War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

M1A1

2019-07-13T04:19:26Z

U9268933: /* Main armament */ add reloading rates

{{Specs-Card|code=us_m1a1_abrams}}
{{About
|about = medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage = other uses
|link = M1 (Disambiguation)
}}
== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (shortened to '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''') is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===

The M1A1 is essentially an [[IPM1]] armed with a 120 mm M256 gun, meaning the armour is almost identical to its tech-tree predecessor. The tank features composite armour in gun mantlet, turret cheeks, sides and lower front plate, with composite side skirts affording some protection along the frontal half of the vehicle's hull. The M1A1 retains the Abrams series' exceptional protection against chemical energy projectiles, with the turret cheeks affording some 1,200 mm RHAe against shaped charges and the hull providing around 600 mm. However, the kinetic energy protection of the tank is quite lacklustre compared to its top tier compatriots, especially against the best rounds fielded by other nations' main battle tanks; all of which can easily penetrate the Abrams frontally in practically any location. This makes the tank quite vulnerable to enemy fire. However, the M1A1 also retains the excellent survivability of the Abrams series, with a spread out crew, separate ammunition compartment and shielding for fuel tanks and the engine compartment that make the tank unlikely to die in a single shot.

=== Mobility ===

The M1A1 features the same 1,500 horsepower AGT-1500 gas turbine equipped on the other Abrams tank, though the tank has gotten several tons heavier. When stock, the vehicle accelerates quite sluggishly and features a horrendously slow hull traverse. Fully upgraded however, the M1A1 is quite nimble with decent power to weight ratio and traverse capability. At 68 km/h of top speed and 40 km/h in reverse, the tank is comparable to its counterparts.

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===

{{main|M256 (120 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[M256 (120 mm)|120 mm M256]]
|-
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
|-
| colspan="3" | 40 || -9°/+20° || ±180° || Two-plane
|-
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
|-
! style="width:4em" |Mode
! style="width:4em" |Stock
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| ''Arcade'' || 38.08 || 52.71 || 64.00 || __.__ || 75.29
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 23.8 || 28.0 || 34.0 || 37.6 || 40.0
|-
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| 7.80 || 6.9 || 6.36 || 6
|-
|}

===== Ammunition =====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 0° Angle of Attack'''
|-
! 10m
! 100m
! 500m
! 1000m
! 1500m
! 2000m
|-
| M830 || HEATFS || 650 || 650 || 650 || 650 || 650 || 650
|-
| M829 || APFSDS || 493 || 492 || 484 || 476 || 467 || 458
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="11" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" |Velocity in m/s
! rowspan="2" |Projectile Mass in kg
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
''in m:''
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
''in mm:''
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):''
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° from horizontal:''
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
|-
! 0%
! 50%
! 100%
|-
| M830 || HEATFS || 1,140 || 13.5 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 1,640 || +0° || 65° || 72° || 75°
|-
| M829 || APFSDS || 1,679 || 4.3 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 78° || 80° || 81°
|-
|}

===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full ammo
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual discrepancy
|-
|| '''40''' || XX ''(+XX)'' || XX ''(+XX)'' || style="text-align:left" | No
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M240 (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount (Commander)''
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate (shots/minute)
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
|-
| colspan="4" | 1,000 (200) || 577 || -9°/+65° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | [[M240 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M240]]
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate (shots/minute)
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
|-
| colspan="4" | 10,000 (200) || 750 || N/A || N/A
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount (Loader)''
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate (shots/minute)
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
|-
| colspan="4" | 1,400 (200) || 750 || -9°/+65° || -77°/+135°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* 120 mm gun with access to good rounds, including one of the best APFSDS rounds in the game
* Turret exceptionally well protected against chemical rounds
* Decent mobility when upgraded
* Ammunition in the turret, when detonated, generally will not spread to the crew compartment
* The fuel tanks and engine compartment are separated from the crew compartment by steel plates, increasing the time it takes for a fire to destroy the vehicle
* Reload speed of the 120 mm is decent; 6 seconds with an aced crew level

'''Cons:'''

* Stock vehicle is sluggish
* Stock rounds are quite inadequate against many of the main battle tanks the vehicle faces
* Ammunition variety is limited to two choices, a HEAT-FS and APFSDS round
* Reload time slower than 105 mm armed predecessors
* Hull and turret armour less effective against kinetic rounds, plus are lacking in protection against the armaments of current Rank VII vehicles

== History ==

Almost as soon as the first production M1 Abrams MBTs began rolling off the assembly line, did American engineers begin working on an up-gunned version of the Abrams. They succeeded in this endeavour in 1981, after a prototype Abrams, designated M1E1, was successfully fitted with a 120mm Rheinmetall smoothbore cannon.

