US main battle tank. Serially produced since 1980. It is in service with the army and Marine Corps USA, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Australia. Named after General Creighton Abrams.
History of creation and production
The M1 Abrams was the result of the third program to replace the Patton series tanks. The first two T95 and MBT-70/XM803 ended unsuccessfully. The T95 had no superiority over the Pattons, while the MBT-70 and even its simplified model, the XM803, turned out to be very expensive and complex. Also, the concept of a low-ballistic gun-missile launcher, which they wanted to install on the MBT-70/XM803 tanks, did not justify itself.
Development of the new tank, later designated XM-1, began immediately after the termination of the XM803 program at the end of 1971. To reduce technological risk, it was decided to build the new tank according to the classical design with a crew of 4 people and a high-ballistic gun as the main weapon. The 105 mm M68 rifled gun, the British 110 mm rifled gun and the German 120 mm smoothbore gun were all candidates for the role of the latter. The 110 mm gun was immediately dismissed as having no significant superiority over the 105 mm. The 120 mm option was considered too risky, so it was decided to keep the M68 gun with the possibility of later replacing it with a 120 mm one.
The American air-cooled diesel AVCR-1100 (planned for the MBT-70), the German water-cooled diesel DB1500 (later designated MB873) and the American gas turbine engine (GTE) AGT-1500 were considered as the power plant. The power of all engines was 1500 hp. At first, the military preferred diesel, but in the late 1970s their preferences shifted towards gas turbine engines.
According to the original technical specifications, the armor protection of the tank was supposed to withstand a 115-mm armor-piercing finned projectile from the U-5TS cannon from a distance of 800 m, the price should be within 400 thousand dollars in 1972 prices (compared to 339 thousand for the M60A1 and 611 thousand . for XM803), and the combat weight is 45 tons. It soon became clear that with such restrictions it would not be possible to provide the required protection, so the performance limit was increased to 500 thousand dollars and 55 tons, respectively.
In the spring of 1973, Chrysler and General Motors submitted their competitive bids and on June 28 of the same year, a contract was signed with the companies to build prototypes for joint testing. In early July, representatives of General Motors and Chrysler paid a visit to England to learn about the development of Chobham composite armor. As a result of the visit, both companies made amendments to their designs in order to adapt the new armor. Another significant change in the design was the result of experience gained during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. It was decided to abandon the 25-30 mm twin automatic cannon M242 Bushmaster in favor of a 7.62 mm machine gun, and use the freed-up capacity to increase the ammunition capacity of the main gun.
The General Motors prototype had a six-wheel chassis. Two front and one rear rollers were equipped with hydropneumatic suspension, the rest with torsion bar suspension. The diesel engine chosen was AVCR-1360 (a development of AVCR-1100). The driver's seat was located in the front left part of the hull, with the ammunition stowage located to the right of it. Additional ammunition storage was placed in a niche of the turret and was equipped with an armored partition and ejection panels.
The Chrysler prototype is equipped with a seven-wheel chassis with torsion bar suspension. Power plant - gas turbine engine AGT-1500. The driver was placed strictly along the longitudinal axis, with fuel tanks located on both sides of him. The main ammunition rack was in the turret niche, also behind the armored partition and with knockout panels.
Joint tests took place from January 31 to May 7, 1976. It turned out that both tanks fully met the stated requirements. From September to December 1976, the Leopard 2 AV, equipped with a 105 mm cannon, was also tested in the United States. The German tank showed good performance, reliability and shooting accuracy. But it was more expensive and somewhat inferior to the American tank in terms of armor protection and ammunition storage. Therefore, it was decided not to adopt it.
After the tests were completed, a competition was announced for the construction of 462 tanks (an initial batch of 110 tanks in the first year and 352 production tanks in the second). General Motors offered a lower price ($208 million versus Chrysler's $221 million), but that price was based on a diesel engine, while the Army preferred a gas turbine engine. General Motors was ordered to design a variant with a gas turbine engine, and Chrysler - with a diesel engine, and was also ordered to prepare the tanks for easy replacement with a 120 mm gun in the future. Chrysler made additional amendments to the project, increasing the chance of success: he improved the configuration of the composite armor, and also equipped the gun mantlet with special armor. In order to reduce the price, the commander was equipped with a deflection from the gunner's sight instead of an independent sight (simplified gunner's sight).
On November 12, 1976, it was announced that Chrysler's gas turbine engine version had won. They managed to reduce the contract price to $196 million. At the same time, the price of the General Motors contract after installing the gas turbine engine increased to 232 million (diesel versions of both companies after the changes cost 174 and 186 million, respectively). Thus, the final version of the tank cost 422 thousand dollars per unit versus 432 thousand for the M60A3 (all prices in 1972 dollars).
For the second stage tests (technical DT-II and military OT-II tests), Chrysler constructed 11 prototypes of the XM1 tank with changes made. Tests of DT-II were carried out from February 1978 to September 1979, OT-II - from April 1978 to February 1979.
Even before the completion of the second stage in May 1978, the Pentagon approved the construction of an initial batch of 110 tanks intended to participate in the tests of the third stage and for training personnel of tank units. The first two of these tanks were handed over in a special ceremony on February 28, 1980. At the same time, the tank was named “Abrams” in honor of Army Chief of Staff Creighton Abrams, who made a huge contribution to the development of US armored forces and served as commander of a group of American forces in the Republic of Vietnam. The third stage of technical and military tests took place from March 1980 to September 1981 (DT-III) and from September 1980 to May 1981 (OT-III), respectively. On February 17, 1981, the tank under the designation “105-mm gun tracked tank M1" was adopted by the US Army.
The tank has not been produced since 1995. The only tank plant in the United States, the Detroit Arsenal plant in Detroit, is closed and destroyed. Currently, a deep modernization of existing Abrams tanks of all modifications is being carried out at the Lima Tank Plant in Lima, Ohio, owned by General Dynamics. The plant is experiencing significant financial difficulties; in 2013, the option of temporarily closing it until 2017 was even discussed.
As of 2014, production of modernized versions of the tank continues both for the US Armed Forces and for export. In 2006, National Geographic filmed a documentary about Abrams tank repair and modernization plants as part of the "Steel Monsters" documentary series.
Modifications
XM1-FSED (1977-78) - the first model produced for testing. During the period 1977-78. 11 copies were produced.
M1 (1980) - basic model: 105 mm rifled gun, 55 rounds of ammunition.
M1IP (English: Improved Performance - lit. Improved performance) (1984) - the frontal armor of the turret was strengthened (M1A1 level), the suspension and transmission were modernized, and an electric trigger was introduced.
M1A1 (1984) - 120-mm smoothbore gun, ammunition capacity reduced to 40 rounds, front hull armor reinforced, new collective system protection against weapons of mass destruction with built-in air conditioning.
M1A1HA (English Heavy Armor - lit. Heavy armor) (1988) - the turret armor was strengthened, the tank was equipped with 1st generation uranium armor.
