BACKGROUND
The M1 Abrams is named after the late General Creighton W. Abrams, who was the former Army Chief of Staff and commander of the 37th Armoured Battalion. The M1 replaced the M60 & M48A5's AKA Patton tanks in service with the US Army. Prior to the M1, both the US & West Germany had embarked on a joint development of a new tank to replace the Leopard 1 & M60 which was designated the MBT-70. It was designed around the same cannon used on the M551 Sheridan but was plagued with problems, as was the proposed engine, so a new prototype called the XM803 was developed but soon was cancelled due to high costs.
Eventually the US started a new indigenousness M60 replacement program in 1972. The Abrams design by Chrysler Defence, won the bidding process in 1976, but was bought out in 1979 by General Dynamics Corporation, and is now manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems. The M1 was introduced into service with the American Army in 1980 and 3273 M1's were built.
The M1
In 1971 a new tank designated the FV4211 was built in the UK which was fitted with a new type of composite armour called Burlington. The project was dropped in 1972, however the armour was shared with the US. Newly declassified papers shown to TankNutDave in 2010, show that this armour was then installed on the later UK Challenger 1 and called Chobham. It should not be confused with the Dorchester armour used on the Challenger 2, which uses a more advanced ceramic mix.
The M1 profile was lower than that of the M60 series, with new angular flat surfaces comprising of Burlington armour, which is made up of ceramic tiles of aluminium, plastics and glue.
Both Burlington & Chobham used the same bonding process and a matrix which is used to secure the tiles & keep them under a constant compression, which was developed by the British Tank Research Centre based in Chobham, Surrey in the UK.
The bonding process/matrix not only hugely increases the hardness and resistance of the tiles, but increases the number of times the armour can be repeatedly hit before failing, compared to that of other composite armour. It is fitted at the front of the turret and hull to protect the crew from frontal attack. This type of armour was chosen over the German perforated armour being applied to the Leopard 2 at the time which was based on a similar design used on the Leopard 1 A3.
The M1 was supposed to be fitted with a newly developed German 120mm smoothbore main gun (Calibre Length 44), but there were issues with adaption of a new US breech. So the M68A1 105 mm rifled main gun, which was a licence built version of the highly successful British Royal Ordnance L7 main gun was installed in the interim period as issues with the breech were resolved, so the Abrams used many British systems.
The M1 IP
In 1984 the M1 production was replaced by the M1 IP (Improved Protection) and saw the introduction of armour bulkheads made of Kevlar, separating and protecting the crew compartment from the fuel tanks and ammunition stowage. An NBC system was also installed.
The M1A1
Production of the M1-IP was short lived and by 1985 production of the M1A1 was in full swing and continued until 1993. It was equipped with the M256 smoothbore main gun, which was a modified German Rheinmetall L44 120mm smoothbore (as used by the German Leopard 2 series) and manufactured in the US under licence by The Watervliet Arsenal. M1's fitted with the 105mm M68A1 were up-graded with the M256. The new M1A1 entered service in 1985.
By 1988 a new steel-encased depleted uranium armour was introduced to replace the Burlington composite armour. Designated the M1A1HA (Heavy Armour) the first of these vehicles were deployed to units based in West Germany. During operation Desert Shield, M1A1's were up-graded to the M1A1HA in Saudi Arabia. DU is said to be 70% denser than lead and during the Gulf War it was only penetrated by other M1A1's on three occasions with no loss of life or lasting damage to the tanks. The M1A1HA is commonly referred to as the M1A1 as its not fully clear how many have been up-graded to the M1A1HA. However 4796 M1A1's were built for the American Army and a further 403 for the Marine Corp designated as the M1A1HC and all M1's were also up-graded to the M1A1. There are many new up-grade packages for the M1A1, but it still remains the back bone of the US Armies tank force. Over 8,800 M1 and M1A1 tanks have been produced at a cost of $2,350,000–$4,300,000 per unit, depending on the variant. The M1A1 production was replaced by the M1A2 and 600 M1A1's were up-graded to the M1A2 by 1998.
The M1A2
The M1A2's improvements included new position navigation equipment, digital database with a radio interface unit and a commander's thermal sight, which rotates 360º, and a different 50 cal (12.7mm) weapon station. It is this new sight located to the left of the main cannon, which looks like a bucket turned up side down, which is the main visual aid to identify an A2 from an A1 (See above picture). The new sight gives the Abrams a hunter killer capability bringing it up to a 3rd generation standard. The M1A2 for a number of years was the most technically advanced tank of its time, however many countries have developed (as has the US) more advanced technical systems.
