Key Points and Summary – While the official top speed of the M1 Abrams tank is 45 mph, that’s with a governor installed to save the tracks.
-Many crews remove it, allowing the 67-ton vehicle to reach speeds of 60 mph or more.
A U.S. Army driver assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division standbys in the drivers hull of an M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams waiting for further guidance prior to the start of Table VI Tank Gunnery at McGregor Range, New Mexico, Sept. 29, 2023. Gunnery Table VI evaluates crews on engaging stationary and moving targets while utilizing all weapons systems in offensive and defensive positions, ensuring our crews are trained and ready for any mission. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Poleski)
A M1A2 SEPV3 Abrams Tank fires at multiple range targets during a range warfighter exercise, April 11, 2021, Fort Hood, Texas. The visit with foreign allies allows the U.S. Army to boost interoperability of staff members and warfighting capabilities with the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Tank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard)
-This incredible performance comes from its 1,500-horsepower Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine, a reliable and surprisingly quiet powerplant nicknamed “whispering death.”
-Coupled with continuous upgrades to its armor, firepower, and the addition of the Trophy Active Protection System, the latest M1A2 SEPv3 variant remains one of the world’s premier main battle tanks, combining immense speed with survivability.
-BONUS – We have a request to the U.S. Army to visit and get close to an M1 Abrams. Stay tuned for that!
Track Speed: How Fast Is An M1 Abrams Tank?
Speed is always better. This is of course true for a fighter jet. Yet speed is just as important for a tank.
Speed is a key quality for the U.S. Army’s workhorse tank of the past four decades, the M1 Abrams. When it was unveiled in 1980, the Abrams was the best tank in the world, and variants of the original are still in use today.
The M1 was the Army’s fastest armored vehicle since the World War II M-18 Hellcat tank destroyer, which was able to race along roads at 60 miles per hour.
My father was a tank destroyer commander in World War II and trained on M-18s in the U.S. He was amazed at its speed to “shoot and scoot” in combat situations.
But how fast is the M1 Abrams?
A U.S. Army M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division fires at a target before quickly disengaging into a defilade to load a new round at McGregor Range, New Mexico, Sept. 29, 2023. Alpha Co. executed Gunnery Table VI, which evaluates crews on engaging stationary and moving targets while utilizing all weapons systems in offensive and defensive positions, ensuring our crews are trained and ready for any mission. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Poleski)
FORT MOORE , Ga. Maneuver Center of Excellence hosts the 2024 Armor Week media day on Harmony Church Mar. 14, 2024. The event featured live-fire demonstrations with the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, and an opportunity to get up close and hands-on with M1 Abrams and M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Armor Week, April 29 to May 3, and the 2024 Sullivan Cup competition requires mastery of individual tasks, technical and tactical competence, and the ability to demonstrate an array of maneuver, sustainment, and gunnery skills. The competition focuses primarily on the performance of the Soldiers functioning as a crew. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick A. Albright)
How Fast Is the M1 Abrams, For Real?
According to the Army, the “official” top speed of the M1 Abrams is 45 mph on roads. However, this is with a factory-installed governor, which is designed to prevent the tracks from wearing out prematurely.
Many armor units remove the governor and claim the Abrams can travel at speeds of 60 mph or faster on roadways.
Considering this is a massive tank (67 metric tons), that is some incredible power.
Prior to becoming an officer, I went to combined NCO Academy with light infantry, armor guys, and a sprinkling of Special Forces—an eclectic bunch.
I befriended a tank commander during training, and one Saturday morning, he took me to his motor pool for a joyride in an M1.
Blazing around the training range roads was even more fun than flying through the Blue Ridge Mountains on my Harley.
The secret to the Abrams’ speed is its impressive engine.
Engine and Power Generation
The M1A2 SEPv3 is powered by a Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine, which produces 1,500 horsepower. It operates on the same principle as a jet engine and can run on multiple types of fuel, though it typically uses jet fuel.
An M1A2 Abrams tank from 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, “Dragons,” 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, pulls during Combined Resolve X at the Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, May 1, 2018. Exercise Combined Resolve X is a U.S. Army Europe exercise series held twice a year in southeastern Germany. The goal of Combined Resolve is to prepare forces in Europe to work together to promote stability and security in the region. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew McNeil / 22nd Mobile Public Affairs)
A U.S. Army tank crew assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, maneuvers an M1A2 Abrams tank at a railhead in preparation to transport it to Hohenfels, Germany during a railhead operation, Corbu, Romania, October 24, 2018. The Battalion has deployed to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve, an enduring training exercise between NATO and U.S. Forces. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jamar Marcel Pugh, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment/ 1st ABCT, 1st CD/Released)
The AGT1500 engine is known for its reliability, its fewer moving parts compared to a piston engine, and its relatively low noise profile, earning it the nickname “whispering death.”