M1A1HC (English Heavy Common - lit. General reinforcement) (1990) - the tank is equipped with 2nd generation uranium armor, improved digital engine control and a number of other minor improvements in accordance with the requirements of the ILC, ammunition increased to 42 artillery rounds.
M1A1NA+ (1991) - the turret front armor has been strengthened, the tank is equipped with 2nd generation uranium armor.
M1A1D (eng. Digital - lit. Digital) (2000) - improvement of digital components for the M1A1HC tank to the M1A2SEP level, digital distribution panels for the chassis and fighting compartment. It was built for only two tank battalions.
M1A1AIM (English: Abrams Integrated Management) - major renovation and modernization of previously built tanks to the level of vehicles produced in 1992-1993.
M1A1AIM Block I - overhaul and modernization of previously built vehicles. A second-generation thermal imaging camera for the gunner's main sight, a ZPU thermal imaging sight, an FBCB2-BFT terminal, an integrated system for self-diagnosis of on-board systems, etc. are being introduced.
M1A1AIM Block II/M1A1SA (English: Situational Awareness) - the tank is equipped with 3rd generation uranium armor.
M1A1FEP (English Firepower Enhancement Package - lit. Package of increased firepower) - improvements similar to M1A1AIM Block II for USMC tanks.
M1A1KVT (English: Krasnovian Variant Tank) - version of the M1A1 with a complex for simulating Soviet-made tanks for use in the NTC (English Fort Irwin National Training Center - US Army National Training Center in Fort Irwin).
M1A1M - export version for the Iraqi Armed Forces.
M1A1SA (English Special Armor - lit. Special armor) - export version for the Moroccan Ground Forces.
M1A1 Block III (1983) - experimental version: new layout of the internal volumes of the hull, uninhabited fighting compartment with automatic system weapons, as well as the development of a new power unit and radio-electronic equipment.
M1 SRV (English: Surrogate Research Vehicle) - an experimental prototype on the chassis of the M1 tank to study a new arrangement of units inside a tank hull: with a weight simulator of a monitor-mounted turret.
M1 TTB (English Tank Test Bed) - an experimental prototype on the chassis of the M1 tank, modified taking into account the experience of testing the M1 SRV vehicle: an uninhabited turret, an armored capsule for three crew members in the front of the tank, an M256 smoothbore gun of 120 mm caliber, ammunition from 44 unitary projectile, located in a two-row carousel magazine with a vertical arrangement of cells with an automatic loading system.
M1 CATTB (English Component Advanced Technology Test Bed) (1990) - an experimental program to create a new tank: an improved integrated power unit based on a diesel engine (AIPS), a hydropneumatic suspension system in the balancer, a 140-mm smoothbore tank gun (ATAS) with a machine gun loading and multi-sensor target acquisition system (MTAS).
M1A2 (1994) - independent thermal imaging panoramic commander's sight, new gunner's sight with stabilization in two planes and an eye-safe rangefinder, new commander's cupola with 8 periscopes (instead of 6), thermal imaging observation device for the driver, combat information and control system IVIS. Strengthened turret armor by increasing the size of the frontal parts and filling them with 2nd generation uranium armor. The gun's ammunition capacity is 42 rounds.
M1A2 SEP (eng. System Enhancement Package - lit. Improved systems package) (1999) - the commander and gunner's sights are equipped with 2nd generation thermal imaging cameras (SADA II technology), and the FBCB2 troop control system is equipped. The filler of the frontal parts of the turret was replaced with 3rd generation uranium armor, this made it possible to increase resistance against cumulative weapons. Equipped with air conditioning. Color displays appeared.
M1A2 SEP V2 (eng. System Enhancement Package version 2 - lit. Second package of improved systems) (2008) - improved color displays to display the tactical situation, sights with electro-optical and infrared channels, a modified power plant and new communications equipment compatible with information -combat networks of infantry units and formations. The modernization also includes the introduction of other technologies developed under the Future Combat Systems program.
M1A2S (2011) - modernization of M1A1 and M1A2 for the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces. The AGT-1500 gas turbine engine was planned to be replaced with a more economical LV-100-5. Also, there are plans to replace the 120-mm M-256 cannon, communications and fire control systems, strengthen the armor of the frontal projection of the hull and turret, and add dynamic protection for the chassis.
Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK) - “kit additional equipment and armor, increasing combat capabilities in urban environments,” designed for installation on M1A1 and M1A2 tanks; includes the ARAT dynamic protection complex to increase the protection of lateral projections from cumulative weapons, a thermal imaging sight for the turret installation of the M240 loader machine gun, shields to protect the commander and loader when observing from open hatches, spaced armor of the bottom, a headset for communication with infantry, an additional machine gun M2 on the CSAMM installation (mounted on the gun mantlet), thermal imaging sight of the commander's ZPU (for M1A1), remote-controlled CROWS installation (for M1A2).
M1A3 (2014-2017) - under development: light 120mm cannon, improved road wheel suspension, more durable rollers, lighter armor, long-range precision weapons, improved engine and gearbox. Estimated weight up to 55 tons.
Vehicles based on the Abrams tank
M1 Grizzly CMV (English Combat Mobility Vehicle - lit. mobile combat vehicle) (1995) - armored engineering vehicle: crew of 2 people, 12.7 mm machine gun, 4.5 m dozer blade, 6.3 ton switch excavator up to 10 m long.
The M1 Panther II is a remote-controlled and guided armored mine clearance vehicle.
M104 Wolverine (1996) - tank bridge laying vehicle, prototype built in 1996, serial production since 2003.
M1ABV (English Assault Breacher Vehicle) (2010) - assault armored mine clearing vehicle for the US Marine Corps.
M1 Armored Recovery Vehicle - ARV prototype.
Description of design
The tank is designed according to a classic layout with a control compartment in the front part of the vehicle, a fighting compartment in the middle part and a motor-transmission compartment in the rear. The crew consists of a commander, gunner, loader and driver.
Armored hull and turret
The hull and turret are welded. In their front parts, multi-layer passive armor is used in the form of combined armor modules, created on the basis of the English Chobham armor used on the Challenger series tanks (Great Britain). Characteristic of the Abrams is the large angle of inclination of the upper frontal plate of the hull relative to the vertical plane (82 degrees) and the large gap between the turret and the hull. With the hatch closed, the driver takes a reclining position. 40% (approximately), frontal projection Abrams tank any modification constitutes a zone of weakened armor, vulnerable (relatively) to ammunition with penetration of 700mm KS or 550mm BPS. Including 7.85% of the frontal projection, vulnerabilities associated with the design, their protection is significantly lower than weakened armor, for example, hatches, surveillance devices, gun mantlets, such vulnerabilities are typical for most armored vehicles.
Armament
The M1 and M1IP modifications are armed with a 105-mm M68A1 rifled gun (a modernized version of the British L7), stabilized in two planes. The ammunition load includes 55 unitary projectiles with a metal case of 5 types: armor-piercing finned sub-caliber with a detachable pallet M735, M774, M833, M900, cumulative projectiles M456A1 and M456A2, armor-piercing high-explosive M393A2, with ready-made arrow-shaped striking elements M494 and smoke M4 16 (based on white phosphorus).
