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The M1 Abrams is a third-generation main battle tank produced in
the United States. It is named after General Creighton Abrams, former
Army Chief of Staff and Commander of US military forces in Vietnam from
1968 to 1972. Highly mobile, designed for modern armored ground
warfare, the M1 is well armed and heavily armored. Notable features
include the use of a powerful gas turbine engine (multifuel capable,
usually fueled with JP8 jet fuel), the adoption of
sophisticated composite armor, and separate ammunition storage in a
blow-out compartment for crew safety. Weighing nearly 68 short
tons (almost 62 metric tons), it is one of the heaviest main battle
tanks in service.
The M1 Abrams entered U.S. service in 1980, replacing the M60 tank. It
served for over a decade alongside the improved M60A3, which had entered
service in 1978. The M1 remains the principal main battle tank of
the United States Army and Marine Corps, and the armies
of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Iraq.
Three main versions of the M1 Abrams have been deployed, the M1, M1A1, and M1A2,
incorporating improved armament, protection and electronics. These
improvements, as well as periodic upgrades to older tanks, have allowed
this long-serving vehicle to remain in front-line service. The M1A3 is currently under development.
The M1A2 was a further improvement of the M1A1 with a commander's
independent thermal viewer, weapon station, position navigation
equipment, and a full set of controls and displays linked by a digital
data bus. These upgrades also provided the M1A2 with an improved fire
control system. The M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) added digital
maps, FBCB2 capabilities, and an improved cooling system to compensate
for heat generated by the additional computer systems. The M1A2 SEP also
serves as the basis for the M104 Wolverine heavy assault bridge.
Further
upgrades included depleted uranium armor for all variants, a system
overhaul that returns all A1s to like-new condition (M1A1 AIM), a
digital enhancement package for the A1 (M1A1D), and a commonality
program to standardize parts between the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps
(M1A1HC). |
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The FV4034 Challenger 2 is a British main battle tank (MBT)
currently in service with the armies of the United Kingdom and Oman. It
was designed and built by the British company Vickers Defence
Systems (now known as BAE Systems Land and Armaments).
Challenger 2 is an extensive redesign of the Challenger 1.
Fewer than 5% of components are interchangeable, although the hull and
automotive components, namely the powerpack seem similar, they are of a
newer design and build to that of Challenger 1. Challenger 2 replaced
Challenger 1 in service with the British Army and is also used by the Royal Army of Oman. It has seen operational service in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.
Challenger 2 is equipped with a 120 millimetres (4.7 in)
55 calibre long L30A1 tank gun, the successor to the L11 gun used
on Chieftain and Challenger 1. The gun is made from high
strength Electro Slag Remelting (ESR) steel with a chromium alloy lining
and, like earlier British 120 mm guns, it is insulated by a thermal
sleeve. It is fitted with a muzzle reference system and fume extractor,
and is controlled by an all-electric control and stabilization system.
The turret has a rotation time of 9 seconds through 360 degrees.
The Challenger 2 is also armed with a L94A1 EX-34 7.62 mm chain gun coaxially to the left of the main gun, and a 7.62 mm L37A2 (GPMG) machine gun mounted on a pintle on the loader's hatch ring. 4,200 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition are carried. |
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The T-90 is a Russian third-generation main battle tank that is a modernisation of the T-72 (it was originally to be called the T-72BU, later renamed to T-90). It is currently the most modern tank in service with the Russian Ground Forces and Naval Infantry. Although a development of the T-72, the T-90 uses a 125mm 2A46 smoothbore tank gun, 1G46 gunner sights, a new engine, and thermal sights. Standard protective measures include a blend of steel, composite armour, and Kontakt-5explosive-reactive armor, laser warning receivers, Nakidka camouflage and the Shtora infrared ATGM jamming system. The EMT-7 electromagnetic pulse (EMP) creator is used in testing but not fitted to T-90s in active service. It is designed and built by Uralvagonzavod, in Nizhny Tagil, Russia. From 2011, the Russian armed forces have ceased ordering the T-90, and are instead waiting for the development of the Universal Combat Platform T-99 that is expected to enter service in 2020. |
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The Leopard 2A7 is a main battle tank developed
by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank
first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the
main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in
the armed forces of Germany and twelve other European countries, as well
as several non-European nations. More than 3,480 Leopard 2s have been
manufactured. The Leopard 2 first saw combat in Kosovo with the German
Army and has also seen action in Afghanistan with the Danish and
Canadian contributions to the International Security Assistance Force.
There are two main development batches of the tank, the original models up to Leopard 2A4 which have vertically-faced turret armour, and the "improved" batch, namely the Leopard 2A5 and newer versions, which have angled arrow-shaped turret appliqué armour together with a number of other improvements. All models feature digital fire control systems with laser range finders, a fully stabilized main gun and coaxial machine gun, and advanced night vision and sighting equipment (first vehicles used a low-light level TV system or LLLTV; thermal imaging was introduced later on). The tank has the ability to engage moving targets while moving over rough terrain. |
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The Merkava Mk.IV (Chariot) is a main battle tank used by
the Israel Defense Forces. The tank began development in 1973 and
entered official service in 1978. Four main versions of the tank have
been deployed. It was first used extensively in the 1982 Lebanon War.
The name "Merkava" was derived from the IDF's initial development program name.
It is designed for rapid repair of battle damage, survivability,
cost-effectiveness and off-road performance. Following the model of
contemporary self-propelled howitzers, the turret assembly is located
nearer the rear than in most main battle tanks. With the engine in
front, this layout gives additional protection against a frontal attack,
especially for the personnel in the main hull, like the driver. It also
creates more space in the rear of the tank that allows increased
storage capacity, as well as a rear entrance to the main crew
compartment allowing easy access under enemy fire. This allows the tank
to be used as a platform for medical disembarkation, a forward command
and control station, and an armoured personnel carrier. The rear
entrance's clamshell-style doors provide overhead protection when off-
and on-loading cargo and personnel.
It was reportedly decided shortly before the beginning of the 2006 Lebanon War that the Merkava line would be discontinued within four years. However, on 7 November 2006, Haaretz reported that an Israeli General Staff assessment
had ruled of the Merkava Mark IV that "if properly deployed, the tank
can provide its crew with better protection than in the past," and
deferred the decision on discontinuing the line.The Mark IV is the most recent upgrade of the Merkava tank and has been in development since 1999. The upgrade's development was announced in an October 1999 edition of the Bamachaneh ("At the Camp") military publication. However, new Merkava Mark IIIs continued to be produced until 2003. The first Merkava IVs were in production in limited numbers by the end of 2004. |
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