Vfrdtyky

M60
An M60A3 on display in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in April 2005.
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1960–present
Used by	See Operators
Wars	Cold War Yom Kippur War Iran–Iraq War Lebanese Civil War Ogaden War 1982 Lebanon War Invasion of Grenada Persian Gulf War Yemeni Civil War (1994) Western Sahara War 2011 Bahrain protests Houthi insurgency in Yemen Kurdish–Turkish conflict Turkish military intervention in the Syrian Civil War Sinai insurgency Yemeni Civil War Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen
Production history
Manufacturer	Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant, Chrysler
Unit cost	M60: US$309,000 (1962) M60A1RISE: US$385,000 (1976)[1] M60A2: US$372,000 (1974)[2] M60A3TTS: US$1.292 million (1990)[3]
Produced	M60: 1960–1962 M60A1: 1962–1980 M60A2: 1973–1975[2] M60A3: 1978–1983[4]
No. built	Over 15,000 (all variants)
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	M60: 50.7 short tons (46.0 t; 45.3 long tons) M60A1: 52.6 short tons (47.7 t; 47.0 long tons) M60A2: 52.0 short tons (47.2 t; 46.4 long tons) M60A3: 54.6 short tons (49.5 t; 48.8 long tons)[5]
Length	M60/M60A1/M60A3: 6.946 meters (22 ft 9.5 in) (hull), 9.309 meters (30 ft 6.5 in) (gun forward) M60A2: 6.946 meters (22 ft 9.5 in) (hull), 7.3 meters (23 ft 11 in) (gun forward)[6]
Width	M60/M60A1/M60A2/M60A3: 3.631 meters (11 ft 11.0 in)[6]
Height	M60: 3.213 meters (10 ft 6.5 in) M60A2: 3.1 meters (10 ft 2 in) M60A1/M60A3: 3.27 meters (10 ft 9 in)[6]
Crew	4[7]
Armor	Upper Glacis[8] M60: 3.67 in (93 mm) at 65° 8.68 in (220 mm) LoS M60A1: 4.29 in (109 mm) at 65° 10.15 in (258 mm) LoS M60A2: same as M60A1 M60A3: same as M60A1 Turret Front[8] M60: equals 7 in (180 mm) M60A1: equals 10 in (250 mm) M60A2: equals 11.5 in (290 mm) M60A3: equals 10.87 in (276 mm)
Main armament	M60 / M60A1 / M60A3: M68 105 mm (4.1 in) (M60/A1/A3)[9] M60A2: 152 mm (6.0 in) M162 Gun/Launcher[9]
Secondary armament	.50 BMG (12.7×99mm) M85 mounted on M19 Commanders Cupola[10] 7.62×51mm NATO M73 machine gun
Engine	Continental AVDS-1790-2 V12, air-cooled Twin-turbo diesel engine 750 bhp (560 kW)[6]
Power/weight	15.08 bhp/st (12.4 kW/tonne)[6]
Transmission	General Motors, cross-drive, single-stage with 2 forward and 1 reverse ranges[6]
Suspension	Torsion bar suspension
Ground clearance	1 foot 6.2 inches (0.463 m)[6]
Fuel capacity	385 U.S. gallons (1,457 L)[6]
Operational range	300 miles (500 km)[6]
Speed	30 mph (48 km/h) (road)[6]

The M60 Patton is an American second generation main battle tank (MBT) introduced in December 1960.^[11] With the United States Army's deactivation of their last (M103) heavy tank battalion in 1963, the M60 became the Army's primary tank^[12] during the Cold War. Although developed from the M48 Patton, the M60 series was never officially classified as a Patton tank, but as a "product-improved descendant" of the Patton series.^[13] In March 1959, the tank was officially standardized as the 105 mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank M60. 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.^[4]

The M60 underwent many updates over its service life. The interior layout, based on the design of the M48, provided ample room for updates and improvements, extending the vehicle's service life for over four decades. It was widely used by the U.S. and its Cold War allies, especially those in NATO, and remains in service throughout the world today, despite having been superseded by the M1 Abrams in the U.S. military. Egypt is currently the largest operator with 1,716 upgraded M60A3s, Turkey is second with 866 upgraded units in service, and Saudi Arabia is third with over 650 units.

Development

Impetus

During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, a Soviet T-54A medium tank was driven onto the grounds of the British embassy in Budapest by the Hungarians.^[14] After a brief examination of this tank's armor and 100 mm gun, British officials decided that their 20 pounder was apparently incapable of defeating it. There were also rumors of an even larger 115 mm gun in the works. Hence there was a need to adopt a more powerful gun, which emerged as the famed 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7.^[15]

This information made its way to the United States, where the Army had been experimenting with a series of upgrades to their M48 Patton tanks. These experiments were concerned with improving the armor, rangefinders, and the introduction of a variety of autoloader systems, such as that used in the 105 mm gun tank T54.

The T95 program, launched after the Questionmark III conference in June 1954, was the intended replacement to the M48. It featured a host of innovative and experimental components such as its 90 mm smoothbore T208 cannon rigidly affixed to its turret, and its new powertrain and suspension. The burden of developing them, however, slowed the overall program to a crawl. General Taylor approved of a new tank development program in August 1957. This incorporated many ARCOVE recommendations and foresaw the eventual replacement of the light, medium, and heavy tanks with two types: the airborne reconnaissance/assault vehicle, and the main battle tank (MBT).

The MBT was to combine the firepower and protection sufficient for the assault role with the mobility to perform as a medium tank.^[16] A tank of the T95 series, armed with a smoothbore cannon and powered by a compression ignition engine, was envisaged by the Army Staff as the bearer of the role of future MBT.^[17] Some T95 hulls were used from 1960 to 1964 to develop the T118E1 prototyping of the M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle.^[18]

The course of this tank program was the source of widespread debate. The Bureau of Budget (BoB) believed that the Army was not progressing with sufficient speed in its tank modernization program and recommended the immediate replacement of the M48A2. Correctly predicting that the BoB would not approve the procurement of the M48A2 after the fiscal year 1959, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics (DCSLOG) proposed a tank based on the M48A2 featuring improved firepower and the AVDS-1790 engine.