The main part of the ammunition for the gun (44 unitary shots out of 55) is located in an isolated compartment at the rear of the turret. The rest are located in an isolated compartment in the tank hull (8 pieces) and in an armored container on the turret floor in front of the loader (3 pieces).
Since 1985, Abrams tanks have been equipped with a 120-mm M256 smoothbore gun (a licensed version of the German Rheinmetall Rh-120 gun), which is also stabilized in two planes. The ammunition includes unitary projectiles with a partially combustible cartridge case: feathered armor-piercing sub-caliber with a detachable tray M829, M829A1, M828A2, M829A3 (delivered to the army), cumulative M830, cumulative-fragmentation sub-caliber M830A1, concrete-piercing high-explosive sub-caliber M908, grapeshot (with ready-made striking spherical elements) M1028.
Due to the large diameter of the cartridges, the M1A1 ammunition load was reduced to 40 rounds (42 on M1A1NS and M1A2): 34 are located in the turret niche (36 on M1A1NS M1A2) and 6 in the tank hull; laying on the tower floor is not applicable.
The gun is equipped with a barrel purging (ejector), but the hot residue of the cartridges remains inside the tank after the shot.
Secondary weapons include a 7.62 mm M240 machine gun coaxial with the cannon, a second machine gun mounted in front of the loader's hatch, and a 12.7 mm M2 machine gun mounted on the commander's cupola. Ammunition - 11,400 rounds of 7.62 mm caliber and 1,000 rounds of 12.7 mm caliber. On the sides of the turret there are two 66-mm six-barrel M250 grenade launchers (four four-barrel M257 grenade launchers on the M1A1 and M1A1NS tanks of the Marine Corps) for setting up a smoke screen.
OMS and surveillance devices
The Abrams tank is equipped with one of the most modern systems fire control company Hughes Aircraft. A laser range finder and thermal imaging camera are built into the gunner's main sight; The sight's field of view has independent stabilization in the vertical plane. The daily channel has two magnification powers - 3 and 9.5; thermal imaging - 3 and 9.8. The range measurement limits of a laser rangefinder are from 200 to 7990 meters. In case of failure of the main sight, there is a backup telescopic articulated sight Kollmorgen Model 939 with 8x magnification and a field of view of 8 degrees; the head part of the sight is located in the gun mantlet, and the eyepiece part is attached to the roof of the turret. The commander uses a deflection from the gunner's main sight; if necessary, he can fire from the cannon, replacing the gunner (while not being able to independently change the magnification and switch between daytime optical and thermal imaging channels).
The commander's cupola of the M1, IPM1 and M1A1 tanks is a closed-type anti-aircraft machine gun installation (ZPU). The design of the ZPU cradle allows installation of a 12.7 mm M2HB machine gun (main version) or a 7.62 mm M240 machine gun (reserve version). The main sighting device of the ZPU is the M939 Kollmorgen daytime periscope monocular sight. The field of view of the sight is 21 degrees, magnification is x3. The sight reticle is graduated for 12.7 mm ammunition; In case of installing a 7.62 mm machine gun, there is a nameplate on the sight body with a table of corrections. In case of damage to the standard sight, there is a simple non-adjustable angle sight on the lower surface of the cradle. The azimuth guidance of the launcher is normally carried out using an electric machine drive (an emergency manual drive is provided); according to the elevation angle - only using a manual drive. To provide all-round visibility around the perimeter of the commander's cupola, 6 periscope observation devices are also equipped. According to calculated estimates, the range of actual fire when firing on the move for armor-piercing ammunition of a 120-mm cannon is 1.9-2 km and 1.7-1.8 km for cumulative ammunition; when firing from a location, the range increases to 2.6-2.8 and 2-2.2 km, respectively. The time to prepare the first shot when firing on the move is: by the gunner - 15 seconds, and by the commander - 17 seconds. When firing from a location, the time is reduced to 9-10 and 11-12 seconds. respectively. In competitions against Leopard-2, the tank was superior in night shooting but was quite inferior in daytime high-speed hitting of targets.
An electronic ballistic computer, made on solid-state elements, calculates with high accuracy angular corrections for firing from a cannon and a coaxial machine gun. The values of the target range (from the laser range finder), crosswind speed, angular velocity of the target and the angle of inclination of the gun trunnion axis are automatically loaded into it. In addition, data on the type of projectile, barometric pressure, air temperature, charge temperature, wear of the barrel bore, as well as corrections for the mismatch between the direction of the axis of the bore bore and the line of sight are manually entered.
The M1A2 is equipped with a panoramic thermal imaging sight in front of the loader's hatch - a CITV commander's observation device, which has independent stabilization in two planes. Instead of a rotating turret, a fixed one with 8 periscopes is installed, providing much better all-round visibility. The M938 sight has been removed. The gunner's main sight has been significantly modernized: it has received independent stabilization in two planes, the laser rangefinder has been replaced with a more advanced one, operating on carbon dioxide. Also, the driver has a thermal imaging night vision device (instead of a night vision device with an image intensifier tube).
The disadvantage of the M1A1 is the limited ability of the commander to independently search for a target; the small magnification and lack of stabilization of the field of view of the M919 sight do not allow confident detection and identification of targets when the tank is moving. This drawback was corrected only on the M1A2 modification. The M1A2 gunner's sight has been significantly modernized: it has received independent stabilization in two planes. The M1A2 SEP received second-generation thermal imaging cameras for the gunner and commander.
The on-board equipment has undergone modernization. A tank information and control system (TIUS) IVIS, an inertial navigation system, and SINCGARS radio stations have been introduced. The individual electronic systems are connected to each other via a MIL-STD 1553D data bus. Since the TIUS IVIS was obsolete by the time it was put into service, on the M1A2SEP model it was replaced with the FBCB2-EPLRS troop control system. In addition, the M1A2SEP received second-generation thermal imaging cameras for the gunner and commander; The navigation system is supplemented with a NAVSTAR receiver. Automatic control system terminals FBCB2-BFT, unified in software with FBCB2-EPLRS, but using commercial satellite communications networks Inmarsat Swift 64 and BGAN for data transmission, are installed during the modernization of M1A1 under the AIM program.
Engine
The AVCO Lycoming AGT-1500 gas turbine engine is made in a single unit with an automatic hydromechanical transmission X-1100-3B. The 3860 kg unit can be replaced in less than 1 hour.
American experts explain the choice of a gas turbine engine by a number of its advantages compared to a diesel engine of the same power. Less weight, relative simplicity of design, increased reliability and service life. Also, the gas turbine engine has reduced smoke and noise, better meets multi-fuel requirements, and is much easier to start at low temperatures. The main disadvantages are increased fuel and air consumption (as a result, the air cleaning system takes up three times the volume compared to a diesel engine).
