M60A3 TTS Patton

Development of the M60A3 began in 1976 as an upgrade to the M60A1 to address advancements in anti-armor technology and electronics. The vehicle was standardized as the Tank, Combat, Full Tracked: 105-mm Gun, M60A3, with initial assembly occurring at the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant in February 1978. The United States utilized the platform as a transitional model during the development and fielding of the M1 Abrams. Production of new units for the US Army concluded in 1983, while conversion programs for existing M60A1 hulls to the M60A3 TTS standard continued at the Anniston Army Depot and Mainz Army Depot through 1990.

The M60A3 TTS configuration utilizes the M68E1 105mm rifled gun, which features a thermal sleeve and a vertical drop breechblock. The M21 fire control system integrates a Raytheon AN/WG-2 ruby-laser rangefinder, a solid-state M21E1 gun data computer, a muzzle reference sensor, and a crosswind sensor. The gunner is equipped with the Raytheon AN/VSG2 Tank Thermal Sight, which uses a mercury-cadmium-telluride infrared detector to allow for target acquisition through smoke, fog, and low-light conditions without infrared searchlights. The vehicle is constructed with conventional steel armor, with the M60A3 turret providing additional protection for the frontal arc and mantlet compared to previous models. Internal safety features include a Halon fire suppression system and the use of non-flammable hydraulic fluid. The power pack consists of the AVDS-1790-2D air-cooled V12 twin-turbo diesel engine and a CD-850-6A cross-drive transmission.

Fielding to United States Army units in Europe commenced in May 1979. The United States retired the M60A3 from front-line service following Operation Desert Storm, and the last units were withdrawn from the Army National Guard in 1997. The vehicle saw continued use as a training aid in the opposing force role at the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Germany until 2005. The M60A3 is widely exported and remains in service with numerous nations. Egypt is the largest operator of the variant, followed by Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Other current operators include Bahrain, Brazil, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, and Tunisia. Former operators include Austria, which used the tanks for border patrol during the 1991 Ten-Day War, and Portugal. Several nations have implemented modular upgrades to the M60A3, such as the Jordanian Phoenix project, to improve fire control and protection.