M1 Abrams
This article deals with The M-1 Abrams as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.
In RL The M-1 Abrams is the main battle tank of the United States of America, Australia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other nations. It is generally considered to be one of the most advanced tanks available. The latest variant of the Abrams is the M-1A2 SEP.
In NationStates many nations use self-produced variants which are offer either minor improvements or significant modifications to the RL design. Some known variants are the M-1A3 of Sniper Country, the M-1A5 of the Roman Republic and the M1B1 Abrams II of Layarteb
- M1 Abrams variants are also used by the following nations. (as well as many other NS nations which are not listed)
Contents
America3010
M1A2
Normal M1A2 tank.
M1A2+1
M1A2 tank which has been fitted with a COMET point-defense prism laser CIWS.
M1A2+2
An M1A2 which includes the modifications from +1, plus having the 120mm main gun replaced by a 145mm gun. Due to the special and unusual shell caliber, the shells fired are no regular tank shells, but purpose-made 145mm shells which only come in an HE variant. Therefore, the M1A2+2 is mostly used for combating infantry, but is less effective in combating vehicles than even the 120mm gun is with specialized armor-piercing shells.
M1A2+3
Unknown, propably this is the M1 Multipurpose Combat Vehicle (M1-MCV) used by UCA forces during their attack on Moscow. If this is the case, then the armament and specifications are as follows:
- The main gun has been reverted to 120mm
- COMET has been removed
- Machine gunner position in the back
- Capacity to carry troops
Although the M1-MCV is fielded later than the other M1A2 variants, it is generally of a much lower tech standard, suggesting it is simply the M1A2, not a further upgrade of the M1A2+2.
It should be noted that the Abrams Tank is not compatible with Adaptive Reactive Armor, which would require a homogenous energy flow over the outer hull. Even though the tank could theoretically be converted to carry ARA, the cost would be excessive, and as such, no ARA application kits are regularly available for any of the Abrams variants.
