M1 Abrams

This page is about the American medium tank M1 Abrams. For other versions, see M1 Abrams (Family). For other uses, see M1 (Disambiguation).

M1 Abrams

MBT-70

M1A1

M1 Abrams

MBT-70

M1A1

USA

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
10.7	10.7	10.7

Class:

Medium tank

Research:260 000

Purchase:710 000

Description

Following the cancellation of the MBT-70 and XM-803, the US Army continued their search for the next main battle tank to replace their M60s. With a goal of producing a top-rate main battle tank under a fixed price limit, both General Motors and Chrysler competed for the optimal design the US Army will choose. In November 1976, the Chrysler model was chosen for the XM-1 contract, and was accepted for service in 1981 as the M1 Abrams tank. The basis of the new main battle tank for the US Army, 2,374 units of the M1 Abrams would be produced. Accepted under constrained budgets, the now standardized M1 Abrams would go on to feature multiple improvement programs, such as the introduction of a 120 mm gun, as well as constant refurbishments to keep the tank up to date.

The Tank, Combat, Full Tracked, 105-mm Gun M1, or just M1 Abrams, was introduced in Update 1.77 "Advancing Storm". The start of a new common vehicle for the rest of the American tech tree, the first M1 Abrams gives players a good taste of the gameplay expected from the platform. The turbine engine gives the vehicle great speed and acceleration that players could use to get to position or perform hit-and-run on their targets. The armour, an improvement over its predecessors, can provide substantial kinetic energy protection, but excels in chemical energy protection against HEAT tank shells. The one area that the M1 Abrams is not too different is the firepower, using the same 105 mm gun and its shells from the latest M60 variants. However, the improved armour and mobility can allow players to better use the 105 mm gun by getting around to where enemies least expect the Abrams to be for the 105 mm to do the most damages against their weak points.

General info

Survivability and armour

Composite armour

Balanced protection against all types of ammunition

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

ESS

Creation of a smoke screen in the direction of movement of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull133 / 60 / 32

Turret139 / 120 / 13

Crew4 people

Visibility82 %

The armour is decent, with the LFP being able to stop rounds such as 3BM22, 3BM15, 3BM9, offering about 430 mm of kinetic protection against these three rounds. It can also stop the 105 mm DM23 and 120 mm L23 rounds. The Abrams has around 410/415 mm of protection against these rounds. The lower front plate is nigh impenetrable to nearly all HEATFS shells and ATGMs. The UFP is decent as well: it can ricochet shots right into the huge turret ring, so when playing, keep it in mind. The turret fares much better against these shots. It offers 440 mm of protection, being able to stop these rounds.

When uptiered, you will face 120 mm 3BM42, M829, DM23 and DM33 rounds: they will shred through your armour like paper. Even then, your armour might ricochet when moving and save you when retreating.

The gun mantlet is also huge and all APFSDS and HEATFS rounds can go trough (though this is a weak spot all vehicles have). Like most western MBTs, survivability is good, with the crew being far apart from each other as well as wet ammo stowage.

Armour type:

• Composite armour (hull, turret)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	19-38.1 mm (82-83°) Front glacis 32*+101* mm (40°) Lower glacis 25.4-38.1 mm (82°) Belly glacis	25.4+65** Front tip 30+30+65** mm Front half 12.7 mm Rear half - Top 27.6+6.35 mm Rear half - Bottom 28.4+6.35 mm Rear tip	31.75 mm (5-37°) 12.7 mm (53-54°)	31.75 mm 5 mm Engine grille
Turret	38*+101* mm (21-30°) 38*+18* mm (30-36°) Gun mantlet 25.4 mm (74-82°) Turret underside	19*+101* mm (30°) Crew compartment 6*+13* (30°) Ammo rack bustle	12.7 mm (43-48°) 25.4 mm (80-83°) Turret underside	38.1 mm Front 25.4 mm Rear 12.7 mm Panels
Cupola	25.4 mm (conical)			25.4 mm (conical) Outer ring 25.4 mm Centre