The alternative was to introduce a tank from the T95 series, but it remained highly experimental with its compression ignition engine not as developed as the AVDS-1790. An influential group of senior officers, by May 1958, concluded that the T95 had only marginal advantages over the M48A2. They proposed that the most important improvements, better firepower and fuel economy, could be achieved by mounting a compression ignition engine and a more powerful gun on the M48A2.^[17]

Choice of components

M68 105 mm Main Gun

The main gun was chosen after a comparative firing test on the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Participating in the test were six guns: the 90 mm M41 (armament of the M48A2 although tested with the new T300E53 HEAT round), the 90 mm T208E9 (a smoothbore weapon firing T320E62 APFSDS), the 105 mm X15E8 (a British gun developed from the 20 pdr), the 105 mm T254 (an American gun firing the same APDS ammunition as that of the British), the 120 mm T123E6 (a lightened variant of the M58), and the 120 mm M58 (armament of the M103). The 120 mm T123E6 was preferred by the Ordnance Department because its ammunition, the same as that for the M58 gun, was already at an advanced state of development.^[19] The T123E6 however had a slow rate of fire as, unlike the M58 on the M103, there would be only be one loader servicing it.^[20] This led to the weapon having a max rate of fire of 4 rpm vs. the T254's 7 rpm.^[21] The factors evaluated were accuracy, lethality of a hit, rate of fire and penetration performance. Based on these tests, the 105 mm T254E2 was selected and standardized as the M68. It used a vertical sliding breechblock instead of the L7's horizontal breechblock, and the US gun was fitted with an eccentric bore evacuator instead of a concentric model in order to provide more clearance over the rear deck.^[22] Until American-made tubes could be obtained with comparable accuracy, British tubes were to be used.^[20]

Armor

Composite armor made with fused silica glass was intended on the turret and the hull. This composite armor provides protection against HEAT, HEP, and HE rounds. However, repaired castings suffered a loss of kinetic energy protection.^[23] This led to the front of the hull taking the shape of a flat wedge, instead of the M48's elliptical front, as it simplified the installation of this armor.^[17] Limitations in manufacturing capacity and the added cost however led to this special armor being dropped and all M60 series tanks were protected with conventional steel armor.^[24]

There were two versions of hulls used for the M60 series. The M60 hull had a straight slope and beak compared to the earlier M48's rounded one. The hull bottom had a strong boat-like appearance with a pronounced recess between the upper tracks and external suspension arms. The armor was improved, at 6 inches (155 mm) on the front glacis and mantle of solid rolled homogeneous armor, while it was 4.3 inches (110 mm) on the M48. This hull version was used only on the original M60 variant and early M728s and M60AVLBs. This hull model was in production from 1959 to 1962.

The M60A1 hull has basically the same visual characteristics, the noticeable difference was the addition of a shock absorber on the second roadwheel pair and was also accompanied by a slight relocation of the first return roller. These modifications were needed due to the increased weight of the M60A1 turret as well as the additional hull armor. This hull model was used on the M60A1, M60A2 and M60A3 models of the M60 series as well as the M728A1 and M60A1 AVLB. It was in production from 1962 to 1983.^[25]

The M60 series went through a progressive turret armor scheme during its production life with four different turrets being manufactured for the M60 series. The turret used on the M60 was clam shaped and bore a strong resemblance to the M48 Patton. The M60A1 was the first version to employ the newly designed T95E7 turret with a redesigned bustle increasing the number of rounds for the main gun to 63. The M60A2 featured a specially designed turret for the M162 gun/missile launcher that greatly reduced the frontal arc in comparison to the M60A1. The M60A3's turret was similar to the A1s but with increased armor protection for the frontal arc and mantel in an effort to provide additional protection of the turret's hydraulics system.

M19 Commander's Cupola

The commander's cupola's official nomenclature is the Cupola, Tank Commander's Caliber .50 Machine Gun, M19.^[10] Initial production of the cupola was problematic. The first 300 M60s produced were armed with a .50cal M2HB machine gun in a pedestal mount welded to the left side of the commander's cupola owing to production problems with the new M85 machine gun. Of these tanks, the first 45 manufactured were made without the cupola itself, also due to production problems.^[26] All of these early M60s eventually had the M19 cupola and M85 machine gun installed.

Compared to a conventional pintle mount, the remote-controlled M85 machine gun was relatively ineffective in the anti-aircraft role for which it was designed. Removing the cupola lowered the vehicle's relatively high silhouette. The cupola's hatch also opened toward the rear of the vehicle and was dangerous to close if under small-arms fire owing to a lock-open mechanism that required the user to apply leverage to unlock it prior to closing.^[27] All M60s in US service retained the M19 cupola until the tank was phased out of service. The few M60A3s in Army service as training vehicles had their commander's cupola removed as it was deemed unnecessary for training and to better mimic the profile of Soviet tanks.

Production versions

In 1957, plans were laid in the US for a universal or all purpose tank.^[16] The course of this tank program was the source of widespread debate. The Bureau of Budget (BoB) believed that the Army was not progressing with sufficient speed in its tank modernization program and recommended the immediate replacement of the M48A2. Correctly predicting that the BoB would not approve the procurement of the M48A2 after the fiscal year 1959, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics (DCSLOG) proposed a tank based on the M48A2 featuring improved firepower and the AVDS-1790 engine. Fulfilling this requirement with an interim tank that resulted in the M60 series,^[28] which largely resembles the M48 it was based on, but has significant differences. The M60 series was the last U.S. main battle tank to utilize homogeneous steel armor for protection. It was also the last to feature an escape hatch under the hull. The escape hatch was provided for the driver, whose top-side hatch could easily be blocked by the main gun. ^[29]

M60

M60 Patton tank on display in Philadelphia, Mississippi

Development

Three XM60 prototypes were built in 1958 to evaluate the 105 mm T254E2 main gun using the clamshell shaped turret style of the M48 and mating them to modified M48A2 hulls. Pilot 1 mounted the gun using the mount from the T95 tank, while Pilots 2 and 3 used the newly developed M119 mount.^[30] They underwent field trials at Fort Knox and weapons tests at Aberdeen. Based on the results of these tests a new hull with increased armor and the ability to mount the developmental silicas armor was desired by the Army with the upgraded hulls going into production in 1959 and was standardized as the 105 mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank M60 on 16 March 1959. Production of the M60 began in May 1960.^[31]

Features

The original variant of the M60 series ultimately was produced as a quick fix engineering (QFE) upgrade of the M48 due to the Soviet Union's tank advancements of the late 1950s and the delays in implementing the silicas armor and new turret design. The M60 mounted a 105 mm M68 main gun with the bore evacuator mounted towards the middle of the tube carrying 57 rounds in the clamshell shaped turret style of the M48. The electronics package on the M60 was essentially the same as used on the M48A3 including an improved turret control system, an all-metric measurement Fire Control System (FCS), a new ballistic drive which integrated temperature data and mechanical M16 gun data computer with a coincidence range finder. The M60 hull had a straight slope and beak compared to the earlier M48's rounded one. The hull bottom had a strong boat-like appearance with a pronounced recess between the upper tracks and external suspension arms. The armor was improved, at 6 inches (155 mm) on the front glacis and mantle of solid rolled homogeneous armor, while it was 4.3 inches (110 mm) on the M48. The vehicle also provides full NBC protection for the crew using the M13A1 protection system creating a positive pressure in the crew compartment. The positive pressure keeps contaminated air out and forces the smoke produced from firing the main or coax guns out of the vehicle. Access between the driver's compartment and the turret fighting compartment was also restricted, requiring that the turret be traversed to the rear.