Showing promising performance, work on the vehicle continued. At the same time, an upgraded version of the original Abrams, the IPM1, which featured improved protection and a larger turret was briefly produced between 1984 - 1986. The resulting M1A1 Abrams inherited the upgrades from the IPM1 and combined them with the M256 120 mm smoothbore cannon, a licence-built version of the German original.

The M1A1 was adopted for service in 1984 and was produced alongside the IPM1 for a short while since 1985 until the older modification was phased out of production.

The M1A1 saw its first use during the U.S. deployment in the Gulf War in 1991. Faced against arguably inferior Soviet-era tanks, the M1A1 had successfully proven its worth in tank-on-tank engagements but exposed new problems concerning its performance and vulnerability in urban environments. This led to further upgrades for the vehicle being developed later on.

Production of the M1A1 seized in 1992, with over 5,800 units being produced, including Egyptian and Australian export models. The original M1A1 chassis still serves today, albeit as upgraded variants which have undergone several modernization efforts.

''- From [https://warthunder.com/en/news/6087-development-m1a1-abrams-leaping-forward-en Devblog]''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/6087-development-m1a1-abrams-leaping-forward-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> M1A1 Abrams: Leaping Forward]

{{USA medium tanks}}

Conqueror

2019-07-09T05:57:56Z

U9268933: /* Armaments */ add reload rate for full crew

{{Specs-Card|code=uk_conqueror_mk_2}}

== Description ==


[[File:GarageImage_Conqueror.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was released along with the initial British tree line in [[Update_1.55_"Royal_Armour"|Update 1.55 "Royal Armour"]]. Meant to defeat the Soviet [[IS-3]], the Conqueror gives the British tree line an emphasis in armour and firepower, with a [[M58 (120 mm)|120 mm gun]] able to contest the Rank V competitors.

The Conqueror shares the same hull as the [[Caernarvon]], but features a completely new turret armed with the Ordnance QF 120 mm L1A1 gun.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===


The turret is significantly better armoured than the Centurion turret used by the Caernarvon. In a hull-down position where the weak lower front plate is hidden, it can be a very difficult vehicle to destroy from the front. Unfortunately, the side and rear hull armour is very weak, although it is covered by a lot of spaced armour. Flanking the Conqueror usually results in its swift destruction.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)
* Structural steel (Side skirts)

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 130 + 20 mm (59°) ''Front glacis'' 76 mm (44°) ''Lower glacis'' || 51 + 6 mm || 38 mm ''Top'' 20 mm (60°) ''Bottom'' || 44 mm ''Front'' 17 mm ''Crew hatch'' 17 mm ''Rear''
|-
| Turret || 152-313 mm (0-68°) ''Turret front'' 89-200 mm (0-78°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 89-233 mm (1-48°) || 50 mm (1-34°) || 51 mm 31 mm ''Square area near gun'' 17 mm ''Crew hatches''
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Cupola || 203 mm (0-17°) || 70 mm (12-14°) || 51 mm 17 mm ''Crew hatch''
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and bogies are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
* Front of turret vary in armour thickness, from 152 mm to 313 mm, but it is all very sloped due to turret design.
* The front of the turret roof has an additional armour plate of 31 mm in thickness.

=== Mobility ===


The mobility of the Conqueror is fair enough for a 65 ton heavy tank, and is actually comparable to the Centurion.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
|-
! Weight (tons)
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armour weight (tons)
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
|-
| rowspan="2" | 64.9 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | 1.1 || colspan="1" | 37 (AB)
|-
|34 (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
!Stock
!Upgraded
|-
|''Arcade''
|1,046
|____
|-
|''Realistic/Simulator''
|716
|810
|-
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
!Stock
!Upgraded
|-
|''Arcade''
|16.12
|__.__
|-
|''Realistic/Simulator''
|11.03
|12.48
|-
|}

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===

{{main|L1A2 (120 mm)}}

The 120 mm gun used by the Conqueror is essentially a version of the American 120 mm Gun M58 used by the M103 heavy tank. Unfortunately, the British version does not have access to the extremely lethal American solid shot AP or HEAT ammunition. The Conqueror is thus forced to choose between the anaemic APDS or unreliable HESH ammunition, while also sharing the same long reload as the American gun.

