Basic Information

Name

M60A3 Patton American Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

M60A3 Patton

Alternate Designation

M60A3 Patton

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

General Dynamics

Date of Introduction

1978

Description

The M60A3 Patton American Main Battle Tank (MBT) appearance is almost indistinguishable from the M60A1. Two key indicators are a crosswind sensor (a small mast mounted atop the turret bustle), a cluster of smoke mortars on either side of the glacis plate, and a thermal sleeve (a pipe-like structure wrapped around the gun tube in front of the fume extractor).

Ground Specifications

Crew 4

Mobility Type Tracked

Engine 1,790-cu in (29.34-liter) air-cooled, 4-stroke, V-12 multi-fuel (750 hp)

Active Protection None

NBC Protection Yes

Range 480.0 km

Variants

M60A3 Improved M60A1 RISE, fitted with an M48A4 turret (which itself is an improved M60A1 turret).

M60A3 TTS M60A3 fitted with the AN/VSG-2 passive Tank Thermal Sight. The TTS was also back-fitted to some M60A1s. In 1993, the M60A3 was valued at a unit cost of $1 291 865, with about $232 000 of this cost being its TTS sight.

Super M60 Developed in the early 1980s by Teledyne, the Super M60 was a major upgrade for the M60A1 and A3. It added a more powerful powerpack, extensive appliqué composite armor on both the turret and hull, and track skirts, just to name a few of the improvements. However, the Super M60 never found a buyer.

120S This version was marketed by Teledyne (which later merged with General Dynamics). It consists of a dramatically modified M60A3 hull, topped with a complete M1A1 Abrams turret. Though like the Super M60, it failed to attract any buyers.

Magach 6C This version of the Magach 6 (Israeli-built M60s) emulates the M60A3, and all subsequent Magach 6s were built or reconstructed to this standard or higher.

Magach 7 Major upgrade package for the Magach 6 series tanks, with totally new armor, propulsion, fire controls, and many other improvements. It is broadly similar to the Super M60.

Sabra Similar upgrade to the Magach 7, but equipped with an MG 153 120 mm/L44 smoothbore gun, a new fire control system, and an improved suspension. The Sabra never found any buyers, though Turkey operates a variant of it known as the M60T.

M60T Turkish upgrade of the M60A3 tanks to the Sabra Mk.2 standard. A contract to upgrade 170 Turkish M60 main battle tanks was awarded to Israel Military Industries in 2002. The first prototype was delivered to the Turkish armed forces for trials and evaluation in 2005. Eventually all 170 tanks were delivered.

M60 Phoenix Developed by KADDB in Jordan, the M60 Phoenix is a very similar design to the aforementioned Sabra. First offered in 2004 it is still advertised and offered for export. Some sources report that a total of 182 Jordanian M60A3 tanks were upbraded to the M60 Phoenix standard. This model is most notable for being armed with the RUAG CTG, a smoothbore 120 mm/L50 gun (all other upgunned M60s have 120 mm/L44 guns), as well as extensive arrays of explosive reactive armor.

M60A3 SLEP First unveiled by Raytheon in 2016, the M60A3 SLEP is another proposed upgrade for the M60 Patton tanks. The original 105 mm gun was replaced by a 120 mm gun, greatly increasing lethality and range. The tank was fitted with new fire control computer. The tank is powered by a 950 hp engine. Hydraulic gun and turret controls were replaced by electrical ones. Cage armor was added to the turret sides.

Samsam (Sword) This recently revealed Iranian tank is an upgraded M60A1, with sweeping improvements. An explosive reactive armor package is fitted to the Samsam, but since its armament, propulsion, and much of its exterior is unchanged, it is unclear what other improvements this tank has.

System

Alternative Designation M60A3 Patton

Type Main Battle Tank

Manufacturer General Dynamics

Crew 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

Dimensions

Length, Hull 6.94 m

Length, Gun Forward 9.3 m

Width 3.63 m

Height 3.21 m

Tracks, Length on Ground 4.24 m

Tracks Width 0.71 m

Ground Pressure 0.46 m

Weight, Unloaded 48,680 kg

Weight, Combat 52,620 kg

Ground Pressure 0.87 kg/cm sq

Automotive

Engine Name 1 x Continental AVDS-1790-2C engine

Engine Type 1,790-cu in (29.34-liter) air-cooled, 4-stroke, V-12 multi-fuel

Engine Power 750 hp at 2,400 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio 14.24 hp/metric ton

