Posted on 12/08/2017 9:55:40 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
In the 1960s the M-60 series Patton tank was the main battle tank (MBT) of the US Army and Marine Corps. Mounting the powerful M68 105mm gun, and protected with heavier steel armor, in the 1960s the M-60 represented the most advanced tank of its generation, a combat vehicle that could face the most sophisticated Soviet tank of its time – T-55. In all, over 15,000 tanks of these models were built and supplied to 24 countries in addition to the U.S. Today, almost half that number are still operational, particularly with third world countries. While the M-60 was tested in battle since 1973, it was used in combat mainly by the Israelis, and, therefore, the combat lessons learned about its vulnerabilities and advantages were not disseminated to Arab M-60 operators.
The largest fleets of M-60 are in Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, where the M-60 is used alongside the M-1A1. these tanks are maintained in the original configuration, as they were produced in the 1970s.
In the recent years, these old warhorses are heavily used in combat operations, in Yemen and Sinai, where they face irregular but heavily equipped opposition (Iranian equipped Houthis in Yemen, ISIS in Sinai), where they displayed questionable performance.
Both Egypt and Saudi Arabia have suffered significant losses to anti-tank weapons (RPGs, ATGM etc). Turkey has also operated M-60, part of these were modernized M-60T that received major Israeli designed upgrades. These tanks have seen extensive combat service in the Syrian front recently, and seem to have fared much better than the Turkish Leopard 2A4 tanks. These 170 tanks were the first batch of upgraded M-60T tanks. An option for the supply of a second batch, that would have received much-improved armor and active protection and enhanced fire controls were not exercised by the Turks as diplomatic relations between Ankara and Jerusalem drifted apart. However, the modernization package developed by IMI for the M-60 is still available, as a whole or parts, to support other M-60 operators.
Other operators of the type include Greece, Taiwan, Thailand, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Brazil and Bahrain, the later consider upgrading its fleet of 180 such tanks. Iran also maintains a fleet of about 150 of these tanks, some are cannibalized with Russian parts into Zulfikar, locally built tank based on the M60 drivetrain and suspension mated with a new turret mounting the Russian 2A46 125mm gun.
Both M-60 and its archrival, the Russian T-55 are considered obsolete but both are still used by many armed forces. While the M-60 continue to serve and fight, the tank must be modernized if to survive and continue to be in service. Among the upgrades recommended for the M-60 series (both A1 and A3) are enhancements in firepower, mobility, and survivability, plus the introduction of life support systems that are needed, particularly in the hot climate of the Middle East.
The first major upgrade of the M-60 was the Israeli upgraded ‘Magach 7’ introduced in the late 1990s. The project implemented new turret protection, the 105mm gun was retained but improved with electric drive and upgraded fire controls to greatly improve the tank’s lethality and survivability. The engine was uprated to from 750 to 950 hp to deal with the added weight. The Turkish M-60T is based on this design.
As one of the largest operators of the M-60 at the time, Israel’s Defense Force (IDF) designed and continuously upgraded hundreds of its M60s into “Magach Model 7”, and some Model 8 variants, improving survivability by replacing the original hydraulic turret traverse and gun laying systems with electrical drives, as the hydraulic fluid used in the original systems was highly flammable, and often caused catastrophic fires when the tanks were hit. Although the IDF did not replace the 105mm main gun, improved fire control systems introduced enabled the IDF veteran gunners to score excellent hits at very long gunnery range, often defeating the younger crews that operated modern tanks. While the IDF retired its M60s, other operators in the Middle East still use the tanks, and many are implementing similar upgrades to their fleets. In 2002 Turkey adopted the Israeli Magach design, fielding the M-60T designed by IMI Israel. In recent years these tanks were used extensively in combat operations in Syria. In this model, the 105mm cannon was replaced with IMI’s MG251 120/44mm gun. This gun was specially designed to replace 105mm cannons and, therefore, is equipped with recoil mechanism that reduces the loads transferred to the turret. However, all these additions increase weight and the M-60T gained over 12 tons, necessitated the use of a more powerful 1,000 hp MTU engine and the associated RENK transmission.
The growing conflicts in the Middle East and the wide availability of M-60 type tanks (both A1 and A3) by military forces in the region attracts integrators like Raytheon, L-3 and most recently the Italian group of Leonardo to offer modernization packages for the tank providing military forces in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan with affordable solutions to bring more of their tanks to par with modern threats. Such upgrades address the original tank’s known vulnerabilities (armor and hydraulics), replacement of aging turret, gun and fire controls, and provisions of modern night vision optronics for the driver and tank commander.
