5 Best U.S. Military Tanks Ever
Throughout modern history, the US has produced many tanks that have gone on to reshape armored warfare. While America has had its fair share of failures, it has also produced some of the finest tanks in the world.
Today, I have sought to identify what I believe to be the top 5 best American tanks throughout history based on their battlefield impact, technical reliability, and overall influence on tank history.
5. M26 Pershing
Built to combat the Wehrmacht’s heavy tanks like the Tiger and the Panther, the M26 Pershing medium tank debuted late in WW2.
Weighing over 40 tons and possessing a 90mm cannon, the M26 was designed to fight and destroy enemy tanks and fortifications.
With heavier frontal armor, the M26 was certainly a foe to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, being introduced too late in the war, the Pershing did not see much combat until the Korean War.
Despite its limited lifetime, the Pershing had a short yet successful career, praised for its firepower and reliability
4. M48 Patton
The replacement for the M26 Pershing, the M48 Patton entered service in 1951 and quickly became the backbone of the US Army throughout the Cold War.
As America’s first Main Battle Tank (MBT), the M48 Patton offered a blend of protection, mobility, and firepower in one platform.
With a 105mm cannon, the M48 stood watch over the Fulda Gap in West Germany in case the Soviets attempted to invade the West.
The M48 also saw combat in Vietnam and was used by other countries such as Greece, Taiwan, and Turkey.
3. M4 Sherman
This list would not be complete without the inclusion of the M4 Sherman. Often compared with the Soviet T-34, the Sherman was a medium tank designed to support infantry and engage enemy fortifications and armor.
Initially armed with a humble 75mm gun, the Sherman lacked the armor and firepower of a German Tiger, but it made up for this with numbers.
The Sherman was designed to prioritize ease of manufacturing, making it cheaper and easier to produce than its German counterparts.
While not as widely produced as the T-34, the Sherman was also made with ease of use in mind.
It was more spacious and comfortable to operate than its Soviet analogue and, more importantly, it was easier to evacuate in case of emergency, making it one of the most survivable tanks of WW2.
2. M60
Unofficially designated the M60 Patton, the M60 MBT replaced the M48 Patton in the 60s and remained a mainstay in the US Army until the 80s. Built to counter the growing threat posed by Soviet tanks, the M60 was fitted with a 105mm gun that underwent several upgrades.
The tank offered excellent protection for the time along with great mobility. With its hydraulic suspension, the M60 could traverse rough terrain with ease.
Coupled with a stabilized cannon, the tank could fire accurately while on the move.
The M60 saw combat in the Gulf War and remains in use in many other nations, most notably Turkey, which continues to upgrade and modernize the M60 to this day.
1. M1 Abrams
The pinnacle of American tank engineering, the M1 Abrams has become a symbol of American military prowess around the world. Introduced in the 80s, the Abrams made its combat debut in Operation Desert Storm, where it swept aside Soviet T-72s with ease.
Built with advanced Chobham armor, the Abrams offers the perfect blend of protection, mobility, and firepower.
With a 120mm smoothbore cannon and advanced fire control systems, the Abrams is both highly lethal and accurate.
A M1 Abrams from 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, fires a round during a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Mar 26, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Hubert D. Delany III / 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
While the Abrams has faced challenges in Ukraine, it still possesses an impressive track record.
With its advanced capabilities and glorious service record, the M1 Abrams deserves its place as America’s best tank.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive 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.
