M1A3 Main Battle Tank
EDF M1A3 Abrams:
Cost: 1150
Armor: Heavy
Speed: Medium-Fast
Weapon: M256 120mm Cannon
MGM-167 Missile Launcher
Range: Medium-Long
Medium
Airforce Command Tech, Tier-2 Main Battle Tank
The M1A3 Abrams Main Battle Tank is the primary land combat unit of the EDF. Chosen over competing Russian and European designs for its cost-efficient design and balance of speed, armor and firepower, the Abrams is the descendant of the First Red War (FRW) export tank known popularly in Europe as the "Allied Medium Tank" and "M4 Pershing".
The M1 Abrams got its name from a US general who died with the rest of his armored division in defense of Washington D.C., and entered service with the US military in 1985, replacing the aging M21 Grizzly. The Abrams was designed with defense in mind, and as such was very heavily armored and slower compared to the minimalist M21. Its first battle tests came in the 1990s. In 1992, Iraqi supporters of the Soviet-era Communist regime launched a coup, took control and just a year later, began invading neighboring countries for oil and other resources. As part of an international effort to stop the Iraqis, US M1A1s contributed 75% of all land-based kills against Iraqi Soviet-era T-72 Rhino and T-70 Apocalypse Tanks. No M1A1s were lost to these tanks (or any Iraqi unit).
In 1996, the Korean Conflict gave the M1A2 its first taste of battle. With improved armor and technology, the M1A2 also proved unstoppable to the best tank that the Russians were willing to export- the T-84 Heavy Tank, which until 1993 was also the mainline tank of the Russian Army. The conflict was resolved a year later with another treaty.
The Abrams is equipped with the Rheinmetall M256 120mm cannon, which represents the best of Western tank gun design, providing great range and muzzle velocity. Firing Depleted Uranium (DU) rounds, the M256 cannon gives the Abrams the ability to engage any armored land target with a level of effectiveness only exceeded by the Apocalypse Mark II series of Assault Tanks.
However, the most noteworthy weapon of the M1A3 isn't this powerful cannon but rather a failed missile defense system. The MGM-167 was an active protection system installed on test versions of the M1A3, which was being evaluated in 2002. Firing cheap, very small but precise missiles designed to defeat incoming rocket and ATGM threats, the military had high hopes for the MGM-167. After the system failed every test given, a frustrated technician of the project accidentally triggered the firing of a salvo at a cluster of target dummies, which resulted in their complete annihilation. Military officials witnessing the accident were amazed: instead of removing the system for its failure to stop missiles, it replaced the tank's HE and flechette shells for anti-personnel duties!
Variants:
M4 Pershing, 1949: Export only. Served with the Allied nations for most of the First Red War. Had a 105mm cannon.
M1 Abrams, 1985: 105mm cannon, replaced the Grizzly as the US Main Battle Tank.
M1A1 Abrams, 1988: 120mm cannon, armor package upgraded.
M1A2 Abrams, 1994: Armor package upgraded, fire control system improved
