{image}{roGeneral Dynamics Land System Division (former Chrysler Corporation) developed the M1 in the early 70's, being ready the first prototypes in 1976. As built, this unit mounted the M68 105 mm gun as the M60, by this time, the best tank gun in the world. Following versions of the M1 had better armour.
In 1985 appears the M1A1, with the Rheinmettal 120 mm smooth bore gun, now the best tank weapon. Constantly updating models had better NBC, additional armour, better suspension, and the lattest appeared with Uranium depleted armour.The final version is the M1A2, which only defference from the last M1A1 is thermal sights for the commander. All the versions have stabilised sights and main armament, and computerised fire control system. The M1A2 uses for propulsion a gas turbine engine, what makes him very silent compared with the fuel engines, so nosy, but it works at 1500 Centigrades degrees, which increases a lot his thermical signature, plus, make him consume lots of gas, reducing the Autonomy. llo}