Raytheon and L-3 offer comprehensive life extension packages for the M-60. Among the notable changes are the new 120mm gun, and remotely controlled weapon station mounted on the left of the turret. Slat armor, and skirts protecting the sides, rear and engine compartment, and added frontal armor at the hull. Instananeous smoke discharging systems are also added. New optronics includes 360 vision systems, which also provide panoramic day/night driving system for the driver.
In 2016 Raytheon introduced its own life extension program (SLEP) package for the M-60A3, that is offered for about a third of the price of a new tank. L-3, the producer of the Patton’s powerpack also offers an upgrade to Raytheon’s SLEP, under the ‘Destroyer’ brand. The Destroyer uses L3’s 1200hp diesel variant of the AVDS-1790, supporting all the tank’s current power needs and growth, including air conditioning and exportable electrical power. This package swaps the 105 gun with a 120mm, uprated the 750 hp AVDS-1790 engine to a 950hp level and introduce electrical turret drives and modern fire control enabling the crew to fire on the move. The driver’s night viewer used in the prototype offers the driver a panoramic view, which is part of the tank’s 360 viewing system, improving driving autonomy, safety, and security.
One of the important additions was the use of Curtiss-Wright’s Electric Gun Turret Drive Upgrade Kit. This fully electro-mechanical system replaces the older, less accurate hydraulic and hybrid-based turret stabilization systems. The new turret drive and stabilization system delivers finer control and significantly improved reliability, acceleration, and audio noise reduction by replacing the hydraulic lines with electrical, digitally-controlled electric actuators. This allows the tank turret to rotate faster and accurately fire while the tank is on the move and is also lighter and safer, as a result of the removal of flammable hydraulic fluids in the turret.
Back in the early 2000s General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) offered a comprehensive upgrade package for the M-60, based on an M-60/M-1 hybrid dubbed M-60/2000. This version competed for the M-60T program in Turkey, where they lost to IMI. A proposal for an upgrade was also discussed with Egypt but didn’t come through.
The M-60A3 upgrade from Leonardo is based exclusively on Italian subsystems. Notable changes include additional protection for the frontal arc (turret, hull, and skirts), 120/45 mm cannon and Hitrole Remotely controlled system replacing the commander’s HMG. Photo: Leonardo incorporating
The low recoil 120/45 mm gun is designed to dramatically reduce recoil forces, for mounting in relatively light turrets such as the one used in the Italian Oto Melara HITFACT used on Centauro 2 ‘wheeled tank’ program. Photo: Leonardo
Last week another player stepped into this market – The Italian Leonardo group unveiled its own upgrade for the M-60A3 in Bahrain, at the local, international defense exhibition (BIDEC). Leonardo’s modular solution integrates a 120/45 mm low-recoil force main gun, the same weapon used on the new Centauro II wheeled armored vehicle. According to the company, most of the subsystems included in the upgrade, including the Fire Control System (FCS), night vision and 120mm main gun are designed and manufactured by the group, as are the systems for improving turret performance. The 120/45 mm gun is a low recoil variant of the smooth bore 120mm, it fires the same rounds but offers the advantage of reduced weight and low recoil force that reduces the structural stress on the hull and, therefore, eliminates integration risks with heritage platforms. The system uses a hydraulic, recoil-counter-recoil mechanism with multi-baffle, high-efficiency muzzle brake to minimize the recoil force and prevent any excessive stress on the turret structure.
The fire control system, which integrates day and night optronics, together with a high level of ballistic protection and modern onboard equipment, increases the probability of detecting potential threats, and neutralizing them during a full day and night operations.
