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M1A2 Abrams Essay

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Tayler Hedgecock Dr. Allen Comp 2 MWF 11 AM M1A1/2 Abrams There have been numerous inventions and advancements in war technology. One of the most recognized contraptions ever built was the armored weapon on caterpillar treads, the tank. Each country has their own designs for these famous machines, even having a main battle tank that leads in the advancements and versatility above the rest. Currently the United States of America is putting the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank into service. The M1A2 is an upgraded model of its predecessor, the seventy-ton behemoth, M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. These two tank models are the jewels of the United States armored division. The M1A1’s story started out after World War 2, when the United States partnered …show more content…

The M1A1/2’s gas turbine engine makes up for its monstrous fuel consumption with it being able to burn kerosene, diesel, or even jet fuel. The gas turbine engine also possesses an unmatched acceleration speed compared to similar diesel engines. Although it can overcome that downside of fuel consumption, it cannot overcome the biggest threat in modern times, infrared guided munitions (Meyers). The gas turbine engine produces large amounts of heat, four times more than that of a similar diesel engine. This makes the Abrams stick out like a sore thumb among any other vehicle. With this massive amount of heat given off, the M1A1/2 Abrams can be the target of infrared devices from a far greater distance. It also takes the tank considerably longer to cool off and become hidden to the eyesight of these devastating munitions. When the M1A1 Abrams was originally being produced, infrared technology was fairly new and not a foreseeable threat at the time so the gas turbine engine was used over a diesel counterpart. Over the past couple of decades, infrared has made leaps and bounds and is one of the biggest threats to the might American M1A1/2 Abrams main battle

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