![]() ![]() The general turret shape of the M48 was initially retained, while it was progressively improved to the more well-known M60 version. It was clearly more of an evolutionary – rather than revolutionary – step forward. The first prototypes of the M60 were produced in 1958 and early 1959. It was officially known as “105mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank (M60).”ĭevelopment of the tank began in 1957 to counter the threat posed by the Soviet Union’s T-54/T-55 medium tanks which were seen as superior in most aspects to the U.S. Though the M60 was developed from the M48 Patton, the M60 tank series was never officially christened as a “Patton tank,” and the United States Army considered it a “product-improved descendant.” However, there were numerous design similarities and the M60 is often – albeit informally – grouped as a member of the Patton tank family. It was actually developed to counter the threat from the Soviet Union‘s medium tanks.ĭuring its decades in service, the M60 underwent various updates – the first in 1963 when the M60A1 appeared with a larger and better-designed turret, improved armor and more efficient shock-absorbers. More than 15,000 rolled off the production line, and since its introduction in 1959, the M60 has seen service in the armies of 22 nations. ![]() The M60 Main Battle Tank Was Developed to Counter the Soviet Union’s Tanks – The American-built M60 is one of the most successful main battle tanks (MBTs) ever produced.
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