service, while Iraqi Abrams tanks have seen action in the war against ISIL and have seen use by Saudi Arabia during the Yemeni Civil War. ==History== ===Previous developments=== Through the 1960s the US Army and German Army had collaborated on a single design that would replace both the M60 Patton and the Leopard 1.
By 1969, the unit cost stood at five times the original estimates.
In August 1969 the Senate halted funding of the program until the Government Accounting Office could undertake an audit of the program. ===Starting afresh=== As a result of the problems with the MBT-70, the U.S.
Congress canceled the MBT-70 in November and the XM803 in December 1971 but permitted the Army to reallocate $20 million remaining funds to develop a new main battle tank. The Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) began examining specific goals.
For the new design, the Army stated the unit cost was to be no more than $507,000 in 1972 dollars () and gave the contract out to the industry.
After several rounds of input, the decision was made to provide armor to defeat the "heavy threat" posed by the T-62's 115 mm gun using projected improvements of their APFSDS ammunition through the 1980s, and the new 125 mm gun of the T-64 and T-72 firing [anti-tank] (HEAT) rounds. To this end, a new design basis emerged in February 1973, LK 10372.
However, due to the change from diesel as a primary fuel to the use of JP-8, this system is disabled on most Abrams tanks today because of a slightly elevated risk of fire damage to the engine compartment. ====Armor==== In July 1973, representatives from Chrysler and General Motors traveled to the United Kingdom, and were escorted by personnel from the Ballistic Research Laboratory and XM1 Project Manager Major General Robert J.
Secondly was that the M68A1 could employ the newly developed M900 APFSDS depleted uranium round that had improved penetration performance in comparison to the M774. ===Prototypes=== Prototypes were delivered in 1976 by Chrysler Defense and General Motors (GM) armed with the license-built M68E1 version of the 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7.
There is no evidence that GM considered using the MTU engine of the MBT-70, which outperformed both and had been chosen for the Leopard 2K. By the spring of 1976, the decision to choose the GM design was largely complete.
In contrast, GM made only about 1% of its income from military sales, compared to 5% for Chrysler, and only submitted their bid after a "special plea" from the Pentagon. On 12 November 1976, the Defense Department awarded a $20 billion development contract to Chrysler. ===Production starts=== Low initial rate production (LIRP) of the vehicle was approved on 7 May 1979.
In this case, the 120 would give them the performance needed to defeat such a development even without depleted uranium. By 1977 the decision had been made to eventually move the new tank to a 120 mm gun.
Eleven Full-Scale Engineering Development test bed vehicles were produced in 1977–78.
All that was required was the final sign-off by the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. In January 1978, a program was initiated to develop an enhanced version of the 105mm gun, the M68A1 as a possible alternate weapon for the M1 Abrams.
Although the L11/M256 120mm gun was chosen to be the main weapon of the M1 Abrams in 1979, the improved ammunition for the gun still was not fully developed, thus delaying its fielding until 1984.
In contrast, GM made only about 1% of its income from military sales, compared to 5% for Chrysler, and only submitted their bid after a "special plea" from the Pentagon. On 12 November 1976, the Defense Department awarded a $20 billion development contract to Chrysler. ===Production starts=== Low initial rate production (LIRP) of the vehicle was approved on 7 May 1979.
The M1 Abrams was the first vehicle to adopt Chobham armor. A total of 3,273 M1 Abrams tanks were produced during 1979–1985 and first entered U.S.
Production began (at Chrysler) in 1979 and continued to 1985 (at General Dynamics) (3,273 built for the US).
military 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 currently serves as the main battle tank of the United States Army and Marine Corps.
After several rounds of input, the decision was made to provide armor to defeat the "heavy threat" posed by the T-62's 115 mm gun using projected improvements of their APFSDS ammunition through the 1980s, and the new 125 mm gun of the T-64 and T-72 firing [anti-tank] (HEAT) rounds. To this end, a new design basis emerged in February 1973, LK 10372.