* RHA plates part of composite armour
** Composite screens

Composite armour	Frontal effective protection	Sides
Hull	Lower glacis: 380 mm Kinetic / 600 mm Chemical	N/A
Turret	Turret front: Angles ±0°: 400 mm Kinetic / 650 mm Chemical Angles ±25°: 380 mm Kinetic / 600 mm Chemical Gun mantlet: 240 mm Kinetic / 450 mm Chemical	31.75 mm sections: 160 mm Kinetic / 400 mm Chemical 12.7 mm sections: 80 mm Kinetic / 400 mm Chemical

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
• Turret ring is 50.8 + 50.8 mm thick.
• 19 mm RHA plates are positioned behind the front fuel tanks.
• 19 mm RHA plates surround the turret rear ammo racks.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB80 / 43 km/h

RB and SB72 / 39 km/h

Number of gears8 forward

4 back

Weight55.7 t

Engine power

AB2 898 hp

RB and SB1 519 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB52.0 hp/t

RB and SB27.3 hp/t

Overall mobility is superb, even without mobility modifications researched it can still outaccelerate most contemporary vehicles. Hull traverse is however poor, with it becoming only decent when all mobility modifications researched. The M1 Abrams is a fairly quick main battle tank. It accelerates quickly, and will hold a speed of 52 km/h (32 mph) over rough terrain. On city maps or paved surfaces, an M1 Abrams can easily reach its top speed of 72 km/h (45 mph), thanks to its monstrously powerful turbine engine. With three speeds in reverse, it is also capable of an impressive 40 km/h (25 mph) to back away from troublesome situations. As powerful as the motor may be, the M1 Abrams has a slow to respond, and relatively slow traverse rate for its neutral steering. In some circumstances, it may be more beneficial to back away before turning around, as waiting for the neutral steering to turn 180 degrees is lengthy.

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	80	43	55.7	2,058	2,898	36.95	52.03
Realistic	72	39		1,343	1,519	24.11	27.27

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB4 216 → 6 657

RB4 084 → 6 448

SB4 767 → 7 527

Total cost of modifications212 200

350 000

Talisman cost2 800

Crew training200 000

Experts710 000

Aces2 100

Research Aces1 080 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

150 / 190 / 240 %

232 / 232 / 232 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 320 Suspension Research: 8 500 Cost: 13 000 290 Brake System Research: 8 500 Cost: 13 000 290 Filters Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 490 Transmission Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 420 Engine Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 420	Improved Parts Research: 2 700 Cost: 14 000 320 Improved FPE Research: 2 600 Cost: 13 000 290 Crew Replenishment Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 490 ESS Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 420	Horizontal Drive Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 320 105mm_usa_HESH_ammo_pack Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 320 105mm_NATO_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 320 Adjustment of Fire Research: 8 500 Cost: 13 000 290 105mm_us_M416_Smoke_ammo_pack Research: 8 500 Cost: 13 000 290 Smoke grenade Research: 8 500 Cost: 13 000 290 Elevation Mechanism Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 490 NVD Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 490 Artillery Support Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 420 Laser rangefinder Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 420 105mm_usa_M774_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 420

Armaments

Laser rangefinder

Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Night vision device

Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Thermal imager

Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Main armament

105 mm M68A1 cannon

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Ammunition55 rounds

First-order22 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

6.5 → 5.0 s

Vertical guidance-10° / 20°

The gun performance is adequate. While the shells are good against angles, they can penetrate weak spots and the sides of enemy vehicles with ease. At long ranges the gun can struggle, especially against enemies in a hull down position. Most Soviet/Russian MBTs in a hull down position only have the following weak spots: the gun mantlet and the driver hatch window, located just below the gun. The M1 Abrams also suffers from a raised engine deck. As such, its capacity for "over the shoulder" shots and shots directly over the rear is very limited, because the engine deck prevents the lowering of the cannon.