Only a total of 77 were manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems however 600 M1A1's were up-graded to this variant and deliveries started in 1998 to the US Army. GDLS has also built 315 M1A2's for Saudi Arabia and 218 for Kuwait.
The M1A2 SEP
Version 1:
GDLS introduced a new up-grade for the A2 called System Enhancement Program AKA "SEP" (version 1). Since Feb 2001 to November 2006, GDLS has up-grade 540 M1A2's to the M1A2 SEP configuration for the US Army. Improvements include:
1. An under-armour Auxiliary Power Unit
2. New frontal laminated DU armour
3. Up-graded electronics which accommodate the U.S. Army's Command and Control System (FBCB2)
4. A new Raytheon Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) fitted with a second generation thermal imager
5. Commander's display for digital colour terrain maps
6. DRS Technologies second generation GEN II TIS thermal imaging gunner's sight with increased range
7. Driver's integrated display
8. Thermal management system to cool the crew and electronic equipment
Version 2:
In January 2008, GDLS were awarded the contract to up-grade a total of 435 M1A1's to the M1A2 SEP Version 2:
improved displays, sights, auxiliary power and a tank-infantry phone. It also can accommodate future technology improvements to ensure compatibility with the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems. These upgrades are expected to be completed by June 2013 and will complete the modernization of all serving M1A1 tanks in the US Army.
In April 2008 it was announced that GDLS is to up-grade 63 M1A2 SEP Version 1's to the version 2 and is to be completed by November 2008. All up-grade work is be completed at the GDLS Joint Systems Manufacturing and the Anniston Army Depot.
FBCB2
FBCB2 is a digital communication platform designed for commanders to track friendly forces (via GPS tracking installed in friendly vehicles) and displaying them graphically on a computer animated battlefield monitor in the commanders station, instead of him collecting this information verbally over a radio and relying on visual confirmation. Integrated with the BFT it can also receive data such as enemy forces located by other units/vehicles equipped with FBCB2/BFT or Ground Surveillance Radar's & UAV's, which is also graphically displayed on the commanders computer animated battlefield monitor. This allows the commander to be aware of what is happening around his vehicle and others in real time.
It also allows command operation centre's either behind the lines or even in the US, to monitor the location of its and the enemies forces, so they can be co-ordinated in a joint effort to defeat those enemy forces. Changes to orders can be made instantly to all vehicles as the FBCB2 can also receive e-mail. It also considerably reduces accidental friendly fire AKA blue on blue (hence the word blue in BFT) as commanders are aware of friendly units rather than relying on visual confirmation which is difficult through a thermal sight! These systems have been developed since the mid to late 90's in a previous reshaping plan called Force XXI AKA Task Force 21 and is gradually being integrated in to US vehicles through its current modernization program.
The M1A1D
The US did introduce prior to the M1A1 AIM SA, a stop-gap digital appliqué FBCB2 command and control package so that the M1-A1's could communicate with the recently (at the time) up-graded M1-A2 SEP's, which were designated M1-A1D. However it was short lived and only 95 of these vehicles were fitted with it and have since been withdrawn from service.
The M1A1 AIM
One of the Abrams greatest strengths are its ease of upgradeability and reclamation, which is carried out by General Dynamics Land Systems whose company moto is "Strength on your side".
The reset process (Abrams Integrated Management) involves the Abrams being delivered in various states, be it an out of date model or combat damaged to the Anniston Army Depot who strip the vehicle to its bare elements. These are then completely re machined to a zero hours state. The Abrams hull, turret and re machined parts are then sent by train over 900km to the GDLS Joint Systems Manufacturing Centre in Lima, Ohio.
This mega factory then spends 4 months re-building the Abrams to a restored combat-level capability. It’s then put through testing at the track on the JSMC's site and then goes on to field-testing at fort Bliss in Texas before re-entering service with the US Army.
Thanks to this remarkable process of overhauling to a like-new zero-mile condition, reset Abrams have demonstrated an 18% Operations and Support cost savings as well as improved reliability. The reset process also offers the opportunity for implementation of upgrades.
The M1A1 AIM SA
One of these current implemented upgrades (started in July 2007) has been the addition of mission-critical technologies to bolster crew Situational Awareness (being aware of what is happening around the vehicle) AKA the M1A1 AIM SA. The SA up-grade improvements include improved side armour, second-generation Forward-Looking Infrared, Far Target Locate, a tank-infantry phone, a .50 calibre thermal sight (increasing the accuracy of the tank commander's .50 calibre machine gun), a power distribution box, a rear slave receptacle, an eye-safe laser rangefinder, driver's vision enhancement and Blue Force Tracking (AKA BFT)/Force Battle Command Brigade and Below (AKA FBCB2).
