The M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank - Overview/Opinions 

I was a tanker on an M1A1 for ten years including a year as a TC in Iraq. Although not perfect it is an amazing tank. There isn't a more combat tested western tank. Best job I ever had.

the reason the current tanks have had such long shelf life is we haven't had a war involving equally equipped armies or another world war. then we would see faster development and new tanks

11:41 eagle piss is the most patriotic choice

The best tank is usually the one with the best crew.

The first time I saw an M1 was a tv news article in 1975. Seems the new prototype was supposed to put on a demonstration for the government types but it broke down and was stuck in reverse gear. No problem, though. They just drove it around, in reverse, at 60 mph.

A few things that could've been added or amended: 1. The latest variant of the Abrams is the M1A2 SEP v3; General Dynamics has started building the first batch (18 hulls or so) of vehicles for testing, and they've just announced preliminary work on the SEP v4. M1A3 is not even on the drawing board yet, although the SEP and ECP (Engineering Change Package) upgrades will eventually be rolled into the A3 standard. Design work on the M1A3 will (hopefully) start sometime after 2020, after SEP v4's rollout. 2. They're currently working on integrating the IMI Trophy active protection system on the SEP v4. 3. "Chobham armor" doesn't really exist (Chobham is just the name of the place where the British lab is based) per se. "Burlington armor" would be the actual commercial name (for the original M1's armor technology), and the current armor package (3rd-gen HAP) has evolved beyond Burlington, since it adds DU backplates and a few other composites to the mix. 4. There are plans (or hopes) to replace the AGT1500 with a MTU 883 Diesel pack on the future M1A3, though the recent inclusion of an under-armor APU on the SEP v3 might make the General Dynamics engineers change their mind again. A M1A2 equipped with a MTU 883 was showcased at AUSA not too long ago. 5. SEP v3 will include another armor upgrade (called NGAP), even heavier and more KE-resistant than the third-gen HAP found on the M1A2. 6. The downgraded Abramses sold to Iraq and Saudi Arabia do NOT have the DU-encased and DU-backplated armor found on US Army and USMC Abramses. You just don't hand over uranium (depleted or otherwise) to a Middle East country. PERIOD. 7. The training of Middle Eastern tank crews is quite subpar. There have been reports of the tankers leaving the blast doors of the ammo storage compartment wide open or not bothering to button down their hatches in high-intensity areas. Not to mention that a lot of the Iraqi crews were prone to abandon their vehicles at the first sign of a scratch on their armor. 8. Little interesting anecdote: in the 1980s, General Dynamics created a variant of the Abrams known as the M1 TTB, which is basically an American T14 Armata, just 25 years in advance. Unfortunately, the TTB went nowhere. They also conceived two other variants, the M1 CATTB and M1 Thumper, to carry an experimental 140mm XM291 gun, but the latter proved too problematic and the entire program was trashcanned (the Germans and Swiss tried to do the same thing on the Leopard 2 but came across similar technical issues). 9. The US Army tried to mount a L/55 Rheinmetall gun on the M1A2, but realized they'd have to completely redesign and rebuild the entire trunnion and stabilization block, so they cancelled the whole shebang. It's highly doubtful you'll ever see a 55-caliber upgrade on the Abrams, especially since the 44-caliber M256 is better suited for urban combat (smaller footprint for cramped environment) and ideal for the depleted uranium-tipped APFDSDS (the L/55, on the other hand, is excellent for firing tungsten APFSDS at higher speeds, with results similar to L/44+DU APFSDS).

Abrams video without a ton of dislikes? I must be early

Likes go up? Views don't...... WTF?

Every time that 120mm smooth bore goes off on the M1A2 i get a little turned on

Alright. Where can I buy one? Does Geico cover tank insurance?

Let’s face it. Its pretty obvious that people hate it because it’s the us main battle tank and of course anything from the us is considered a demon in the eyes of haters.

I understand that feeling you have when people compare the iraqi M1 to the US counterpart its the same way I feel when i see some one compare Iraqi T-72 to it's Soviet/Russian counterpart.