First was due to the large number of M60 Patton tanks with the M68E1 gun still in widespread US service in the 1980s and a large on-hand stockpile of 105mm munitions.
Army service in 1980.
Army sources and the Congressional record. As the Abrams entered service in the 1980s, they operated alongside M60A3 within the U.S.
In February 1982, General Dynamics Land Systems Division (GDLS) purchased Chrysler Defense, after Chrysler built over 1,000 M1s.
Production at the government-owned, GDLS-operated Lima Army Tank Plant in Lima, Ohio, was joined by vehicles built at the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant in Warren, Michigan from 1982 to 1996.
Zaloga gives a frontal armor estimate of 350 mm vs armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot (APFSDS) and 700 mm vs [anti-tank warhead] (HEAT) in M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1982–1992 (1993).
The M1A2C also features increased physical line-of-sight turret armor. For the M1A1HA, Zaloga gives a frontal armor estimate of 600 mm vs APFSDS and 1300 mm vs HEAT in M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1982–1992, nearly double the original protection of the Abrams.
Although the L11/M256 120mm gun was chosen to be the main weapon of the M1 Abrams in 1979, the improved ammunition for the gun still was not fully developed, thus delaying its fielding until 1984.
An improved model called the M1IP was produced briefly in 1984 and contained small upgrades.
Presidio Press, 1984 . Forty, George: Tank Action.
The M1IP models were used in the Canadian Army Trophy NATO tank gunnery competition in 1985 and 1987. About 5,000 M1A1 Abrams tanks were produced from 1986 to 1992 and featured the M256 smoothbore cannon developed by Rheinmetall AG of Germany for the Leopard 2, improved armor, consisting of depleted uranium and other classified materials, and a CBRN protection system.
Production began (at Chrysler) in 1979 and continued to 1985 (at General Dynamics) (3,273 built for the US).
The M1IP models were used in the Canadian Army Trophy NATO tank gunnery competition in 1985 and 1987. About 5,000 M1A1 Abrams tanks were produced from 1986 to 1992 and featured the M256 smoothbore cannon developed by Rheinmetall AG of Germany for the Leopard 2, improved armor, consisting of depleted uranium and other classified materials, and a CBRN protection system.
The M1IP models were used in the Canadian Army Trophy NATO tank gunnery competition in 1985 and 1987. About 5,000 M1A1 Abrams tanks were produced from 1986 to 1992 and featured the M256 smoothbore cannon developed by Rheinmetall AG of Germany for the Leopard 2, improved armor, consisting of depleted uranium and other classified materials, and a CBRN protection system.
The tank went into trials in 1987–88. M1 Thumper: Experimental variant by Lockheed Martin, equipped with the 140 mm XM291 ATACS smoothbore cannon.
This was introduced into the M1A1 production starting October 1988.
Norton Company, 1989. United States General Accounting Office:Operation Desert Storm: Early Performance Assessment of Bradley and Abrams.
By 1999, costs for the tank were upwards of a vehicle. In 1990, Project on Government Oversight in a report criticized the M1's high costs and low fuel efficiency in comparison with other tanks of similar power and effectiveness such as the Leopard 2.
service for low-intensity conflict in the early 1990s.
However, by January 1991, the Berlin Wall had fallen and the Abrams was deployed in the Middle East. Adaptations before the Persian Gulf War (Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm) gave the vehicle better firepower and NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) protection. ===Persian Gulf War=== The Abrams remained untested in combat until the Persian Gulf War in 1991, during Operation Desert Storm.
Polish officials state no license-produced T-72 (nicknamed Lion of Babylon) tanks were finished prior to the Iraqi Taji tank plant being destroyed in 1991.
Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1991.
The M1IP models were used in the Canadian Army Trophy NATO tank gunnery competition in 1985 and 1987. About 5,000 M1A1 Abrams tanks were produced from 1986 to 1992 and featured the M256 smoothbore cannon developed by Rheinmetall AG of Germany for the Leopard 2, improved armor, consisting of depleted uranium and other classified materials, and a CBRN protection system.
