Key Points and Summary – The M60A3 was the final and most advanced variant of the M60 main battle tank series, serving as a cornerstone of US armored forces during the latter half of the Cold War.
-Introduced in 1978 as a response to new Soviet tanks like the T-64 and T-72, the M60A3’s key improvements were not in its hull or gun but in its advanced fire control system.
-This system included a laser rangefinder and, most importantly, a Tank Thermal Sight (TTS), giving it a crucial night-fighting capability that its predecessors lacked and making it a formidable battlefield deterrent.
The M60A3 Is Born to Fight Russia
Before the advent of the Abrams, the United States relied heavily on the M60 Main Battle Tank (MBT) as its tank of choice.
The M60A3 was the culmination of decades of American armored vehicle development during the Cold War.
As the final and most advanced variant of the M60 series, the M60A3 was nothing revolutionary in terms of design but rather a sophisticated evolution of a proven platform. It emerged in the late 1970s as a response to Soviet armor, particularly the introduction of the T-64 and T-72, which posed a serious threat to NATO forces in Europe.
M60A3 Tank: Design and Development
The M60 series itself traces its roots back to the M48 Patton, a tank that had served the U.S. military since the early 1950s. The original M60, introduced in 1960, was intended as a stopgap measure, but it quickly became the backbone of American armored forces.
Over time, the M60 underwent several upgrades, with the M60A1 introducing a new turret and improved armor, and the M60A2 experimenting with a 152mm gun-launcher system.
However, it was the M60A3, introduced in 1978, that brought the most significant and lasting improvements.
The M60A3 retained the general layout and design of its predecessors, including a four-man crew consisting of a commander, gunner, loader, and driver. It weighed approximately 52 tons and measured over nine meters in length with the gun forward.
Its primary armament was the 105mm M68 rifled gun, a U.S. produced version of the British L7, which had become the NATO standard due to its accuracy and reliability.
This was complemented by a suite of secondary weapons, including a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the commander’s cupola, and another 7.62mm machine gun for the loader.
The Pinnacle of Cold War Tank Design
What set the M60A3 apart from earlier models was its advanced fire control system. The tank was equipped with a laser rangefinder, replacing the older optical rangefinder, which significantly improved the accuracy of its main gun.
A ballistic computer was integrated into the fire control system, allowing the gunner to account for variables such as range, ammunition type, and environmental conditions. Perhaps the most important addition was the AN/VG2 Tank Thermal Sight (TTS), which gave the M60A3 the ability to detect and engage targets at night or in poor visibility conditions—an essential capability in modern armored warfare.
In terms of protection, the M60A3 featured rolled homogeneous steel armor, which, while not as advanced as the composite or reactive armor found on later tanks, was still formidable for its time. The tank also included smoke grenade launchers for concealment and an NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) overpressure system to protect the crew in contaminated environments. Internally, the tank was fitted with an automatic fire suppression system, enhancing crew survivability in the event of a hit.
Mobility was provided by a Continental AVDS-1790-2 V12 air-cooled diesel engine, producing 750 horsepower. This gave the M60A3 a top road speed of around 30 miles per hour and an operational range of approximately 300 miles. While not as fast or agile as some of its contemporaries, the M60A3 was known for its mechanical reliability and ease of maintenance, qualities that made it a favorite among crews and commanders alike.
Operational History
Although the M60A3 never saw combat under U.S. command in a major war, it played a vital role in NATO’s Cold War strategy. Thousands of these tanks were stationed in West Germany, forming a key component of the U.S. Army’s armored deterrent against a potential Warsaw Pact invasion.
The M60A3 was also widely used in training exercises and war games, where it demonstrated its effectiveness and durability.
Internationally, the M60A3 saw extensive service with U.S. allies and client states. Countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Israel operated the tank, often customizing it to suit their specific needs. In some cases, these tanks were used in combat.
Iranian M60s, inherited from the Shah’s regime, were deployed during the Iran–Iraq War. Saudi M60A3s saw limited action during the Gulf War in 1991. More recently, M60s have appeared in the Yemeni and Syrian conflicts, often in the hands of irregular forces or as part of older national inventories.
Several nations developed and still use their own upgraded versions of the M60A3. Israel’s Magach 6 and 7 series featured explosive reactive armor, improved fire control systems, and other enhancements. Turkey developed its own modernization programs for the M60A3 which included a 120mm smoothbore gun and modern electronics.
These upgrades extended the service life of the M60A3 well into the 21st century, demonstrating the platform’s adaptability and enduring value.
Drawbacks and Legacy
Despite its strengths, the M60A3 was not without its downsides. Its armor, while thick, was not sufficient to withstand modern anti-tank guided missiles or the latest kinetic energy penetrators. Even at the time of its introduction, anti-tank missiles were growing more sophisticated, rolled homogenous armor obsolete. Its mobility was also inferior to newer tanks like the M1 Abrams or the Leopard 2.
Furthermore, the M60A3 lacked the composite armor and advanced survivability features that became standard in third-generation main battle tanks.
Nevertheless, the M60A3 left an enduring legacy. It served as a bridge between the second and third generations of main battle tanks, incorporating many of the technologies that would become standard in later designs.
It also provided a reliable and cost-effective solution for many countries that could not afford or did not need the latest Western tanks. Its long service life, ease of upgrade, and battlefield effectiveness made it one of the most successful tanks of the Cold War era. The fact that the M60 is still in service with many militaries is a testament to its reliability.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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