AGT-1500 is a three-shaft engine with a two-stage axial-centrifugal compressor, an individual tangential combustion chamber, a free power turbine with an adjustable nozzle apparatus and a stationary annular plate heat exchanger. Nozzles and working blades of the first stage of the turbine high pressure are cooled by air taken from the compressor outlet and supplied through holes in the blade shanks. The maximum gas temperature in the turbine is 1193 degrees C. A gearbox located inside the heat exchanger housing reduces the speed on the gas turbine engine output shaft to 3000 rpm.
Since the mid-1990s, the mass equipping of Abrams tanks with auxiliary power units (APU) began, providing power to the tank’s on-board systems without turning on the main power unit or draining battery charge for 7.5-8 hours. The APU has a power of 2 kW and is located in an armored box in the turret basket.
Transmission
The Allison X-1100-3B automatic hydromechanical transmission provides 4 forward gears and 2 reverse gears. It consists of an automatic locking torque converter, a planetary gearbox and a continuously variable hydrostatic steering mechanism.
Since the range of the planetary gearbox with four forward gears is 6.5, then in the presence of a gas turbine engine with an increased adaptability coefficient, there is no fundamental need for the participation of the torque converter in the formation of traction on the tracks during forward movement of the tank. The use of a torque converter in this transmission can be explained by the fact that it was created to work with a piston engine of the same power, as well as to reduce the work of slipping of the friction elements when changing gears.
Chassis
The chassis of the tank includes seven road wheels with external shock absorption and two support rollers on each side, a torsion bar suspension and tracks with a rubber-metal hinge and rubber shoes. The width of the tracks is 635 mm, the length of the supporting surface is 4575 mm. The track roller disks are made of aluminum alloy. The diameter of the rollers is 635 mm. Blade hydraulic shock absorbers are installed on the first, second and seventh road wheels.
The mileage of the original T156 tracks with integrated (non-removable) rubber shoes was 1100-1300 km, which was much less than the original requirements of 3200 km. The T156 tracks are similar in design to the T97 tracks of the M60 tanks. The new T158 tracks, with removable rubber shoes and rubberized running track, developed by Food Machinery Corp Steel Products Division, have a guaranteed range of 3,360 km, although they are 1,360 kg heavier.
The tracks are rubber-coated Treadmills and removable rubber cushions, it is possible to install lugs. The drive wheels are double-row with removable rims, the number of rim teeth is 11. The service life of the chassis is 2-8 thousand km. The lower resource limit is determined by the resource of the caterpillar tracks. A service life of 8,000 km is achieved by changing four sets of removable asphalt pads; the service life of the drive wheel rim teeth is 5-6 thousand km.
Ground pressure, kg/sq.cm. M1 - 0.96, more in the future.
In service
Australia - 59 M1A1 AIM, as of 2013. Purchased in 2006 to replace Leopard 1A3 tanks. Supplied from the US Armed Forces
-Egypt - 1005 M1 of different versions as of 2011. In November 2011, Egypt purchased a batch of 125 tank kits for assembly for a total amount of $400 million. Taking into account the new supply, the number of Abrams tanks in the Egyptian armed forces will increase to 1,130 units.
-Iraq - 140 M1A1M as of 2011. The 9th Division of the Iraqi Armed Forces is armed with 4 regiments of 35 tanks. Supplied from the US Armed Forces and modernized, contract value $860 million
-Kuwait - 218 M1A2 and its variants as of 2009.
-Saudi Arabia - 315 M1A2S as of 2012.
-USA - approximately 6900 M1, M1A1 and M1A2 as of 2012:
-US Army - 1963 M1A2 (62 manufactured, 1308 converted from M1A1, 588 upgraded M1A2 to SEP level), about 2400 M1A1. By the end of the 2009 fiscal year, deliveries of 505 TUSK kits were to be completed (contract dated July 29, 2006).
-US Marine Corps - 221 tanks were produced for the USMC in 1990-1991; V further machines were transferred from the US Army - 50 tanks in 1994, 132 tanks in 1997 and 12 in 2003.
Combat use
Gulf War (1991)
This campaign saw the first use of Abrams tanks on the battlefield. The group of tanks of this type, involved in the campaign to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation, consisted of 594 tanks of the M1A1HA model and 1178 M1A1 tanks, about 30 more vehicles belonged to the old M1 type and participated less actively in battles. Even before the start of hostilities, spontaneous combustion and detonation of ammunition occurred in one of the tanks. Abrams tanks formed the backbone of American armored forces during the war.
The reliability of the Abrams during Desert Storm caused a lot of criticism regarding the operation of the gas turbine engine.
A much more advanced sighting system, better training of crews and the use of depleted uranium ammunition allowed Abrams tanks to hit Iraqi vehicles at distances significantly exceeding the effective firing range of the latter (ZBM9 shells, withdrawn from service (73) many years before the start of production M1A1, ZBM9 were discontinued from production even earlier, thus not effective against opponents for whom they were not intended.). M1A1s equipped with a mine plow were used to dig trenches in which Iraqi soldiers were buried alive.
According to the final report of the US Department of Defense to the US Congress, 18 tanks were lost or damaged during the war. According to A.V. Erokhin and V.L. Lichkov, citing unspecified Western sources, 23 tanks were disabled and damaged, and not a single Abrams was destroyed by enemy tanks. But at the same time, the disabling and destruction of the Abrams by Iraqi tanks is confirmed by official American documents. Moreover, the loss of several M1A1 tanks from the fire of Iraqi T-72s is confirmed by the American military, and the Abrams of the first modifications with the “seventy-two” did not enter into battle; this role was assigned to modernized vehicles with German 120 mm guns and English multi-layer armor. The maximum target for unmodified Abrams was the T-55.
According to some reports, of the 9 M1 tanks completely destroyed on the battlefield, seven vehicles died from “friendly fire”, and the remaining two were, according to American data, destroyed by the crews due to the impossibility of evacuation. Most of the vehicles that were temporarily or permanently disabled were damaged by mines, anti-tank missiles, or grenade launcher shots from the side and rear projections. Cases of Abrams being hit by artillery fire from Iraqi tanks were isolated. During "friendly fire" incidents, the frontal armor of M1A1HA tanks showed the ability to withstand accidental hits from guns of similar tanks. The discovered problems with the tanks included the lack of a “friend or foe” system and the insufficient suitability of the engines for operations in the desert (which was explained by the fact that most of"Abrams", which participated in the conflict, was transported from Europe and was intended for use in the European theater of military operations), imperfect navigation systems.
In early April, during the withdrawal from Iraq, spontaneous combustion and detonation of ammunition occurred in two more Abrams, and one tank received slight damage while standing not far from the burning one.
The 35 Abrams crews who took part in the operation received varying degrees of contamination from particles that were formed during the destruction of uranium cores.