The M60 was deployed to West Germany to counter the threat presented from the T-54s of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact as well as to South Korea but was never sent to South Vietnam mainly due to unfavorable terain and the general lack of significant numbers of North Vietnamese armor. In May 1961 Army Chief-of-Staff General George Decker announced that the European Command would begin receiving the M60 to replace older tank inventory.^[32] By October the Seventh Army was outfitted with many of the tanks. In March 1962 the Army awarded Chrysler a $28.4 million contract for the production of 305 tanks,^[33] followed in October with a $61.2 million contract for 720 more.^[34] A total of 2,205 M60s were built between May 1960 and October 1962.^[35]

M60A1 series

M60A1 tank of the U.S. Army maneuvers through a narrow German village street while participating in the multi-national military training exercise, REFORGER '82.

Development

The program to develop the M60A1 was approved in early 1960.^[36] The first prototype pilots attempts to mate a modified M60 hull with the T95E7 turret took place in March 1960. The turret, even without the siliceous cored armor, provided improved ballistic protection. Additional space for the turret crew was also made available by mounting the cannon 5 inches forward.^[37] The first two prototypes (Pilot 1 and 2) were ready in May 1961 and the third (Pilot 3) in June 1961, when the vehicle also received its official prototype designation as the M60E1. These vehicles were built by Chrysler. The first prototype was sent to Aberdeen Proving Grounds for weapons trials, the second went to the Chrysler Detroit Arsenal for maintenance testing, and the third one was assigned to Fort Knox for shakedown trials.^[38] On October 22 1961, the M60E1 was officially accepted in service under the designation of 105mm Gun Tank M60A1 and production began in October 1962.^[39]

Features

In addition to the new turret design, the hull was upgraded. The upper glacis armor was increased from 3.67 inches to 4.29 inches at 65 degrees while the sides over the crew compartment went from 1.9 inches to 2.9 inches at their apex.^[40] This brought the frontal armor up to the same 10" line of sight armor standard of the M103 heavy tank. A mushroom-shaped fume extractor was placed at the rear left of the turret bustle to vent smoke produced from firing the main or coax guns out of the vehicle. The addition of a shock absorber on the second roadwheel pair and was also accompanied by a slight relocation of the first return roller. These modifications were needed due to the increased weight of the M60A1 turret as well as the additional hull armor.^[41] The ammunition load for the main gun was increased to 63 rounds. The uncomfortable wire mesh seats were replaced by padded seats. The brake and accelerator pedal and gauges were also rearranged for more efficient and comfortable operation while the steering wheel was replaced by a T bar steering control.^[42] The engine and power train were upgraded by the addition of the Continental AVDS-1790-2A and the CD-850-6A. The new engine lowered fuel consumption and smoke emissions. Combination day-IR periscopes were introduced, the M32 for the gunner and the M36 for the commander although the commander's periscope could be substituted with the M34 for binocular vision without IR.^[43] mprovements to the electronics package for this version included the M17A1 stereoscopic rangefinder, electro-mechanical traverse assembly, a xenon white light or an infrared searchlight above the gun shield, and the M19 analog fire control system.

Upgrades

As development of a new main battle tank stalled with problems and cost escalating quickly, the M60A1 was forced to serve longer than originally intended with production lasting almost 20 years. In that time span numerous product improvement programs were put forward. The first of which was TLAC, for Top Loading Air Cleaner. This reduced dirt and dust ingestion, which increased engine life. Its top loading configuration also made it easier to service.^[44] Next came the AOS meaning Add-On Stabilization that was introduced in late 1972.^[44] As its name implies, this was an add on stabilizer kit made to fit with minimum modifications to the existing hydraulic gun control system. It was made up of several components: the rate sensor package, a control selector box, the electronics package, a shut-off valve, the traverse servo-valve assembly, the elevation servo-valve assembly, the handle shaping assembly, an hydraulic filter, and an antibacklash cylinder. At short to medium ranges, hit probabilities better than 50% from a moving M60A1 were obtained in Aberdeen test results while without a stabilizer it was essentially zero. M60A1(AOS) was the designation received by M60s equipped with the TLAC, AOS and the new T142 steel track, which had replaceable rubber pads and improved service life.^[45]

In 1975, the M60A1(RISE) meaning Reliability Improved Selected Equipment was introduced. Its AVDS-1790-2C diesel engine featured several changes in order to improve service life and reliability. A new 650 ampere oil cooled alternator, a solid state regulator and new wiring harness with more accessible disconnect were also incorporated into its electrical system.^[45] The M60A1(RISE)(PASSIVE), which debuted in 1977, featured passive night vision sights for gunner and commander, kevilar spall liners for the turret, the VEESS smoke generation system, a new night vision device for the driver, a deep water fording kit and the capability to mount Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA).^[46][47]

The M60A1 was in production from 1962 until 1980 and was extensively used by the US Army and Marines Corps. A total of 7,948 M60A1s (all variants) were built.^[48] Many of them were later converted to the A3 standard.

M60A2 "Starship"

M60A1E1 tank

Development

The M60A2 was intended to serve as a stop-gap solution until the projected replacement by the MBT-70 completed its development.^[49]
The M60A1 hull was used starting in 1966 to develop a new turret design utilizing the 152mm M162 rifled barrel main gun. These developmental tanks were designated as the M60A1E series. The M60A1E1 variant was used to evaluate the M162 gun on several different mounts and compatiblity with the XM13 Guided Missile, Armor Defeating together with the XMTM51 training round. During the early testing of the M162 main gun it was noted that misfires and premature detonations of the M409 conventional case ammunition were caused by unburnt propellant in the bore and breech. This flaw was often catastrophic as it set off the projectile in the barrel as it was fired.^[50] To remedy this the guns were equipped with a traditional fume extractor on the barrel.^[51] The M60A1E2 finalized the turret design with the use of a compact turret which reduced exposed frontal area by 40% compared to the M60A1^[50] and continued development of the M51 Missile Guidance System (M51MGS).^[52] Initial plans called to replace the turret of every M60 with the new A2 turret, but the continual technical and reliability difficulties with the dual purpose gun caused this to be abandoned. The M60A1E3 variant was a prototype mounting the M68 105 mm rifled gun to the turret of the M60A1E2. This was evaluated due to several earlier faults noted in the M60A1E1s main gun. The M60A1E4 variant explored the use of various remote controlled weapons, including a 20mm gun as secondary armament. All variants of this series underwent evaluations and trials at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds.^[2] The M06A1E2 was finally accepted by the Army in 1970 and given the designation 152mm Gun/Launcher Tank M60A2. It received the unofficial nickname "Starship" due to its "Space Age" technology.^[50] Initial orders were submitted by the Army in 1971 however production did not start until 1973 and continued until 1975. All were built at the Chrysler Tank Plant in Warren, Michigan with a total of 540 M60A2s produced.^[2]

