How good is the M60 tank?

With the 120-millimeter gun and new fire control system, the M60 can both hit and destroy the majority of tanks in use today at medium to long range. The best of these weapons have proven effective even against modern tanks such as the M1 and Merkava.

Are tanks effective?

Originally Answered: Are tanks of any real use in modern warfare given that they are so easily destroyed? They are very effective. In fact the main battle tanks are extremely difficult to destroy.

How many M60 tanks were made during Cold War?

The M60 tank series became America’s primary main battle tank during the Cold War. Over 15,000 M60s were built by Chrysler. Hull production ended in 1983, but 5,400 older models were converted to the M60A3 variant ending in 1990. The M60 reached operational capability upon fielding to US Army European units beginning in December 1960.

When was the M60 first used in combat?

The first combat use of the M60 was by Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War where it saw service under the “Magach 6” designation, performing well in combat against comparable tanks such as the T-62.

How did the XM60 tank change the US military?

The United States responded by starting development of the XM60 tank in September 1957. This new tank design incorporated many Army Combat Vehicle (ARCOVE) committee improvements to the M48A2, chiefly the use of diesel engines to increase its operational range and the use of a more powerful main gun.

What kind of gun does the M60A1 have?

The original variant of the M60 tank was equipped with the M68 gun using the M116 mount. The M60A1 and A3 variants of the M60 tank series and earliest pre-production XM1 prototypes of the M1 Abrams tanks are armed with the M68E1 variant of the gun. The M68E1 gun shares the same firing characteristics as the M68.