In general, the APDS is quite accurate at long ranges thanks to its high velocity, and the high penetration usually means it will not have too many problems penetrating most things the Conqueror will encounter. However, the post-penetration effects of APDS tend to be very poor compared to full-bore AP, and it is very rare to one-shot opponents. This problem is further exacerbated by the Conqueror's long reload, which is longer than the time it takes to replace a crewmember if facing a opponent with good crew skills. The HESH round will do a lot of damage ''if'' it hits and penetrates, but is easily frustrated by spaced armour and external components like tracks or suspension elements. It also has a relatively low velocity and is harder to use at long ranges.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[L1A2 (120 mm)|120 mm L1A2]]
|-
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
|-
| colspan="3" | 35 || -7°/+15° || ±180° || Two-plane
|-
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
|-
! style="width:4em" |Mode
! style="width:4em" |Stock
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| ''Arcade'' || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 9.7 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
|-
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| 19.4 || 17.13 || __.__ || __.__
|-
|}

===== Ammunition =====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
|-
! 10m
! 100m
! 500m
! 1000m
! 1500m
! 2000m
|-
| Shot L1G || APDS || 362 || 361 || 359 || 354 || 339 || 321
|-
| Shell L1TK || HESH || 152 || 152 || 152 || 152 || 152 || 152
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="11" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" |Velocity in m/s
! rowspan="2" |Projectile Mass in kg
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
''in m:''
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
''in mm:''
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):''
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° from horizontal:''
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
|-
! 0%
! 50%
! 100%
|-
| Shot L1G || APDS || 1493 || 7.6 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 75° || 78° || 80°
|-
| Shell L1TK || HESH || 792 || 16 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 3,100 || +0° || 73° || 77° || 80°
|-
|}

===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
[[File:Ammoracks_Conqueror.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the Conqueror Mk.2.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full ammo
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" width="10%" |Recommendations
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual discrepancy
|-
|| '''35''' || 31 ''(+4)'' || 21 ''(+14)'' || 16 ''(+19)'' || 11 ''(+24)'' || 6 ''(+29)'' || 1 ''(+34)'' || style="text-align:left" | No
|-
|}

Keep ammo at around 16 ''(+19)'' or 11 ''(+24)''

=== Machine guns ===


{{main|L3A1 (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | [[L3A1 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm L3A1]]
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate (shots/minute)
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
|-
| colspan="4" | 3,750 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount''
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate (shots/minute)
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
|-
| colspan="4" | 3,750 (250) || 500 || -10°/+30° || ±90°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The Conqueror performs best at longer ranges as a support tank where it can make the best use of its accurate, high-penetration 120 mm gun as well as its and heavy frontal armour, especially in terrain that allows it to go hull-down.

===Modules===
As per usual,"Parts" and "FPE" should be the focus first for modifications to increase combat survivability. Everything else is fair game after those two.

It is then recommended to head for the "Additional Ballistic Protection Package" in order to increase the armour of the Conqueror to stand up to more lethal rounds.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* 361 mm close-range penetration with the high-velocity APDS stock ammunition
* HESH ammunition with good explosive filler for chemical effect
* Both APDS and HESH ammunition from 120 mm rarely ricochet off tanks
* The gun is fully stabilised, enabling easier reaction shots and hill peaking
* The coaxial MG can be used as a ranging gun, its bullets land where the HESH shell will approximately hit
* Turret is well armoured and well shaped to deflect rounds
* Extremely sloped and well-armoured upper glacis
* Can mount add-on armour which offers more protection in the form of spaced armour to the turret cheeks and upper plate
* Large volume within tank mean all crew may not be knocked out in one hit

'''Cons:'''

* Poor lethality with APDS
* Unreliable HESH ammunition that is harder to aim due to lower velocity
* Long reload time (14.9s - 19.7s), though appropriate for the calibre
* Possesses only 7.62 mm machine guns to handle other threats
* Weak lower glacis plate
* Very weak side hull armour of 51 mm with a minimal 6 mm side skirt
* Very weak engine deck armour of only 17 mm makes it extremely vulnerable to aircraft cannon fire
* Top speed is sub-par (33 km/h) with poor acceleration
* Ammunition rack is strewn all over turret

