Revealing a version as powerful as the T-90MS of the M60A3 tank

At the recent BIDEC-2017 Exhibition in Bahrain, a deeply upgraded version of the M60A3 appeared and was introduced as having the same power as Russia's T-90MS.

To do that, contractor Raytheon is currently working with the Italian company Leonardo to carry out a new upgrade program for the "veteran" M60A3 Patton to become a combat-ready force on the battlefield. Raytheon named the M60A3 upgrade program "Combat Time Extension" (SLEP), with the main purpose of keeping up with the development of Russian tanks such as the T-90MS and Armata.

According to the information revealed, the most important upgrade is the new diesel engine that produces 950 horsepower, replacing the original engine that only produced 750 horsepower. Meanwhile, the hydraulic turret control system will be replaced by an electronic control system that is faster to respond and smoother than before.

M60A3 tank opens fire.

In addition to the engine upgrade, the M60A3's firepower has also been increased by replacing the 105mm M68 machine gun with a 120mm L44 silenced cannon made in Germany specifically for the Abrams tank.

The addition of new weapons will allow the M60A3 SLEP to destroy enemy tanks as quickly as the Russian T-90MS. Raytheon hopes that the upgraded M60A3 will be better than previous M1A1 variants.

In addition to the new gun, the M60A3 SLEP also receives a new generation of digital targeting and control systems, including day and night field observation glasses. This system can be compared to the standard sight system for the US Army's M1A1D. Currently, the US Army has tested the M60A3 SLEP at the Aberdeen test range, Raytheon said.

Information about the upgrade package for the old American M60A3 tank line is considered very impressive, however, the Americans only upgraded the engine and increased the caliber of the gun without paying any attention to the defense system for the M60A3, making it difficult for this tank line to survive against the firepower of the T-90MS.

According to public information, the T-90MS's firepower includes a 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun, a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The 125mm 2A46M main gun can fire 9M119 Refleks anti-tank missiles through the barrel and various types of HE ammunition, armor-piercing ammunition of the AP, APFSDS types...

In particular, the T-90MS is also equipped with an automatic loading system for a firing speed of 6-8 rounds/minute, a significant advantage over Western vehicles - (this feature is completely absent on the M60A3 SLEP). The stabilization system when firing is also very modern, allowing it to be both mobile and fire while still ensuring high accuracy.

In addition to the impressive firepower system, the T-90MS is equipped with the world's most advanced defense system today when they are "escorted" by 3 layers of defense including: passive composite armor; the latest generation ERA explosive reactive armor Kontakt-5 and the Shtora-1 active defense system.

With this equipment, even if the T-90MS is hit, enemy weapons will hardly be able to penetrate its multi-layered protection. On the contrary, the lack of proper protection makes it difficult for the M60A3 SLEP to withstand a 9M119 Refleks missile attack from the T-90MS.

According to Dat Viet Newspaper