Iraq War (2003-2011)
During the seven-year military campaign in Iraq, the Abrams were used quite actively, but general style The use of tank forces differed significantly from the previous conflict. Since March 23, the “Abrams” of the 3rd Mechanized Division took part in the difficult battle for Nasiriyah, where, together with other troops, they were able to break the resistance of several platoons of Iraqi infantry. On March 24, one of the tanks of the 1st battalion sank along with its entire crew in the Euphrates River after it came under fire from Iraqi machine gunners - the driver began to move the tank away from the fire and fell from the bridge into the river. Two more Abrams tanks that were ambushed near the eastern bank of the river had their engines hit by an unknown weapon; The crews managed to leave the tanks before their ammunition detonated and they completely burned out. There were meetings between Abrams and Iraqi tanks; for example, on April 3, a battle took place in the Mahmudiya area near Baghdad, during which seven Iraqi T-72s were destroyed, while the American side did not suffer any losses. On the same day, also near Baghdad, two Abrams were lost for unknown reasons. On April 5, two more Abrams were damaged near Baghdad. On April 6, at least two Abrams were also shot down on Iraqi territory; one of the tanks burned by an RPG-7 was captured by the Iraqis. During the battle for Karbala, three Abrams were shot down by RPG-7s and captured by the Iraqis; one of the tanks was shown on Iraqi television. Subsequently, tanks were mainly used to fight against irregular rebel forces and partisan formations as a means of fire support and cover. During the first month of hostilities since the beginning of the war, from 14 to 151 Abrams tanks received hits, mostly from RPGs, of which up to 64 tanks were seriously damaged (from 2 to 15 irreparably). Up to seven tanks were captured by the Iraqis, and three of them were in combat-ready condition. On October 27, 2003, 40 km from Baghdad, the latest modification of the M1A2 SEP tank was blown up by a homemade landmine; the Abrams turret flew 30 meters from the hull.
According to data provided by Major General T. Tucker, as of February 2005, 70% of the tank fleet of 1,135 Abrams deployed in Iraq received damage of varying degrees of severity. Of these, 80 vehicles could not be restored by the repair and restoration units deployed in the theater of operations, including 17 that were assessed as beyond repair. By the end of 2006, more than 530 American Abrams tanks were sent back to the United States for repairs.
There is a known case when an M1 Abrams was destroyed by a successfully fired bullet
Initially, it was envisaged that the tank should undergo a series of successive upgrades. Standard production tank M-1 Abrams could be produced, if necessary, in a configuration with a 120 mm Rheinmetall smoothbore gun. The Army's attitude toward installing the 120 mm gun depended on progress in the development of new ammunition for the 105 mm gun and on the appearance of new tanks in the Soviet Union. In the late 70s and early 80s, 105 mm armor-piercing shells were significantly improved and could, according to US Army experts, successfully penetrate the armor of Soviet main battle tanks at normal combat distances (up to 2000 m). Until the end of the 70s, the standard sub-caliber projectile for American tanks was the M735 with a tungsten alloy core and an initial speed of 1501 m/s. This ammunition penetrated 350 mm thick steel armor at a distance of 2000 m. In 1979, production of M774 sub-caliber armor-piercing projectiles with a depleted uranium core began, capable of penetrating thicker armor at longer distances and having a greater destructive effect due to the pyrotechnic reaction of uranium and steel . In 1983, the army began receiving M833 sub-caliber ammunition with a longer and more massive core. This projectile penetrated a steel plate 420 mm thick at a distance of 2000 m at an impact angle of 60 degrees. For comparison, sub-caliber armor-piercing shells for an English 120-mm rifled gun penetrated 400 mm-thick armor at a distance of 2000 m, and ammunition from a Soviet 125-mm smoothbore tank gun (according to unofficial data) penetrated 450 mm-thick armor at the same distance.
M-1A1 Abrams, Company A, Battalion 1-37, 1st Armored Division, Kuwait Liberation Force, January 1991. The history of the unit dates back to World War II - Creighton Abram commanded the 37th Tank Battalion during the war. The diagram shows chevrons typical for units of the 7th Corps. Some battalions had their own symbols, for example, a drawing of a map of Iraq pierced by sub-caliber shells. The "bumper code" of the tank shown is 1 1-37 A-31. On individual tanks, caricatures were drawn on the powder gas ejectors mounted on the gun barrels; for example, in Company B they depicted a simplified version of Frank Franzetta’s famous drawing “Horseman of Death.” Franzetta's drawing was extremely popular among tank units stationed in West Germany, which was the motivation for painting the image of the “horseman” on the tanks that took part in the “Storm”. Option M-1E1 launched into mass production in August 1984 under the designation "M-1A1 Abrams main battle tank", armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun. First M-1A1 rolled off the assembly line in Detroit in December 1985. First of all, these tanks entered service with US Army units stationed in Europe. All “European” tank battalions of the US Army were rearmed with M-1A1 until the end of 1989, and by July 1991 M-1A1 received all storage bases for military equipment of the US armed forces in Europe. In the event of the outbreak of hostilities, the personnel of the heavy divisions were planned to be transferred from America to Europe by air, where they were supposed to receive equipment from storage bases. In October 1988 M-1A1 changed the option on the assembly lines M-1A1NA, which has enhanced armor protection (HA - Heavy Armor, heavy armor) due to the use of depleted uranium inserts. Externally M-1A1 practically indistinguishable from M-1A1NA. The new armor protection is equivalent to steel homogeneous armor with a thickness of 1300 mm during shelling cumulative ammunition and 600 mm - when fired with armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles - twice as much as the armor protection of the first options " Abrams" Tank armor protection M-1A1NA is the most effective among all tanks in the world. The contract for the production of M-1A1NA was signed in January 1991 with the end of deliveries in April 1993; after the completion of tank production M-1A1NA total number of built " Abramsov» modifications M-1A1 should have been 4802 copies. The US Marine Corps planned to purchase 564 tanks M-1A1 in 1986, but the procurement program was canceled due to financial problems. The Marine Corps financed the modification of the tank to adapt it to the requirements of the sailors, in particular, the installation of devices for overcoming water obstacles along the bottom, which should ensure the landing of the Abrams from special ships. It was decided not to produce modifications (for the army, for the marines), but to introduce “naval” innovations on tanks during their mass production; these cars were named M-1A1"Sottop Tank" (Single Tank). Sixty tanks M-1A1NA The Army transferred it to the Marine Corps during Operation Desert Storm. Delivery of 221 “United Tank” to the Marine Corps began in November 1990 and was completed in 1992.
