chobham-type armor on glacis and turret,armored bulkheads between turret and engine; depleted uranium armor in production since 1988

Turret Armor INA

Applique Armor Available

Explosive Reactive Armor INA

Active Protection System In addition to the armor, some USMC Abrams tanks are equipped with a Softkill Active protection system, the AN/VLQ-6 Missile Countermeasure Device (MCD) that can impede the function of guidance systems of some semi-active control line-of-sight (SACLOS) wire- and radio guided anti-tank missiles (such as the Russian 9K114 Shturm) and infrared homing missiles.

Mine Clearing INA

Self-Entrenching Blade INA

NBC Protection 200 SCFM-Clean Cooled Air (collective overpressure); AN/VDR-1 radiological warning device

Smoke Equipment M250 (British L8A1) 2 x 6-barrel smoke discharger (24 rounds), engine exhaust generation

Fire Suppression automatic detection and suppression

Image Sources

Notes https://free3d.com/3d-model/m1a1-abrams-main-battle-tank-3595.html; https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/l4bmyx/m1a2_abrams_box_art_from_italeri_box_art_always/; https://www.ebay.com/itm/196078403992;