Early version of the M60A2 at AAF Museum

Features

The M51MGS guidance unit for the Shillelagh missiles was designed by Ford's Areospace Division. The Missile Guidance System (M51 MGS) consisted of an infrared (IR) direct beam guidance and control system to track the missile mounted to the turret over the mantel of the gun^[53] with a telescopic sight and a AN/VVG1 coincidence rangefinder to the gun mantle's right with a M73 (later replaced with a M240C) mounted on the left side of the main gun.^[54] The commanders cupola was redesigned to mount a AN/VVG1 coincidence rangefinder causing the M85 to be mounted in the inverted position in order to provide access to its feed cover and mounted a single M34 periscope.^[55] The turret interior also received Kevlar spall liners. Four M226 smoke grenade launchers were mounted on each side of turret bustle. Additionally each crew member in the turret had their own hatch^[50] and a mounting point to the left of the turret for a Xenon White-Light or Infrared Spotlight for night operational conditions. Late production versions replaced the bore evacuator with the Closed-Bore Scavenger System (CBSS), a compressed air system that pushed the fumes and gasses out of the muzzle when the breech was opened.^[55] The M60A2s combat load consisted of 33 M409 and/or HE rounds and 13 M51 Shillelagh missiles.^[50]

Flaws

This weapon system had several drawbacks. First the gunner had to keep the target in the crosshairs of the sight during the entire flight time of the missile.^[56] This meant that only one target could be tracked and engaged at a time. Furthermore the M60A2 could not fire or track a missile while moving.^[50] Secondly was the high minimum range of about 730 m (2400 ft). Until the missile reached this range it flew beneath tracking system's infrared beam and could therefore not be guided by the infrared command link. Also minimum range was slightly above the maximum effective range of the M60A2's conventional unguided munition, this created a dangerous gap area that could not be adequately covered by fire known as a "dead zone". It was also discovered that structural cracks in the barrel occurred after several missile firings. This defect was traced to a flaw in the longitudinal key, which fitted into a keyway inside the gun barrel. It was determined that a less deep key would significantly extend the service life of the barrel. The Missile Control System was also very fragile owing to its dependence on vacuum tubes which often broke when firing the gun. Finally a Shillelagh missile was considerably more expensive the M409 round.

The M60A2 proved a disappointment, though technical advancements would pave the way for future tanks; the MBT-70, which relied on much of this technology as it was used in the M60A2, never advanced beyond prototype stage. The Shillelagh/M60A2 system was phased out from active units by 1981, and the turrets scrapped. The main replacement for Shillelagh missile in the mobile anti-armor role was the more versatile BGM-71 TOW.^[53] Most of the M60A2 tanks were rebuilt as M60A3s, or the hulls converted to armored vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB) vehicles, M60 Panthers^[55] and M728 Combat Engineer Vehicles with a few M60A2s retained as museum pieces.^[57]

M60A3 series

US M60A3 from C Company 32nd Armor Regiment in Germany 1985

Development

Due to the rapidly developing advancements in anti-armor capabilities and solid state electronics of the 1970s, along with the general dissatisfaction of the M60A2, an upgrade of the M60A1 was needed. In 1978 work began on the M60A3 variant which featured a number of technological enhancements and increasing the turret armor.

Features

Two M60A3 of the U.S. Army in Germany

The armor protection for the turret was increased to 330 mm on the gun mantle and to 276 mm on the turret face.^[58] This was an attempt to correct the design flaw of the location of flammable hydraulic fluid at the front of the turret. The electronics and fire control systems were also improved. These included an M21 solid state analog ballistic computer, AN/VVG2 flash-lamp pumped ruby-laser based rangefinder usable by both commander and gunner, AN/VSG2 Tank Thermal Sights (TTS), a Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (HgCdTe) IR detector for passive night and dust vision, a muzzle reference system, a turret stabilization system, and a Vehicle Engine Exhaust Smoke System (VEESS) that visually obscured the area around the vehicle.^[59] The smokescreen system does not provide protection against infrared, thermal or laser detection. It received an upgraded Continental AVDS-1790-2C diesel engine with a General Motors CD-850-6A transmission and a Halon fire extinguisher system.^[60][59] Steel road wheels and return rollers were used again because they were more cost efficient than the aluminum ones.

4,320 were built as new vehicles from 1978 until 1983^[61] as well as some 5,400 of the A1 and A2 variants were converted^[60] to the A3 standard ending in 1990. The M60A3 replaced the M60A1 and any remaining M48s in Army or National Guard service on a one-for-one basis however the US Marine Corps continued to use the M60A1 until they were retired from combat use in 1991.^[62]

E60 Series

M60s for use in foreign military service were designated as the E60 series by the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS). These were essentially M60s with minor modifications requested by approved foreign purchasers. Some of the modifications included removal of the M19 cupola, different models of machine guns, electronics, fire control systems or radios, external armor plates, smoke launchers and power packs.^[63]

This series included the following designations:

• E60: modified M60 variant for non-US service


• E60A: modified M60A1 variant for non-US service


• E60B: modified M60A3 variant for non-US service

The M60A2 was never approved for foreign sales.

Foreign upgrades

Late in the M60's US military service, several prototype upgrades were evaluated. However these were passed over in favor of simply producing more M1 Abrams. The M60A3 was phased out of US service in the 1990s and as a training aid in 2005,^[64] but it has continued in use in a number of other countries. In 2005, M60 variants were in service with Bahrain, Bosnia, Brazil, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Thailand, ROC (Taiwan), Iran, and some other nations to varying degrees. Most of these are highly upgraded and modified, notable examples are the Magach, Sabra and Phoenix variants.