M-1AI "Abrams", Battalion 3-66 1st infantry division , Kuwait Liberation Forces, January 1991. In the 1st Infantry Division, tank identification markings in units were carried out exclusively by chevrons, and the chevrons designated not companies, but tank platoons: 1st platoon - “U” up, 2nd platoon - “ V" to the right, 3rd platoon - "U" - down, 4th platoon - "U" - to the left. The two-digit number designated the battalion and company; The first digits of the number corresponded to the 1st and 2nd brigades: “1” - infantry battalion 5-16, “2” - tank battalion 1-34, “3” - tank battalion 2-34, “4” - infantry battalion 2 -16, “5” - tank battalion 3-37, “6” - tank battalion 4-37. The third brigade was transferred to the 1st Infantry Division from the 2nd Tank Division, its battalions had their own code numbers: “1” - infantry battalion 1-41, “2” - tank battalion 2-66, “3” - tank battalion 3-667 The third digit of the number corresponded to the company - from “1” to “6” (companies “A” - “E”, respectively). The picture shows a tank from the 2nd platoon of Company “B” of Battalion 3-66. With the introduction of the “Block I” variant into mass production, the focus shifted to the “Block II” modification - a radical modernization of the tank’s electronic equipment. The US Army actively introduced the idea of integrating electronic systems similar to aviation on-board radio-electronic systems. "Block II" became the first American "digital" tank; its electrical wiring runs up to a mile long. The avionics architecture is based on the 1553 digital data bus, similar to that used on NATO aircraft. An integrated command and control system facilitates the work of the tank commander and gives him additional opportunities to assess the combat situation and control the actions of crew members or other tanks. The Block II tanks are equipped with the POSNAV inertial navigation system; Finally, there is an independent panoramic commander's thermal imaging surveillance device. The integrated fire control system has unique capabilities: so. To determine the range to the target, the commander can use a new carbon dioxide laser rangefinder. The electronic computer determines the exact location of the target taking into account the readings of the laser rangefinder and the POSNAV navigation system. This information can be automatically and quickly transmitted to divisional artillery positions for firing “on call.” Other improvements to the Block II modification include a new commander’s cupola with new wide-angle observation devices and a simplified 7.62 mm machine gun turret. Serial production of the “Block II” variant was planned for 1992 under the designation “ M-1A2 Abrams main battle tank", armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun. First prototype M-1A2 was ready in December 1990, and the first production one in November 1992. Tanks M-1A2 They ordered extremely little for the US Army - Congress allocated funds for the purchase of only 62 vehicles, although the army expected to receive about 3,000 vehicles of this modification. In 1991, it was decided on Capitol Hill that it would be more correct not to build new tanks, but to bring them to the level M-1A2 already built. Modernization made it possible not to close after the cessation of mass production " Abramsov» in 1993, a tank factory in Lima.
| Tactical and technical characteristics of the M1A1 Abrams tank | |
| Crew: | 4 people |
| Combat weight: | 62.6 t |
| Specific power: | 7.918m |
| Width: | 3.653 m |
| Engine: | GTE Textron-Lycoming AGT-1500 with a power of 1500 hp. |
| Transmission: | Allison HPOO-ZV, hydromechanical, 4 forward gears, 2 reverse |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 1907 l |
| Maximum highway speed: | 72 km/h |
| Maximum off-road speed: | 48 km/h |
| Cruising speed: | 40 km/h |
| Highway range: | 443 km |
| Fording depth: | without preparation 1.22 m with preliminary preparation 1.98 m |
| Weapons: | armor-piercing finned sub-caliber projectile M829; multi-purpose cumulative projectile M830 |
| Maximum radius of effective target destruction: | armor-piercing projectile 3500 m; cumulative projectile 3000 m |
| Ammunition: | 40 shells |
| Gun pointing angles in the vertical plane: | from -10 to +40 degrees. |
Tank Abrams M1A1 photo , in the USA, after the joint development of the MVT70 prototype with Germany ceased in 1970, a program was launched to create its own promising tank, which would replace the already outdated one. In June 1973, contracts were signed with Chrysler and General Motors for the development and construction of prototypes this equipment with diesel and gas turbine engines (GTE). Interestingly, the machine should be relatively cheap and accessible for mass production. Which is what was done. With similar characteristics, for example, to the German one, the American M1 is cheaper.
The revolutionary decision to use a Lycoming Textron gas turbine engine with a power of 1120 kW, or 1500 hp, provided the 57-ton colossus with a highway speed of up to 67 km/h and exceptionally high throttle response. The engine has shown sufficient reliability in various climatic conditions, while on the move it is much quieter than a diesel. For reference, the Soviet T80 tank had a gas turbine engine installed a little earlier than the Americans.
On November 12, 1976, the winning of a Chrysler car with a gas turbine engine was announced. Comprehensive testing of 11 prototypes has begun. They ended in February 1979. Exactly a year later, their serial production began at the state enterprise Lima Tank Plant.
At the same time prototype received the designation M1 "Abrams" (General Abrams), in honor of General Creighton Abrams, commander of the group of American forces in Vietnam.
In February 1981 Abrams M1A1 tank photo , adopted.
M1A1 ABRAMS cross-section with detailed location of crew members and components
Tank Abrams M1 photo , developed by Chrysler Defense Corporation and produced by General Dynamics, combined modern levels of firepower, mobility and survivability. It underwent several upgrades and was able to demonstrate its combat capabilities during the Gulf War, the invasion of Iraq, and operations in Afghanistan.
- During the 1991 Gulf War, only 18 Abrams failed due to combat damage. Nine of them were lost forever, another nine were subject to restoration, having been damaged, mainly by mine explosions. The only completely killed Abrams tank crew was the M1A1 crew.
Over the course of 30 years of operation, the Abrams was regularly upgraded in order to improve its combat and operational qualities. In March 1982, the Land System Division of General Dynamics joined the production of tanks, which began its further modernization ... within the framework of the so-called Block I program. The impetus for its implementation was the Lebanon War of 1982. The result of the first stage of the program was the IP M1 (IP - Improved Product), which appeared in 1984 and received enhanced armor for the frontal part of the hull and turret, an improved suspension, a modified transmission, new tracks and an additional basket for property in the rear of the turret. .
- In August 1984, the M1A1, armed with a 120-mm M256 smoothbore gun, manufactured under a German license, was put into service. The American version of the gun requires fewer spare parts than the German original.
The cannon's ammunition was reduced to 40 rounds, and the coaxial machine gun's ammunition was reduced to 2,800 rounds. Two knockout panels of the same size were installed on the roof of the tower instead of an additional basket.
US Army M1A1 Abrams MBT (Main Battle Tank), Task Force, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, 2nd Tactical Group, 1st Armored Division, pose for a photo under the "Hands of Victory." Baghdad, Iraq during the operation to "liberate or capture" Iraq.
Excerpt briefly.
The M1A1 must engage and defeat the enemy on a “single” or “integrated battlefield”, in any climate, at any time of day, against any enemy. Due to its mobility, fire and striking power. The qualities of the Abrams tank are well suited to the tasks of offensive and defensive operations against enemy troops, highly saturated with armored vehicles, in the harsh conditions of the modern battlefield when exposed to a variety of weapons.
M1A1 tank Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13 MEU) of Central Command December 2003
TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS Tanka Abrams M1A1 photo ,
- Country: USA
- Crew: 4 people
- Developer: Chrysler Defense Development time: 1972-1980
- Production period: 1980 to present
- Period of application: from 1980 to the present
- Manufacturer: Lima Army Tank Plant (1980 to present), Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant (1982-1996)
- Number of built: more than 9000
- Combat weight: 57 t
- Dimensions: Body length: 7.92 m. Length with gun forward: 9.83 m. Width: 3.66 m. Height: 2.89 m.
