come
on is the m1 abrams main battle tank the best that was ever made
or are newer tanks catching up should the u.s military replace the m1a2 abram's main battle tank
or keep upgrading it so far the supporters of upgrades have won out the modern m1a2 has
been improved so much that it hardly resembles the original tank on the inside proponents are
calling it the most technologically advanced tank in the world but it requires a long testing cycle
this year the abrams m1a2 had to show its metal by driving 2000 miles in subarctic weather to
prove it can operate in the cold m1 abrams twisted steel with lots of appeal it's hard
to believe but the abrams original concept began during the carter administration in the late 1970s
the first tanks were delivered in 1980 that's over 40 years of service
the abrams did not see major conflict until operation desert storm but there it dominated
the iraqis almost 1 900 tanks streamed across the desert to attack saddam hussein's army
that's when the abrams made piecemeal of the iraqis the americans lost only 18 abrams tanks
with nine taken out of service due to damages while another nine were destroyed completely
moreover the united states didn't lose a single tank crew member during the first gulf war since
then u.s allies have ordered hundreds of the various abrams models to keep up with the demand
and to compete with russian tanks such as the t-14 armada the americans needed to constantly improve
the abrams over the years you can see the latest from 1945 on russia's t14 armada here and here
the m1 abrams boasts a powerful 120 millimeter smoothbore cannon and two machine guns it has a
crew of four the loader can prepare a round for fire in three seconds it sports a 1 500
horsepower gas turbine engine the maximum speed is 42 miles per hour and its range is 265 miles
the m1 abrams is greatly improved from the early days the most significant improvement
has been the inter vehicle information system ivis during battle the abrams m1a2
can constantly communicate with ease for example the leading tank commander gets automatic updates
on what tanks under his command are doing at any given time each tank has a unique position and
navigation point that makes sure ivis doesn't disappoint during complex battle maneuvers
ibis keeps track of enemy tanks giving the m1a two huge advantages in combat
ivis can also call for artillery fires to enhance the attack ivis can also call for
artillery fires to enhance the attack each tank commander gets an all-weather thermal sight
the driver has a digital display while the gunner sights has been upgraded
ivis will eventually have voice recognition and digital mapping too
the m1 abrams has been an amazing platform over the last 40 years
due to various counter-insurgency battles during the war on terror the abrams has
taken a back seat to dismounted infantry and cavalry units who were fighting insurgents
however in a potential armored battle against russia or china the army will have a decided
advantage with the various abrams upgrades unfortunately the tank fight will not include the
marine corps as the marines have shut down their armor branch and have done away with the marine
version of the abrams tank but the army is still more than capable of dominating in armored warfare