On the note of the export Abrams, the same needs to be noted with Russian armor. Because the stuff they export is downgraded, the same way we downgrade our exports. And it's like you said, no one wants to sell their good stuff for outside groups. Also would love to see a video on stuff like the BTR's and similar light armored vehicles. Well "armored" vehicles.

The comments section so far seems surprisingly civil, and not even a single dislike!

Wish to donate to support my channel? - Paypal link: paypal.me/Matsimus

I was an 0311 infantryman in the US Marine Corps that trained on the M60A1 back in 1985 as part of my reenlistment deal with my career planner. I was trying get to get out of being a ground pounder. Needless to say things didn't work out but before I got my DD-214 I got to see an M1 Abrams up close as the Army was doing some training exercises with our tankers and grunts on Pendleton. While I liked the M60 I was impressed with the M1.

You're one of my favorite channels. Keep up the videos.

The stuff he says about the hysterical media and shit like that makes me think of what is happening to the f-35 now

As a Buckeye, i saw the first batch of M1's on the train cars. They were stopped and i was able to get a good look at them. It was a kids dream come true. Great vid. and great work!

Thanks Matsimus. I have been waiting for this video. Very nice piece.

I served in the Australian RAAC and loved being up close with the Abrams Tank, even though I was Cav, still to this day I regret not going a Tanky, their awesome.

Australia bought these several years ago in the M1A1 format as a replacement for the Leopard 1 MBT.

Man, these are glorious! My test levels rise with each overview.

Remember my first time firing the coax. Lazed the little row of Ivan's and fired. A second later and the rounds were spot on. Loved shooting that thing.

M1A1 was deployed in Operation Desert Storm, it was not delivered after 1991.

5:49 Not to mention greater acceleration since there's no "low" setting for a gas turbine :D

I have been waiting for this video for so long lol love it great video can't wait for the next tank overview

As always, well done. Thank you for being knowledgeable and humble.

What is this tank called? The Abbbraaams? I've heard of it somewhere...

8:35 i freaked tf out i thought a ghost was using my mouse lol

Great video, thanks for all your effort making this

In a personal opinion, while many people don't like the Abrams, it's a good tank in the more modern versions. If it can get the job done, it's a good tank in my opinion.

Canadian here, everything I've ever heard or read about basically mentions this (M1A2) at least is the best tank around.

I think the M1 gets a lot of flak because it's popular to hate on the big guy: the hegemon, America. But it's proven and all the speculation in the world about more stylish or exotic underdog vehicles doesn't account for much in reality. And it probably can get knocked out easily by modern CE/HEAT/HEDP rounds: modern warheads- especially tandem charges- are devastating. This is especially true if a hit strikes a side or top plate, were armor is rationed.

Well done review. Abram's is a world-class MBT and continues to be improved to meet future challenges.

Thanks so much for your videos really enjoy them!!

Sexiest looking tank in my opinion.

YAY matsimus uploaded again, ima have to go out and buy some popcorn before i watch lol.

You touched on this but I can't help but cheer you on. The M1 is seriously quiet. Any other tank you hear the motor a long way off before you hear the tracks. With the Abrams, you hear the track a long time before you hear the whistle of the engine. The machine squeaks at 'long' distance, but that distance is less than half of the distance at which you can hear English, Saudi, Marine Corps, French, or Enemy tanks. I'm very glad we had them and not the bad guys. Anyone who has read "Infinite Jest" will appreciate the notion of "He heard the squeak" as euphemism for "He is dead".

Great video again I've never commented on anything but you have a great Channel I really don't understand why you don't have more subs I really don't I have never seen a bad video from you ! , and thanks for this video I love the Abrams tank ! and thanks for your service even though it wasn't for the US!

My father was a gunner for an Abrams crew in the Marine Corps, so I'm obviously going to be biased towards the M1.

I hope to be a crewman of the M1 Abrams in the Australian Defence Force when I enlist in a year or two. (when I'm 20 or 21 years of age)

I was so enveloped in watching and soaking up all the info that at one point showing the tanks driving away from the camera, I thought, “Man! This movie is so realistic! They even have dirt on the camera lenses as if this was real.” Bravo, good sir! Your videos truly are exceptional. Thank you.

