As the tensions of the Cold War escalated during the early 1960s, so did the arms race
As the tensions of the Cold War escalated during the early 1960s, so did the arms race

between the world’s superpowers, and the Soviets were at their peak of technological
between the world’s superpowers, and the Soviets were at their peak of technological

development.
development.

Although very few people could infiltrate the Iron Curtain, there was a strong rumor
Although very few people could infiltrate the Iron Curtain, there was a strong rumor

that the Soviets were working on a tank far more potent than the T-62 and the T-54/55.
that the Soviets were working on a tank far more potent than the T-62 and the T-54/55.

The Americans and West Germans, who had just recently built the M60 and Leopard I tanks,
The Americans and West Germans, who had just recently built the M60 and Leopard I tanks,

were afraid of this new secret weapon and decided to join forces to create a vehicle
were afraid of this new secret weapon and decided to join forces to create a vehicle

that would be more powerful and way ahead of anything built at the time.
that would be more powerful and way ahead of anything built at the time.

This marked the first time the two nations worked together on a tank project, and the
This marked the first time the two nations worked together on a tank project, and the

result was the MBT-70.
result was the MBT-70.

However, having the US Army and the Bundeswehr join forces would prove a far more challenging
However, having the US Army and the Bundeswehr join forces would prove a far more challenging

endeavor than expected…
endeavor than expected…

A New Soviet Threat By 1965, the United States Army had made the
A New Soviet Threat By 1965, the United States Army had made the

M60 its main battle tank, while its NATO counterpart, the West German Bundeswehr, had recently developed
M60 its main battle tank, while its NATO counterpart, the West German Bundeswehr, had recently developed

the well-rounded Leopard I. Both tanks proved outstanding and performed
the well-rounded Leopard I. Both tanks proved outstanding and performed

without issues against any other armored vehicle the Soviet Union could field at the time.
without issues against any other armored vehicle the Soviet Union could field at the time.

However, the paranoia around the secretly improved version of the Soviet T-62 main battle
However, the paranoia around the secretly improved version of the Soviet T-62 main battle

tank was taken seriously by the military staff of the United States and West Germany, as
tank was taken seriously by the military staff of the United States and West Germany, as

the engineers from both countries believed their new tanks would not match the Soviet
the engineers from both countries believed their new tanks would not match the Soviet

colossus and decided to act accordingly.
colossus and decided to act accordingly.

Both nations shared the same threat, the same enemy, and were confronted in the same theater
Both nations shared the same threat, the same enemy, and were confronted in the same theater

of operations.
of operations.

They were sure they could work together on a new project to overcome the Soviet Union.
They were sure they could work together on a new project to overcome the Soviet Union.

Still, many wondered if that would be possible at all.
Still, many wondered if that would be possible at all.

It was then that American Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara stepped in to do something
It was then that American Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara stepped in to do something

no one had ever thought of: get the Americans and West Germans to jointly develop a new
no one had ever thought of: get the Americans and West Germans to jointly develop a new

super-tank.
super-tank.

McNamara Has An Idea Robert McNamara put the best of his industrial
McNamara Has An Idea Robert McNamara put the best of his industrial

management capabilities learned at Ford Motor Company before becoming Secretary of Defense
management capabilities learned at Ford Motor Company before becoming Secretary of Defense

into the production of military resources.
into the production of military resources.

Several NATO states then fielded dozens of weapon systems that had little in common,
Several NATO states then fielded dozens of weapon systems that had little in common,

especially regarding standard ammunition calibers and vehicle spare parts.
especially regarding standard ammunition calibers and vehicle spare parts.

Still, McNamara managed to convince the US Armor Branch and the German Bundeswehr to
Still, McNamara managed to convince the US Armor Branch and the German Bundeswehr to

develop a tank that could meet the standards of both armies.
develop a tank that could meet the standards of both armies.

His high regard for German engineering led to the August 1963 memorandum of understanding,
His high regard for German engineering led to the August 1963 memorandum of understanding,

and both nations agreed to organize a Joint Design Team to develop the MBT-70 tank.
and both nations agreed to organize a Joint Design Team to develop the MBT-70 tank.

Former tank commander US General Welborn G. Dolvin was chosen to lead the US team, whose
Former tank commander US General Welborn G. Dolvin was chosen to lead the US team, whose

contractor was General Motors.
contractor was General Motors.