Fuel Capacity 375 gal (1,420 liters)

Transmission CD-850-5 cross drive transmission

Suspension torsion bar, 6 road wheels, rear drive, front idler, 3 shock absorbers, 3 track return rollers

Range 480 km

Speed 48 km/h

Vertical Obstacle 0.91 m

Trench 2.59 m

Fording without Preparation 1.22 m

Fording with Preparation 2.40 m

Gradiant 60 %

Side Slope 30 %

Shock Absorbers The addition of a shock absorber on the second roadwheel pair was also accompanied by a slight relocation of the first return roller. These modifications were needed due to the increased weight of the M60A1 turret as well as the additional hull armor.

Main Gun

System

Name 1 x M68 105mm/L52 Rifled Gun

Type Rifled Gun

Caliber 105 mm

Length 5.89 m

Barrel Length 52 calibres (5.46 m or 17.9 ft)

Weight 1,282 kg

Rate of Fire 10 rounds per minute (maximum)

Maximum Range 4,000 m

Elevation -10/+20-deg

Traverse 360-deg, an improved electro-mechanical traverse assembly

Fume Extractor A mushroom-shaped fume extractor was placed at the rear left of the turret bustle to vent smoke produced from firing the main or coax guns out of the vehicle.

Ammunition

Type Rifle Projectile

Caliber 105 mm

Shell INA

Shell Weight INA

Basic Load The ammunition load for the main gun was increased to 63 rounds. Round storage was distributed between the turret bustle, with 15 ready rounds of various types were stowed and accessible for the loader, and the rest are stored inside safe containers on the hull floor.

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x 7.62mm M240 Machine Gun

Type General-Purpose Machine Gun

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

System

Name M85 Machine Gun

Type Heavy Machine Gun

Caliber 12.7mm

In Service INA

Manufacturer INA

Proliferation INA

Length 1,384.3 mm

Weight 29.5 kg

Action Recoil-operated

Rate of Fire 400-625 rd/min

Muzzle Velocity 880.0 m/s

Maximum Firing Range 6,702.6 m

Effective Firing Range 1,999.8 m

Feed System Belt Feed, left or right hand

Sights INA

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 12.7mm mm

Cartridge 12.7×99mm NATO (.50 BMG)

Basic Load Rifle

Fire Control

Name M19 FCS

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Tank Commander Texas Instruments AN/VSG-2 tank thermal inder and Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (HgCdTe) IR detector for passive night and dust vision.

Thermal Sight Gunner Texas Instruments AN/VSG-2 tank thermal inder and Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (HgCdTe) IR detector for passive night and dust vision.

Main Gun Stabilization Add-On Stabilization (AOS) that was introduced in late 1972. This was an add-on kit made to fit with minimum modifications to the existing hydraulic gun control system. The add-on-stabilization system provides stabilization control for both gun elevation and turret traverse. It provides the gunner with the capability of aiming and target tracking and also improved surveillance of the battlefield terrain by the gunner while the tank is moving. It may be used in any one of three modes of control: (1) power-with-stabilization-on, (2) power-with-stabilization-off, and (3) manual. In the power-with-stabilization-on mode, the gunner's aim on target is automatically retained while the vehicle is in motion. This mode provides a fire-on the-move capability. The power-with-stabilization-off option eliminates needless exercise of the stabilization system and provides a back up power mode.

Rangefinder M17A1 coincidence rangefinder

Searchlight AN/VSS-1(V)1 IR searchlight above the gun shield.

Ballistic Drive M10A1 ballistic drive

Ballistic Gunner mechanical M19E1 ballistic computer for the gunner.

Protection

Hull Armor The hull's upper glacis armor was increased from 3.67 inches to 4.29 inches at 65 degrees while the turret sides went from 1.9 inches to 2.9 inches at their apex. This brought the frontal armor up to the same 10" line of sight armor standard of the M103 heavy tank.

Turret Armor M60: equals 7 in (180 mm)

Applique Armor Available.

Explosive Reactive Armor INA

Active Protection System No

Mine Clearing INA

Self-Entrenching Blade INA

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment exhaust smoke generating system; 6-barrel smoke dischargers on turret sides

Image Sources

Notes https://www.militarytoday.com/tanks/m60a3.htm;