M1 Abrams facts for kids

"M1 tank" redirects here. For the early 20th century light tank, see M1 Combat Car.

Quick facts for kids M1 Abrams
U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams with production TUSK explosive reactive armor package installed
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1980–present
Used by	See Operators below
Wars	Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War 2011 Egyptian revolution War in Iraq Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Production history
Designer	Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems)
Designed	1972–1975
Manufacturer	Lima Army Tank Plant (since 1980) Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant (1982–1996) Egyptian Defense Company Tank Plant
Unit cost	US$6.21 million (M1A2 / FY99) Estimated in 2016 as US$8.92 million (with inflation adjustment)
Produced	1979–present
No. built	approx. 10,400
Variants	See variants
Specifications
Mass	M1: 60 short tons (54 t) M1A1: 63 short tons (57 t) M1A1 SA: 67.6 short tons (61.3 t) M1A2 SEP v2: 71.2 short tons (64.6 t) M1A2 SEP v3: 73.6 short tons (66.8 t)
Length	Gun forward: 32.04 ft (9.77 m) Hull length: 26.02 ft (7.93 m)
Width	12 ft (3.66 m)
Height	8 ft (2.44 m)
Crew	4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

Elevation	+20° / -10°
Traverse	9 seconds/360 degrees

Armor	Composite armor
Main armament	M1: 105 mm L/52 M68A1 rifled gun (55 rounds) M1A1: 120 mm L/44 M256A1 smoothbore gun (40 rounds) M1A2: 120 mm L/44 M256A1 smoothbore gun (42 rounds)
Secondary armament	1 × 0.50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2HB heavy machine gun with 900 rounds 2 × 7.62 mm (.308 in) M240 machine guns with 10,400 rounds (1 pintle-mounted, 1 coaxial)
Engine	Honeywell AGT1500 multi-fuel turbine engine 1,500 shp (1,120 kW)
Power/weight	From 26.9 hp/t (20.05 kW/t) to 23.8 hp/t (17.74 kW/t)
Transmission	Allison DDA X-1100-3B
Suspension	High-hardness-steel torsion bars with rotary shock absorbers
Ground clearance	M1, M1A1: 0.48 m (1.6 ft; 19 in) M1A2: 0.43 m (1 ft 5 in)
Fuel capacity	504.4 US gallons (1,909 L)
Operational range	M1A2, road: 265 mi (426 km) Cross country: 93–124 mi (150–200 km)
Maximum speed	M1A1, road: 45 mph (72 km/h) (governed); Off-road: 30 mph (48 km/h) M1A2, road: 42 mph (67 km/h) (governed); Off-road: 25 mph (40 km/h)

The M1 Abrams is a powerful American main battle tank. It was designed by Chrysler Defense and is named after General Creighton Abrams. This tank is one of the heaviest tanks used by armies today.

The M1 Abrams brought many new technologies to military vehicles. It uses a special turbine engine that can run on different types of fuel. It also has strong Chobham composite armor for protection. A computer system helps aim its powerful gun. For safety, its ammunition is stored in a separate area that can blow outwards if hit. It also protects the crew from chemical, biological, and nuclear threats.

Early M1 tanks had a 105 mm gun. Later versions use a larger 120 mm gun. There are three main types of Abrams tanks: the M1, M1A1, and M1A2. Each new version has better weapons, stronger protection, and more advanced electronics.

The M1 Abrams has been in service since 1980. It is the main battle tank for the United States Army. It was also used by the United States Marine Corps. Other countries like Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Poland, and Iraq also use the Abrams.

This tank first saw combat in the Gulf War. It has also been used in the War in Afghanistan and Iraq War. Iraqi Abrams tanks have fought against the Islamic State. Saudi Arabia has used them in the Yemeni Civil War.