Turkish M60A1 tank upgraded by Israel Military Industries to M60T Sabra, in Rishon LeZion, Israel, 2008

A US Congressional Report in November 1993 stated that there were 5,522 serviceable M60A3 tanks in the US Army's inventory available for sale or transfer to US allies or foreign nations. Of these 111 were in Korea, 1,435 were in Europe, and 3,976 located in the continental US (CONUS). The average age of these tanks was 16 years and an expected peacetime service life of 20 years. The average price was US$212,898 per tank without radios or machine guns and they were not overhauled. Tanks located in Korea were inspected and sold to Bahrain and Taiwan. Of the 1,435 tanks in Europe, 1,311 have been cascaded to other NATO countries under the terms of the Conventional Forces Europe Agreement (CFE), 18 reserved for non-combat use and 106 returned to CONUS. In 1990, M60A3s were sold to Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Egypt inspected 411 tanks at Fort Hood and 91 at Fort Knox and tentatively selected 299 of those. An additional inventory of tanks from the CONUS M60A3 fleet were available at the same unit price for other approved purchasers.^[65]

Super M60/AX

General Dynamics Super M60/AX prototype, 1985

The Super M60/AX, also called Super 60, was a comprehensive update package for the M60 Patton series tanks, first offered in 1985 by General Dynamics. The weapons of the Super M60 are similar to those of the M60A3 Patton, but different models were used. The main gun is the rifled 105 mm/L52 M68A1 with a thermal sleeve, the same weapon used on the M1 version of the M1 Abrams MBT with 63 rounds. The prototype built did not have an optical range finder but one could have been easily installed. The 7.62 mm M73 coaxial machine gun used on the M60A3 is replaced with a 7.62 mm M240C, with the same number of rounds. The turreted 12.7 mm M85 machine gun were removed. It was replaced with a manually-fired 12.7 mm M2HB machine gun on a pintle mount with 600 rounds. Survivability was enhanced with a layer of Chobham spaced applique armor built around the M60A1 turret, that noticeably changed its appearance. A layer of laminated steel armor covers the frontal arc, and possibly the sides and/or rear as well. A pair of steel track skirts were added and spall liners for the fighting compartment. The electronics package of the Super M60 was largely the same as that of the M60A3, with an AN/VVG-2 laser rangefinder, an AN/VVS-2 thermal imaging system, and an M21 solid state ballistic computer. Maneuverability was improved by a Teledyne Continental Motors CR-1790-2B, a 1,180 hp V12 diesel engine, mated to an Allison-Renk RK 304 automatic transmission with 4 forward and 4 reverse gears. The suspension of the Super M60 was enhanced over the original torsion bars of the M60A3 Patton via hydropneumatic struts. The new struts not only smoothen the off-road ride, but also allowed the Super M60 to handle well in spite of its considerable weight increase over the original M60A1 Patton. Even though this update package offered M60 users an opportunity to dramatically increase the combat capabilities of their tank fleets, no country ever bought the update, and the program effectively ceased by the end of the Cold War. Only one prototype was built. The failure of the Super M60 program was likely due to the lack of immediate necessity for such a vehicle.^[66]

General Dynamics offered the M60-2000 Main Battle Tank in 2001. This vehicle also failed to garner any production requests and the offering was dropped from marketing literature in 2009. The prototype was disassembled and the hull and turret returned to the US Army.^[67]

Super M60/AX-120

The 2013 prototype of the Super M60A3-120 as designed by General Dynamics at the International Arms Expo held in Germany in 2013

In 2013, General Dynamics Land Systems produced a redesigned turret and hull for the M60A3. Early work began in 2010 as the Super M60/AX-120 Program. The lethality upgrade included a Super 60 turret that mounted a licensed version of the M256 L/44 120 mm Smoothbore main gun carrying 60 rounds. The original M85 machine gun in the commander's turret was replaced with a manually controlled FN M3M .50 cal Heavy Machine Gun with 600 rounds and the mounting of an ATK LW25 25 mm chain gun towards the rear of the turret on a Remote Weapon Station, the Loader also has a pintle mounted M249 Mk3 5.56 mm Light Machine Gun used for local defense, and has two six barreled electronically fired M250 smoke dischargers, one on each side of the main gun. An Integrated Fire Control System as developed by Cascadia Optronics and FLIR Systems was fitted to the tank to provide a similar capability to the M1 Abrams Mark 1 Advanced Fire Control System. Mobility enhancements included an upgraded Allison CR-1790-3A 1800 hp Diesel Engine and Allison-Renk RK 304 Final Drive Assembly automatic transmission with 4 forward and 4 reverse gears, new drive sprockets and roadwheels, as well as the T158 lightweight track as used on the Abrams and the installation of hydropneumatic struts. Also cameras were mounted on the hull front, rear and sides for situational awareness, similar to the Abrams Situational Awareness Package (ASAP). Survivability was enhanced with the addition of Slat/Cage Armor around the turret to defeat RPGs and other explosives fire along with external protection plates to the frontal arc. The side skirts are made of composite material and lighter than the older steel skirts previously used. An optional offering was the fitting of Blazer Explosive Reactive Armor.^[68]

This was targeted to Oman's and Bahrain's desire to upgrade or replace its current inventory of M60s. A prototype was built and shown at the 2013 International Arms Expo held in Germany. As of 2018 there have been no sales of this M60 upgrade.^[69]

M60A3 SLEP

Raytheon introduced its own service life extension program (SLEP) package for the M60A3 in 2016.^[70] Lethality upgrades offered in this package include a fully stabilized M68 120 mm/L44 smoothbore gun fitted with a load assisting system allowing a maximum rate of fire of 6-10 rounds per minute. It is fitted with Raytheon's Integrated Digital Fire Control System (IFCS) consisting 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 and data bus to improve first round hit probability. Raytheon also fitted it with a laser warning receiver and smoke grenade dischargers. The cupola and M85 machine gun have been replaced with the Hitrole remotely controlled weapon system, that enables 360° panoramic surveillance from a secure position inside the tank armed with a M2HB .50cal Heavy Machine Gun as well as replacing the M73 coaxial machine gun with a M240C. The hydraulic turret stabilization system has been replaced with the fully electro-mechanical Curtiss-Wright's Electric Gun Turret Drive Upgrade Kit. 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. Its mobility has been improved with an upgraded AVDS-1790-2C engine producing 950 hp increasing available power by 20%, thus achieving improved power-to-weight ratio despite the weight increases. The suspension system includes an improved hydropneumatic system. The installation of an Automatic Fire and Explosion Sensing and Suppressing system (AFSS) that improves soldier survivability and protects the engine compartment as standard. Upgraded 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. These changes increased the vehicle weight to 62-63 tons.^[70][71]

Raytheon has been working with Jordan's King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) for the past three years on its Phoenix Level 1 IFCS upgrade and Level 2 Lethality upgrade efforts for the M60 main battle tank. A $46.6M contract with the Jordan Armed Forces was authorized to upgrade one battalion of their Phoenix main battle tanks with Raytheon's Integrated Fire Control System (IFCS).^[72]

