M60-2000 Main Battle Tank
Encyclopedia
The M60-2000, or 120S, is modernized M60 Patton
main battle tank
marketed for export by General Dynamics Land Systems
(GDLS). The development of the M60-2000 was primarily due to thousands of M60 MBTs in service with many nations unable to afford a sufficient force of more modern main battle tanks. GDLS devised the M60-2000 upgrade, offering many features of the M1A1 Abrams
to existing M60 users at a reduced cost.
The M60-2000 was a GDLS supplied conversion kit, including the gun turret
and 120 mm (4.72 in) smoothbore gun of the M1A1/M1A2, to the M60. The upgrade was marketed at those M60 users with the industrial capability to convert the tanks themselves. Along with a new turret, a new diesel powerpack
and the transmission system of the M1 were installed on the M60-2000, and has been tested in a standard M60 chassis
.
Although Turkey has not accepted upgrading their M60s, Egypt has taken the offer, and will begin upgrading their current tanks in 2011.
M60 Patton
The 105 mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank, M60, also known unofficially as the M60 Patton, is a first-generation main battle tank introduced in December 1960. 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...
main battle tank
Main battle tank
A main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
marketed for export by General Dynamics Land Systems
General Dynamics Land Systems
In February 1982 Chrysler announced the sale of Chrysler Defense, its profitable defense subsidiary to General Dynamics for US$348.5 million. The sale was completed in March 1982 for the revised figure of US$336.1 million. General Dynamics renamed the division General Dynamics Land Systems. In 2003...
(GDLS). The development of the M60-2000 was primarily due to thousands of M60 MBTs in service with many nations unable to afford a sufficient force of more modern main battle tanks. GDLS devised the M60-2000 upgrade, offering many features of the M1A1 Abrams
M1 Abrams
The M1 Abrams is a third-generation main battle tank produced in the United States. It is named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff and Commander of US military forces in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972. The M1 is a well armed, heavily armored, and highly mobile tank designed for...
to existing M60 users at a reduced cost.
The M60-2000 was a GDLS supplied conversion kit, including the gun turret
Gun turret
A gun turret is a weapon mount that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.The turret is also a rotating weapon platform...
and 120 mm (4.72 in) smoothbore gun of the M1A1/M1A2, to the M60. The upgrade was marketed at those M60 users with the industrial capability to convert the tanks themselves. Along with a new turret, a new diesel powerpack
Powerpack (drivetrain)
Power pack or powerpack is a term used to describe part of a modular powertrain. A powerpack module contains some type of engine and may also contain a transmission and various supporting components...
and the transmission system of the M1 were installed on the M60-2000, and has been tested in a standard M60 chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
.
Although Turkey has not accepted upgrading their M60s, Egypt has taken the offer, and will begin upgrading their current tanks in 2011.