105 mm M68A1					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	55	-10°/+20°	±180°	Two-plane	38.1	52.7	64.0	70.8	75.3	6.50	5.75	5.30	5.00
Realistic					23.8	28.0	34.0	37.6	40.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
M456A2	HEATFS	400	400	400	400	400	400
M393A2	HESH	127	127	127	127	127	127
M735	APFSDS	292	291	284	275	266	257
M774	APFSDS	372	370	365	358	351	343

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
M456A2	HEATFS	1,174	10.5	0.05	0.1	1.27	65°	72°	77°
M393A2	HESH	732	11.2	0.1	4	4.31	73°	77°	80°
M735	APFSDS	1,501	3.72	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°
M774	APFSDS	1,509	3.4	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°

Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Screen radius (m)	Screen deploy time (s)	Screen hold time (s)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
M416	732	11.6	16	5	25	50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M1 Abrams

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
55	48 (+7)	45 (+10)	23 (+32)	1 (+54)	No

Notes:

• Blowout rack only: 45 (+10) shells.

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun

Ammunition1 000 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate575 shots/min

Vertical guidance-9° / 65°

7.62 mm M240 machine gun

Ammunition1 400 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate941 shots/min

7.62 mm M240 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition10 000 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate941 shots/min

With three machine guns (two light 7.62 mm and one heavy 12.7 mm), the Abrams is well equipped at dealing with helicopters and lightly armoured SPAA.

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Commander's cupola	1,000 (200)	577	-9°/+65°	±180°

7.62 mm M240
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Loader's cupola	1,400 (200)	941	-9°/+65°	-77°/+135°
Coaxial	10,000 (200)	941	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

Its armour, whilst reliable in downtiers and when facing tanks of the same BR, should not be relied on when uptiered. Many tanks will destroy you. But when downtiered, your armour will protect you 70-75% of the time. Many rounds at this BR and below have a hard time facing you and even penetrating you in the LFP even.

M774 is the preferred round in the M1 Abrams; it has significantly better angled penetration, an improved ballistic coefficient and reduced chance to bounce at high angle impacts. The HESH round is still useful for engaging light vehicles and helicopters; the smoke round is not very valuable thanks to the Abrams having a built-in smoke generator and smoke grenades, but it might be helpful to take one or two.

The Abrams' main strength is its extreme mobility, even by MBT standards, and the very good ballistics of the APFSDS rounds. The armour is not sufficient and will only really stop ATGMs and HEATFS rounds. But when facing tanks at this BR and below, enemies have a hard time penetrating your frontal arc.

Additionally, The M1 has somewhat sub-par penetration even with its best shell. Because of these factors, it is recommended that you do not use this tank as a frontline brawler. Instead, use your speed to quickly appear from angles your opponents are not expecting you to come from. This can take the form of flanking in order to get side shots, Rushing at the start of the game to take an advantageous position, or getting to choke points before the enemy does, in order to be ready to knock them out. Essentially, This tank should be played much like the M18 Hellcat, though unlike the Hellcat your armour can still help you occasionally when uptiered.

When downtiered, this should be played as a balanced tank, with armour and speed, only really lacking firepower.

A useful thing to note when playing the Abrams, and most MBTs in general, is that if your opponent shows any side armour, you can penetrate them almost every time. if someone is coming towards you even at a slight angle, aim for the front drive wheel on their tracks. Your shell will be able to penetrate into the tank and likely knock them out with a single shot. It is recommended to use APFSDS as the main loadout, as the HEATFS ammunition starts coming against tanks with armour types specifically designed to resist it.

In terms of threats:

• Type 90 and AMX-40, as their incredibly powerful shots can penetrate you anywhere, at any angle, at almost any distance. For the Type 90, aim for the turret ring, and for the AMX-40, aim for the LFP.
• The T-80B, because of its strong armament and very strong armour; it can be penetrated through its lower front plate, the drivers viewport below the gun, and just to the side or below the gun; if a T80B shows any of its side, you can penetrate it there

Pros and cons

Pros:

• LFP and turret face can easily stop 3BM22, other soviet rounds, DM23 (105 mm) and L23.
• Good chemical protection due to composite armour, especially on the turret
• Internal armour plating increases crew survivability
• Very good mobility for its weight
• Great forward and reverse speed
• Very good acceleration
• Turns very fast, even in neutral steering
• Very accurate and fast-firing main gun
• Blowout panels protect the crew from ammo rack detonation
• Although composite armour is absent on the upper glacis plate, the extreme sloping makes shells bounce every time