M60A3 Phoenix

The Jordanian M60 Phoenix is a modular upgrade of the M60A3 with significant improvements in firepower and lethality. It has a true shoot-on-the-move capability, day/night targeting capabilities and a high first round hit provided by Raytheon's Integrated Fire Control System (IFCS). The M68 105 mm main gun is replaced with a RUAG Land Systems L50 120 mm smoothbore Compact Tank Gun (CTG)^[73] with a firing rate of 6-10 rounds per minute. Turret upgrades include an electro-mechanical (EM) turret drive unit, EM traverse assembly, and ammunition containment unit, and 20 round rack ready storage. The electronics included an eye safe laser rangefinder, second generation night sight, digital ballistic computer, can't sensors and a MIL-STD 1553 data bus. The maneuverability of the Phoenix is improved with the use of the General Dynamics AVDS-1790-2C engine producing 950 hp increasing available power by 20%, an upgraded CD-850-6A transmission, new air cleaner and air induction systems, improved suspension and new and improved final drives. Survivability is improved through the addition of the armor protection scheme for both the M60's turret and hull. The protection scheme can be reconfigured to changing threat conditions. It also has a 12 tube High Speed Directed Launcher (HSDL) smoke screen system using a multi-spectral smoke hardxill providing protection against thermal detection.^[74]

Leonardo M60A3

Leonardo M60A3 prototype, 2017

The Leonardo M60A3 is an upgraded variant of the M60A3 offered by Italian defense company Leonardo. The upgrade is intended to offer nations already operating the M60 an upgrade to their vehicles to offer capabilities more in line with third-generation main battle tanks. It was unveiled 17 October 2017 at the Bahrain International Defense Exhibition and Conference (BIDEC).

Upgrades offered in this package include a new 120/45 gun from the Centauro II that offers a weight saving of 500 kg over the older 120/44 gun due to a redesigned light alloy cradle and muzzle brake. The old commander's cupola is completely removed and replaced instead with an armored circular ballistic plate protected with slat armor. This also offers a weight reduction compared to the original M19 cupola as used on the M60A3 Patton. For close defense, the turret is also fitted with the HITROLE-L 12.7mm remotely operated weapons system.^[75] The turret has been refitted with a new set of hydraulic and servo control improving performance. The rest of the vehicle is completely overhauled including the torsion bars, brakes, fuel supply, electric system, wheels, seals, paint, and smoke grenades. The vehicle has also been retrofitted with the Automatic Fire and Explosion Sensing and Suppression System (AFSS). Its is equipped with the LOTHAR gun sight, DNVS-4 Driver's Night Vision Sight and TURMS digital fire control system. a daytime TV camera, and an eye-safe Laser Range Finder. IED jamming systems and a laser warning receiver systems developed by Leonardo are optionally offered.^[76]

Armor improvements include a whole new passive protection suite fitted around the M60's existing cast armor turret and hull that is claimed to meet STANAG Level 6 standards. Protection for the turret is optimized for protection against kinetic energy (KE) weapons and artillery across the frontal arc. The hull to is upgraded to the same standard with the protection covering the hull sides extending to the third roadwheel. For the rear of the turret, slat armor is provided with an emphasis on protecting against the RPGs.^[77]

Mobility is improved via either a full refurbishment of the existing power packs or an upgrade. The new powertrain offered is stated to deliver up to 20% more power without high costs and avoiding the need for any modifications to the existing hull. This AVDS-1790-5T and CD-850-B1 908 hp engine replaces the 750 hp engine and is connected to an upgraded CD-850-6A transmission.^[77]

US Service history

Fifteen of the early examples of the M60 produced had insufficiently thick hull armor, and were therefore used by the Armor School at Fort Knox to train tank crewmembers and maintenance personnel.^[26]

The M60 AVLB and M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle were the only variants of the M60 series deployed to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The M728 was used in fire support, base security, counter ambush fire, direct assault of fortified positions, and limited reconnaissance by fire.^[78] The AVLB provided gap crossing capabilities when required to support armored forces. M60s were deployed at this time to West Germany during the Cold War to support US Army operations and participated in annual REFORGER exercises as well as Allied Forces Day parades in West Berlin until 1991. The M60 was also deployed to Korea to support US Forces Korea and participated in annual Exercise Team Spirit maneuvers with South Korea notably with the US 2nd Infantry Division until 1991.^{[79][80][81][82]}

On 21 August 1976 President Ford conferred with Henry Kissinger and green lighted Operation PAUL BUNYAN with a platoon of M60A1s reinforcing elements of the US 9th Infantry Regiment (Task Force VIERRA) at the south end of the Bridge of No Return in response to the Korean axe murder incident.^[83]

M60 tanks participated in Operation URGENT FURY in 1983. U.S. Marines from G Company of the 22nd Marine Assault Unit equipped with Amphibious Assault Vehicles and four M60A1 Patton tanks landed at Grand Mal Bay on October 25 and relieved the Navy SEALs the following morning, allowing Governor Scoon, his wife, and nine aides to be safely evacuated. The Marine tank crews faced sporadic resistance, knocking out a BRDM-2 armored car. G Company subsequently overwhelmed the Grenadian defenders at Fort Frederick.^[84] The 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment deployed with M60A1s to Beirut and were present during the subsequent October 23 Beirut barracks bombing near the Beirut International Airport during the ongoing Lebanese Civil War.^[85]

M60s have been used in close air support trials with the F-16 in the 1980s. M60A1s have been used by the USAF as targets for the testing of radar equipment on new aircraft and also for ground force adversarial work during Exercise Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.^[86][87]

A 401st TFW (P) M60 seen at Doha, Qatar during the Gulf War of 1991

During Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf War of 1991, at least one US Air Force unit was equipped with M60s. The 401st TFW (P), deployed to Doha, Qatar had two M60s for use by explosives ordnance disposal personnel. It was planned that using the MBTs would allow the EOD crews to remove unexploded ordnance from tarmac runway and taxiway surfaces with increased safety.^[88]

In early February 1991, 200 US Marine M60A1s of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (1MEF) drove north from Khafji, Saudi Arabia into Kuwait. In the Battle of Kuwait International Airport they encountered an Iraqi force of T-54, T-55, T-62, Type 69, and T-72 tanks. The Marines won the battle, destroying some 100 Iraqi tanks with only one M60A1 lost (to anti-tank mines).^{[citation needed]} The U.S. Marines M60A1s were fitted with add-on explosive reactive armor (ERA) packages.^[89]

Marines from Company D, 2nd Tank Battalion, drive their M60A1 main battle tank during a breach exercise in Operation DESERT STORM in 1991. The tank is fitted with reactive armor and an M9 bulldozer kit.

Following the end of both the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm, the M60 was rapidly withdrawn from combat use and superseded by the M1A1 Abrams by both the Army and Marine Corps and was relegated to the Army National Guard through most of the 1990s. In May 1997, at Fort Riley, 1st Battalion, 635th Armor, Kansas Army National Guard, retired the last M60 series tanks in the US military. The 58 M60A3 tanks of the Kansas Guard's only armor battalion were unceremoniously parked in a holding pen at the Camp Funston Mobilization and Training Equipment Site (MATES), in the Kansas River Valley, down the hill from Fort Riley's main post.^[90] They were later transferred to the Jordanian Army. They were replaced in National Guard service by the M1 version of the Abrams MBT.

