An overview: M1 Abrams

ΑΠΟΨΕΙΣ - 19/10/2021. Συντάκτης: Defendia Newsroom

The M1 Abrams is an American Third Generation Main Battle Tank (MBT), designed by Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems) in the late 70s and named after Gen. Creighton Abrams. It is one of the most battle-proven tanks of all time.
As of 2021, the M1 Abrams has fought in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, Oman and Morocco, proving itself on the battlefield time and time again, even in older versions against various insurgents.
It is the MBT of the U.S. Army and the United States Marine Corps (USMC), Taiwan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Egypt and Australia. There are many different versions of the M1 that serve in different countries, but we shall focus on the latest version of the tank; The M1A2 SEP v3 (also known as M1A2C) version, this version of the M1 retains all the main characteristics of the M1A2 and it integrates the line-replaceable module technology, meaning that it becomes much easier to operate the tank and improve its systems. The tank also integrates the joint tactical radio system (JTRS) to protect and improve and protect communication with the rest of the brigade combat teams (BCTs). It carries a 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun which can fire M829A4 advanced kinetic energy and advanced multipurpose (AMP) rounds to defend armored vehicles, provide support to infantry and destroy low-flight planes. Its optics are incredible as it is fitted with the improved forward-looking infrared (IFLIR) to detect targets. In recent years, many Abrams have been fitted with the Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK), which is enhanced by the implementation of the Israeli active protection system (APS) “TROPHY”.
Overall, the M1 Abrams is a modern tank, ready to face the challenges of the future and be able to adapt to the modern battlefield as part of network-centric command, something that, as a modern concept, was putted to test in Operation Desert Storm, a doctrine that was born out of the success of the 2nd ACR (Armored Cavalry Regiment) and its M1A1 Abrams in the Battle of 73 Easting, and the legacy of that operations carries on to this day.