{
  "id": "m1a1-abrams",
  "name": "M1A1 Abrams",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "USA",
  "category": "Main battle tank",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1985,
  "operators": [
    "AUS",
    "EGY",
    "IRQ",
    "KWT",
    "MAR",
    "SAU",
    "UKR",
    "USA"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 8,
  "summary": "The M1A1 Abrams main battle tank was developed by General Dynamics. It is a further development of the M1 Abrams.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.89,
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 57.15,
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "Textron-Lycoming AGT-1500 2-spool free-shaft",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 1500,
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Transmission",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Allison X-1100-3B hydro-kinetic, 4 forward and 2 reverse gears",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "advanced torsion bar, 7 road wheels with 15-in (381-mm)travel, rear drive, front dler, 3 internal rotary shock absorbers, 2 return rollers",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 465,
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-10/+20 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Ballistic Computer",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Hughes 12 kilobyte digital computer",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rangefinder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Unity vision with 18-deg field of view, integrated Hughes Nd-YAG laser",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Chobham-type armor on glacis and turret,armored bulkheads between turret and engine; depleted uranium armor in production since 1988",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "In addition to the armor, some USMC Abrams tanks are equipped with a Softkill Active protection system, the AN/VLQ-6 Missile Countermeasure Device (MCD) that can impede the function of guidance systems of some semi-active control line-of-si",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "200 SCFM-Clean Cooled Air (collective overpressure); AN/VDR-1 radiological warning device",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "M250 (British L8A1) 2 x 6-barrel smoke discharger (24 rounds), engine exhaust generation",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "M256 smoothbore, 120 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x 7.62 mm M240 machine gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "APFSDS-T",
      "role": "120 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "qty": "A total of 40 of 120mm ammunition are carried inside the tank, with 34 in the tu"
    },
    {
      "name": "APFSDS-T",
      "role": "120 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "qty": "A total of 40 of 120mm ammunition are carried inside the tank, with 34 in the tu"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "M1A1",
      "text": "Production started in 1985 and continued to 1992, pressurized NBC system, rear bustle rack for improved stowage of supplies and crew belongings, redesigned blow-off panels and M256 120 mm smoothbore cannon (4,976 built f",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M1A1 FEP USMC",
      "text": "The US Marine Corps (USMC) acquired M1A1s that were identical to the US Army counterpart, and has since upgraded them with a Firepower Enhancement Package (FEP).",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M1A1SA; M1A1SA/ED; M1A1ED",
      "text": "The M1A1SA/ED became the main battle tank of the US Army following upgrades to the M1A1.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M1A1, Australia",
      "text": "Australia operates a fleet of 59 M1A1s",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M1A1M",
      "text": "An export variant ordered by the Iraqi Army with depleted uranium armor removed and older thermal imaging system with lower resolution used.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M1A2",
      "text": "The M1A2 is an improved M1A1 and includes a number of significant changes such as an independent commander’s sight, full digital electronic architecture and a ROWS.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m1a1-abrams"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/m1a1-abrams.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-m1a1-abrams": {
      "title": "M1A1 Abrams American Main Battle Tank (MBT)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/M1A1_Abrams_American_Main_Battle_Tank",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}