As of June 2007, 886 M1-A1's have been through the AIM process and is funded at 135 tanks per year.
Firepower Enhancement Program
The US Marine Corp operates a 403 strong M1A1 fleet. It is often commented on that they are the last to receive any up-grades, if any compared to those of the US Armies Abrams fleet. The USMC on the 2nd of February 2005 awarded Raytheon a $32.5 million contract, with a total estimated value of $65 million to up-grade their M1A1's, designated the "Firepower Enhancement Program". The principal up-grades are Target Location (FTL) sensors and a second generation thermal sight, which is an upgrade to the current M1A1 sight system. FEP gives an improved accuracy during all-weather and night conditions as well as improving the Abrams engagement capability at extended ranges. FEP will extend the USMC M1A1's effective fighting capability beyond 2018.
T.U.S.K.
During the following years of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Abrams found itself carrying out its principal role of infantry support in built up urban environments, rather than the forward leading engagement of other tanks, which meant the Abrams was attacked on its weaker areas (which all tanks have) sides and rear by Improvised Explosive Devices, RPG attack and sniper fire directed at the commander or gunner, as he mans his MG mounted on his cupola/hatch. In response, GDLS has developed the Tank Urban Survival Kit.
TUSK has seen slat AKA bar or cage armour fitted across the rear of the engine to protect it from RPG-7 attack, reactive armour to the sides to defeat road side IED's, an exterior phone so supporting troops can talk to the tanks commander and gun shield to the loaders 7.62m MG. The original commanders 12.7mm Browning MG replaced by the Kongsberg Gruppen manufactured PROTECTOR M151 Remote Weapon Station. This allows the commander to operate the RWS's MG from inside the turret without having to expose him to close quarter arms fire. 505 TUSK kits have been produced by GDLS.
The T.I.G.E.R. Program
One of the US's prowdest features of the Abrams is the AGT-1500 gas turbine engine. However the engine does account for a whopping 42% of all Abrams support costs. To reduce this and improve on the number of required depot repairs, the ANAD, the Army’s Program Manager Heavy Brigade Combat Team & Honeywell have teamed up to create a new program called the "Total InteGrated Engine Revitalization" program AKA TIGER.
Now refered to as a TIGER engine, these refurbed engines have seen a number of up-grades to reduce the number of parts of the engine as well as the introduction of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) engineering support. Honeywell supply through a chain management system the required parts to the ANAD, rather than relying on a number of different suppliers for the parts.
TIGER engines have double the run time between required repairs and TIGER field work shops are also responsable for some 1200 up-graded TIGER engines which were completed by November 2008. The TIGER engine up-grade are also due to be completed by other national operators such as Egypt.
The Abrams series uses a Torsion Bar suspension and the Allison X-1100-3B Hydro-Kinetic automatic transmission giving it a governed top road speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) and 30 mph (48 km/h) off road. The vehicle uses a wopping 10 US Gallons just to start the engine and does 0.6 miles to the Gallon. This can increase off road and on average the vehicle needs refuelling every eight hours.
Firepower
All Abrams now use the 120mm Calibre Bore M256, which is a modified licence built Rheinmetall L44, which is a Calibre Length 44 smoothbore. The US adopted the smoothbore for two reasons. Firstly was financial, as its service life is long than rifled cannons as the rifling can be worn down through repeated use. Secondly rifling imparts a spin and the US Army wanted to use HEAT. HEAT is a shaped charge munition and the spin can break up the copper jet of the shaped charge as it burns through the enemy tanks armour, making it less effective.
The three primary rounds on the Abrams is the M803A1 HEAT. It has an multi-mode electronic sensing fuse so can be used against low level helicopters as well as armoured vehicles. It has been in service since 1994.
The M829A3 is the current APFSDS of a series. The A3 is reportedly capable of defeating the Kontakt-5 ERA used on the modern Russian T-80 and T-90 Main Battle Tanks. It has been in service since 2003. It has an effective range of 3000m and a muzzle velocity of 1555m/s.
The newest round was developed as an anti-personnel round. It is the M1028 120 mm anti-personnel canister cartridge. It contains 1098 3/8 inch tungsten balls which spread from the muzzle to produce a shotgun effect lethal out to 600m. It can also be used to bring down walls and detonate/destroy road side IED's.
