What is an M1 Abrams tank?
A: It is a third-generation American main battle tank designed by Chrysler
Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems).
Who was the tank named for? A: General Creighton Abrams.
It was conceived for modern armored ground warfare and
now one of the what?
A: Heaviest tanks in service at nearly 68 short tons (almost 62 metric
tons).
The M1 Abrams was developed from the failure of the
MBT-70 project to replace what?
A: The obsolescent M60 tank.
What are three main operational Abrams versions?
A: The M1, M1A1, and M1A2, with each new iteration seeing improvements in
armament, protection, and electronics.
The Abrams was due to be replaced by the Future Combat
Systems XM1202 but due to its cancellation, the U.S.
military has opted to
do what?
A: Continue maintaining and operating the M1 series for the foreseeable
future by upgrading with improved optics, armor, and firepower.
When did the M1 Abrams enter service?
A: In 1980 and currently serves as the main battle tank of the United States
Army and formerly the Marine Corps.
The export version is used by what armies?
A: Egypt, Kuwait,
Saudi Arabia,
Australia, and Iraq.
When was the Abrams first used in combat?
A: In the Persian Gulf War and has seen combat in both the War in
Afghanistan and Iraq War under U.S. service.
The M1 Abrams was the first vehicle to adopt what?
A: Chobham armor.
What is Chobham armor?
A: It consisted of an arrangement of metal plates, ceramic blocks and open
space.
How many M1 Abrams tanks were produced during
1979–1985?
A: 3,273.
The M1 was armed with what?
A: The license-built M68A1 version of the 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7
gun.
The Abrams remained untested in combat until what?
A: The Persian Gulf War in 1991, during Operation Desert Storm.
A total of 1,848 How many M1A1s were deployed to Saudi
Arabia to participate in the liberation of Kuwait?
A: 1,848.
A: The M1A1 was superior to Iraq's what?
A: Soviet-era T-54/T-55 and T-62 tanks, as well as T-72 versions imported
from the Soviet Union and Poland.
The T-72s, like most Soviet export designs, lacked
what?
A: Night-vision systems and then-modern rangefinders, though they did have
some night-fighting tanks with older active infrared systems or floodlights.
Very few M1 tanks were hit by enemy fire and none were
destroyed as a direct result of what?
A: Enemy fire, none of which resulted in any fatalities.
A total of 23 How many M1A1s were damaged or destroyed
during the war?
A: 1,848.
Of the nine Abrams tanks destroyed, how many were
destroyed by friendly fire?
A: 7.
The M1A1 could kill other tanks at what distance?
A: In excess of 2,500 metres (8,200 ft).
The effective range of the main gun in the Soviet/Iraqi
tanks was how far?
A: 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).
This meant Abrams tanks could hit Iraqi tanks before
what?
A: Before the enemy got in range—a decisive advantage in this kind of
combat.
Further combat was seen during 2003 when U.S. forces
invaded what country?
A: Iraq.
During the invasion, at least nine Abrams tanks were
put out of action by what?
A: Fire from rocket propelled grenades.
Following lessons learned in Desert Storm, the Abrams
and many other U.S. combat vehicles used in the conflict were fitted with
what to reduce friendly fire incidents?
A: Combat Identification Panels.