M1 Abrams facts
While investigating facts about M1 Abrams, I found out little known, but curios details like:
The M1_Abrams was able to run on Jet Fuel, along with diesel, kerosene, and any grade of motor gasoline.
No M1 Abrams tank has ever been destroyed by an enemy tank.
In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across. Here are 11 of the best facts about M1 Abrams I managed to collect.
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The US military has a modified version of the M1 Abrams tank called the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle that can plow through minefields with ease and launch a rocket propelled "explosive sausage" capable of destroying barricades in an area the size of a football field (the M58 MICLIC).
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The 1988 Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis tried to toughen his image by having a photo op with a M1 Abrams tank. The image completely backfired and he would go on to lose decisively to George H.W. Bush. "Dukakis in the tank" remains shorthand for backfired public relations outings.
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Chrysler initially designed and produced the first M1 Abrams tank
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An M1 Abrams Tank runs on a 1500hp Gas Turbine Engine, not a diesel as commonly assumed, that runs at 3000 rpm after a 10:1 reduction gear set.
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Much like the F35 in 1983 the technologically impressive M1 Abrams was schooled by the much older M48 crewed by experienced Dutch soldiers in an international tank competition
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During Operation Desert Storm there were nine American M1 Abrams tanks destroyed. All nine were destroyed by Americans
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Since 2012 the M1 Abrams tank program costs the US taxpayers approximately half a billion dollars per year. Each tank currently costs approximately 8 million dollars to produce - and we have build 10,000 of them.
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The same company that made the 120mm gun on the M1 Abrams main battle tank also made the 75mm gun on the Panther (a German WWII medium tank).
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An M1 Abrams tank destroyed an Iraqi tank... through a sand dune
