Background Story:
The M1 is a third-generation American main battle tank d Conceived for modern armored ground warfare and now one of the heaviest tanks in service at nearly 73.6 short tons (66.8 metric tons). It introduced several modern technologies to United States armored forces, including a multifuel turbine engine, sophisticated Chobham composite armor, a computer fire control system, separate ammunition storage in a blowout compartment, and NBC protection for crew safety. Initial models of the M1 were armed with a 105 mm M68 gun, while later variants feature a 120 mm L/44 designated M256.
The M1 was developed from the failed joint American-West German MBT-70 project that intended to replace the obsolete M60 tank. There are three main operational versions, the M1, M1A1, and M1A2, with each new iteration seeing improvements in armament, protection, and electronics.
It was to be replaced in U.S. Army service by the XM1202 Mounted Combat System, but since that project was canceled, the Army has opted to continue maintaining and operating the M1 series for the foreseeable future by upgrading with improved optics, armor, and firepower.
The M1 entered service in 1980 and serves as the main battle tank of the United States Army and following the decommissioning of all tank battalions in 2021. The export modification is used by the armed forces of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Poland and Iraq, first used in combat by the U.S. in the Gulf War and later, both the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War, while other countries deploying tanks have been Iraq in the war against the Islamic State and Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni Civil War.