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Land ForcesUnited States

M60A3 Patton

Main battle tankFielded 1978Pending verification
Land ForcesUSA
M60A3 Patton
Photo: Pi3.124 · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMain battle tank
Date of introduction1978
ProliferationAt least 8 countries
ManufacturerGeneral DynamicsMed[1]
Crew4Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Width3.63 m12 ftMed[1]
Height3.21 m11 ftMed[1]
Combat weight52.62 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
Engine1 x Continental AVDS-1790-2C engineMed[1]
Engine power750 hpMed[1]
TransmissionCD-850-5 cross drive transmissionMed[1]
Suspensiontorsion bar, 6 road wheels, rear drive, front idler, 3 shock absorbers, 3 track return rollersMed[1]
Cruising range480 km298 mi · 259 nmiMed[1]
Fording without Preparation1.22 mMed[1]
Fording with Preparation2.40 mMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorThe 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 standarMed[1]
Turret ArmorM60: equals 7 in (180 mm)Med[1]
Applique ArmorAvailable.Med[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke Equipmentexhaust smoke generating system; 6-barrel smoke dischargers on turret sidesMed[1]
Armament
Elevation-10/+20-degMed[1]
Main armament1 x M68 105mm/L52 Rifled Gun, 105 mmMed[1]
Secondary armament1 x 7.62mm M240 Machine Gun; M85 Machine GunMed[1]
Maximum firing range4 km2 mi · 2 nmiMed[1]
Fire control
Fire control systemM19 FCSMed[1]
Computerized FCSYesMed[1]
Thermal Sight Tank CommanderTexas Instruments AN/VSG-2 tank thermal inder and Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (HgCdTe) IR detector for passive night and dust vision.Med[1]
Thermal Sight GunnerTexas Instruments AN/VSG-2 tank thermal inder and Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (HgCdTe) IR detector for passive night and dust vision.Med[1]
Main Gun StabilizationAdd-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 bothMed[1]
RangefinderM17A1 coincidence rangefinderMed[1]
Ballistic DriveM10A1 ballistic driveMed[1]
Ballistic Gunnermechanical M19E1 ballistic computer for the gunner.Med[1]
Variants
M60A3Improved M60A1 RISE, fitted with an M48A4 turret (which itself is an improved M60A1 turret).[1]
M60A3 TTSM60A3 fitted with the AN/VSG-2 passive Tank Thermal Sight. The TTS was also back-fitted to some M60A1s. In 1993, the M60A3 was valued at a unit cost of $1 291 865, with about $232 000 of this cost being its TTS sight.[1]
Super M60Developed in the early 1980s by Teledyne, the Super M60 was a major upgrade for the M60A1 and A3. It added a more powerful powerpack, extensive appliqué composite armor on both the turret and hull, and track skirts, just[1]
120SThis version was marketed by Teledyne (which later merged with General Dynamics). It consists of a dramatically modified M60A3 hull, topped with a complete M1A1 Abrams turret. Though like the Super M60, it failed to attr[1]
Magach 6CThis version of the Magach 6 (Israeli-built M60s) emulates the M60A3, and all subsequent Magach 6s were built or reconstructed to this standard or higher.[1]
Magach 7Major upgrade package for the Magach 6 series tanks, with totally new armor, propulsion, fire controls, and many other improvements. It is broadly similar to the Super M60.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 1Confidence · Source
Rifle Projectile105 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
The ammunition load for the main gun was increased to 63 rounds. Round storage w
Summary

The M60A3 Patton American Main Battle Tank (MBT) appearance is almost indistinguishable from the M60A1.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
United StatesBahrainEgyptMoroccoSaudi ArabiaThailandTürkiyeTaiwan
Sources
  1. M60A3 Patton American Main Battle Tank (MBT), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)