All Abrams are equipped with a coaxial M240 7.62mm MG for close encounters. It is mounted to the right of the M256. The legendary Browning M2HB .50cal (12.7mm) MG is mounted on the commanders cupola, but in different configurations depending on the Abrams. On the M1A1 the MG is on a powered mount, known as the Commander's Weapon Station and can be fired using a 3× magnification sight from within the vehicle. On The M1A2 & SEP V1 it is on a flexible mount and can only be operated when the commander is standing in his cupola.
On the M1A2 SEP Version 2, General Dynamics are installing a total of 370 CROW II's (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station) equipped with the M2HB .50cal (12.7mm) MG (see above picture). The estimated completion date for the work is the 31st of August 2012.
“The CROWS mount on the outside of the tank allows the commander to stay inside instead of opening the hatch,” said Mark Roualet, president of General Dynamics Land Systems. “By remaining inside the tank, the commander remains protected and can keep in constant communication with the gunner and the loader.”
The operator AKA loader is also supplied with a 7.62mm M240 MG on his hatch and six smoke grenade launchers are mounted on either side of the turret. The crew compartment (Commander, Gunner, Operator - Driver sits central front of the hull) has a full HALON fire suppression system and the munitions are all one part and stored in an armed box in the rear of the turret. Access is through a hatch behind the operator and if struck, the cook off blast from the explosive is directed out through the blow out panels on the sides and top of the rear of the turret.
The Gulf War
Thou contributing to many NATO and US exercises in West Germany and South Korea, it was in the liberation of Kuwait that the M1A1 first saw action, in tank on tank engagements. Many say that it was a lopsided fight in favour of the US Army. How ever I tend to look at it as a fine example of the US's tactical believe of spotting and engaging the enemy first, hence their continued upgrade and superiority in development of thermal and night vision sighting equipment, which enabled Abrams crews to spot and target Iraqi armour before they knew what had hit them.
The Abrams went up against locally built T-72M's AKA Lion of Babylon, T-55's and Chinese Type 69's (See above picture). Various sources claim different numbers of Abrams sustained damage taking them out of the fight, however most state that nine were destroyed and one crewman was killed. Strangely thou it was the M2 Bradley IFV with its TOW Anti-Tank Missile System which scored a higher number of tank kills.
The 2003 Invasion of Iraq AKA Operation Iraqi Freedom
The Abrams returned to Iraq in 2003, but this time the M1A2 with its hunter killer capability tagged along, complementing the M1A1. Again it out classed Saddam's T-72's and T-55's, which were in various states of modifications and repair (see picture above). However its success has been tested due to its extended exposure to combat in support of Coalition Forces occupying Iraq in the earlier years and now working along side Iraqi Forces.
Thou no Abrams crewman was killed during the initial invasion, Some vehicles which suffered a mobility kill were destroyed by Coalition Forces. A number of crewman fell victim to snipers over the last few years, including road side bombs/IEDs and RPG ambushes. Thou there are no concrete sources clearly confirming the number of Abrams destroyed at the enemies hand, there have been videos taken by US Servicemen and leaked on to YouTube.com of US vehicle graves in Iraq, which show a large number of destroyed Abrams and a vaster number of Bradley's.
The M104 Wolverine Armoured Vehicle Launch Bridge
The M104 Wolverine is the new replacement for the old M60A1 scissor AVLB, which had been the work horse for the US Army since the 1960's. Sadly it could no longer keep up with the Abrams series MBT's and lacked the same mobility. For this reason a new AVLB development project was started in 1983 and in 1994, GDLS won the contract. By 1996 they had manufactured the prototype and it was decided that the vehicle would be built on the M1A2 hull to match fleet mobility.
44 Wolverines have been manufactured so far of an originally intended purchase of 465.
Due to defence cuts and the current modernization program moving towards lighter fighting force's, there are no current plans by the US Army to buy any more, however should they be needed, GDLS have an agreement to restart production if required.
The Abrams Panther II Mine Clearing Vehicle
The US Army has always deployed mine rollers/ploughs on the front of its Main Battle Tanks, which normally was the lead vehicle and would clear a path for the following vehicles. The Panther II is a whole other animal. The Panther II is a modified M1 hull with its turret removed and two arms mounted on the front with the sole purpose of clearing minefields. Each arm has five heavy rollers and the arms can move up and down with the contours of the terrain. The pressure exerted on the ground from the weight of the rollers triggers the mines causing no damage to the vehicle.
The vehicle is operated via remote control (a large briefcase using CCTV) by a single operator up to 780m away. It offers a safer alternative to human engineers with hand held equipment clearing a minefield as well as the advantage of speed. It can clear a 50,000sq foot minefield in one hour. The US Army currently has six Panther II's. They have been deployed in Balkans (Bosnia/Kosovo) and Iraq.
