The World’s Best Tank: M1 Abrams Battle Tank

Today, the M1 Abrams, initially introduced in 1980, has gained a reputation as the world’s best tank. That’s no small feat considering the number of tanks available out there. The beastly machine was named after General Creighton Abrams, a prominent commander of military operations during the Vietnam War, and it’s a platform of technological innovation. It’s equipped with main guns that can shoot projectiles up to 4.7 in (120mm) in size and has an extremely rigid armor fitted with extra layers of steel and depleted uranium. It also boasts caterpillar tracks powered by gas turbine engines. The M1A1 and the M1A2 also came out of the development of the M1 Abrams. Each iteration was heavier and slower but also fitted with far more powerful armaments and advanced technology. The reason the M1 Abrams has proved so popular in war is because it is not just incredibly tough, it’s also surprisingly mobile. This mobility is due to its treads: continuous steel-plates linked together with chainmail. These treads allow the M1 to tackle all sorts of terrain that normal tires just could not. One thing is for sure, you don’t want to get stuck in this tank’s crossfires. We bet, however, that you do want to see it in action. In our video, we bring you footage of this beast in action and also discuss the science, technology, and engineering that goes into building such a dangerous war machine. To get the latest science and technology news, subscribe to our newsletter “Blueprint“ at Find out more information at #engineering #militarymechanics