- Travel speed: 67 km/h.
- Highway range: 500 km.
- Cruising range over rough terrain: 300 km.
- Specific ground pressure: 0.96 kg/cm2.
- Fording depth: 1.22 m, with preparation - 2.3 m
- Climbability: 31°. Width of the ditch to be overcome: 2.75 m. Height of the wall to be overcome: 1.27 m
- Suspension type: individual torsion bar, advanced
- Engine: gas turbine Avco-Lycoming AGT 1500 Power: 1120 kW (1500 hp) at 3000 rpm
- Fuel tank capacity: 1907 l
- Specific power: 26.3 hp/t
- Main armament: 120 mm M256 L/44 smoothbore gun, 40 rounds of ammunition.
- Secondary weapons: 2 x 7.62 mm M240 machine guns, 11,000 rounds of ammunition; 1 x 12.7 mm M2НВ Browning anti-aircraft machine gun, 900 rounds of ammunition.
- Armor type: homogeneous rolled, multi-layer composite in the frontal part of the hull and on the turret, welded structure.
Shot of the main tank "Abrams" M1A1 photo
CREW ACCOMMODATION
The crew consists of four people. The driver is located in the front part of the hull in the middle, reclining in a combat style. The turret to the right of the gun houses the gunner and commander, and the loader to the left.
MAIN WEAPONS
The main armament of the modification of the Abrams M1A1 tank was the American version of the German 120-mm smoothbore gun Rheinmetall L44, which received the designation M256 in the USA.
AUXILIARY WEAPONS
On the roof of the turret above the commander's hatch there is a turret mount for a 12.7 mm M2NV machine gun. In the turret, a 7.62-mm M240 machine gun is paired with the cannon; the second M240 machine gun is installed above the loader's hatch.
M1A1 Abrams ARMOR PROTECTION
The M1A1's combined armor is largely similar to the British Chobham armor, using steel armor, depleted uranium, ceramic elements and synthetic fabrics. The equivalent (homogeneous armor) thickness on tank armor ranges from 560 mm for the front hull plates to 900 mm for the turret.
M1A1 main battle tank prepares to march to the Al-Hamra training ground in the United Arab Emirates
AMMUNITION RACK
The ammunition is stored in armored compartments in the developed aft niche of the turret and is separated from the crew by an armored partition; in the upper part of the niche there are ejector panels - through the holes they open, explosion products are directed outward in the event of detonation.
POWER POINT
The Lycoming Textron AGT 1500 gas turbine engine produces 1,120 kW (1,500 hp) and delivers highway speeds of up to 67 km/h. The engine is more reliable and quieter than a diesel engine of equal power, but high fuel consumption creates big problems for support services.
Marines of the 1st Tank Battalion on an M1A1 tank
Tank Abrams M1A1 photo, modification M1A1, serial production of which began in August 1985, received a 120-mm M256 smoothbore gun.
Instrumentation allows the M1A1 crew to detect a target at a great distance, exceeding the range effective action enemy weapon, identify it, determine the distance and fire an aimed shot before the opponent can use his weapon. The digital ballistic computer receives data from the laser rangefinder and determines the sight settings, taking into account the angular position of the target and the bend of the gun barrel - a mirror is installed on the muzzle of the barrel specifically for this determination. External sensors on the tower provide information about atmospheric conditions.
Multilayer combined armor for M1 tanks since 1988 has included steel armor with depleted uranium additives, providing significantly greater density than other steel alloys, layers of synthetic fabric, ceramic elements, and rubber inserts. During the Gulf War, there were cases of Abrams armor being penetrated by shells from Soviet-made T-72 tanks. The ammunition compartment and the turret roof include knockout strips, thanks to which, in the event of penetration of the hull or turret armor and detonation of ammunition, the explosion products will be directed outward - this increases the crew's chances of survival.
CREW ACCOMMODATION
The driver, located in the front part of the body along the axis of the vehicle, uses three periscope devices for observation, one of which can be replaced with a night vision device. To reduce the height of the tank, the driver sits reclining in a combat style. The commander is located in the turret to the right of the gun and can conduct all-round observation through six periscopes. The gunner, also seated to the right of the gun, uses a GPS-LOS surveillance system and a Hughes laser rangefinder. The loader is located to the left of the gun.
Australian and US Marine Corps soldiers at Exercise Golden Eagle in California
Coaxial sight: In the event of combat damage or failure of automated equipment, a telescopic type optical sight can be used.
Commander's Station: The commander also uses several sights, including sights on the 12.7 mm machine gun turret, and a sight that duplicates the gunner's main sight.
The fighting compartment floor acts as a suspended turret floor, rotating synchronously with its rotation and providing crew members with a constant position relative to the weapons and ammunition.
On an M1A1 Abrams tank, a Marine on a smoke break, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Tank Battalion during exercises in the desert
M1 Abrams and Iraqi T-72 tank, stern to each other, Besmaya Gunnery Ridge Baghdad, Iraq, October 2008
Abrams M1A1 tank on the belly, photo during the Iraqi campaign
With the hatch closed, the driver takes a reclining position and controls the tank using a T-shaped steering wheel.
The M1 tank is armed with a 105-mm M68A1 rifled gun, stabilized in two planes and equipped with an ejector. The gun's ammunition load includes 55 rounds. A 7.62-mm machine gun is paired with the cannon, a second one is installed in front of the loader's hatch, and a 12.7-mm machine gun is mounted on the commander's turret. Ammunition - 11,400 rounds of 7.62 mm caliber and 1,000 rounds of 12.7 mm caliber. On the sides of the turret there are two six-barreled smoke grenade launchers.
The tank is equipped with a fairly advanced fire control system. An Avco-Licoming AGT-1500 gas turbine engine with a power of 1,500 hp is installed in a single unit with the transmission. The maximum gas temperature in the turbine reaches 1193°.
- The tank accelerates to 30 km/h in 6 seconds.
- Maximum speed - 66.7 km/h.
The chassis consists of seven rubber-coated rollers on board, two rubber-coated support rollers, a rear drive wheel with removable ring gears and a guide wheel. Individual torsion bar suspension. The caterpillar is rubberized with rubber-metal hinges and removable asphalt running pads.
gunner and driver preparing for battle of the new M1A2 modification, the main difference is the presence remote control anti-aircraft machine gun
Tank Abrams M1A1 photo, has modifications:
- HM1: Experienced. In 1979, nine prototypes were built.
- M1: First production model. Produced in 1979-1985.
- MPR: IP - “improved production model”. It was produced in 1984 before the adoption of the M1A1. Includes some improvements and design changes.
- M1A1: Produced 1986-1992.
