Abrams M1A1/M1A1(HA)/M1A2 The General Dynamics, Land Systems Division, M1A1 Abrams is the evolutionary successor to the Ml/ImprovedMl MET models, Although it uses the same basic design of the Improved Ml it has a 120 mm M256 Rheinmetall smoothbore gun; collective NBC system; improved digital computer fire-control system with a state-of-the-art stabilised gunner's day/night sight assembly; integral laser rangefmding and thermal imaging capabilities, together with improved transmission and suspension systems. The gun fires APFSDS-T (depleted
uranium type) and HEAT-MP-T ammunition. The former round is limited to US Army use only so the Egyptian Army is procuring an American-built KE-T round in lieu, which is based on a tungsten metal penetrator. In late 1989 the US Army adopted the M1A1 Heavy Armour (M1A1 (HA)) version for deployment in Europe, This has additional steel encased depleted uranium armour mesh added to the Ml standard advanced 'Chobham' type armour configuration. In late 1990 the M1A1 (Common Tank) version entered production with
USJ 67 engineering changes that make tr. vehicle suitable for use by the US Marir Corps. It has tie-down points, fordir. kit attachments and the Heavy Armoi package. A total of 221 were built for th US Marine Corps between 1990-92. The follow-on MlA2 (or Ml Block I entered US Army field trial testing : mid-1992. This has further specii passive armour hull and turn improvements to defeat kinetic an chemical energy rounds; added rot protection to reduce the threat froi fielded top-attack ATGW and anti-tar bomblets; a complete digital fritervehiculc
