M1 Abrams facts for kids

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 third-generation American main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems) and named for General Creighton Abrams. It is now one of the heaviest tanks in service.

M1 Abrams introduced several modern technologies to US armored forces, including a multifuel turbine engine, sophisticated Chobham composite armor, a computer fire control system, separate ammunition storage in a blowout compartment, and NBC protection for crew safety. Initial models of the M1 were armed with a 105 mm M68 gun, while later variants feature a license-produced Rheinmetall 120 mm L/44.

There are three main operational Abrams versions, the M1, M1A1, and M1A2, with each new iteration seeing improvements in armament, protection, and electronics.

The Abrams was to be replaced in U.S. Army service by the XM1202 Mounted Combat System, but since that project was cancelled, the Army has opted to continue maintaining and operating the M1 series for the foreseeable future by upgrading with improved optics, armor, and firepower.

The M1 Abrams entered service in 1980 and serves as the main battle tank of the United States Army and formerly of the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The export version is used by the armies of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Poland and Iraq. The Abrams was first used in combat in the Persian Gulf War and has seen combat in both the War in Afghanistan and Iraq War under U.S. service, while Iraqi Abrams tanks have seen action in the war against the Islamic State and have seen use by Saudi Arabia during the Yemeni Civil War.

Operators

M1 Abrams operators

An Australian Abrams tank in 2021

Egyptian Abrams tank deployed during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution

M1A1M Abrams tanks in Iraqi service, January 2011

•  Australia – Australian Army: 59 M1A1 (AIM) configuration tanks (hybrids with a mix of equipment used by U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps but without depleted uranium layers in armor). They were bought from the U.S. in 2006 and replaced the Leopard AS1 in 2007. As of 2017, the Australian Government was considering expanding the Army's fleet of Abrams to 90 tanks. In April 2021, the U.S. granted an FMS for 160 M1A1 tank hulls to produce 75 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks, 29 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles and 18 M1074 Joint Assault Bridges, including the development of a unique armor package for the Australian Army. In January 2022, Australia committed to purchase 120 tanks and armored vehicles, including 75 M1A2s, at a total cost of $3.5 billion and to be delivered in 2024; the M1A2s will replace their 59 M1A1s.
•  Egypt – Egyptian Army: 1,360 M1A1 tanks assembled in Egypt for the Egyptian Army in cooperation with the U.S.
•  Iraq – Iraqi Army: 321 M1A1Ms Iraq was leasing 22 U.S. Army M1A1s for training in 2008. The first 11 tanks were delivered to the Iraqi Army in August 2010 with all deliveries completed by August 2011. In October 2012, it was reported that six more tanks were being delivered. Zaloga wrote that four battalions of the 9th Armoured Division were equipped with M1s by 2014: 1st and 2nd of the 34th Brigade, and 4th and 5th of the 35th Brigade.
•  Kuwait – Kuwaiti Army: 218 M1A2s
•  Poland – Polish Land Forces: Poland has bought 250 M1A2 SEP v3 tanks. Production is set to finish by 2024, and delivery in early 2025. After the donation of over 200 Polish T-72 tanks to Ukraine, an agreement between the Polish and American governments was signed to buy 116 ex-U.S. M1A1s. Delivery is expected to start in 2022. 7 loaned training tanks have already been delivered to Poland as of July 2022. The total purchase cost with support vehicles, crew training, and large supply of ammunition will cost PLN 23.3 billion (approximately $6 billion). They are to supplement 247 Leopard 2PL main battle tanks as well as older T-72 and PT-91 tanks. 28 M1A2 SEPv2 tanks were leased in July 2022 to train crews until deliveries begin.
•  Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabian Army: 373 Abrams tanks, To be upgraded to M1A2S configuration in Saudi Arabia. 69 more M1A2S tanks ordered on 8 January 2013, to be delivered by 31 July 2014.
•  Morocco – Royal Moroccan Army: 222 M1A1 SA (situational awareness) tanks ordered in 2015. Deliveries under the contract started in July 2016 with an estimated completion date of February 2018. The contract include 150 refurbished and upgraded tanks to the special armor configuration. Morocco took delivery of the first batch of M1A1SAs on 28 July 2016. A Foreign Military Sale for 162 M1A2Ms was approved by the U.S. Department of State in November 2018 and sent to Congress for final approval.
•  Taiwan – Republic of China Army: Taiwan considered purchasing upwards of 200 M1s, which was later reduced with the intention of acquiring 120 M1A1 tanks. The Ministry of National Defence stated in 2016 that it was discussing sales of M1A1s with the U.S. This plan was apparently canceled by October 2017; instead the Taiwanese government sought to upgrade its existing M60A3s with a 120 mm main gun and new ballistics computer. In July 2018, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense budgeted money to buy 108 M1A2s from the U.S. to replace its aging CM-11 Brave Tiger and M60A3 TTS tanks. The U.S. Department of State approved the $2.2 billion sale in July 2019. A sale of 108 M1A2Ts was later finalized. The first two were delivered to Taiwan in June 2022.
•  United States – United States Army and United States Marine Corps received over 8,100 M1, M1A1 and M1A2 tanks combined.
  • U.S. Army – 2,509 total, 750 M1A1SA, 1,605 M1A2 SEPv2, 154 M1A2 SEPv3 (some 3,700 more M1A1 and M1A2 in storage).

