"Track resistance test passed !"
An American project begun in 1972 by General Motors & Chrysler, it was christened XM1 in 1973...
In 1995, it was used in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and in 1999 in Kosovo. But it was during the two Gulf Wars of 1991 & 2003 that it proved its effectiveness...
The tank consists of four men: driver - gunner - loader & tank commander. 9.83m long, 3.66m wide and 2.44m high, it weighs 62 tonnes in current models.
The Abrams tank is armed with a 120mm Rheinmetall smoothbore gun and benefits from computer-controlled gun stabilization. The shell range is around 4 kilometers. Secondary armament is provided by a 12.7mm and two 7.62mm turret guns...
The M1 A2 features a new fire-control system (thermal sight) and a new on-board computer...
Chobham armor reinforced with depleted uranium on the front complements homogeneous laminated steel and Kevlar throughout...
Its Avco Lycoming AGT-1500 gas turbine (unique on an American tank) enables acceleration, while its average road speed is 72km/h for 465km! (52km/h off-road)...
Several African countries, as well as Greece and Australia, have acquired different versions of the M1...