Due to the end of the Cold War, surplus US Army M1A1s were absorbed by the US Marines replacing their M60A1s on a one for one basis, allowing the Marine Corps to quickly become an all-M1 tank force at reduced cost. Except for a small number in service for training, most M60s were placed in reserve, some 1,400 were transferred to NATO allies from 1991 to 1993 under the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, some were sold, mainly to middle eastern countries. They were finally declared as excess to US needs in 1994. They were given to a few nations under governmental grants.

After being retired from combat use in 1991, 18 M60A3s, with the M19 cupola removed, continued in active Army service to provide tactical combat training to US and NATO forces in Europe. They were fitted with the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES), given the mission to provide tactical engagement simulation for direct fire force-on-force training and were maintained at the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC) near Hohenfels, Germany. They were used in the OPFOR Surrogate (OPFOR(S)) role by D Company 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment (Team Dragon) until 2005.^[91] After their service as training aids, these examples were demilitarized and placed as target hulks on various firing ranges at the Grafenwoehr Training Area.^[92] They were replaced in this role by the TONKA tank (unofficial name) – an M113 with a mock turret.

Excess M60 tanks at Fort Hood Texas, 1994

The large number of M60 series tanks still in the Army's CONUS inventory in 1994 were declared as excess to requirements and began to dispose of them through grant programs or demilitarization at additional costs to the US government. The US Army and Air Force continue to use M60s on a limited basis as targets for the testing of radar and weapons systems.^[3] They are also salvaged for parts to maintain other vehicles still in service. One M60A1 hull was leased to General Dynamics for development of the M60-2000/120S during 2000–2001.^[67] The M68 105 mm Gun has been used for the M1128 Stryker MGS. Many are on public display in parks and museums or veteran service organizations as well as gate guards at military bases. Some 100 M60s are to be placed as artificial reefs off New Jersey and the Gulf coasts of Florida and Alabama accessible to scuba divers.^[93][94] In February 2017, the United States Army awarded a contract to BAE Systems and Land Armaments to convert several former M60 tanks to M88A2 recovery vehicles.^[95]

Variants

• 
  XM60/M60: Bearing a strong familial resemblance to the M48, it has several features not found on previous M48s. Featured a turret with 105 mm M68 gun. Some early production units did not have the commander's cupola.^[96]
  


• 
  M60E1: Developmental prototype for the M60A1 mating a modified M60 hull to the T95E7 turret.^[97]
  


• 
  M60A1: First variant to feature the distinctive "needle-nose" long nosed turret, along with better armor protection and improved hydraulics.^[98]
  
  
  • 
    M60A1 AOS: Add-On Stabilization, introduced in 1972 for the M68 gun.^[5]
    
  
  
  • 
    M60A1 RISE: Reliability Improvements for Selected Equipment, featured improvements of almost all the basic systems including an upgraded engine design that allowed easier access to components to allow removing the engine pack in less time.
    
    • 
      M60A1 RISE Passive: outfitted with explosive reactive armor (ERA) in the late 1980s.^[99]
      
    
    
  
  
  
  


• 
  M60A1E1: Developmental test vehicles fitted with the 152 mm M162 gun-missile launchers.^[96]
  


• 
  M60A1E2/M60A2: Turret design finalized, giving the distinctive "starship" look.


• 
  M60A1E3: prototype, M60A1E2 fitted with 105 mm gun.


• 
  M60A1E4: Experimental type with remote control weapons.^[100]
  


• 
  M60A3: turret upgrade fitted with a laser rangefinder, M21 solid state ballistic computer, a crosswind sensor and increased turret armor. Late production E60Bs for foreign military sales omitted the commander's cupola.^[98]
  
  
  • 
    M60A3 TTS: Tank Thermal Sight; M60A3s fitted with the AN/VSG-2 thermal sight.^[98]
    
  
  
  • 
    M60A3 SLEP: Raytheon upgrade package for the M60A3^[101]
    
  
  
  
  


• 
  M60 Super/AX: General Dynamics upgrade package for the M60A3. One prototype built.


• 
  M60-2000/120S: M60/Abrams hybrid vehicle developed by General Dynamics Land Division. One prototype built.

Specialized

A remotely controlled Panther armored mine clearing vehicle leads a column down a road in Bosnia and Herzegovina, May 16, 1996.

• 
  M60 AVLB: armored vehicle-launched bridge with 60-foot (18 m) scissors bridge mated to the M60 hull.


• 
  M60 Panther: M60 without a turret fitted with countermine systems used by US forces during operations JOINT ENDEDEAVOR and Joint Task Force EAGLE. The Panther is used as a remotely controlled vehicle with mine rollers, and it is used to proof lanes and assembly areas.^[102] The system consists of a turretless M60 tank, Israeli mine rollers, an antimagnetic actuating device, and an Standardized Teleoperation System (STOPS) that is mounted in a separate vehicle. Additionally, a remote video camera allows the operator to see the road ahead.^[103][61]
  


• 
  M88 Recovery Vehicle: Armored recovery vehicle based on M60 chassis.


• 
  M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle: Combat Engineer Vehicle fitted with a folding A-frame crane and winch attached to the front of the turret, and an M135 165mm demolition gun mated to the M60 hull.


• 
  M9 Bulldozer Kit for the M60 series (SNL G306) The M9 bulldozer installed on the M60-series tank will increase the vehicle weight by 4.45 tons (4.04 metric tons).^[59]
  

International

• 
  M60T or Sabra: highly upgraded variant of the M60A1 which is designed for the MBT modernization program of the Turkish Army. It features a new 120 mm smoothbore gun, electric stabilization system, new fire control system, and new armor package.^[104][105] M60T is also known as Sabra Mk. II.


• 
  E60: Foreign Military Sales designation for the M60 series
  
  
  
  • 
    E60: modified M60 variant for non-US service
  
  
  • 
    E60A: modified M60A1 variant for non-US service
  
  
  • 
    E60B: modified M60A3 variant for non-US service
  
  
  
  


• 
  M60VLPD 26/70E: Spanish Army bridgelayer based on the M60 with "Leguan bridge system". 12 converted from M60A1.


• 
  M60CZ-10/25E Alacran: Spanish Army combat engineer variant. 38 converted from M60A1.^[106]
  


• 
  Israeli variants: Many of the Israeli M60s have been upgraded with additional reactive or passive armor, drastically improving their armor protection. These up-armored versions are called Magach 6 / Magach 7.