Future operators

•  Ukraine – Ukrainian Army: 31 M1 Abrams to be delivered at a unknown date, as part of U.S. support for Ukraine. As of 21 March 2023, the US government is offering to supply Ukraine with older M1A1 Abrams tanks, "that have been upgraded very similar capability to the M1A2", as opposed to newer M1A2 tanks in an effort to speed up delivery. According to Pentagon Press Secretary US Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder these tanks are to be delivered "by Fall" 2023 instead of the original delivery time of mid-2024. These tanks are to be taken from existing M1A1 "excessive hulls" from US stocks and modernized to the required standard. The US will not send depleted uranium ammunition, something that the UK is sending. The U.S. announced that the Abrams tanks will soon be sent to Germany so that Ukrainian soldiers could start training on them.
•  Romania – Romanian Land Forces: On 7 March 2023, a senior defense official announced that the Romanian Land Forces is in the process of advancing a proposal for the purchase of a Abrams tank battalion.

Former operators

•  United States – United States Marine Corps: In 2020 the Marine Corps announced the disbandment of its tank units, citing a pivot towards amphibious warfare by implementing Force Design 2030. All 450 of the Marine Corps M1 Abrams MBTs were transferred to the U.S. Army with withdrawal from Marine Corps service being completed in May 2021.

Images for kids

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  The Ballistic Research Laboratory (BRL) used computerized tools during the development of the M1, which led to the development of BRL-CAD. Here, a Vector General 3D graphics terminal displays a model of the M1.

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  The Chrysler XM1 prototype

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  The General Motors XM1 prototype

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  The finalized M1 prototype

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  105 mm M1 Abrams tank of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Grafenwöhr Training Area in Germany, 1986

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  Abrams tanks move out on a mission during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. A Bradley IFV and a logistics convoy can be seen in the background.

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  A destroyed M1A1, hit in the rear grill by a Hellfire missile and penetrated by a sabot tank round from the left side to right (see exit hole).

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  An Abrams crossing the Euphrates River at Objective Peach on ribbon assault float bridge deployed by the 299th Engineer Company in 2003

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  A M1A1 conducts reconnaissance in Iraq, September 2004.

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  A M1A2 Abrams with prototype Tank Urban Survival Kit armor upgrade equipment and Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS), with a .50 caliber machine gun at the commander's station

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  U.S. M1A1s during the Foal Eagle 1998 training exercises in South Korea, with their factory single green paint scheme

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  M1A1 in the Australian Army's Disruptive Pattern Camouflage, used for vehicles and materiel

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  Tankers drive an M1A1 Abrams through the Taunus Mountains north of Frankfurt during Exercise Ready Crucible in February 2005.

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  U.S. Marines with the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, advance on their eastern objective defended by opposing Spanish forces during Exercise Trident Juncture 18 near Dalholen, Norway, Nov. 3, 2018.

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  A M1A2 with TUSK

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  A M1A1 Abrams with an Abrams Integrated Management System (AIM) and the Tank Urban Survivability Kit (TUSK) conducting a patrol in Baghdad, 2007

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  The Trophy Active Protection System (APS) was installed and tested on a USMC M1A1 Abrams in 2017.

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  An M1A1 fires its main gun in 2019.

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  A M1A1 firing its main gun as seen from the loader's hatch. The M240 is visible left while the M2 is visible right.

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  A view of the gunner's station (bottom left) and commander's station (top right)

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  A 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment soldier, assisting in the critical job of "boresighting" the alignment of all the tank's sights to the center of the axis of the bore of the main gun on an M1A1 Abrams in Mosul, Iraq in January 2005. Hand signals enable the gunner (inside the tank) to train the main gun onto a boresighting target.

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  Marines from 1st Tank Battalion load a Honeywell AGT1500 multi-fuel turbine back into the tank at Camp Coyote, Kuwait, February 2003.

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  M1 driving controls

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  A Marine M1A1 offloading from Landing Craft Air Cushioned vehicle

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  A Marine M1A1 fitted with snorkel attachment and bustle rack extension

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  82nd Airborne paratroopers ride an M1 Abrams tank

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  A U.S. Army M1A1 after being offloaded from a U.S. Air Force C-17 at Balad Air Base, Iraq in 2004

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  A Grizzly Combat Mobility Vehicle (CMV)

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  A U.S. Army M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge

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  An Assault Breacher Vehicle launching a line charge

See also

In Spanish: M1 Abrams para niños