M60A1 American Main Battle Tank (MBT)
M60A1 Main Battle Tank
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Other
Basic Information
Name
M60A1 American Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Designation
M60A1 Main Battle Tank
Alternate Designation
M60A1 Main Battle Tank
Equipment Type
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Manufacturer
—
Date of Introduction
1960
Description
M60A1 series The program to develop the M60A1 was approved in early 1960 in conjunction with abandoning further development of the advanced composite armor and the closure of the T95 Medium Tank project. The first prototype pilot's attempts to mate a modified M60 hull with the T95E7 turret took place in March 1960. The turret, even without the siliceous cored armor, provided improved ballistic protection. Additional space for the turret crew was also made available by using the M140 mount thus moving the cannon 5 inches forward.
Ground Specifications
Crew
4
Engine
1,790-cu in (29.34-liter) air-cooled, 4-stroke, V-12 multi-fuel (750 hp)
Active Protection
None
NBC Protection
Yes
Range
480.0 km
Variants
Note
There are over 50 Variants of the M60 Main Battle Tank
System
Alternative Designation
M60A1 Main Battle Tank
Type
Main Battle Tank
In Service
1960s-Present
Crew
4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Dimensions
Length, Hull
6.95 m
Length, Gun Forward
9.44 m
Width
3.63 m
Height
3.27 m
Tracks, Length on Ground
4.24 m
Tracks Width
0.71 m
Ground Pressure
0.46 m
Weight, Unloaded
48,680 kg
Weight, Combat
52,620 kg
Ground Pressure
0.87 kg/cm sq
Automotive
Engine Name
1 x Continental AVDS-1790-2A engine
Engine Type
1,790-cu in (29.34-liter) air-cooled, 4-stroke, V-12 multi-fuel
Engine Power
750 hp at 2,400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
14.24 hp/metric ton
Fuel Capacity
375 gal (1,420 liters)
Transmission
CD-850-5 cross drive transmission
Suspension
torsion bar, 6 road wheels, rear drive,
front idler, 3 shock absorbers, 3 track
return rollers
Range
480 km
Speed
48 km/h
Vertical Obstacle
0.91 m
Trench
2.59 m
Fording without Preparation
1.22 m
Fording with Preparation
2.40 m
Gradiant
60 %
Side Slope
30 %
Shock Absorbers
The addition of a shock absorber on the second roadwheel pair was also accompanied by a slight relocation of the first return roller. These modifications were needed due to the increased weight of the M60A1 turret as well as the additional hull armor.
Main Gun
System
Name
The M60A1 tank uses the M68E1 variant of the gun carried in the M140 mount. The M68E1 gun shares the same firing characteristics as the M68. It featured several design improvements including an updated gun hydraulic configuration, a stabilization upgrade for the gun, a gun elevation kill switch for the loader, improved ballistic drive and other component refinements.
Type
105 mm Rifled Gun
Caliber
105 mm
Length
5.89 m
Barrel Length
52 calibres (5.46 m or 17.9 ft)
Weight
1,282 kg
Rate of Fire
10 rounds per minute (maximum)
Maximum Range
4,000 m
Elevation
-10/+20-deg
Traverse
360-deg, an improved electro-mechanical traverse assembly
Fume Extractor
A mushroom-shaped fume extractor was placed at the rear left of the turret bustle to vent smoke produced from firing the main or coax guns out of the vehicle.
Ammunition
Type
Rifle Projectile
Caliber
105 mm
Shell
INA
Shell Weight
INA
Basic Load
The ammunition load for the main gun was increased to 63 rounds. Round storage was distributed between the turret bustle, with 15 ready rounds of various types were stowed and accessible for the loader, and the rest are stored inside safe containers on the hull floor.
Coaxial Weapon System
System
Name
1 x 7.62mm M240 Machine Gun
Type
General-Purpose Machine Gun
Length
1,260 mm
Barrel Length
630 mm
Width
120 mm
Height
260 mm
Weight
12.5 kg
Action
Gas-operated long-stroke piston, open bolt
Rate of Fire
M240, M240E1, M240C, M240D and M240G:
Gas Setting 1: 650–750 RPM
Gas Setting 2: 750–850 RPM
Gas Setting 3: 850–950 RPM
M240B, M240L and M240H: 550–650 RPM
Barrett 240LW and 240 LWS: 550–650 RPM
Muzzle Velocity
853 m/s
Maximum Firing Range
3,725 m
Effective Firing Range
800 m (875 yd) (bipod)
1,100 m (1,203 yd) (tripod)
Feed System
Belt-fed using M13 disintegrating links
Sights
Iron sights: front blade and folding rear leaf with aperture and notch
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
7.62 mm
Cartridge
7.62×51mm NATO
Basic Load
6,000 Rounds
Auxiliary Weapon System
System
Name
M85 Machine Gun
Type
Heavy Machine Gun
Caliber
12.7mm
In Service
INA
Manufacturer
INA
Proliferation
INA
Length
1,384.3 mm
Weight
29.5 kg
Action
Recoil-operated
Rate of Fire
400-625 rd/min
Muzzle Velocity
880.0 m/s
Maximum Firing Range
6,702.6 m
Effective Firing Range
1,999.8 m
Feed System
Belt Feed, left or right hand
Sights
INA
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
12.7mm mm
Cartridge
12.7×99mm NATO (.50 BMG)
Basic Load
Rifle
Fire Control
Name
M19 FCS
Computerized FCS
Yes
Thermal Sight Tank Commander
Texas Instruments AN/VSG-2 tank thermal inder and Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (HgCdTe) IR detector for passive night and dust vision.
Thermal Sight Gunner
Texas Instruments AN/VSG-2 tank thermal inder and Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (HgCdTe) IR detector for passive night and dust vision.
Main Gun Stabilization
Add-On Stabilization (AOS) that was introduced in late 1972. This was an add-on kit made to fit with minimum modifications to the existing hydraulic gun control system. The add-on-stabilization system provides stabilization control for both gun elevation and turret traverse. It provides the gunner with the capability of aiming and target tracking and also improved surveillance of the battlefield terrain by the gunner while the tank is moving. It may be used in any one of three modes of control: (1) power-with-stabilization-on, (2) power-with-stabilization-off, and (3) manual. In the power-with-stabilization-on mode, the gunner's aim on target is automatically retained while the vehicle is in motion. This mode provides a fire-on the-move capability. The power-with-stabilization-off option eliminates needless exercise of the stabilization system and provides a back up power mode.
Rangefinder
M17A1 coincidence rangefinder
Searchlight
AN/VSS-1(V)1 IR searchlight above the gun shield.
Ballistic Drive
M10A1 ballistic drive
Ballistic Gunner
mechanical M19E1 ballistic computer for the gunner.
Protection
Hull Armor
The hull's upper glacis armor was increased from 3.67 inches to 4.29 inches at 65 degrees while the turret sides went from 1.9 inches to 2.9 inches at their apex. This brought the frontal armor up to the same 10" line of sight armor standard of the M103 heavy tank.
Turret Armor
M60: equals 7 in (180 mm)
Applique Armor
Available.
Explosive Reactive Armor
INA
Active Protection System
No
Mine Clearing
INA
Self-Entrenching Blade
INA
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
exhaust smoke generating system;
6-barrel smoke dischargers on turret sides
Details
Country of Origin
United States
Category
Tanks
Land > Tanks
Filter Label
M
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
—
Width
3.63 m
Height
3.27 m
Weight
52620 kg
Operators (9)
Israel
Iran
Jordan
Morocco
Saudi Arabia
Sudan
Thailand
Tunisia
Yemen
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