M1A1 Abrams

The M1A1 Abrams is a tier 7 Main Battle Tank originating from the United States, and is sold by Sophie Wölfli. It can be unlocked from the M1 Abrams, and leads to the M1A2 Abrams.

Features

 * Heavy armor : this vehicle's armor bounces more shots and takes more hits
 * High caliber: the high caliber weaponry deals an increased damage
 * Gas Turbine : provide a smoother acceleration, compared to an ordinary diesel

Player Recommendations
Continuing the legacy of the M1 Abrams, the M1A1 is a modernized variant featuring increased firepower and protection. While not as mobile as the M1 Abrams, it compensates with much more effective protection against HEAT ammunition, and a more powerful gun. A jack of all trades, the M1A1's excellent combination of firepower, mobility, and protection makes it a very capable flanker and brawler.

Pros

 * Excellent gun depression
 * Well sloped and armored turret
 * Side ERA protection against HEAT

Cons

 * Mediocre stock damage and penetration
 * Armor protection is average until the Heavy Common upgrade is installed

Upgrade Suggestions
The M1A1 Abrams has a significant number of armor upgrades, which should be researched early to improve protection. Another focus should be armament improvements, as the upgraded APFSDS dramatically increases damage output.

Retrofit Suggestions

 * Advanced Muzzle Reference System
 * Augmented Optics
 * Improved Gun Breech
 * Improved Pioneer Tool Kit

Commander and Crew Skill Suggestions

 * Commander: Juan Carlos, to improve the aim speed and crew stats
 * Driver: Spin to Win, Off-Road Driving
 * Gunner: Sharpshooter, Do the Twist
 * Loader: Rapid Fire, Explosive Shells/Preparation

History
Class: Main Battle Tank Developed: 1981-1984 Service: 1986+ Vehicles Built: cca 5000 Operators: USA, Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco The Abrams Main Battle Tank is the current service MBT of the U.S. Army and several other countries. It was developed in the 1970s to replace the aging Patton series in American service. Unlike the failed MBT-70 project, the downfall of which was the widespread use of experimental technologies along with an extremely high price tag, the Abrams was designed to use modern but affordable and reliable components. What made it different from the Patton series was the use of Chobham composite armor and a gas turbine for propulsion, earning it the nickname &#34;Whispering Death&#34;. This is the main and, at the same time, the most iconic version of the Abrams. The main difference to its predecessor was that the original 105mm M68A1 rifled gun was replaced by a 120mm smoothbore gun called M256. With it, the tank&#39;s firepower increased considerably and around two thousand MBTs of this type utterly decimated the Iraqi forces deployed during the Gulf War. The ease, with which one of the most powerful armies of the Middle East had been decimated, caused a major shock in both China and Russia, launching a new round of MBT development worldwide. Despite its qualities, the Abrams was never widely exported. More than a thousand vehicles ended in Egypt, but as the NATO service goes, the Leopard 2 MBT has been considerably more successful.