== History ==


===Development===
In 1944, General Staff started a project called ''A45 Infantry Support Tank'', which started around the same time as the development of the [[Centurion Mk 1|A41 Centurion]] cruiser tank. This project, after the war, was redesignated from a typical "Infantry Tank" and instead focused on a new role of a "Universal Tank" design in the form of the FV 200 series. The "Universal Tank" concept was to design a vehicle that would have a mobility comparable to that of cruiser tanks, but with the armour and firepower of heavy tanks. The FV 200 series designation was adopted and was to serve as a line of vehicles that used the same hull and chassis in different roles like armour recovery vehicles and self-propelled guns. The first tank of this series was to be the FV 201, which would be 55 tons and use the 20-pounder gun.

In 1949, a new requirement for the project called for the use of a 120 mm gun, possibly in response to the reveal of the Soviet [[IS-3]] heavy tank in the Berlin Victory Parade in 1945. This new requirement would delay the initial deadlines for the tank as no gun of that caliber had been developed yet. As a interim development before such a gun could be made, the FV 201 hull was mounted with a turret from the Centurion tank and this created the ''[[Caernarvon|FV 221 Caernarvon]]'', with ''Mark I'' for a 17-pounder armament and a ''Mark II'' for a 20-pounder armament. However, the success of the lighter Centurion tank made the Caernarvon unsuitable in a "Main Battle Tank" role. Further development on the Caernarvon, with emphasis on the armour and armament, would develop the '''FV 214 Conqueror''' tanks, some were straight up conversions of Caernarvon Mark II's. About 185 Conquerors were produced in Mk.1 and Mk.2 variants from 1955 to 1959.

===Design===
The FV 214 Conqueror, also known as the "Tank, Heavy No. 1, 120 mm Gun, Conqueror", was intended to provide a mobile, long-range anti-tank support for the lighter and more numerous Centurion tanks stationed in Germany. As a response to the heavy [[IS-3]] tank in Soviet service, the tank's armament and armour is taken up and beyond extreme to typical NATO armour development. The armour, with a frontal plate of about seven inches (178 mm), made the tank one of the most protected tanks stationed in West Germany. The abundance of armour made the tank heavy, weighing 64 tons, and this impeded the tank's top speed and made it mechanically unreliable. However, the tank was very mobile in cross-country terrain, seen as equal as the lighter and faster Centurion tank.

The gun was the very large 120 mm cannon, the largest caliber tank gun available when it was introduced. The gun was American-developed, the same 120 mm cannon that would arm the [[M103|M103]] heavy tank. The gun uses a two-piece ammunition and the tank allowed for a ammo stowage of 35 rounds. Another notable feature of the Conqueror aside from its large cannon and thick armour was the unique and rotatable commander's cupola. In the cupola was the Conqueror's fire control system and had many features that made it ahead of its time. Being able to be rotated independent from the turret, plus with a coincidence rangefinder, the commander could align the cupola to a target, measure its range, and direct the gunner to the designated target. While the gunner located and engage the target, the commander could go and find a different target to designate and range.

===Usage===
The Conqueror were all stationed in West German in the armoured regiments stationed there. Each regiment received 9 Conquerors and were organized in groups of three as tank troops to support the Centurions in any conflict that arise from the tense situation of the Cold War. As history played out, the Cold War never became "hot" and no hostile conflicts arise in the borders of Germany, thus the Conquerors never saw any use aside from training as they were all exclusively stationed on the German borders. The Conqueror's intention to provide a long-range anti-tank capability for the Centurions, became less significant when the Centurions began to arm themselves with the more powerful 105 mm L7 gun, such as the [[Centurion Mk 10]]. The lower tactical value of the Conqueror and further development on heavy tanks in Britain had the Conquerors replaced in 1966 with the much more powerful and armoured, yet lighter, [[Chieftain Mk 3|FV 4201 Chieftain tank]].

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/850/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Сenturion Mk III and Conqueror Mk II]
* [http://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/870 [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Conqueror Armor Investigation]

{{Britain heavy tanks}}

MBT-70

2019-07-03T18:36:33Z

U9268933: Added turret rotation speed data

{{Specs-Card|code=us_mbt_70}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_MBT-70.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''152-mm Gun-Launcher Main Battle Tank 70''' (shortened as '''{{PAGENAME}}''') is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. This tank was introduced in [[Update 1.71 "New E.R.A"]].

