UNITED STATES

MAIN ARMAMENT

Although trials have been conducted with the 120mm L55 gun, the M256 L44 smoothbore, based on the German Rheinmetall design re-engineered for ease of production in the US, remains the primary weapon of the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank.

SECONDARY ARMAMENT

A pair of 7.62mm (.30cal) machine guns is installed on a skate mount at the loader’s hatch and coaxially in the turret sighted with the main gun. A 12.7mm (.50cal) machine gun is mounted atop the turret beside the commander’s hatch.

ARMOUR PROTECTION

Plates of depleted uranium are the foundation of the third generation composite appliqué armour of the M1A2 Abrams, which is based on the original Chobham protection. Its thickness is equal to that of 960mm, nearly 38 inches, of rolled homogeneous steel.

QUIET POWERPLANT

The AGT 1500 gas turbine powerplant is essentially a modified helicopter engine, running quietly and giving the M1A2 Abrams the nickname Whispering Death. It requires a less rigid maintenance schedule than diesel engines but is high in fuel consumption.

Although the United States lagged behind European countries in the development of tanks during the early 20th