FACTSHEET: The Abrams Tank By Lizzy Bloem
As the uranium munitions were apparently so succesful in warfare, the US military nicknamed them 'silver bullets' (M829A1).
The M1A1 HA (Heavy Armour) version of the Abrams, employed in 1991 Gulf War, is mounted with uranium armour. Since 1994 the US Army has produced a newer tank (M1A2 HA) with yet thicker uranium armour plates.
The different versions of the Abrams tank are still employed, but only the M1A2 is still in production.
M1A1 and M1A2 tanks are equipped with 120mm M256 guns. The standard munitions, anti-tank shells, are made of depleted uranium. Since 1994, the original 'silver bullet' has been replaced by improved DU ammunition. Still more powerful projectiles will replace older ones.
Currently two US companies produce 120mm uranium shells: Alliant Techsystems General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (formerly Primex Technologies). Four other companies - located in the United Kingdom, France, the former Soviet Union, and Pakistan - also produce these large calibre anti-tank rounds.
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