Tank origin

With the cancellation of the MBT-70 project, the United States found itself in need of a new design for a main battle tank to replace its outmoded M60 series vehicles. Chrysler Defense provided a solution in the form of the XM1, later renamed the M1 Abrams in honor of General Creighton W. Abrams. With its 105mm M68 gun, Chobham armor, laser rangefinder, and gun stabilization, it soon became regarded as the best-constructed U.S. tank to date. The first M1 vehicles were produced in 1980.