A top view of the Italian modernized M-60A3 shows the Hitrole HMG mount and new gunner’s sight. The commander’s cupola was remover, introducing a better protected, low silhouette hatch rounded by slat armor. Photo: Leonardo
A new feature included in the tank displayed in Bahrain was the Hitrole remotely controlled weapon system, that enables 360° panoramic surveillance from a secure position inside the tank. This system replaces the traditional HMG mount that is manually operated by the tank commander, adding a complete Fire Control System (FCS) solution consists of a modular sighting system including a Day TV camera, an Infra Red (IR) camera for night vision and an eye-safe Laser Range Finder (LRF). Leonardo’s proposal also includes the upgrading of the power pack, by uprating the engine to increase available power by 20%, thus achieving improved power-to-weight ratio despite the weight increase, without the replacement of the main engine. Increased armor protection with STANAG 4569 Level 6 protection plates to the frontal arc and side skirts and slat armor added to the bustle, protecting the rear of the turret from RPG attack. The installation of an Automatic Fire and Explosion Sensing and Suppressing system (AFSS) that improves soldier survivability and protects the engine compartment from taking fire. After a promising entry to the M-60 upgrading market in the 2000s, Israel’s role in this market diminished, as bilateral relations between Israel and Turkey deteriorated and, since the majority of M-60 operators are in markets inaccessible by Israel’s defense industries. However, many subsystems developed by Israeli companies, including armor protection, fire controls, night vision systems, threat warning systems, engine upgrades etc., are available for such programs.
Our local American Legion has one.
I wonder if they would consider upgrading.
The holes in the slat armor are to reduce weight. The incoming round hits the edge of the plate and breaks up, so holes in the middle of the plate don’t degrade performance very much. More weght = bigger engine or less speed, and so less range.
I was too smart to be a tanker.
But for the Bradley, we called em Bradleys.
As far as the Patton series, we would call them by their “M” number IE M-48 or M-60 for sake of vehicle ID, or we would say friend/for.
The actual slats are only 1 1/2 to 3 inches wide depending on application and manufacturer. The holes in that one pic are probably there for tread purposes.
Here is a good pic showing typical slat armor
It’s called a bore evacuator.
It prevents residual propellant gasses from entering the turret when the breech is opened
-—thanks—I thought it must be something like that==
I don’t see any with the reactive armor that I thought some had. Maybe the ones in the Marines?
BTW, which tank was often seen in war movies? I think both the M48 and the M60 did double duty as US and German tanks at one time or another in various films. Wonder if the M60 was ever called the “Patton” for appearing in that film?
bore evacuator or fume extractor to keep fumes from entering the crew compartment after firing
—thanks-—had an idea it must be something such as that—
We never called it the Patton...just M60 back in the day. Loved that tank. Loved roaming around the German contryside tearing up the terrain and hitting all the Macht-Nicht markers along the highway while road marching....
welcome
I remember the litter of all those road edge markers during RERFORGER 78 letting us know the tankers had passed that way.
Does it have a little hatch on top like a 55 Gallon Drum BBQ Pit for heating up MRE’s ?
three shots prolly do it
Since our battalion had both the older M60 in our battalion and three of the newer M60A1 tanks in our headquarters company, we got tasked with a open house display in Munich for the 24th Infantry Division in 1967. In addition, a WWII Sherman had been trucked in on a transporter, as well as Belgian ex-US M47 and a West Army Bundeswehr ex-US M48A2. Cutesy girlfriend names were applied to the turrets of our '60s, and the number/name designation of each machine was stenciled on the armor front slope: M4A3E8 Sherman, M47 Patton [yes, they really had been called that by the crews] and across the front of my own HQ63 *Hangman* [renamed *Heidi* for the display] was the term *M60A1 Patton II* applied.
That was the only time I ever saw one so marked or identified, but the terminology apparently came from some Army Public Affairs Officer, not anyone in or around tank crews.
We hit it with paint thinner and covered it with flat olive drab as soon as the dog and pony show was over. And put our *real* name [and radio callsign] back where it belonged.
Back when us Treadhead tankers had our MOS as 11-E/ *Eleven-Echo*, we used to refer to it as Eleven-Educated.
At least our Second Lieutenants could read a map. Most of 'em, anyway.
Back in the good old M60A1 days, we'd use the [open] driver's hatch as a nice flat resting place for our M1950 mountain stove used for heating up canteen cups for coffee/hot chocolate, Knorr packaged soups and C-rations, plus anything useful that could be traded and added into the ghoulasch. Yes, that spelling is intentional.
The hatch was low to the ground, convenient to dump on the ground if it boiled over and needed to be dumped down the armor front slope, and could be shielded from the wind with a CVC helmet or empty ammo can. Why did we have a [clean] empty can around? That's what we carried the stove/s in.
An under-hatch has the additional advantage of allowing the crew to sleep under the tank, and be able to quickly get inside without exposing themselves to hostile fire if there's a sudden attack.
And the flat front of the cast frontal armor, as opposed to the *boatnose* bow of the M48 series. Some of which got M60 turrets and became M48A5s, most of which went to Korea.
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