The MBT-70 handles like virtually no other vehicle (barring the [[KPz-70]], its German twin) in the game in terms of its ability to pick up and maintain speed over various terrains. Cross country mobility is arguably the best currently available in the game and is one of the signature traits that stands out about it.

Unlike the Soviet T-64A (its main rival), the MBT-70 does not utilise composite armour, but an air gap that forces munitions penetrating the initial layers to lose their mass by fragmenting apart before moving to the next layer of armour. This general design concept has been in use as far back as World War II and is even used to this day on modern fighting vehicles.

[[Armour#Sloped_armour|Spaced armour]] works wonderfully well against shaped charge munitions or any other munition with explosive filler provided it is of a stronger protection rating. Proceeding weapons and munitions development has seen this benefit decreased with either more powerful or tandem-charge warheads and can be seen in-game against weapons that proceeded different designs of spaced armour. As such, the MBT-70 will find itself against weapons that were designed to defeat spaced armour such as the HOT-K3S ATGM and [[Swingfire|BAE Swingfire]] system that will penetrate it. However, the spaced armour in the MBT-70 works exactly as it was designed to do against older anti-tank missiles, HEAT, HE, and HESH munitions.

The tank mounts no external spaced armour. The armour on the side and rear of the tank is not worth mentioning as it will only stop light machine gun fire and some cannon fire on the turret. Adversary sabot rounds will penetrate clear through the engine and into the crew compartment most likely destroying the MBT-70 if engaged from behind.

The most important feature that makes a tank is the cannon. In this department, the MBT-70 is no slouch. The 152 mm gun launcher system (similar to the one used on the [[M551|M551 Sheridan]]), but with a longer barrel and is capable of firing a variety of munition types including an experimental APFSDS round, a traditional HEAT round (with high penetration), an experimental [[Smoke screen|smoke]] round, and lastly the very capable and proven MGM-61C Shillelagh. This wide range of munition choices gives the operator a variety of options in pre-combat configuration which can greatly either hinder or enhance the tankers capability on the battlefield. The benefit of a longer barrel compared to its Sheridan counterpart ensures the MBT-70 is much more accurate at range and that the rounds leave the barrel at higher velocities thus increasing their overall damage dealing capabilities.

Additionally the 152 mm gun launcher gets equipped with an auto loader, greatly reducing its time between followup shots on a target.
For targeting, the option to equip an incredibly accurate laser range finder is available. Additionally the 7.62 mm machine gun mounted in the turret can be used for range finding as well.

The Rheinmetall Rh 202 20 mm auto cannon is highly effective at dealing with light armoured battlefield threats and on some tanks exposed sides or rears. In some situations, it may be more beneficial to utilise the 20 mm as it will allow the tank to deal damage rapidly while conserving the main cannon ammunition. The cannon is also highly effective at shooting down low flying attackers. Note that if the commander is knocked out, the 20 mm will be unable to be used.

The MBT-70 is equipped with a 1,470 horsepower air-cooled Continental V-12 diesel engine. This engine pack compared to its German counterpart produces slightly less power, but both vehicles handle essentially the same.

A highly advantageous feature is the hydro pneumatic suspension system which not only provides great cross country mobility, but allows the crew to position the vehicle in such a way to only expose the strongest armour at an enemy threat. The suspension can also be used to gain further gun depression by raising the rear of the tank and lowering the front thus allowing the gunner to engage from a position that he might not have been able to engage from previously.

The MBT-70 features the standard NATO track and rubber block design. The rubber track blocks provide great traction off road and on road compared to all metal tracks found on other fighting vehicles as sliding on a short halt or drifting is minimised.

Because of the elevated engine deck, gun depression is decreased significantly when firing or aiming the gun over the rear of the tank.

An unconventional feature at the time was that the MBT-70 was designed to house all the crew members in the turret. Because of the autoloading system, the need for a loader was eliminated and due to an attempt to further lower the tanks silhouette, the driver was located to the turret with the gunner and commander. This can have potentially devastating consequences on the battlefield as the crew can easily be injured or knocked out by penetrating munitions entering the crew compartment.