The auxiliary power unit, located under the armor, allows the tank to operate onboard systems with a reduced probability of detection during silent watch operations.
The generator allows the turret to operate without power from the main engine when the vehicle is stationary, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and stealth.
Meet the M1A2 SEPv3
General Dynamics Land Systems significantly upgraded the Abrams for the M1A2 variant, which is an outstanding tank. SEP stands for the System Enhancement Program. The newest iteration of the Abrams is already a popular model with allies, as both Australia and Poland have ordered more tanks to beef up their armored forces. Ukraine also is clamoring for more tanks.
Improvements In Survivability Against Drones and Missiles
The M1A2 SEPv3 has adapted to the threat of anti-tank missiles and drones. It has better explosive reactive armor (ERA), and the Israeli-built Trophy Active Protection System protects NATO tanks in a 360-degree perimeter against the threat of anti-tank missiles.
The SEPv3 defends itself against drone attacks through a combination of its existing armor, newly added anti-drone screens, and improved electronic warfare capabilities to jam drone signals.
This diminishes the threat from small, fast-moving drones, particularly drone swarms.
Marines with Bravo Company, 4th Tanks Battalion, fire the M1A1 Abrams tank during a live-fire exercise as part of Exercise Arrow 18 in Pohjankangas Training Area near Kankaanpaa, Finland, May 15, 2018. Exercise Arrow is an annual Finnish multi-national exercise with the purpose of training with mechanized infantry, artillery, and mortar field training skills in a live-fire exercise. This is the first year the Marine Corps is participating in this exercise and the first time the M1A1 Abrams tanks have been in Finland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Marcin Platek/Released)
The improved third-generation Forward Looking Infrared targeting system allows the crew to fire from stand-off distances where the enemy can’t see it.
Better Lethality/Firepower
The SEPv3’s main gun is the M256 120-mm smoothbore cannon. It can fire M829A4 advanced kinetic energy and advanced multi-purpose rounds launched through an ammunition data link.
This round is an Armor-Piercing, Fin Stabilized, Discarding Sabot – Tracer (APFSDS-T) cartridge consisting of a depleted-uranium long-rod penetrator with a three-petal composite sabo.
These rounds will defeat third-generation ERA at extended ranges. They are designed for maximum penetration power against heavily armored targets and have a maximum effective range of 4,000 meters.
U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Bravo ‘Bad Bet’ Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conduct Table V exercises with the M1A2 Abrams Tank at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, July 12, 2024. The purpose of the training is to ensure the Abrams were fully functional and fit to fight. The 1st Cavalry Division’s mission is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, strengthening interoperability with NATO allies and regional security partners, which provides competent and ready forces to V Corps, America’s forward-deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kali Ecton)
The crew compartment remains the same, with the driver in the middle of the hull and the commander, loader, and gunner in the well-armored turret.
In addition to the main gun, the SEPv3 will have a .50 caliber M2 machine gun and a 7.62mm M240B coaxial machine gun.
The Army is working on its replacement. But it is still the best tank in the world. And taking the governor off guarantees a heckuva ride.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.
More Military
Canada’s F-35 Fighter Program Has Passed the Point of No Return
USS Oriskany: The Navy Essex-Class Aircraft Carrier That Was Sunk On Purpose
Nimitz-Class Nuclear Aircraft Carrier USS John C. Stennis ‘Out Action’ for 5 Years
Australia’s Mogami-Class Frigate Buy from Japan Is a Big Deal
The F-14 Tomcat Fighter Could Stop Enemy Tanks In Their Tracks
Bob
October 11, 2025 at 6:02 pm
And yet another case in point of how ” LOSE LIPS, SINK SHIPS”!
During WWII posters and the war department continually had to warn both workers and the press, how little things they say, can be used to KILL AMERICAN SERVICE PEOPLE !
Every article written in this journal, and other places ,just like this one , does exactly what they used to war people of back in those days. Giving out little tide bits of info about our equipment, it’s faults, it’s hidden secrets, how they are used by personal, are all just like foreign espionage, only done from within our own borders, by curiosity seeking reporters that want a scoop of a story.
Please for the love of our Service personnel, shut up !
Thomas Huff
October 12, 2025 at 6:53 am
Old news. This was talked about in the 80’s when this tank was first fielded.
Dale Holley
October 12, 2025 at 9:23 am
Mostly true, but by the mere fact, that some of the Tanks were recently sent to Ukraine and took out by Russians or captured when crews abandoned them?
Even if they, weren’t top of the line?
Used 2nds, not fully modified? Don’t think
The Russian army didn’t take apart piece
By piece, or exploit, or copying everything
On board? Truth be know, they probably already knew, just wanted to check their data files for indescreptions.