M1A1

Chrysler XM1<==============>M1A1 Abrams

The start

Chrysler was successfully secure the contract with the US Army for the next generation MBT for $4.9 bilion on 12 November 1976. Chrysler team redesigned their design proposal, most notably the turret where it changed drastically from their XM1 (more information down below). The tank also recieved the name of Abrams after general Creighton Abrams, a tank commander that considered as an equal or even better than Patton himself. He was promoted to Chief of Staff of United States Army in June 1972.

11 XM1 Abrams (at this time its called XM1 Abrams after the redesign not just Chrysler XM1) preproduction model were manufactured between February and June 1978 at Detroit Arsenal. Problems arose from testings, such as dirt build up on the tracks, ingestion of debris by the engine and many more; even the media critisized about these problems, though these problems were later fixed by Chrysler.

Low rate initial production was approved in May 1979 with 110 units requested. After over 1,000 vehicles were made, Chrysler was purchased by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and the production continues with GDLS as the manufacturer of Abrams through 1985 where 3,273 units have been made and first entered service in 1980 alongside M60 Patton that still in operational. The initial Abrams design used M68A1.

The XM1 Abrams on display at Aberdeen Proving Grounds

Upgrades from M1 to M1A1

Before M1A1, there are several upgrades to the M1;long with their sub-variants,here is the list:

• M1: initial model equipped with M68 105 mm; from 1979 to 1985, 2,734 units has been made, including the 110 unit LIRP XM1. The variant retired from US Army service in 1996.

• IPM1 (stands for Improved Performance or Improved Protection): 894 were made from 1984 to 1986, most notably by having increased composite protection level in turret cheeks. Other improvements such as bustle rack, suspension, transmission and final drive

• K1: a customization of IPM for RoK Army, notably by having lower profile turret.

• CATTB: nothing special about this sub-variant

• M1A1: the most significant upgrade for the M1, it is now equipped with the infamous M256 120 mm L/44 smoothbore cannon that is a license from Germany Rheinmetall Rh-120 L/44, along with other upgrades such as pressurized NBC protection, bustle rack and a redesigned blowout panels to fit the bigger 120 mm shots and shells. from 1985 to 1993, 4,753 units has been made for US army and from 1989 to 1991, 221 has been made for USMC

• M1A1HA (Heavy Armor): new DU armor is inserted into the turret cheeks, some units later got 2nd gen DU armor

• M1A1HC (Heavy Common): an M60A1 replacement for the USMC, added 2nd gen DU armor, digital engine control, and other smaller upgrades. Some units recieved AN/ALQ-6 soft-kill laser APS placed on a flat base infront of the loader's hatch to counter incoming ATGM. The M1A1D is a digitalized variant of M1A1HC.

•M1A1 AIM
- v.1/M1A1SA (Situational Awareness): added FLIR, Far Target Locate sensor, thermal camera for thr .50 cal, and other small improvements.
- v.2: added 3rd gen DU armor
- M1A1FEP (Firepower enhancment Package): M1A1HC fitted with AIM v.2 upgrades.

• M1A1 Thumper: nothing special about this sub-variant

• There are also sub-variants for exports such as M1A1M for Iraq, non-DU armor equipped M1A1 for Morocco, M1A1S for Saudi Arabia, and M1A2T for Taiwan.

Design

Main Armament; M256

The gun is licensed-built Germany Rheinmetall Rh-120 L/44 smoothbore. With new recoil mechanism, cradle and mount. The gun could fire M829 APFSDS shot series and M830 HE shell series and have an elevation of +20° and -10°, with depression obstructed by a raised engine bay at the back.

Turret

The most notable change between Chrysler XM1 and production M1 Abrams lies in the turret. The turret no longer used curved face from Chrysler XM1, instead having simpler flat cheeks and a smaller flat mantlet. Gunner's camera also raised as the angle of the upper front turret becomes shallower. The sides also widened to fit composite armor and now angled at °30 instead of °35 on Chrysler XM1. All of these improvements still led the vehicle to have assymetrical turret.

Others

Small improvements, such as angled upper front side of the hull, larger periscopes for the driver. Increased mass to 56 tons reduced the mobility slightly, but this is overweighed by increased protection and firepower.

In-game features, systems and controls

Interior;

Engine compartment and turret at 6 o'clock.

Asymmetry of the turret

Camo is based on Gulf War Abrams, along with a few easter eggs

Commander's hatch cannot be closed

Controls

Mobility
•Pitch; 18.1 m/s forward and 10.1 m/s reverse;
•Roll, steering;
•Yaw, turret and commander rotation;

SLIDER
•Slider 1 for gun elevation

ACTIVATION GROUPS
• AG 1, engine, along with gun optic cover on turret starboard;
• AG 2, hatches;
•AG 3, headlights

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