Washington, January 1992.PDF. Halberstadt, Hans.
From the Great War to the Persian Gulf, Allan Sutton Publishing Ltd., Phoenix Mill 1995. Army Times – Two soldiers die in attack on Abrams tank, 29 October 2003 Practical Applications of Vehicle Control within the Distributed Processing Architecture, Proceedings of the 1992 American Control Conference, Ruggirello, Joseph A., Bielawski, Dennis A., and Diaz, R.
It accommodates the four tank crew members. The first instance of the Abrams being airlifted directly into a battlefield occurred in October 1993.
From the Great War to the Persian Gulf, Allan Sutton Publishing Ltd., Phoenix Mill 1995. Army Times – Two soldiers die in attack on Abrams tank, 29 October 2003 Practical Applications of Vehicle Control within the Distributed Processing Architecture, Proceedings of the 1992 American Control Conference, Ruggirello, Joseph A., Bielawski, Dennis A., and Diaz, R.
Production at the government-owned, GDLS-operated Lima Army Tank Plant in Lima, Ohio, was joined by vehicles built at the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant in Warren, Michigan from 1982 to 1996.
The protection of M1A2 SEP is a frontal turret armor estimate of 940–960 mm vs APFSDS and 1,320–1,620 vs HEAT, glacis estimate of 560–590 mm vs APFSDS and 510–1,050 vs HEAT, and lower front hull estimate of 580–650 mm vs APFSDS and 800–970 vs HEAT In 1998, a program was begun to incorporate improved turret side armor into the M1A2.
By 1999, costs for the tank were upwards of a vehicle. In 1990, Project on Government Oversight in a report criticized the M1's high costs and low fuel efficiency in comparison with other tanks of similar power and effectiveness such as the Leopard 2.
These kits were installed on about 325 older M1A2 tanks in 2001-2009 and it was also included in upgraded tanks. The Abrams may also be fitted with explosive reactive armor over the track skirts if needed (such as the Tank Urban Survival Kit) and slat armor over the rear of the tank and rear fuel cells to protect against ATGMs.
Army Research Laboratory (ARL) conducted a thermal analysis of the M256 from 2002 to 2003 to evaluate the potential of using a hybrid barrel system that would allow for multiple weapon systems such as the XM1111 Mid- Range munition, airburst rounds, or XM 1147.
The development for the improved M1A3 variant was known since 2009. ===Iraq War=== Further combat was seen during 2003 when U.S.
By March 2005, approximately 80 Abrams tanks were forced out of action by enemy attacks; 63 tanks were restored, while 17 were damaged beyond repair with 3 of them at the beginning of 2003.
for repair. Vulnerabilities exposed during urban combat in the 2003 invasion of Iraq were addressed with the Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK) modifications, including armor upgrades and a gun shield, issued to some M1 Abrams tanks.
While the reactive armor may not be needed in most situations, like those present in maneuver warfare, items like the rear slat armor, loader's gun shield, infantry phone (which saw use on Marine Corps M1A1s as early as 2003), and Kongsberg Remote Weapons Station for the 12.7 mm (.50 in) caliber machine gun will be added to the entire M1A2 fleet over time. On 29 August 2006, General Dynamics Land Systems received a U.S.
The fourth tank crew member on the Abrams also provides additional support for maintenance, observation post/listening post (OP/LP) operations, and other tasks. The new M1028 120 mm anti-personnel canister cartridge was brought into service early for use in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Army Research Laboratory (ARL) conducted a thermal analysis of the M256 from 2002 to 2003 to evaluate the potential of using a hybrid barrel system that would allow for multiple weapon systems such as the XM1111 Mid- Range munition, airburst rounds, or XM 1147.
