Tanks - the most badass thing on the battlefeild.

That time agian? You bet!
This weeks tank of the week is the M1A2 Abrams. The M1A2 Abrams is a third-generation main battle tank produced in the USA. It is named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff and Commander of US military forces in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972. The M1A2 is a well armed, heavily armored, and highly mobile tank designed for modern armored ground warfare. Notable features of the tank include the use of a powerful gas turbine engine, the adoption of sophisticated composite armor, and separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment for crew safety. With a weight of close to 68 tonnes, it is one of the heaviest main battle tanks currently in service. It entered service in 1980, replacing the 105 mm gun, full tracked M60 Patton. Three main versions of the M1 Abrams have been deployed, the M1, M1A1, and M1A2, incorporating improved armament, protection and electronics. These improvements, as well as periodic upgrades to older tanks have allowed this long-serving vehicle to remain in front-line service. The M1A3 is currently under development and it is thought that it will feature the "Quick Kill" active protection system.

Wars: Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm)
War in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom)
Iraq War

Weight: 68 tonnes.

Engine specs: 1,500 HP Honeywell Gas-turbine.
Top Speed: (Restricted to) Approx. 45 MPH.

Primary armament: Rifled 105 mm L52 M68 (M1), 120 mm L44 M256 smoothbore (M1A1, M1A2, M1A2SEP).

Other facts: It is anticipated to continue service until the 2050s, approximately 70 years after adoption. Operational range of Approx. 290 Miles. In the chance that the Abrams does suffer damage resulting in a fire in the crew compartment, the tank is equipped with a halon fire-suppression system that automatically engages and extinguishes fires in seconds. Can be equiped with TUSK (Tank Urban Survival kit) Which include's upgrades such as: Ractive armour, Slat armour, Transparent armour gun sheild and a Kongsberg Gruppen Remote Weapon Turret carrying a .50 caliber machine gun . The TUSK system is a field-installable kit that allows tanks to be upgraded without needing to be recalled to a maintenance depot.