The M1 Abrams is a modern 3rd generation American main battle tank. The first prototypes of the car were created in the 1970s, and serial production, which began in 1979, continues to this day. To date (2018), about 10,500 tanks of this type have been produced. The M1 Abrams is equipped with a 1500 hp Avco Lycoming AGT-1500C turboshaft (turbine) engine. The vehicle is armed with a 105 mm M68A1 tank gun in the M1 version and a 120 mm M256 tank gun in the M1A1 and later versions. Additional armament — 1 machine gun caliber 12.7 mm and 2 machine guns caliber 7.62 mm M240. The M1 Abrams was created in response to the demand for a new main battle tank announced by the US Army back in the 1960s. The new machine was supposed to replace the Patton family tanks (M47-M48-M60) in the US Army. Initially, cooperation with German companies began in a project called MBT-70. However, after a few years, cooperation was terminated and further work was focused only on American companies, especially in the Chrysler Defense concern. Despite a very long process of analytical, research and experimental work that lasted almost 15 years, it was introduced into the line in the early 1980s M1 Abrams. It turned out to be an almost revolutionary design, which is significantly superior to the then Soviet ones. The M1 Abrams is primarily characterized by mobility and maneuverability that was unprecedented - until 1979 - in tanks of this class, thanks to the use of a powerful engine with a capacity of 1,500 horsepower. Another thing is that the choice of a turbine engine was not very successful, because it requires very careful maintenance and is prone to ignition. The M1 Abrams also has very good armor, using composites and a SKO (fire control system). In the M1A1 version, it was also armed with an excellent 120 mm gun. Several versions of the tank were created during serial production of the M1 Abrams. The first significant improvements were made to the M1A1 version, which went into production in 1985 - mainly through the use of a much more effective 120 caliber gun instead of the 105 mm gun. In 1992, the M1A2 version came into the line with much richer electronic equipment than in previous versions and armor using depleted uranium. Then came the M1A2 SEP version with even more advanced armor. The latest development versions of the Abrams tank are the M1A2 SEPv2 and M1A2 SEPv3 versions, which feature enhanced information sharing, battlefield control, fire control systems, and improved secondary weapons control systems. The M1 Abrams tank was exported to several countries, including: Saudi Arabia, Australia, Egypt and Kuwait. Machines of this type participated in several operations, the most important of which were the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991 and the Iraq War of 2003.
