Why is the M1 Abrams still in use?

The Abrams was first used in combat in the Persian Gulf War and has seen combat in both the War in Afghanistan and Iraq War under U.S. service, while Iraqi Abrams tanks have seen action in the war against ISIL and have seen use by Saudi Arabia during the Yemeni Civil War….

M1 Abrams
Variants	See variants
Specifications

Should the Army develop a new version of the Abrams tank?

The Army should begin a program to develop a new version of the Abrams, the A3. This program should have two goals. First and foremost, reduce the weight of the Abrams tanks. With all the new capabilities that have been added, the tank now weighs just shy of 80 tons.

Should the US Army build a new tank?

Instead of searching for the elusive Holy Grail of ultralight armor or laser weapons, technologies that would justify building a brand new tank, the Army would be best served by aggressively pursuing a major redesign and improvement program for the Abrams, an M1A3. As the poet Robert Browning once said, a man’s reach should exceed his grasp.

Does the US Army still use the M60 Patton tank?

The Army’s choice of tank is the Abrams. By having one main battle tank they streamline the logistics process. It’s much easier to keep things moving along if you aren’t juggling different types of parts, fuel or ammo. No, the M60 Patton was used for a number of years by the Marines but was retired and replaced by the M1 Abrams.

What should the Army do with the M1A3 Abrams?

The Army should initiate auto-loader turret R&D funding in Fiscal Year 2021 as the pacing development for an M1A3 upgrade. Second, make the Abrams as much a sensor platform as a shooter. The Abrams A3 version should be the platform for advanced sensors and electronic systems.