M1 Abrams Tank

Main battle tank of the United States. The tank is in service with many countries - the United States, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Australia. The serial production of the tank was started in the 80s of the last century. The name of Abrams M1 tank was named after General Creighton Abrams.

Now a little history of the M1 tank. Abrams Tank was the result of the third program, which was to replace existing tanks Patton. With three first two programs have failed, because the tanks T95 and MBT-703 did not have any superiority on performance, nor on the cost of production. Development of a new model of the tank was launched in 1971. Later he received a codename XM-1. In May 73rd year, General Motors and Chrysler have applied to participate in the competition. June 28 the same year, an agreement for the creation of experimental models of tanks was concluded with them. The development of the new tank influenced by many factors. This visit of representatives of companies in Great Britain to study the innovation - composite armor "chobhem", and the Arab-Israeli war 73rd year, thanks to which the company refused to use 25-30 mm twin gun "Bushmaster". Instead, it was decided to use a 7.62 mm machine gun. This has increased the main gun ammunition due to the released volume. The Company conducted joint testing their creations from 31 January to 7 May 1976. Both cars meet the stated requirements. As a result of subsequent events to reduce the cost and availability of the gas turbine engine has won the company Chrysler. The total value of the order in the tank was 462 196 million. Dollars. GM also offered the sum of 232 mln. US dollars. The second phase of the M1 tank trials ended in February, 79-year. Back in the 78 th year, the Pentagon gave the go-ahead for construction of the first 110 tanks. February 28, 1980 the first two tank HM1 were transferred to the US Army for training of personnel and the final test. Then HM1 tank called Abrams tank in honor of Army Chief of Staff Creighton Adams. After the final test tank was adopted for the US Army February 17, 1981.