From the Great War to the Persian Gulf, Allan Sutton Publishing Ltd., Phoenix Mill 1995. Army Times – Two soldiers die in attack on Abrams tank, 29 October 2003 Practical Applications of Vehicle Control within the Distributed Processing Architecture, Proceedings of the 1992 American Control Conference, Ruggirello, Joseph A., Bielawski, Dennis A., and Diaz, R.
By March 2005, approximately 80 Abrams tanks were forced out of action by enemy attacks; 63 tanks were restored, while 17 were damaged beyond repair with 3 of them at the beginning of 2003.
From August 2005 to April 2008, at least 20 tanks of this type were destroyed. One achievement of the M1A1s was the destruction of seven T-72s in a point-blank skirmish (less than ) near Mahmoudiyah, about south of Baghdad, with no U.S.
By December 2006 more than 530 Abrams tanks had been shipped back to the U.S.
While the reactive armor may not be needed in most situations, like those present in maneuver warfare, items like the rear slat armor, loader's gun shield, infantry phone (which saw use on Marine Corps M1A1s as early as 2003), and Kongsberg Remote Weapons Station for the 12.7 mm (.50 in) caliber machine gun will be added to the entire M1A2 fleet over time. On 29 August 2006, General Dynamics Land Systems received a U.S.
On 8 December 2006, the U.S.
in 2006 and replaced the Leopard AS1 in 2007.
in 2006 and replaced the Leopard AS1 in 2007.
From August 2005 to April 2008, at least 20 tanks of this type were destroyed. One achievement of the M1A1s was the destruction of seven T-72s in a point-blank skirmish (less than ) near Mahmoudiyah, about south of Baghdad, with no U.S.
It added protection in the rear and side of the tank to improve fighting ability in urban environments. In May 2008, it was reported that a U.S.
Army M1A1s for training in 2008.
The development for the improved M1A3 variant was known since 2009. ===Iraq War=== Further combat was seen during 2003 when U.S.
Deliveries were expected to be completed by April 2009.
However, the Mid-Range Munition was cancelled in 2009 along with Future Combat Systems. ====Secondary==== The Abrams tank has three machine guns, with an optional fourth: A .50 cal.
Testing of the first APUs began in 2009. Although the M1 tank is not designed to carry riders easily, provisions exist for the Abrams to transport troops in tank desant with the turret stabilization device switched off.
armor and refused to allow the newly formed Iraqi Army to buy it, fearing that it would fall into the insurgents' hands. ===Iraqi Army service=== Between 2010 and 2012 the U.S.
In late 2010, at the request of Regional Command Southwest, the U.S.
The first 11 tanks were delivered to the Iraqi Army in August 2010 with all deliveries completed by August 2011.
The first 11 tanks were delivered to the Iraqi Army in August 2010 with all deliveries completed by August 2011.
armor and refused to allow the newly formed Iraqi Army to buy it, fearing that it would fall into the insurgents' hands. ===Iraqi Army service=== Between 2010 and 2012 the U.S.
In October 2012, it was reported that six more tanks were being delivered.
Army planned to end production at the Lima Army Tank Plant from 2013 to 2016 in an effort to save over $1 billion; it would be restarted in 2017 to upgrade existing tanks.
Specifically, GDLS estimated that closing the plant would cost $380 million and restarting production would cost $1.3 billion. By August 2013, Congress had allocated $181 million for buying parts and upgrading Abrams systems to mitigate industrial base risks and sustain development and production capability.
The Army hoped to achieve IOC with the XM1111 by 2013.
69 more M1A2S tanks ordered on 8 January 2013, to be delivered by 31 July 2014. – Royal Moroccan Army: 222 M1A1 SA (situational awareness) tanks ordered in 2015.
Army M1A1 tanks have been offered to Greece, from which 90 were to be procured. – Peruvian Army: In May 2013, the M1A1 Abrams was reported to be part of comparative tests to be conducted by Peru to find a replacement for their aging T-55s.