• 
  M60 Phoenix: Jordanian upgrade, being carried out by the King Abdullah II Design And Development Bureau.^[107] Upgrade includes shoot-on-move capabilities, increased firepower (with a RUAG 120 mm smoothbore gun) and armor protection scheme upgrade.


• 
  Samsam (Sword): Iranian upgraded version of M60A1 tank, fitted with reactive armor (presumably Kontakt-5), EFCS-3 Fire Control system, Laser warning system and IR jammers.^[108]
  

Operators

• 
   Afghanistan: 63 M60A3TTS donated in 2009 from Greece and are in service as of 2018.^[109]
  


• 
   Bosnia and Herzegovina: 85 M60A3s, last 40 delivered in 2008. As of 2014 they are still in service.^[87]
  


• 
   Bahrain: 180 M60A3 TTS excess US Forces Korea stocks. Last 54 were delivered in 1992 and as of 2014 60 were in service and the rest in reserve.^[110]
  


• 
   Brazil: 91 M60A3s purchaced from United States. 28 still in service as of 2012, others have been scrapped.^[111]
  


• 
   Egypt: Purchased 1,016 M60A3s and 700 M60A1RISE from 1986 to 2002 from the United States and other countries. About half are in storage.^[112]
  


• 
   Iran: 200 M60A1s as of 1979 transferred from United States. 150 still in service as of 2010.^[113]
  


• 
   Israel: 111 Magach 7Cs in reserve storage.^[114] Some M60A1 (Tagesh) AVLBs still in service. All M60/E60 series and Magach 6 series tanks retired in 2014 and to be scrapped or sold.^[115] Superseded by the Merkava MBT.


• 
   Jordan: 82 M60A1s in storage. Some have been converted into recovery vehcles. 240 M60A3TTS, former US Army National Guard, 182 were upgraded to M60 Phoenix.^[116]
  


• 
   Lebanon: 56 M60A3s transferred from Jordan in 2008.^[117] First 10 tanks received in May 2009 were rejected for service by Lebanese government.^[118]
  


• 
   Morocco: 260 M60A3TTS and 160 M60A1s transferred from US in 1981.^[119] As of 2015 they were still in service.


• 
   Oman: 93 M60A3s Last 39 acquired in 1990 from inventories at Ft. Knox.^[3] As of 2015 they are still in service.


• 
   Portugal: 96 M60A3 tanks from redundant U.S. Army inventory in Europe in 1991 and 1992 as a result of the CFE Treaty. As of 2008, only 14 tanks were in the 1st Combat Squadron and the rest in reserve.^[120]
  


• 
   Saudi Arabia: 910 M60A1RISE (250 transferred to Yemen).^[121] Many of these were upgraded to M60A3s during the 1990s.^[122] 390 M60A3s purchased in 1990.^[3]
  


• 
   Spain: 400 M60A3TTSs received in 1991 and 1992 from Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty. As of 2009 there are 17 in service with the Infanteria de Marina. Some transferred to Greece, others scrapped. Superseded by the Leopard 2. 38 M60CZ-10/25E engineer vehicles, 12 M60VLPD-26/70E bridge layers in service with the Spanish Army.^[106]
  


• 
   Sudan: Received 20 M60A1s received 1979 from United States. They are still in service as of 2014.^[123][124]
  


• 
   Taiwan: 450 M60A3TTS and 400 CM-11 Brave Tiger in service as of 2018.^[125]
  


• 
   Thailand: 53 M60A1RISE Passive and 125 M60A3TTS from US Army. Still in service as of 2015.^[126]
  


• 
   Tunisia: 59 M60A3 TTS and 30 M60A1 RISE Passive received from the US in 1985. As of 2012 they are still in service.^[127]
  


• 
   Turkey: Received 104 M60A1 RISE Passive and 658 M60A3TTS. 170 were converted to M60T Sabra. As of 2018 170 M60T, 610 M60A3TTS and 752 M60A3 in service.^[128]
  


• 
   United States: Currently in limited use as target vehicles for weapons and radar testing. The M60 series was retired from combat use in 1991, the Army National Guard in 1997, and as a training aid in 2005. The M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle was retired from combat use in 2000. 262 M728s in service with the US Army Reserve and Army National Guard^[129] as of 2007 and 37 M60 AVLB vehicles in service with US Marine Corps as of 2009.^[130]
  


• 
   Yemen: approx. 250 M60A1 RISE Passive in 1990. As of 2015 only 50 were still in service^[131]
  

Former operators

• 
   Argentina: One M60A1 acquired in early 1970s from United States. Never placed in service. As of March 2014 it is displayed as a gate guard in Buenos Aries.^[132]
  


• 
   Austria: 170 M60A1s purchased from USAEUR excesses 1982. Later converted to A3 standard. They were replaced in 1997 by the Leopard 2 and sold to Egypt.^[133]
  


• 
  Ethiopia: 180 M60A1s received from the U.S. from 1974 to 1977. Replaced with the T-72 in 1978 and 1979.^[134]
  


• 
   Greece: 357 M60A1RISE and 312 M60A3TTS were received under the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty in 1991 and 1992.^[135] 63 donated to Afghanistan in 2009. Retired from service 2015 and remaining M60s to be scrapped.^[25][136]
  


• 
   Iraq: Limited ad hoc use of Iranian tanks during Iran–Iraq War.^[137] Six Iranian M60A1s were captured in 1980 and transferred to Jordan.^[138] Any remaining tanks were destroyed after the war. It was never officially in Iraqi service.


• 
   Italy: 200 M60A1s produced in Italy and 100 from excess USAEUR stocks in the late 1970s. Phased out of service by 2008.^[139]
  

See also

• 
  G-numbers: (SNL G292)


• 
  Gun data computer: models M16, M19, M21


• 
  Magach 6 & 7: series of Israeli upgrades to the M60 platform


• 
  Shawn Nelson: Went on a rampage in Clairemont, San Diego, in a stolen M60A3

Tanks of comparable role, performance and era

• 
  AMX-30: French main battle tank


• 
  Chieftain: British main battle tank


• 
  Leopard 1: German main battle tank


• 
  Stridsvagn 103: Swedish turret-less main battle tank


• 
  T-62: Soviet main battle tank


• 
  T-72: Soviet main battle tank


• 
  TR-85: Romanian main battle tank


• 
  Type 69/79: Chinese main battle tank


• 
  Type 74: Japanese main battle tank


• 
  Vijayanta: Indian main battle tank

References

Bibliography

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to M60 tanks.

• M60A3 Main Battle Tank on army-technology.com


• 105 mm Gun M60 page on AFV database site


• Patton-Mania site


• The short film Big Picture: M60 King of Armor is available for free download at the Internet Archive
  


• M60 Technical Manuals on nsncenter.com