>>M1 Abrams
First generation Abrams
Overview
Origin
United States
Type
Entered service
1980 for M1
1984 for IPM1
1984 for IPM1
Status
Out of service
Development
1970's
Developer
United States
Production
1979 - 1985
Producer
United States
-
Chrysler Corporation
United States - General Dynamics Land Systems
United States - General Dynamics Land Systems
Unit cost
Number produced
2374 M1
894 IPM1
894 IPM1
Designations
XM1 (prototype)
M1IP
M1IP
Notable users
United States
Description
Introduction
Design
Firepower
Protection
Mobility
Users
Variants
M1 Abrams
a
IPM1 Abrams
a
Details
Facts
M1 Abrams
General
Origin
United States
Type
Main battle tank
Crew
4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Dimensions
Weight
54 t combat load
Length
9.77 m overall
7.92 m hull
Width
3.66 m
Height
2.89 m overall
Main armament
Type
105mm M68A1 rifled gun
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
55 rounds, 25 ready to fire
Elevation
-10° to +20°, powered
Elevation rate
25°/s
Traverse
360°, powered
Traverse rate
40°/s
Stabilizer
Yes, both axis
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm M240 machine gun
Mount
Coaxial
Ammunition
10.000 rounds
Traverse
Traverse and elevation as main armament
Secondary armament
Type
12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount on commander's cupola
Ammunition
900 rounds, 100 ready to fire
Elevation
Manual
Traverse
360°, powered
Stabilizer
No
Secondary armament
Type
7.62mm M240 machine gun
Mount
Skate mount on turret roof
Ammunition
1.400 rounds
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 7 roadwheels
Layout
Idler front, drive sprocket rear
Ground pressure
0.94 kg/cm²
Tread
2.85 m
Suspension
Torsion bar
Automotive
Engine model
Avco Lycoming AGT-1500
Engine type
Gas turbine
Power output
1.500 hp at 3.000 rpm
Transmission
Allison X1100-3B, 4 forward, 2 reverse
Fuel
1.910 L
Mobility
Speed
72 km/h
Range
440 km on road
Turn radius
Pivot
Power to weight ratio
27.8 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.48 m
Wall
1.2 m
Trench
2.7 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
2.3 m
Protection
Armor type
Welded steel with Chobham inserts
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
2x6 smoke grenade dischargers
Equipment
Night vision
Yes, passive infrared for driver, thermal sight for gunner
Fire control
Yes, digital ballistic fire control computer, with laser range finder
Radio
Yes
Subcomponents
105mm M68 rifled cannon
The main armament of the M1 Abrams is the 105mm M68 rifled cannon. The cannon is manually loaded and can fire a wide range of 105mm NATO ammunition.
Browning M2HB
A 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is mounted on the turret roof at the commander's cupola.
M240 machine gun
Two 7.62mm M240 machine guns are fitted. One as a coaxial machine gun alongside the main gun. A second one is mounted on a skate mount a the loader's hatch.
Related articles
M60 Patton
The M1 Abrams was developed to replace the M60 Patton series of main battle tanks in US army service.