For defensive countermeasures, the tank is equipped with two quad barrel externally mounted smoke canister launchers on both sides of the turret, which can provide either a defensive screen for itself or friendly forces. These launchers can be fired in pairs of two. Keep in mind the smoke grenade launchers are operated by the gunner so should the gunner become incapacitated in a fight, the smoke will be unlaunchable until the gunner is replaced by another crew member or by the crew replenishment consumable.

Due to its low profile and effective array of camouflage options, the MBT-70 scores high marks in the concealability category. The addition of various foliage can further increase the ability to conceal the tank.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===

'''Armour type:'''

* Spaced armour (Hull front, Turret front)
* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 34* mm (57°) ''Front glacis'' 76.2 mm (65°) ''Lower glacis'' || 23-34 mm (0-55°) ''Top'' 23-35 mm ''Bottom'' || 25.4 mm (12°) ''Top'' 25 mm (60°) ''Bottom'' 12.7 mm (29-45°) ''Engine exhaust'' || 20 mm ''Front'' 12.7 mm ''Engine deck''
|-
| Turret || 50-200 mm (0-75°) || 12.7-38* mm (29-34°) || 12.7* mm (27-80°) || 20-50 mm ''Front'' 12.7 mm ''Rear turret''
|-
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
|-
| Cupola || 25 mm || 25 mm
|-
! Spaced armour* !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 200 mm ''Kinetic'' 170 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A || N/A || N/A
|-
| Turret || 320 mm ''Kinetic'' 280 mm ''Chemical'' || '''38 mm sections:''' 320 mm ''Kinetic'' 280 mm ''Chemical'' '''12.7 mm sections:''' 35 mm ''Kinetic'' 40 mm ''Chemical'' || 35 mm ''Kinetic'' 40 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick and tracks are 30 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 16 mm thick.
* Gun mantlet ring around the gun barrel is 305 mm thick.
* A 16 mm RHA plate separates the engine from the crew compartment
* Hull spaced armour configuration is 34 mm RHA + 127 mm air + 46 mm RHA.
* Turret spaced armour configuration is 38 mm RHA + 127 mm air + 130-33 mm RHA.
* Turret rear spaced armour configuration is 13 mm RHA + 38 mm air + 19 mm RHA.

The MBT-70 is still an average medium tank with weak side armour. Thus, flanking is a good strategy to take for a shot at the weak spots. Go for the ammo, which is located in front of the engine, or in the protruding end of the turret. If in a head on engagement, shoot it directly below the gun, but above the upper glacis. This spot has 250 mm of armour with no composite armour. This shot, if successful, should knock out most of the crew, and maybe even the horizontal drive, allowing for a flank in a fast vehicle.

=== Mobility ===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
|-
! Weight (tons)
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armor weight (tons)
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
|-
| rowspan="2" | 51.7 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 72 (AB)
|-
|64 (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
!Stock
!Upgraded
|-
|''Arcade''
|2,286
|954
|-
|''Realistic/Simulator''
|1,305
|1,475
|-
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
!Stock
!Upgraded
|-
|''Arcade''
|44.22
|__.__
|-
|''Realistic/Simulator''
|25.24
|28.53
|-
|}

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===

{{main|XM150E5 (152 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[XM150E5 (152 mm)|152 mm XM150E5]]
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
|-
| colspan="4" | 48 || -10°/+20° || ±180°
|-
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
|-
! style="width:4em" |Mode
! style="width:4em" |Stock
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| ''Arcade'' || 34.27 || 47.44 || 57.6 || 63.7 || 67.76
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 21.42 || 25.2 || 30.6 || 33.84 || 36
|-
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| 10.00 || 10.00 || 10.00 || 10.00
|-
|}

