The M48 Patton is a 1st generation American main battle tank (MBT), part of the M46-M60 family of vehicles, which were the main tanks of the US Army during the Korean and Vietnam wars. In 1951, the M-47 tanks were replaced by more modern ones, but many technical problems did not allow the project to be implemented quickly. Finally, in 1953, the first version of the new M-48 came into service, replacing the reliable, but outdated M-47. Serial production was carried out in 1952-1959, during which more than 12,000 tanks of this type were produced. One of the most common versions during this period was the gasoline M48A2C. After 1959, its place was taken by the M48A3 with a diesel engine. The M-48A and its later versions were exported to almost two dozen customers, many countries still use the M-48 as a base tank. An example here is Israel, where these tanks, after many modifications, function alongside the Merkava. Many of them, like South Korea, are expected to begin implementing M-48 modernization programs. Improvements to the Korean version include strengthening the onboard armor or introducing a nighttime fire aiming system. It also features a wind sensor mounted at the rear of the tower. M-48 participated min. in the Vietnam War, in the Pakistan-India War of 1965 and in the Six Day War. In the battles in Sinai, it surpassed the Egyptian T-34 and T-54. Technical data: length: 9.3 m, width: 3.65 m, height: 3.1 m, weight 45 t, engine power (diesel): 750 hp, speed: 48 km / h, armament (version M48A3): gun M41 cal. 90 mm, 1 machine gun M2 Browning cal.12.
