M48 Patton (Family)
 | Writing in process... This article is being edited by the member CobraKingII (start date). Other participants are requested to not make any changes while this warning is here. |
In-Game Vehicles
Rank V
Rank VI
Design
M48A5
The M48A5 upgrade was applied to National Guard M48A2s and M48A3s, along with some M48A1s in order to maintain ammunition commonality between the tanks. The main feature of the upgrade was the change in main armament to the M68 105 mm gun, using the M116 mount and an all-metric measurement M16 fire control system. The hull featured components from the M60A1 RISE Hull PIP Update Kit, in order to increase commonality. The most notable component from the RISE was the AVDS-1790-2C engine with TLAC engine panels. The transmission was changed to the CD-850-6 cross-drive transmission, used the T142 track assembly, and got the M13A1 NBC protection system. The co-axial .30 cal M37 machine gun was replaced with the .50 cal M219/T175 machine gun. As the M48A5 was an upgrade of multiple earlier models, it had many different variations. One example of this being the return rollers; the M48A5 could have either three or five return rollers. The M48A5 could also have differences in the headlights layout, with either the early layout or later layout. Additionally, some M48A5s had earlier cupola styles.
M48A5API
The Israeli military had received M48 Patton tanks, and replaced the M1 cupola with an Urdan cupola, which featured a low profile. The Urdan cupola did not allow the commander to fire his machine gun from inside the tank, but gave him more protection from enemy tank shells. The Urdan cupola was equipped with an M60D machine gun, replacing the previous .50 M2 Browning machine gun. Additionally, a second M60D machine gun was fitted to the turret roof, near the loader's cupola, allowing the loader to fire a machine gun. The ammunition stowage was modified, and the tank could carry 54 rounds of 105 mm ammunition. These tanks were called M48A5API, but as earlier M48A5 tanks were upgraded to the API standard they simply became known as M48A5, dropping the API designation.