===== Ammunition =====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 0° Angle of Attack'''
|-
! 10m
! 100m
! 500m
! 1000m
! 1500m
! 2000m
|-
| XM578E1 || APFSDS || 380 || 370 || 360 || 345 || 330 || 315
|-
| M409A1 || HEAT || 380 || 380 || 380 || 380 || 380 || 380
|-
| MGM-51C || ATGM || 431 || 431 || 431 || 431 || 431 || 431
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" |Velocity in m/s
! rowspan="2" |Projectile Mass in kg
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
''in m:''
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
''in mm:''
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):''
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° from horizontal:''
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
|-
! 0%
! 50%
! 100%
|-
| XM578E1 || 1,500 || 3.7 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 76° || 77° || 78°
|-
| M409A1 || 754 || 18.9 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 3,730 || +0° || 62° || 69° || 73°
|-
| MGM-51C || 323 || 27.8 || 0.0 || 0.01 || 3,600 || +0° || 80° || 82° || 90°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="7" | Smoke characteristic
|-
! Ammunition
! Velocity in m/s
! Projectile Mass in kg
! ''Screen radius in m''
! ''Screen time in s''
! ''Screen hold time in s:''
! ''Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):''
|-
| XM410E1 || 754 || 18.9 || 25 || 5 || 30 || 50
|-
|}

===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
[[File:Ammoracks_MBT-70.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] for he MBT-70.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full ammo
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual discrepancy
|-
|| '''48''' || 44 ''(+4)'' || 33 ''(+15)'' || 25 ''(+23)'' || 7 ''(+41)'' || 1 ''(+47)'' || style="text-align:left" | No
|-
|}
Hull empty: 25 ''(+23)''

Racks 4 and 5 deplete top row together first before emptying in the second row.

=== Machine guns ===

{{main|Rh202 (20 mm)|M73 (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | [[Rh202 (20 mm)|20 mm Rh202]]
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount''
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate (shots/minute)
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
|-
| colspan="4" | 750 (750) || 900 || -9°/+65° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | [[M73 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M73]]
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate (shots/minute)
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
|-
| colspan="4" | 6,000 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The tank plays very much like the [[M41A1|M41A1 Walker Bulldog]]. Players familiar with the hit and run play style will easily adapt to the MBT-70. Its fast speed, especially with full upgrades and aced crew, allows it to maneuver into spots not typically accessible by less mobile tanks. Utilize this to an advantage to set up ambushes as this is how the MBT-70 will get most victories. It's important to recognize when an engagement is not beneficial to the tank so that it can re-position itself or escape from the threat.

Despite the initial appearance of strong frontal armour, it's important to remember when compared to its counterparts at its rank, it is not nearly enough to defeat threats head on such as the [[T-64A (1971)|T-64A]]. Even ATGM from missile vehicles such as the [[RakJPz 2 (HOT)|Raketenjagdpanzer 2 HOT]] will penetrate the turret and upper glacis plate. Even other Rank V tanks can and will penetrate from the front. Because of the rather condensed placement of crew and ammunition, the MBT-70 will most likely be destroyed with one shot. Because of this, it is critical to get the first shot off in an engagement and ensure it is either an eliminating shot or one that cripples the threat to such a capacity that they either cannot engage, will instinctively panic and try to run to repair or determine the engagement location and direction.

The gun is especially versatile and powerful with a wide range of ammunition selection, but the cannon-launched ATGM's and sabot rounds will generally be able to get the job done in most situations. The 20 mm turret roof mounted cannon is great for taking out lightly armored targets (to include some tanks, ATGM vehicles, etc), anti-air, and aircraft.

Essentially if this tanks is treated like a light tank or fast medium tank, the survivability will increase dramatically. The hydropneumatic suspension allows for positioning the tank in such ways that it can engage from non-conventional spots while exposing only the strongest armor at the threat. The low silhouette makes the tank especially difficult to hit at longer ranges and this can be further enhanced by the adjustable suspension depending on the situation. Because of the accurate cannon, the MBT-70 will also find it to be easy to engage at longer ranges, which will maximize the strengths while reducing the targets.

In summary, the MBT-70 is a great addition to any end game lineup as it provides great flexibility in almost all engagements and is well worth the time and investment to acquire.

===Tactics===
Ambushing is the MBT-70's strength. As covered previously, utilize the speed to get into firing positions quickly and cause chaos and confusion among the enemy. In arcade battles, an MBT-70 can usually reach key positions quicker than even some 10.0 BR main battle tanks. This is only provided if it consistently drives in a linear format.

The MBT-70 can also quickly capture objective points and when used properly, it can hold these positions so long as it does not stay in them for too long.

Scoot and shoot tactics will benefit the MBT-70, as well as terrain masking techniques.