By September 2013, only the M1A1 Abrams, Russian T-90S and T-80, and Ukrainian T-84 were still competing. === Former operators === Kata'ib Hezbollah - 9 M-1A1M's.
In mid-2014, they saw action when the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant launched the June 2014 Northern Iraq offensive.
By December 2014, the Iraqi Army only had about 40 operational Abrams left.
In December 2014, Congress again allocated $120 million, against the wishes of the Army, for Abrams upgrades including improving gas mileage by integrating an auxiliary power unit (APU) to decrease idle time fuel consumption and upgrading the tank's sights and sensors. In late 2016, tank production/refurbishment had fallen to a rate of one per month with less than 100 workers on site.
Nine ECP1A prototypes have been produced as of October 2014.
It aimed to build prototypes by 2014 and begin fielding the first combat-ready M1A3s by 2017.
The AN/VVR-4 laser warning receiver and ROSY rapid obscurant system have been trialed by the US Army for adoption on the Abrams tank and Bradley fighting vehicle. * M1A2-K: Under development, unique variant for the Kuwaiti Army, slated to replace Kuwait's current M1A2 fleet. M1A3: A planned verson under research development as of 2014.
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. – Kuwaiti Army: 218 M1A2s – 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. – Royal Moroccan Army: 222 M1A1 SA (situational awareness) tanks ordered in 2015.
Marine Corps deployed a small detachment of 14 M1A1 Abrams tanks from Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), to southern Afghanistan in support of operations in Helmand and Kandahar provinces. ===2015 Yemen Civil War=== After the start of the Saudi Arabian intervention in Yemen during the 2015 Yemeni Civil War, Saudi Arabian M1A2 MBTs were deployed near the Saudi Arabian/Yemeni border.
There is still risk of production gaps even with production extended through 2015; with funds awarded before recapitalization is needed, budgetary pressures may push planned new upgrades for the Abrams from 2017 to 2019.
ECP1B, which will begin development in 2015, may include sensor upgrades and the convergence of several tank round capabilities into a multi-purpose round. The M1A2 SEP TUSK Abrams and a modernized M1 Abrams were included in the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) Analysis of Alternatives (AOA).
Orbital ATK was awarded a contract to begin the first phase of development for the AMP XM1147 High Explosive Multi-Purpose with Tracer cartridge in October 2015. In addition to these, the XM1111 (Mid-Range-Munition Chemical Energy) was also in development.
Prototypes began testing in 2015, and the first were delivered in October 2017.
69 more M1A2S tanks ordered on 8 January 2013, to be delivered by 31 July 2014. – Royal Moroccan Army: 222 M1A1 SA (situational awareness) tanks ordered in 2015.
In August 2016, the U.S.
Army planned to end production at the Lima Army Tank Plant from 2013 to 2016 in an effort to save over $1 billion; it would be restarted in 2017 to upgrade existing tanks.
In December 2014, Congress again allocated $120 million, against the wishes of the Army, for Abrams upgrades including improving gas mileage by integrating an auxiliary power unit (APU) to decrease idle time fuel consumption and upgrading the tank's sights and sensors. In late 2016, tank production/refurbishment had fallen to a rate of one per month with less than 100 workers on site.
This device is mounted on the turret roof in front of the loader's hatch, and can lead some people to mistake Abrams tanks fitted with these devices for the M1A2 version, since the Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer on the latter is mounted in the same place, though the MCD is box-shaped and fixed in place as opposed to cylindrical and rotating like the CITV. In 2016, the U.S.
In 2016, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell stated that the Australian army may upgrade its current M1A1 fleet to the M1A2C under LAND 907 Phase 2. – Egyptian Army: 1,360 M1A1 tanks assembled in Egypt for the Egyptian army in cooperation with the U.S. – Iraqi Army: 140 M1A1Ms Iraq was leasing 22 U.S.
Deliveries under the contract started in July 2016 with an estimated completion date of February 2018.
Morocco took delivery of the first batch of M1A1SAs on 28 July 2016.