Recently Retired 19K here. I can say with total certainty that it really was the best job I've ever had. It was really interesting during my time in the Army that I learned how truly revolutionary of a vehicle this was. The fire control system on the M1A2 is one of the most well integrated pieces of tech and is used in conjunction with the DAGR GPS and location reporting system called the EPLRS. With these things integrated, the LRF could get 10 digit grids for us to use when calling for fire if the targets were out of our range. The thermals are so sensitive that we used to put an interpreter in the Gunner's seat during recon missions and would have him read the lips of people far away. The Driver's station is the best place on the whole vehicle to sleep, as it has a built in reclining seat.

Think you smashed this video well done! Only thing i noticed was not mentioned is the fact that the IPM1 has improved chemical protection on the turrets cheeks.

A lot of those videos I've seen of an Abrams getting 'reckt' are often cut short and edited. I've managed to see that the reason why they're edited like that is so you can't see the crewmen exiting the tank unharmed. Yeah the tank is probably out of action (for the time being), but the crews are often all in one piece. Even with the lowest armor package available it's design still stands up where it really matters - keeping the men inside alive to fight another day.

Thanks for your great videos, I love tanks

I love it .. you ask for people to tell you if your wrong ..and then you remove their comments as fast as you can .. wonderfull ..great stuff . realy shows that you've got confidence .. also the first m1s were in Germany in 1980 .. I know I was there on my mk5 chieftain

Poor M1, got so much hate especially by Russian-tech die hard fanboys which it don't deserve...

a milestone in the tank designing. it sets new standrds in tank designing.

Another great video! TY man :)

Love your videos man 👌👊😎

Very informative. If I were an enemy, I'd say "Ah, the air filtration system, how do we hit that?"

One of those tank that already prove itself in a modern war(Desert sheild/Desert storm) but got tons of hate because of jealousy that other tank didn't went into the same scenerio as it.

The capability for the gunner to engage a target while the commander acquired a second was standard on Chieftain of the '70s, and I believe it was developed on Centurion. When the gunner reported "Target" the commander could press his clutch, swinging the main armament on to another target. After observing this technique the 5th & 6th were un-invited from CAT Cup.

I love it, the Abramas and T14 Armata are two of my favorite tanks

M1A1 were fielded with the 64th Armor in 1987

Thanks mother England for the armor. Much love from the USA.

I like this channel because he speaks with passion. Something this world desperately needs

great video and information.

8:37 I thought my computer had been hacked.

Being a Abrams loader for life!

Man, it hurts to see those Marine Abrams at Bridgeport. RIP Marine Tankers 1923-2020

Subbed! You make excellent videos with excellent topics.

The Iraqi and Egyptian M1 tanks don’t have the latest armor. Still very good tanks. Crew proficiency is what really matters.

Great video! Being an M1A1 tank crewmen myself I can say many of your facts are spot on. My honest opinion is the M1 haters are spineless pussies who will never serve and wouldn't know a tank if it's guntube smacked them in the face. If anybody takes offense to that, please go back to your safe space with your safety pins. Either way, the M1 still has some short comings to be *perfect* but I don't think it ever will be. The movement towards fiber optic is amazing. I hope to see that soon. With the way the Obama administration has been cutting our military so deeply we pretty much abandoned any large advancement packages in around 2010. With a new administration we could see more funding. Which is great! It's been hard as a tanker in the last 8 years with funding cut so badly. We could not get spare parts, ammo, fuel, or just about anything else we needed to train in large quantity. I am excited to see an M1A3 variant in the coming years but it's still far off. Currently the Army is fielding the M1A2 SEP V3 package and developing the M1A2 SEP V4 package. I think they need to abandon the V4 package and focus on the M1A3. That's just me though.

Good Job on this Video!

One big advantage of the turbine engine was that it was light. This allowed more weight to be put into armor

The M1 Abrams, tremendous tank ultra tested in combat, always victorious. If only it had diesel engine for countries that do not have extensive budgets for tons of fuel, it would be ideal. Greetings from Chile

Hehehe...I've been waiting for this for a long time...🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Murica!!!!!!

A video I saw recently had a Go-Pro fitted to an arrow. Would be cool to see a Go-Pro on a tank round. :) Good info as always Matsimus.