Should the MBT-70 have to fight in closer engagement ranges or in close quarters, it is critical to always remember that the armour will not protect the tank reliably; however, the speed, fast rotating turret, and maneuverability will. Provided the player utilise these traits to its advantage, the MBT-70 will be able to control the fight. Recognise when the MBT-70 is being baited into an ambush and avoid them as the MBT-70 doesn't stand a great chance of conducting a counter ambush due to the weak armour, which will allow the MBT-70 to be destroyed easily at close range.

If the MBT-70 finds itself a victim of an ambush from an opponent, launch a smokescreen, escape, and reassess for a counter ambush.

The MBT-70 benefits greatly from squad play. A skilled lone MBT-70 is most certainly a threat on the battlefield, but two or even three MBT-70's working in conjunction with each other in a squad is an extreme danger to the opposing team as the use of squad tactics in combination with the great strengths of the tank can almost completely control the momentum of the conflict.

===Modules===
Like for most other tanks in-game so far, go for the ''Parts'' first, then ''Horizontal Turret'' drive, then for the ''FPE''.
After these critical upgrades, go for the APFSDS Shell, then either engine upgrades or gun upgrades, depending on the play style. ''Optics'', ''Tracks'', ''Suspension'' and ''Brakes'' shouldn't be a Priority #1.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Composite armour greatly enhances its survivabilty on the battlefield
* Stock ammunition consists of the good MGM 51C "Shillelagh" Guided Missile, means no ammo costs for using it, plus a decent but inferior HEAT shell.
* Has access to APFSDS Shells with great close-range penetrating power
* Has a top mounted 20 mm anti-aircraft cannon installed which can also be used to defeat lightly armoured vehicles reliably with its 44 mm of penetration.
* Has access to hydropenumatic suspension, useful for hull down engagements.
* Extremely fast in both forwards and reverse.
* Fast acceleration.
* Autoloader means a consistent load rate of 10 seconds

'''Cons:'''

* One of the longest reload rates that is non-upgradeable (10 seconds)
* Generally less protection from composite armour, relative to other Rank 6 tanks.
* Weak Side armour and LFP
* 20 mm AA Gun overheats rather quickly with sustained firing
* Ammo racks are easy targets and are not entirely covered by its composite armour
* Vulnerable to the rear due to raised engine deck, it can be solved if hydropneumatic suspension are used.
* Cramped interior, loss of more than one crew member more likely when penetrated.

== History ==

In the early 1960s, West Germany and the United States began work on a joint project to create a standardized new MBT design that would meet specific requirements set by both nations. The cause for this, was the introduction of the powerful Soviet 115mm smoothbore cannon, mounted on the [[T-62]]. The new cannon presented a serious issue for the respective primary fighting vehicles of the two nations - the [[Leopard I|Leopard 1]] and [[M60]]. Thus, work on the joint project, designated MBT-70 in the US and KPz-70 in West Germany, began in 1964. Right from the start, development was plagued by disagreements between the numerous design team members, due to the differing engineering practices of the two sides. By the time the disagreements were settled, the project has already suffered from several delays, which in addition to other things, inflated the project’s budget early on in its development life.

Nevertheless, the result of the combined effort of engineers from both sides was first put to the test in the mid ‘60s, after the first prototypes were manufactured. The KPz-70 MBT received an innovative design like no other tank before it, in addition to being equipped with some of the latest military equipment of the time, such as hydropneumatic suspension, an autoloading system and laser rangefinding, just to name a few.

However, whilst the MBT/KPz-70 did come equipped with some of the most high-tech equipment of its time, the vehicle did also come with its own set of unique problems. Considered to be way ahead of its time, the designers often faced challenges that neither the German or American side of the team was able to effectively address, making the vehicle quickly exceed both weight limitations as well as budget restrictions. Spiraling development costs and design disagreements eventually lead to the Germans backing out of the project in 1969 to continue work on one of their own designs, before the Americans also abandoned the project a couple years later in 1971, leaving a total of 14 prototypes built.

''- From [https://warthunder.com/en/news/4923-development-kpz-70-mbt-70-a-warrior-of-two-armies-en/ Devblog]''

== Media ==

[https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=#mbt70 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the MBT-70 from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[KPz-70]] - German counterpart of the same vehicle.
* [[XM-803]] - An American "budget" version of the vehicle.

== External links ==


* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/4923-gamescom-kpz-70-mbt-70-a-warrior-of-two-armies-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> KPz-70 & MBT-70 - A Warrior of Two Armies]

{{USA medium tanks}}