Meanwhile, the Bundeswehr formed the German Development Corporation, which comprised the
Meanwhile, the Bundeswehr formed the German Development Corporation, which comprised the

most prominent German industrial firms.
most prominent German industrial firms.

Discussions between the two teams began almost immediately, as every side wanted to design
Discussions between the two teams began almost immediately, as every side wanted to design

the tank according to its own philosophy.
the tank according to its own philosophy.

Still, neither side was entirely convinced, and there were many differences, starting
Still, neither side was entirely convinced, and there were many differences, starting

with the use of either the metric system or SAE units for the specifics of the gun, turret,
with the use of either the metric system or SAE units for the specifics of the gun, turret,

and general equipment.
and general equipment.

McNamara tried to solve the issue, but only managed to reach an agreement in which both
McNamara tried to solve the issue, but only managed to reach an agreement in which both

sides would use their own measurements on the parts they designed.
sides would use their own measurements on the parts they designed.

The MBT-70 Tank Despite the disputes, the Germans and Americans
The MBT-70 Tank Despite the disputes, the Germans and Americans

immediately got to work.
immediately got to work.

Some of the MBT-70 features were truly ahead of their time, and the tank was designed from
Some of the MBT-70 features were truly ahead of their time, and the tank was designed from

scratch to innovate with a new tank concept.
scratch to innovate with a new tank concept.

The MBT-70 was 3.5 meters long, but reached over 9.3 meters with the gun placed forward.
The MBT-70 was 3.5 meters long, but reached over 9.3 meters with the gun placed forward.

Unlike the American M60, which was a tank of colossal proportions, the MBT-70 had a
Unlike the American M60, which was a tank of colossal proportions, the MBT-70 had a

low silhouette.
low silhouette.

It was over 1.8 meters tall from the turret to the floor.
It was over 1.8 meters tall from the turret to the floor.

Its standard height was over 2.60 meters, but thanks to an effective hydropneumatic
Its standard height was over 2.60 meters, but thanks to an effective hydropneumatic

suspension system, it could be heightened or lowered depending on the road to bolster
suspension system, it could be heightened or lowered depending on the road to bolster

cross-country performance or enhance the desired combat capabilities.
cross-country performance or enhance the desired combat capabilities.

Moreover, the tank could kneel forward or backward to improve the gun's accuracy and
Moreover, the tank could kneel forward or backward to improve the gun's accuracy and

range when targeting long-distance objectives.
range when targeting long-distance objectives.

Additionally, the hydropneumatic suspension system served a defensive purpose, as it could
Additionally, the hydropneumatic suspension system served a defensive purpose, as it could

fortify hull-down positions to protect the tank from the rear.
fortify hull-down positions to protect the tank from the rear.

Turret and Armament The low silhouette blueprint resulted in a
Turret and Armament The low silhouette blueprint resulted in a

redesigned interior as there was no room in the hull for the driver and the crew.
redesigned interior as there was no room in the hull for the driver and the crew.

Instead, their stations were located in the tank's turret, which offered protection against
Instead, their stations were located in the tank's turret, which offered protection against

nuclear, biological, and chemical threats.
nuclear, biological, and chemical threats.

However, the driver's seat had to be placed in an individual cupola that was constantly
However, the driver's seat had to be placed in an individual cupola that was constantly

rotating so that he could see in the same direction despite the turns of the turret.
rotating so that he could see in the same direction despite the turns of the turret.

Plus, it could also be spun so the tank could be driven backward at full speed.
Plus, it could also be spun so the tank could be driven backward at full speed.

Although innovative, this resulted in motion sickness for the drivers, who were used to
Although innovative, this resulted in motion sickness for the drivers, who were used to

always remaining stationary.
always remaining stationary.

As for the main armament, the Germans settled for an auto-loading 120-millimeter Rheinmetall
As for the main armament, the Germans settled for an auto-loading 120-millimeter Rheinmetall

gun.
gun.

However, the Americans preferred the 152-millimeter XM150 gun/launcher.
However, the Americans preferred the 152-millimeter XM150 gun/launcher.

Besides firing a wide variety of tank rounds, such as High-Explosive Anti-Tank and Armor-Piercing
Besides firing a wide variety of tank rounds, such as High-Explosive Anti-Tank and Armor-Piercing

Discarding Sabot rounds, the tank was also expected to fire the Shillelagh guided missile
Discarding Sabot rounds, the tank was also expected to fire the Shillelagh guided missile

with a laser rangefinder, which had a range of some 3,000 meters.
with a laser rangefinder, which had a range of some 3,000 meters.

