WELCOME TO GEORGE'S M1 ABRAMS PAGE.
1776 MILITARY POLICE COMPANY
210 MP BN., 177 MP BDE., MICHIGAN ARNG.
The M-1/M1A1/M1A2 WAS INTRODUCED INTO U.S. ARMY SERVICE STARTING IN 1980. iT HAS A SMOOTHBORE 120MM MAIN GUN (105MM FOR THE M1/M1 IP) WHICH IS STANDARDIZED WITHIN NATO. THE GERMAN LEOPARD II HAS THE SAME WEAPON. IT FIRES HVAPFSDS (HIGH VELOCITY ARMOR PIERCING FIN STABILIZED DISCARDING SABOT) FOR ANTI-TANK, AND HEAT (HIGH EXPLOSIVE ANTI TANK) FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. A ROUND CALLED STAFF IS BEING DEVELOPED FOR ANTI-HELICOPTER DIRECT-FIRE.
IT ALSO HAS A .50 CALIBER M2 MACHINE GUN (MA DEUCE), A COAXIAL 7.62 MM M-240 MG, AND A M-240 FOR THE LOADER.
IT HAS A TOP SPEED OF AROUND 45 MPH, AND IT SAID TO BE THE BEST ALL-AROUND MAIN BATTLE TANK IN THE WORLD. IN OPERATION DESERT STORM, NOT ONE WAS LOST TO ENEMY FIRE.
I WAS AN M1 TANKER FROM 1986 TO 1990, IN TEXAS AND GERMANY, WITH THE NOW-DEACTIVATED 2ND ARMORED DIVISION.
Features: The M1A1
is an improved version of the M1 Main Battle Tank (MBT). It includes a 120mm
smoothbore main gun, an NBC overpressure protection system, improved suspension
and powertrain and an improved armor package. In 1988 the M1A1 design was
further improved by the addition of depleted uranium (DU) to the tank's Chobham
armor matrix. The M1A1's assigned to the Marine Corps' tank battalions were
further modified to include a Position Location Reporting System (PLRS) as well
as a Deep Water Fording Kit (DWFK.) As with all tanks in the M1 line, the M1A1
utilizes a 3x-10x primary sight with both ambient light and thermal (infra red)
capabilities which allow the gunner to acquire, identify and engage targets in
all weather conditions and at ranges out to 2.5 miles. Furthermore, crew safety
is enhanced by storing all main gun ammunition in an armored compartment with
specially built "blow out" panels which will redirect explosive energy
away from the crew in the event the ammunition is damaged.
Inventory:
U.S. Army:4,796
U.S. Marine Corps: 221
Manufacturer: General Dynamics (Land Systems Division)
Transmission: Allison X-1100-3B hydrokinetic transmission, fully
automatic with four forward and two reverse gear ratios.
Engine: Lycoming Textron AGT-1500 (multi-fuel) gas turbine engine
delivering 1500 horsepower
Length, Gun Forward: 385 inches (9.78 meters)
Width: 144 inches (3.66 meters)
Height: 114 inches (2.89 meters)
Combat Weight: 67.7 tons (61.4 metric tons)
Cruising Range: 289 miles (465.29 kilometers) without NBC system
279 miles (449.19 kilometers) with NBC system
Sight radius: 8 degrees at 10 power
Speed:
Maximum: 42 miles (67.72 kilometers) per hour
Cross Country: 30 miles (48.3 kilometers) per hour
Ground clearance: 19 inches (48.26 centimeters)
Obstacle crossing:
Vertical: 42 inches (106.68 centimeters)
Trench: 9 feet wide (2.74 meters)
Slope: 60 degrees at 4.5 miles (7.24 kilometers) per hour
Crew: A four-man crew composed of a driver, loader, gunner, and tank
commander
Armament:
Main: 120mm M256 main gun
Secondary:
(1) Caliber .50 M2 machine gun
(2) 7.62mm M240 machine guns
Ammunition:
40 120mm Cannon rounds ( combination of kinetic energy (SABOT) and High
Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT) shaped charge). STAFF round is in development.
1,000 Caliber .50 machine gun rounds
12,400 7.62mm NATO machine gun rounds
24 M8 red phosphorus smoke
grenades
Sensors: The M1A1 has a cant sensor, cross wind sensor, laser
rangefinder, and automatic lead input to its ballistic fire control solution
computer
Introduction date: 1985
Unit Replacement Cost: $4,300,000
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