The Ministry of National Defence stated in 2016 that it was in discussion with the U.S.
Army planned to end production at the Lima Army Tank Plant from 2013 to 2016 in an effort to save over $1 billion; it would be restarted in 2017 to upgrade existing tanks.
There is still risk of production gaps even with production extended through 2015; with funds awarded before recapitalization is needed, budgetary pressures may push planned new upgrades for the Abrams from 2017 to 2019.
In 2017, the new administration made rebuilding the military a priority.
It aimed to build prototypes by 2014 and begin fielding the first combat-ready M1A3s by 2017.
In March 2017, it was reported that the new version, the M1A2 SEP v4, is to begin testing in 2021.
Prototypes began testing in 2015, and the first were delivered in October 2017.
As of 2017, the Australian Government was considering expanding the Army's fleet of Abrams to 90 tanks.
This plan, however, was apparently canceled by October 2017, instead Taiwanese government plans to upgrade its M60A3 in service with a 120 mm main gun, new ballistics computer, etc.
It was reported in 2018 that the Army had ordered 135 tanks re-built to new standards with employment at over 500 workers and expected to rise to 1,000. ===Future plans=== The tracked M8 Armored Gun System was conceived as a possible supplement for the Abrams in U.S.
In June 2018, the Army awarded Leonardo DRS, U.S.
Deliveries under the contract started in July 2016 with an estimated completion date of February 2018.
A Foreign Military Sale for 162 M1A2Ms was approved by the US State Department in November 2018 and sent to Congress for final approval. – Republic of China Army: Taiwan was considering the purchase of upwards 200 Abrams tanks, which was later reduced with the intention of acquring 120 M1A1 tanks.
In July 2018, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense budgeted money to purchased 108 M1A2 tanks from the U.S.
There is still risk of production gaps even with production extended through 2015; with funds awarded before recapitalization is needed, budgetary pressures may push planned new upgrades for the Abrams from 2017 to 2019.
The first unit received them in July 2020. ** M1A2T: Special configuration variant of the M1A2C reportedly being offered for sale to Taiwan as of March 2019 and approved by US State Department as of July 2019.
Expected to reach low-rate initial production in 2019 to replace the M60 AVLB and M104 Wolverine. M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV): Assault variant for the USMC.
Department of State approved the $2.2 billion sale in July 2019.
Have been withdrawn from service and put in reserve. ===Potential operators=== – Following Brazil's official designation as major non-NATO ally of the United States in July 2019, the U.S.
Army has been in planning and development for several years. As of 2020 the Marine Corps has been pursuing a force restructuring plan named Force 2030.
The Army planned to field a brigade of over 80 tanks equipped with Trophy to Europe in 2020.
Army M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams tanks deployed to Germany in July 2020 fitted with Trophy systems.
The first unit received them in July 2020. ** M1A2T: Special configuration variant of the M1A2C reportedly being offered for sale to Taiwan as of March 2019 and approved by US State Department as of July 2019.
service until at least 2021, and the M1A2 to beyond 2050. The M1A3 Abrams was in the early design period with the U.S.
In March 2017, it was reported that the new version, the M1A2 SEP v4, is to begin testing in 2021.
Under this directive all US Marine tank battalions are to be deactivated and its M1A1 tanks transferred to the Army by the end of 2021. ==Design== ===Countermeasures=== ====Camouflage==== Earlier U.S.
Deliveries to equip four tank brigades were completed in January 2021. ===Armament=== ====Primary==== =====M68A1 rifled gun===== The main armament of the original model M1 and M1IP was the M68A1 105 mm rifled tank gun firing a variety of armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot, [explosive anti-tank], [explosive], white phosphorus rounds and an anti-personnel (multiple flechette) round.
The new-built tanks will be produced at Anniston Army Depot, Anniston, Alabama, and the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, Lima, Ohio. * M1A2D (SEPv4): Under engineering development with delivery planned to start by 2021.
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