Cons:

• Large target
• The three shells under the gun do NOT have blowout panels, if detonated you will die
• No composite armour on the upper glacis plate and in the rear of the turret, so remaining on level terrain is priority
• The turret ring is a massive and easily penetrated weak spot
• The armour's high chemical resistance is not relevant against contemporary enemies usually equipped with APFSDS
• Losing some crew members will prevent you from firing some of your smoke grenades
• Low APFSDS penetration
• Inadequate stock ammo loadout: both the M735 and M456 shells are no longer effective at this BR
• NVD are a tier III modification
• M774 is a tier IV modification and it is still a fairly weak round for this BR
• Like with most Abrams series tanks, the engine deck is slightly raised, meaning that you will not be able to depress the gun over the rear of the tank.

History

Once the unsuccessful joint German-American MBT-70 project had been shut down in 1971, the Congress redistributed funds to the further development of the XM815 project, later known as the XM1 Abrams. The development of the XM1 Abrams was a competition between two designs of the Chrysler and General Motors companies, respectively. Early July 1973 marks an important date for the project after representatives of both companies travelled to Great Britain to witness the development of the new composite armour, named Burlington. Impressed by what they saw, both companies decided to reevaluate and optimize their designs' armour layout to increase its effectiveness, with General Motors changing the front shape of the turret to a sloped surface, whilst Chrysler retained its vertical design. By 1976, the XM1 prototypes were being readied for testing, with the finishing touch being the installation of the M68 cannon.. Testing of both prototypes took place in the presence of the new German Leopard 2 tank, which was shipped to the U.S. for comparison purposes. Once testing was concluded and the results evaluated, the turbine-powered Chrysler design was proclaimed the winner of the competition and thus the Chrysler design would soon enter production as the M1 Abrams.

An M1 Abrams during Exercise Reforger 82 "Carbine Fortress"

The M1 entered production in 1979, with the first production version M1 leaving the factory floor in February 1980. Production of the M1 continued until 1985, with an improved M1IP version being produced briefly between 1984 -1986. By 1985, several thousands of M1s had already been manufactured and put into service. In August 1985 however, the M1 was outfitted with the license-built version of the Rheinmetall 120 mm gun, as found on the Leopard 2 tank and subsequently entered production as the M1A1 Abrams. Following this modification, earlier M1 units would progressively be upgraded to M1A1 standard, but this is a story for another devblog in the future. The M1 Abrams saw the most active service with US forces primarily in operations in the Middle East, but known operators also include Australia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others. Nonetheless, the American M1 Abrams is one of the most successful and widely fielded modern-day MBTs in use anywhere in the world, and rightfully deserves its iconic status alongside other American legends such as the M4 Sherman and M60 Patton, to name but a few. The fact that the M1 Abrams is still being manufactured and used today, almost four decades after its introduction, serves as a testimony to that statement.

- From Devblog

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the M1 Abrams from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The Shooting Range #88 - Metal Beasts section at 00:32 discusses the M1 Abrams.

Т-64B vs M1 Abrams - War Thunder Official Channel

How to destroy the M1 Abrams - War Thunder Official Channel

The Shooting Range #94 - Pages of History section at 04:33 discusses the M1 Abrams.

M1 Abrams vs T-72A vs T-80B - War Thunder Official Channel

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

• [Devblog] M1 Abrams: The Desert Warrior

Chrysler Defense
MBTs
M48 Patton	M48A1
M60	M60 · M60A1 (AOS) · M60A2 · M60A1 RISE (P) · M60A3 TTS
M1	XM1 (Chrysler) · M1 Abrams
Export
M48	M48A2 C · M48A2 G A2 · ␗M48A1 · Magach 1 · Magach 2
M60	␗M60A3 TTS · M60A1 "D.C.Ariete" ·
Note	Chrysler Defense was purchased by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in 1982.