Basic Information

Name

M1A2 Abrams American Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

M1A2

Alternate Designation

M1A2

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

—

Date of Introduction

1992

Description

M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank The M1A2 Abrams main battle tank is a further development of the M1A1. Currently it is one of the best MBTs in the world. Development of improved M1A1 began in 1988. About 1 200-1 500 M1A2 main battle tanks were delivered to the US army. Out of this number approximately 1000 outdated M1 main battle tanks were upgraded to the M1A2 standard. It is planned that this tank will remain in service beyond 2050. The M1A2 has been exported to Kuwait (218) and Saudi Arabia (457). Approved for production in 1990, the M1A2 represents the U.S. Army’s technological improvement of the basic M1A1 design and the most modern battle tank in the world. Outwardly similar in appearance to the M1A1, the most notable exterior changes on the M1A2 are the redesigned Commander's Weapon Station (CWS) and the addition of a Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer) on the left side of the turret forward of the loader's hatch. Internally, however, the M1A2 has been radically redesigned to take advantage of newer technology. Most notable of these improvements is the addition of the Inter-Vehicle Information System (IVIS.) The IVIS system allows for the automatic and continual exchange of information between vehicles. By incorporating information provided by an on board Position/Navigation (POSNAV) system, unit commander's can track the location and progress of subordinate elements automatically, without tasking vehicle crews. In addition enemy positions can be identified, plotted and disseminated, while reports and artillery requests can be automatically formatted, transmitted, and processed. Lastly, map graphic control measures and operational orders can be rapidly distributed via the IVIS system. To ensure information security, all IVIS data transmissions are routed through the M1A2's SINCGARS radio system. Improving on the "hunter-killer" tank commander-gunner target hand off method pioneered on the German Leopard II, the M1A2 takes this a step further by providing the Tank Commander with an independent thermal sight. This CITV sight allows the commander to independently scan for targets in all weather conditions and through battlefield obscurants. In addition to IVIS and the CITV, the M1A2 incorporates a number of additional electronic upgrades. Power distribution throughout the tank has been improved, relying on multiple bus paths so that in the event one conduit is damaged, power may still be delivered to a component via an alternate path. The driver's instrument display has been upgraded to a more detailed digital display and the Gunner's Primary Sight has been stabilized in two axes for increased accuracy.

Ground Specifications

Crew 4

Mobility Type Tracked

Main Weapon 120-mm/46-cal M256 smoothbore

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.

Max Speed 66.0 km/h

Range 426.0 km

Variants

Variants Multiple Variants and Upgrades

System

Alternative Designation M1A2

Type Main Battle Tank

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 63,086 kg

Ground Pressure 1.08 kg/sq cm

Automotive

Engine Name Textron-Lycoming AGT-1500 2-spool free-shaft, multi-fuel turbine with Allied-Bendix digital electronic fuel control

Engine Type Multi-Fuel

Engine Power 1,500 hp at 3,000 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio 23.77 hp/metric ton

Fuel Capacity 504 gal (1,908 liters)

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

Suspension advanced torsion bar, 7 road wheels with 15-in (381-mm)travel, rear drive, front idler, 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 426 km

Communications

Radio single-channel ground and airborne radio system (SINCGARS)

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 40 rounds

Ammunition (Option 2)

Name M829A3

Type APFSDS-T

Caliber 120mm

Basic Load 40 Rounds

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x 7.26-mm M240 machine gun

Type General-Purpose Machine Gun

Caliber 7.72mm

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 (875 yd) (bipod) 1,100 m (1,203 yd) (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 12.7mm

Length 1,654 mm

Barrel Length 1,143 mm

Weight 38 kg (83.78 lb) 58 kg (127.87 lb) 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 GEC Avionics/Kollsman eye-safe CO2 rangefinder replaces the Nd-YAG laser rangefinder

Effective Fire Range 200 to 7,990 m

Accuracy 10 m or less

Commander's Thermal Viewer a Texas Instruments commander's independent thermal viewer (CITV), which permits the commander to search and independently select new targets

Driver's Thermal Viewer Hughes driver's thermal viewer (DTV) with integrated display, a fire-control electronics unit (FCEU) that coordinates CIT stabilization, primary sight and gun-turret drive

M1A2 Upgrade improved commander's weapon station (ICWS)

Information System intervehicular information system (IVIS)

Navigation System Smith Industries position navigation (POS/NAV) system

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

Fuel Cover Allied Bendix digital electronic fuel control

Note Enhanced survivability including better armor on gunner's primary sight (GPS) cover;

Image Sources

Notes https://fossbytes.com/us-army-m1-abrams-is-one-of-the-heaviest-tanks/; https://x.com/UkrReview/status/1783757626993434783; https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2018/05/09/battle-tanks-and-lasers-northrop-grumman-scores-9.html;