- M1A1NS: NS - “regular weighted”. Composite armor containing depleted uranium, a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction with sealing of the hull and the creation of excess pressure, a large basket for stowing spare parts on the turret, a 120-mm M256 smoothbore gun.
- M1A1-D: D - “digital”. M1A1 NS with digital electronic equipment.
- M1A1-AIM: AIM is a “comprehensive modernization of the Abrams tank.” Modernization program for all previously released ones by one deadline. Provides for: installation of a forward-looking infrared system (FLIR) and long-range target detection sensors, telephone equipment for communication with an infantry unit, new communications equipment, a terminal for “21st century battle control equipment at the brigade level and below” (FBCB2) and “friendly force” identification equipment. based on the “friend or foe” principle (Blue Force Tracking), a thermal imaging sight for 1 2.7 mm machine gun.
- M1A1 KVT: KVT is the “red version of the tank.” M1A1, modified to imitate Soviet tanks in the National training center Fort Irwin. Equipped with a set of laser sensors and hit simulators (MILES) and a “Hoffman device” (a simulator of firing from a tank gun).
M1A1M: Export version for supply to the Iraqi army. - M1A2 (1992),
- M1A2 SEP (1999),
- M1A1D (2000),
- M1 TUSK (2006),
- M1A2 SEP V2 (2008).
distinctive features of the new series tanks
- Serial production of A1M1 series tanks was carried out in the USA until 1995.
- In total, over 9,000 pieces were produced. Currently, the modernization of previously produced vehicles continues.
- As of 2010, the tanks were in service with Australia, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The M1 Abrams tank is equipped with a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction, which, if necessary, provides the supply of purified air from the filter ventilation unit to the crew masks, and also creates excess pressure in the fighting compartment to prevent the entry of radioactive dust or toxic substances into it. There are radiation and chemical reconnaissance instruments. The air temperature inside the tank can be increased using a heater. For external communication, the AM/URS-12 radio is used, and for internal communication, a tank intercom is used. For all-round visibility, six viewing periscopes are installed around the perimeter of the commander’s cupola. An electronic (digital) ballistic computer, made on solid-state elements, calculates angular corrections for shooting with fairly high accuracy. From the laser rangefinder, the range to the target, crosswind speed, ambient temperature and the angle of inclination of the gun trunnion axis are automatically entered into it.
In addition, data on the type of projectile, barometric pressure, charge temperature, wear of the barrel bore, as well as corrections for the mismatch between the direction of the axis of the bore bore and the line of sight are manually entered. After detecting and identifying the target, the gunner, holding the crosshair of the sight on it, presses the laser rangefinder button. The range value is displayed in the gunner's and commander's sights. The gunner then selects the type of ammunition by setting the four-position switch to the appropriate position. Meanwhile, the loader loads the gun. A light signal in the gunner's sight notifies that the gun is ready to open fire. Angular corrections from the ballistic computer are entered automatically. The disadvantages include the presence of only one eyepiece in the gunner's sight, which tires the eyes, especially while the tank is moving, as well as the lack of a tank commander's sight, independent of the gunner's sight.
M1 "Abrams" battle tank on the march.
The engine and transmission compartment is located at the rear of the vehicle. The AOT-1500 gas turbine engine is made in one unit with an automatic hydromechanical transmission X-1100-ZV. If necessary, the entire unit can be replaced in less than 1 hour. The choice of a gas turbine engine is explained by a number of its advantages compared to a diesel engine of the same power. First of all, this is the possibility of obtaining more power with a smaller volume of gas turbine engine. In addition, the latter has approximately half the weight, a relatively simple design and 2-3 times longer service life. In addition, it better meets multi-fuel requirements.
At the same time, there are such disadvantages as increased fuel consumption and difficulty in air purification. AOT-1500 is a three-shaft engine with a two-flow axial-centrifugal compressor, an individual tangential combustion chamber, a two-stage power turbine with an adjustable first-stage nozzle apparatus and a stationary ring plate heat exchanger. The maximum gas temperature in the turbine is 1193°C. Output shaft rotation speed - 3000 rpm. The engine has good throttle response, which allows the M1 Abrams tank to accelerate to a speed of 30 km/h in 6 seconds. The X-1100-ZV automatic hydromechanical transmission provides four forward gears and two reverse gears.
It consists of an automatic locking torque converter, a planetary gearbox and a continuously variable hydrostatic steering mechanism. The chassis of the tank includes seven road wheels per side and two pairs of support rollers, a torsion bar suspension, and tracks with rubber-metal linings. On the basis of the M1 Abrams tank, special-purpose vehicles were created: a heavy tank bridge-laying vehicle, a roller mine sweeper and an armored repair and recovery vehicle, the NAV bridge-laying vehicle.
Turret of the M1 Abrams main tank.
The promising American main battle tank "Block III" is being developed on the basis of the Abrams tank. It has a small turret, an automatic loader and a crew of three, located shoulder to shoulder in the tank's hull.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the main combat tank М1А1/М1А2 "Abrams"
| Combat weight, T | 57,15/62,5 |
| Crew, people | 4 |
|
Dimensions, mm: |
|
| length with gun forward | 9828 |
| width | 3650 |
| height | 2438 |
| clearance | 432/482 |
| Armor, mm | combined with the use of depleted uranium |
|
Weapons: |
|
| M1 | 105 mm M68E1 rifled gun; two 7.62 mm machine guns; 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun |
| М1А1/М1А2 | 120 mm Rh-120 smoothbore gun, two 7.62 mm M240 machine guns and a 12.7 mm Browning 2NV machine gun |
|
Ammunition: |
|
| M1 | 55 rounds, 1000 rounds 12.7mm, 11400 rounds 7.62mm |
| М1А1/М1А2 | 40 rounds, 1000 rounds of 12.7 mm caliber, 12400 rounds of 7.62 mm caliber |
| Engine | "Lycoming Textron" AGT-1500, gas turbine, power 1500 hp. at 3000 rpm |
| Specific ground pressure, kg/cm | 0,97/1,07 |
| Highway speed km/h | 67 |
| Highway range km | 465/450 |
|
Obstacles to be overcome: |
|
| wall height, m | 1,0 |
| ditch width, m | 2,70 |
| ford depth, m | 1,2 |
Sources:
- N. Fomich. "American tank M1 "Abrams" and its modifications", "Foreign Military Review";
- M. Baryatinsky. "Whose tanks are better: T-80 vs. Abrams";
- G.L. Kholyavsky "Complete encyclopedia of tanks of the world 1915 - 2000";
- M1 Abrams;
- Spasibukhov Yu. "M1 Abrams. Main battle tank of the USA";
- Tankograd Publishing 2008 "M1A1/M1A2 SEP Abrams Tusk";
- Wydawnictwo Bellona "M1 Abrams Czolg Amerykanski 1982-1992";
- Steven J. Zaloga "M1 Abrams vs T-72 Ural: Operation Desert Storm 1991";
- Michael Green "M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank: The Combat and Development History of the General Dynamics M1 and M1A1 Tanks."
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