m1 abrams main battle tank gulf war stats

The Abrams tank was updated again in the 1990s as the M1A2, which included the addition of a commander’s independent thermal viewer, improved weapon station and embedded diagnostics as well as an improved fire control system. Most importantly, not a single Abrams crewman was lost in the conflict. During the war, only 18 Abrams tanks were taken out of service due to battle damage, and only nine were permanent losses. Despite concerns as to how the tanks would handle the sand, as well as concerns over months with little maintenance, the Abrams proved superior to the Soviet-era T-55, T-62, and even T-72 tanks that were used by the Iraqi military. It featured that pressurized NBC system, as well as a rear bustle rack for improved stowage of supplies and crew belongings, redesigned blow-off panels, and its improved M256A1 120 mm smoothbore cannon.Ī total of 1,848 M1A1s were deployed to Saudi Arabia to take part in the liberation of Kuwait. Technically, it wasn’t the same M1 either – as the tank had been upgraded to the M1A1, which began in 1985 and continued to 1992. However, its baptism of fire served to confirm that it was truly among the best tanks in the world. military for a decade, the Abrams remained untested in combat until the Persian Gulf War in 1991. That added weight did reduce the top speed to 41.5mph, but the tanks still proved superior to anything that rolled at it.ĭespite being in service with the U.S. In 1985, the tank was upgraded to the M1A1 version, which was slightly longer, weighed 67.6 tons, and offered the 120 mm L/44 M256A1 smoothbore gun along with other enhancements that included an improved suspension, increased armor protection, and even a nuclear-chemical-biological (NCB) protection system.

Its armament was a 105 mm L/52 M68A1 rifled gun. The M1 Abrams was also more than capable to engage the enemy in any weather condition, day or night.Īs originally designated as the M1, it was 32.04 feet in length and 12 feet wide, had a top speed of 45mph, and weighed 60 tons. The M1 Abrams was designed to provide more mobile firepower for armored formations and to take on and destroy any armored fighting vehicle that came at it, while at the same time ensuring the protection of its crew in nearly any conceivable combat situation or environment.

M1 abrams main battle tank gulf war stats