M551 Sheridan
Overview
M551A1 Sheridan
M551A1 Sheridan on public display at the Lewis Army Museum as seen in 2019.
Source: Skarz -
© CC BY-SA 4.0
Origin
United States
Type
Light tank
Service life
1969 - 1997
Status
Out of service
Development
1959 - 1965
Developer
United States
Production
1966 - 1970
Producer
United States
-
Allison Division of General Motors Corporation
Number produced
1.662
Designations
AR/AAV (Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle)
Notable users
United States
Details
Facts
M551 Sheridan
General
Origin
United States
Type
Light tank
Crew
4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Dimensions
Weight
15.2 t combat load
Length
6.30 m
Width
2.80 m
Height
2.95 m overall
Main armament
Type
152mm M81 or M81E1 gun-launcher
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
30, including 10 missiles
Elevation
-8° to +19.5°, powered
Elevation rate
4°/s
Traverse
360°, powered
Traverse rate
36°/s
Stabilizer
Yes, both axis
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm M73 or M219 machine gun
(replaced by M240 in M551A1)
Mount
Coaxial with main gun
Ammunition
3.000 rounds
Traverse
Traverse and elevation as main armament
Secondary armament
Type
12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Mount
Flexible mount on turret roof
Ammunition
1.000 rounds, 100 ready to fire
Elevation
Manual
Traverse
360°, manual and powered
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels
Layout
Idler front, drive sprocket rear
Tread
2.35 m
Track width
0.44 m
Track on ground
3.60 m
Ground pressure
0.48 k/cm²
Suspension
Torsion bar
Automotive
Engine model
General Motors 6V53T
Engine type
6-cyldiner turbo-charged diesel
Power output
300 hp at 2.800 rpm
Torque
830 Nm at 2.100 rpm
Transmission
4 forward, 2 reverse
Fuel
598 L
Mobility
Speed
69 km/h on road
6 km/h afloat
Range
560 km on road
Turn radius
Pivot
Power to weight ratio
19.7 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.48 m
Wall
0.8 m
Trench
2.4 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
Amphibious
Protection
Armor type
Welded aluminum hull, cast steel turret
Smoke system
2x4 smoke grenade dischargers
Equipment
Night vision
IR periscope for driver, M44 passive sight for gunner
Radio
Yes
Media
XM551 Sheridan
Final prototype of the M551 Sheridan firing a MGM-51 Shillelagh missile from its main gun during trials in 1967.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
M551 Sheridan
US Army M551 Sheridan light tank seen in service in Vietnam in 1969.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
M551A1 Sheridan
M551A1 Sheridan of the 82nd Airborne Division seen during Operation Golden Pheasant in Honduras in 1988.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
M551A1 (TTS) Sheridan
US Army M551A1 (TTS) Sheridan deployed during the Gulf War in Saudi Arabia in 1990.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
M551A1 (TTS) Sheridan
Right side view of M551A1 (TTS) Sheridan seen at a live fire range in 1992.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
M551A1 Sheridan
M551A1 Sheridan on public display at the Lewis Army Museum as seen in 2019.
Source: Skarz
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
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The M551 Sheridan was developed to replace the M41 Walker Bulldog, which was found to be too large, too heavy and not capable of engaging modern Soviet tanks.