Secondary armament comprised a remote-controlled 20-millimeter Rh 202 autocannon to take down
Secondary armament comprised a remote-controlled 20-millimeter Rh 202 autocannon to take down

armored vehicles and aircraft, and a machine gun was mounted coaxially for close-quarters.
armored vehicles and aircraft, and a machine gun was mounted coaxially for close-quarters.

Finally, the tank was fitted with an M73, while the German prototype was armed with
Finally, the tank was fitted with an M73, while the German prototype was armed with

an MG3 machine gun.
an MG3 machine gun.

The Fastest Tank The MBT-70’s armor was made up of two layers.
The Fastest Tank The MBT-70’s armor was made up of two layers.

The outer layer was made of High-Performance Armor produced in plates that were 40 millimeters
The outer layer was made of High-Performance Armor produced in plates that were 40 millimeters

thick and it was designed to withstand impacts from anti-tank rounds.
thick and it was designed to withstand impacts from anti-tank rounds.

In addition, the front of the hull and turret were covered by spaced armor, and the inner
In addition, the front of the hull and turret were covered by spaced armor, and the inner

layer protected the three-man crew from spalling or internal armor fragmentation.
layer protected the three-man crew from spalling or internal armor fragmentation.

Despite the MBT-70’s approximate weight of 51 tons, it had excellent mobility thanks
Despite the MBT-70’s approximate weight of 51 tons, it had excellent mobility thanks

to its innovative suspension system.
to its innovative suspension system.

It could achieve a top speed of over 69 kilometers per hour and was faster than the M60, the
It could achieve a top speed of over 69 kilometers per hour and was faster than the M60, the

Leopard I, and the Soviet T64.
Leopard I, and the Soviet T64.

Combined with its top-notch cross-country capabilities, no main battle tank in the market
Combined with its top-notch cross-country capabilities, no main battle tank in the market

could match the reliability of the MBT-70.
could match the reliability of the MBT-70.

Still, the tank was far from perfect.
Still, the tank was far from perfect.

Drivers constantly complained about the rotating cupola, and the American XM150 gun/launcher
Drivers constantly complained about the rotating cupola, and the American XM150 gun/launcher

failed to fire the Shillelagh missile effectively without issues.
failed to fire the Shillelagh missile effectively without issues.

Also, to maintain the incredible speeds of the MBT-70, the American model had to be fitted
Also, to maintain the incredible speeds of the MBT-70, the American model had to be fitted

with a turbine engine that proved problematic given its exceptional care.
with a turbine engine that proved problematic given its exceptional care.

Fourteen MBT-70 hulls were built between the Americans and the Germans, and testing ran
Fourteen MBT-70 hulls were built between the Americans and the Germans, and testing ran

from 1966 to 1968.
from 1966 to 1968.

However, the cost of the project dramatically escalated.
However, the cost of the project dramatically escalated.

Each MBT-70 was estimated to cost over one million dollars in 1969, and the project was
Each MBT-70 was estimated to cost over one million dollars in 1969, and the project was

initially expected to cost 80 million but had risen to over 300 million dollars as 1970
initially expected to cost 80 million but had risen to over 300 million dollars as 1970

approached.
approached.

Differences The United States and West German governments
Differences The United States and West German governments

were no longer convinced of the tank and the ongoing issues between both teams.
were no longer convinced of the tank and the ongoing issues between both teams.

As a result, they decided to part ways before spending more money on a tank that would never
As a result, they decided to part ways before spending more money on a tank that would never

see the light of day.
see the light of day.

However, it was not all in vain.
However, it was not all in vain.

The Bundeswehr would go on to develop the effective Leopard II with many of the ideas
The Bundeswehr would go on to develop the effective Leopard II with many of the ideas

implemented in the MBT-70 prototype.
implemented in the MBT-70 prototype.

As for the US, the Army would eventually develop the XM803 prototype, which resulted in the
As for the US, the Army would eventually develop the XM803 prototype, which resulted in the

current M1 Abrams tank.
current M1 Abrams tank.

The MBT-70 project became the last time two nations joined forces to produce a main battle
The MBT-70 project became the last time two nations joined forces to produce a main battle

tank.
tank.

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