M1 Abrams: Difference between revisions

The M256A1 fires a variety of rounds. The [[M829#M829A2|M829A2]] [[Armor-piercing, discarding sabot|APFSDS]] round was developed specifically to address the improved protection of a [[Russia]]n [[T-72]], [[T-80]]U or [[T-90]] main battle tank equipped with [[Kontakt-5]] Explosive Reactive Armor.<ref>{{cite web|author=Fabio Prado |url=http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/abrams.htm |title=Main Battle Tank – M1, M1A1, and M1A2 Abrams |publisher=Fprado.com |date= |accessdate=2011-06-28}}</ref> Later, the [[M829#M829A3|M829A3]] APFSDS round was introduced to improve its effectiveness against next generation ERA equipped tanks. As a counter to that, the Russian army introduced [[Kontakt-5|Relikt]], the most modern Russian ERA, which is claimed to be twice as effective as Kontakt-5.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.niistali.ru/article/exhib_08_en.htm# |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080224100756/http://www.niistali.ru/article/exhib_08_en.htm# |archivedate=2008-02-24 |title=Internet Archive Wayback Machine |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2008-02-24 |accessdate=2011-06-28}}</ref> Development of the M829 series is continuing with the M829E4 currently in development.<ref>{{cite web|title=Next-Gen 120mm Tank Killer: ATK's M829E4 AKE|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Next-Gen-120mm-Tank-Killer-ATKs-M829E4-AKE-06995/|publisher=Defense Industry Daily}}</ref> The Abrams also fires HEAT [[shaped charge]] rounds such as the [[M830]], the latest version of which (M830A1) incorporates a sophisticated multi-mode electronic sensing [[Fuse (explosives)|fuse]] and more fragmentation which allows it to be used effectively against armored vehicles, personnel, and low-flying aircraft. The Abrams uses a manual loader. The fourth tank crew member on the Abrams also provides additional support for maintenance, observation post/listening post (LP/OP) operations, and other tasks.

The new M1028 120&nbsp;mm anti-personnel [[Canister shot|canister]] cartridge was brought into service early for use in the [[Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–present|aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq]]. It contains 1,098 {{convert|3/8|in|adj=on}} tungsten balls which spread from the muzzle to produce a [[shotgun]] effect lethal out to {{convert|600|m|sp=us}}. The tungsten balls can be used to clear enemy dismounts, break up hasty ambush sites in urban areas, clear [[defile (geography)|defile]]s, stop infantry attacks and counter-attacks and support friendly infantry assaults by providing covering fire. The canister round is also a highly effective breaching round and can level cinder block walls and knock man-sized holes in reinforced [[concrete]] walls for [[infantry]] raids at distances up to {{convert|75|m|sp=us}}.<ref>Hilmes (2004), p. 79.</ref>