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|trans=Allison X-1100-3B Hydro-Kinetic Automatic; four forward/2 reverse gears
|trans=Allison X-1100-3B Hydro-Kinetic Automatic; four forward/2 reverse gears
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The '''M1 Abrams''' is the [[Main Battle Tank]] of the [[United States Army]] and the [[United States Marine Corps]].
The '''M1 Abrams''' is the [[Main Battle Tank]] of the [[United States Army]] and the [[United States Marine Corps]]. In the 1970's, Chrysler Defense Inc. developed this front-line battle tank to fight against outnumbered [[Warsaw Pact]] mechanized divisions. In 1982, [[General Dynamics]] purchased the division which still manufactures the tanks to the present day, some speculate until the year 2040. Significant varients give the tank new life and new models numbers; M1, M1A1, M1A1D, M1A2, M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement Package) . The current modification is M1A1 SA, incorporating second-generation forward-looking infrared thermal sight, a driver's vision-enhancer thermal viewer and Tank Urban Survivability Kit improvements, providing better crew shielding in urban warfare environments. Modifications will take place at General Dynamics plants in [[Ohio]], Pennsylvania, Alabama, [[Florida]] and completed in 2011. <ref>[http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/industrials/general-dynamics-wins--million-iraqi-tank-contract/ General Dynamics Wins $198 Million Iraqi Tank Contract, Fox Business, January 04, 2010]</ref>
On February 28, 1980, the first M1 tank rolled out of the government-owned Lima Tank Plant in Lima, Ohio. It was designated the M1 Abrams, in honor of General [[Creighton Abrams]], a commander in [[Vietnam]]. <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/lima.htm#prof Lima Army Tank Plant (LATP), GlobalSecurity.org]</ref> Over 9,000 Abrams tanks have been manufactured.
The Abrams Tank System Program has been using Depleted Uranium armor since the 1980's. Also, incorporating a modular designed Honeywell 1,500 HP smokeless gas turbine engine, easily removed, serviced and upgraded. Unique to the battlefield, the Abrams tank has a speed of 48 MPH, with a range of over 250 miles. The technology was unmatched, allowing the four-man crew to fire accurately while moving. The commander's station of the Abrams M1A1 is equipped with six periscopes, providing a 360° view. <ref>[http://www.army-technology.com/projects/abrams/ M1A1 / M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank, USA, Army-technology.com]</ref> The tank weighs nearly 70-Ton making it one of the heaviest in the world.
These tanks have seen significant combat experience in the first [[Gulf War]] as well as the current [[Iraq]] deployment.
==References==
<references/>
==External Links==
* [http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/M1-Abrams-Tanks-for-Iraq-05013/ M1 Abrams Tanks for Iraq]
* [http://www.army.mil/factfiles/equipment/tracked/abrams.html Army.mil Abrams Tank Fact File for the United States Army]
[[Category:Armored Fighting Vehicles]]
[[Category:Armored Fighting Vehicles]]