The Grizzly Obstacle Breaching Vehicle
The development of the vehicle started sometime in the early 90's, but the exact status of the vehicle is not known and believed to have been cancelled sometime after 2006 or has been put on hold.
It has a rather intimidating angled blade which spans 4.2m and a knuckle-arm excavator shovel. Like all breaching vehicles, its purpose is to push through man made defensive obstacles, such as filling in trench’s, driving through mine fields and barbed wire as well as embankments to create a clear path for following vehicles. But the Grizzly was able to do this at almost the same speed/momentum as the following Abrams.
Operators
US Army: 4393 M1A1's and 1174 M1A2's (includes various models ie SEP)
US Marine Corp: 403 M1A1
Egypt: 880 M1A1's which have been co-produced from kits since 1988. In August 2007 Egypt placed an order for a further 125 M1A1 tank kits, which would bring the country’s fleet to 1005. Of these 1005, Egypt is having 755 M1A1 up-grade to the M1A2 SEP.
Saudi Arabi: GDLS has also built 315 M1A2's for the Royal Army and deliveries started in 1993. In 2006 an additional 58 M1A1's were purchased. GDLS has been developing an (unspecified) upgrade based on the M1A2 SEP for the Royal Army. Its M1A2's go through the reset process in the US where the upgrade is implemented and re-designated the M1A2S. All vehicles are expected to be upgraded by March 2012.
Kuwait: 218 M1A2's built from scratch by GDLS and deliveries started in 1994.
Australia: 59 M1A1 SA's which entered service in 2007 at a total cost of $70 million
Iraq: 140 M1A1 AIM SA's with TIGER engines have been purchased
TankNutDave's final thoughts .....
The are a number of researchers and specialists who when asked what they like about the Abrams, they reply "I can tell you what I don’t like". I personally say that there are two categories of tanks developed in the world. The first is developed as a commercial interest that can be sold to other countries like the Leopard 2, T-72, T-80 etc.
The second is developed purely for that nations own back yard and service. I would say that the Abrams, despite its faults is the best Main Battle Tank of this category (the Merkava Mk3/4 is second place). It has been a great success for the US Army, reflecting the US's tactical believe of spotting and engaging the enemy first with its continuing improvements to its sighting equipment, which resulted in its success during the Gulf War.
however I have 3 general criticism of the Abrams. The first has to be the number the US Army has of varying models, i.e. A1's, A2's, SEP V1, V2, and the decision to deploy a mixture of them, which means they all have various levels of protection, mobility, Situational Awareness (including communications) and lethality.
The Second is the engine. It creates a much larger strain on the supply chain in the field, as it requires refuelling more often than a diesel engine and of course the cost.
Third is the obvious lack of a Calibre Length 55 main gun. The increased length means the round has further to travel along the barrel, which means the energy released from the explosive charge is retained in the barrel for longer and builds up, pushing the round out faster/harder. This is called muzzle velocity. By increasing the muzzle velocity you increase range of the round, its accuracy as it stays "true" (straight) and has more punch for penetrating the enemy armour. You can tweak the round by using various explosives for the charge, length of the penetrator and its material, before you have to upgrade to a longer Calibre Length.
Thou the M256 kicks like a mule! and the US has tweaked its rounds (the M829A2 to the M829A3), its now at the point that it needs to upgrade from a Calibre Length 44 to a 55. Other than countries with small defence budgets who can only afford 2nd hand Leopard 2 A4/A5's also armed with 44's, (which flooded the market after the Cold War) the Abrams has the shortest main gun in NATO and lesser lethality in comparison to the Challenger 2 and Leopard 2 A6 (both use a Calibre Length 55) and the Leclerc (52).
However the US is running the BCT Ground Combat Vehicle Program at the moment, which is said to be developing the new M1A3 Abrams. Personally I think they should rename the new tank "The Bear" which is the nickname of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf who lead the Coalition Forces during the Gulf War.
The project is said to be yielding a prototype by 2016 with an unspecified calibre main gun. I anticipate that the US is waiting to see how many of the new T-95's are manufactured by Russia, if its using a 140mm main gun and if it is offered for export, before finalising details of the new A3. It will be interesting to see if the US does use a 140mm main gun and if the operator can load the main gun with a larger, heavy 140mm round whilst on the move or if they adopt an autoloader? if it will be a new vehicle? new turret or simple upgrade? What is clear is that the existing Abrams will still serve along side the A3 for a few more years to come and we are all guaranteed many joyful years of speculation and gossip!!
