The M1 Abrams is the current main battle tank of the United States Army. Entering service in 1980, it replaced the Vietnam-era M60 Patton. It uses composite armor, and its distinctive slab-sided turret, with its sloping panels, is a consequence of this. Its gas turbine engine resides in a raised afterdeck.
The Abrams was originally armed with a 105mm cannon, subsequently upgraded to 120mm. Other weapons includes a roof-mounted .50 caliber M2 machine gun and 2 7.62mm machine guns. These may be supplanted by remotely-controlled weapon stations using a Mk. 19 automatic grenade launcher or an M134 Minigun.