The fire control system on this tank is second to none. Exactly what a tank gun should be.

m1a2 sep v for the win hooah us army tankers

I would like to know how exactly do unmanned turrets (for machine guns) work on tanks.

Interesting video, I learned quite a bit. Are you going to do a video on the Challenger 2 anytime?

Production on the M1A1 started in 1985, not 1986. When I was at Ft Knox (1987) we had M1s, M1IPs and M1A1s.

American:50 bmg British:you mean 12.7×99mm

7:28 Someone in Korea got a present from Santa It still blows my mind how this is one of the heaviest vehicles, but the fastest tank in the world.

This is another great video. I think that It portrays the Abrams very accurately. I would love to see another video on the Bradley. There have been many other videos done on other IFV's. The Bradley would be a great choice as it is probably the IFV that has seen the most action (at least for Western IFV's). Great job. Keep up the videos!!!

41mpb on the hard sand of Northern Saudi is an understatement. That is a governed speed for the M1. If you yank the governor, the machine will do 70mph on flat terrain or road. Swear to God. I've seen rooster tails flying behind flocks of tanks that were unfreakin' believable. Also, they wreck a normal road. Any turn at all and the road starts to break up. Makes one think about the roads in Moscow. They must be concrete reinforced, a foot or so deep.

Ah, the Abrams... such a sexy tank

it's awesome seeing my tank in latvia at 10:40

I remember my dad telling me about his units briefing about the T-72 in Ft. Bragg NC.. Everybody in the room was scared because of its speed and low profile. It also meant that it didn't have to dig deep for when it entrenches itself. It was also when his unit was introduced to the M1. They were impressed and surprised about how fast it can go, especially when the engine governors were off. Although it's discouraged to remove the governors because the engine would shake itself apart going above 50mph. It was common for tankers to remove them because going at around 60 to 70 mph can do wonders in an armored engagement. Least that's what I've heard on that last part.

As a grunt I will say we really appreciate when it's below freezing and the armored guys show up and keep those beautiful turbines spinning on all the Abrams If you're Infantry you know what I'm talking about

8:38 a youtube video within a youtube video

Always wondered have American tankers ever worried that the front space between the hull roof and the turret becoming a shot trap in battle? Not sure how much of a liability shot traps are in modern tanks or armored vehicles.

Nice video, having served on both the 60A3 and M1A1 I can assure you pulling pack time wise is about the same. There's a heat shield and two short exhaust stacks in the 60 the Abrams doesn't have but those remove quickly. The thing that surprised me most when I came to M1's is the inferior TIS sight. The 60A3's TTS had a much better sight picture. This was addressed in latter models.

Great video very informative! What is the cool chilled out music in the intro and outro?

can you make a video about T-84 Oplot m next? Its a Ukrainian made mbt. I think it has one of the most interesting mbt to date.

My favorite tank🥰

As an old CDAT I approve of this message. Subbed.

great informative vid on the The Beast. Can't wait to see what the A3 is gonna bring. maybe a reliable autoloader and thus a smaller, lighter turret? I've heard anecdotes from some tanker buddies about the possibility of rubber band tracks. how crazy would that be...

Any chance to cover some Chinese tanks? I understand they usually hold the specs very secretly so it is harder to present a good video, but I still like to hear your opinions on them.

I am currently in college, when I get my bachelor's degree in a few years I am going to join the United States Marine Corps as an MOS: 1802 Tank Officer and I will lead a platoon of Four M1A1 Abrams Tanks.

Where can I find the music of your intro? It sounds sweet :D

Hey Matsimus when your explaining where everything is internally you should try to find an internal view of the tank

16:15 the tempurdurverdurvertjes

Could you do the chieftain?

Just for some context: A challenger 2 was hit by 14 rocket propelled grenades from close range and a MILAN anti-tank missile. The crew survived, safe within the tank until it was recovered for repairs, the worst damage being to the sighting system. It was back in operation six hours later. One Challenger 2 operating near Basra survived being hit by 70 RPGs in another incident! The only major damage to a Challenger 2 to date was from another Challenger 2 in a "blue on blue" (friendly fire) incident. Now that is a tank.