Countries Using the M1 Abrams Tank
Images for kids
See also

Countries Using the M1 Abrams Tank

The M1 Abrams tank is used by many countries around the world. Here are the main operators:

Current Operators

Map showing countries that use the M1 Abrams tank

An Australian Abrams tank in 2021

An Egyptian Abrams tank during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution

M1A1M Abrams tanks used by Iraq in 2011

Australia – Australian Army: Australia has 59 M1A1 tanks. They bought these from the U.S. in 2006. These tanks replaced their older Leopard AS1 tanks in 2007. Australia plans to buy 75 new M1A2 SEPv3 tanks and other armored vehicles. These new tanks will arrive in 2024 and replace the current M1A1s.
Egypt – Egyptian Army: Egypt has 1,360 M1A1 tanks. These tanks are put together in Egypt with help from the U.S.
Iraq – Iraqi Army: Iraq has 321 M1A1M tanks. They started getting these tanks in 2010. By 2011, all deliveries were finished.
Kuwait – Kuwaiti Army: Kuwait uses 218 M1A2 tanks.
Poland – Polish Land Forces: Poland has bought 250 M1A2 SEP v3 tanks. These will be delivered by early 2025. Poland also bought 116 used M1A1 tanks from the U.S. These older tanks will start arriving in 2022. They will add to Poland's existing Leopard 2PL tanks.
Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabian Army: Saudi Arabia has 373 Abrams tanks. These tanks are being updated to the M1A2S version. They ordered 69 more M1A2S tanks in 2013.
Morocco – Royal Moroccan Army: Morocco ordered 222 M1A1 SA tanks in 2015. Deliveries started in 2016. The U.S. also approved the sale of 162 M1A2M tanks to Morocco in 2018.
Taiwan – Republic of China Army: Taiwan decided to buy 108 M1A2 tanks from the U.S. in 2018. These tanks will replace their older CM-11 Brave Tiger and M60A3 TTS tanks. The first two tanks were delivered to Taiwan in June 2022.
United States – United States Army and United States Marine Corps: The U.S. has received over 8,100 M1, M1A1, and M1A2 tanks. The U.S. Army currently has 2,509 tanks in active service. Many more are kept in storage.

Future Operators

Ukraine – Ukrainian Army: The U.S. plans to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. These will be older M1A1 tanks that have been updated. They are expected to arrive by Fall 2023.
Romania – Romanian Land Forces: Romania is planning to buy a battalion of Abrams tanks. This proposal was announced in March 2023.

Former Operators

United States – United States Marine Corps: In 2020, the Marine Corps decided to stop using tanks. They transferred all 450 of their M1 Abrams tanks to the U.S. Army. This change was completed in May 2021.

Images for kids

Early computer models helped design the M1 Abrams.
The Chrysler XM1 prototype tank.
The General Motors XM1 prototype tank.
The final M1 prototype design.
An M1 Abrams tank with a 105 mm cannon in Germany, 1986.
Abrams tanks moving during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
A damaged M1A1 Abrams tank.
An Abrams tank crossing the Euphrates River in 2003.
An M1A1 tank on patrol in Iraq, 2004.
An M1A2 Abrams with a special armor upgrade (TUSK) and a remote-controlled machine gun.
U.S. M1A1 tanks during training in South Korea, 1998.
An M1A1 tank in Australian Army camouflage.
Tankers driving an M1A1 Abrams through the Taunus Mountains in Germany, 2005.
U.S. Marines with an Abrams tank during an exercise in Norway, 2018.
An M1A2 tank with TUSK armor.
An M1A1 Abrams with TUSK armor on patrol in Baghdad, 2007.
The Trophy Active Protection System (APS) being tested on an M1A1 Abrams in 2017.
An M1A1 tank firing its main gun in 2019.
A view from above an M1A1 tank as it fires its main gun.
A view of the gunner's and commander's stations inside an M1A1.
A soldier adjusting the gun alignment on an M1A1 Abrams in Mosul, Iraq in 2005.
Marines loading a Honeywell AGT1500 turbine engine back into a tank in Kuwait, 2003.
The driving controls inside an M1 tank.
A Marine M1A1 tank being unloaded from a hovercraft.
A Marine M1A1 tank with a snorkel for deep water crossings.
Paratroopers riding on an M1 Abrams tank.
A U.S. Army M1A1 tank after being unloaded from a C-17 aircraft in Iraq in 2004.
A Grizzly Combat Mobility Vehicle (CMV), based on the M1 chassis.
A U.S. Army M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge, built on an Abrams chassis.
An Assault Breacher Vehicle launching a line charge.