The XM803 stands as a daring experiment in American tank design, conceived from the ambitious MBT-70 program. Initially envisioned as a next-generation main battle tank to replace the aging M60 family, the XM803 was engineered to combine overwhelming firepower with exceptional mobility. Outfitted with a cutting-edge 152 mm XM150E6 gun/launcher, advanced targeting systems, and a two-plane gun stabilizer paired with an autoloader, it promised to redefine battlefield engagement. Yet, in its quest to balance performance and cost, the XM803 sacrificed armor protection and crew survivability making it a high risk, high reward vehicle that rewards skilled, hit-and-run tactics with its incredible mobility and firepower.
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| Formidable Firepower: The 152 mm gun/launcher delivers an immense punch with both conventional rounds and ATGMs. | Poor Armor Protection: Vulnerable to enemy fire due to thin hull and side armor. |
| Exceptional Mobility: Superior speed and agility enable quick repositioning. | Limited Crew Survivability: A cramped, three-man crew offers minimal protection. |
| Advanced Targeting: Features a laser rangefinder, high-zoom optics, and a stabilizer for precise firing. | Exposed Turret: Thin rear turret armor leaves it open to flanking shots. |
Main Armament
At the heart of the XM803 is its 152 mm XM150E6 gun/launcher—a revolutionary weapon capable of firing both conventional rounds and anti-tank guided missiles. Fitted with a two-plane stabilizer and an autoloader, it achieves a rapid 7.5-second reload, ensuring that firepower is rarely out of reach.
The gun's elevation range of -10° to +20° and its swift turret rotation (up to 42°/s with an ace crew) allow it to quickly engage targets across a wide range of distances. Although the overall ammunition load is moderate, its versatility in round selection means every shot is crucial. The XM803 can fire several specialized rounds:
| M409A1 HEAT | Consistently delivers 380 mm of armor penetration at any range—from 10m to 2000m. | Best suited for engaging lightly to moderately armored targets such as light vehicles and lower-tier MBTs. |
| MGM-51C ATGM | Anti-tank guided missile that maintains a penetration value of 431mm across all distances. | Ideal for tackling heavily armored MBTs and advanced main battle tanks. |
| XM410E1 Smoke | (nominal penetration of 3 mm) | Deploys a smoke screen to provide cover and facilitate tactical repositioning. |
| XM578E1 APFSDS | A kinetic energy round that starts with 285 mm of penetration at 10 m, gradually decreasing to 281 mm at 100 m, 270 mm at 500 m, 254 mm at 1000 m, 239 mm at 1500 m, and 223 mm at 2000 m. | Optimized for precise, long-range engagements against medium to heavy armored vehicles, with penetration diminishing over distance. |
Each ammunition type brings its own tactical advantages, allowing players to adapt their firepower to the situation at hand.
Machine Guns
Complementing its formidable main cannon, the XM803 mounts a robust secondary armament. The 12.7 mm M85 machine gun fires at up to 625 rounds per minute and offers an extensive vertical guidance range (from -15° to +60°), making it effective against enemy crew, soft-skinned vehicles, and low-flying aircraft. Additionally, the coaxial 7.62 mm M73 machine gun provides essential close-range support, ensuring the XM803 remains a threat in all combat scenarios.
Armor and Survivability
While the XM803 boasts a strong turret front (203 mm) and side armor (165 mm), its hull armor is noticeably weaker. The 89 mm front plate can deflect some rounds at long range, but HEAT-FS and APFSDS rounds will penetrate with ease. The 35 mm side armor makes the XM803 highly vulnerable to flanking shots, and the 25 mm rear armor offers little to no protection.
Compounding its armor issues is its three-man crew, which increases the risk of a single penetrating shot knocking out the entire vehicle. The commander, gunner, and driver are positioned closely together, making the XM803 highly susceptible to overpressure damage and ammo detonations.
To counteract these weaknesses, the XM803 can be upgraded to be equipped with smoke grenades for quick disengagements. it also has dual-control turret functionality, allowing the commander to take over gunnery duties if the gunner is incapacitated.
Mobility
Despite being slightly heavier than the MBT-70, the XM803 remains an exceptionally mobile tank. The 1,250 hp engine allows it to reach 64 km/h forward and a very respectable 29 km/h in reverse, giving it one of the best reverse speeds of any tank in its class. This makes quick retreats and repositioning much easier compared to other U.S. MBTs.
At its battle rating, the XM803’s agility is particularly notable. Compared to foreign counterparts like the German Leopard 1 and the French AMX-30, which prioritize speed but often sacrifice reverse capability and nimbleness for heavier armor, the XM803 stands out with its superior power-to-weight ratio and exceptional reverse speed. This advantage allows it to outmaneuver slower, less responsive tanks and swiftly change positions to exploit enemy weaknesses.
Additionally, the XM803 features a controlled suspension system, enabling it to adjust its hull angle for better gun depression or elevation. This feature is useful when taking hull-down positions, as it allows players to maximize their turret protection while minimizing exposure.
Usage In Battle
The XM803 is best utilized as a high-speed frontline support tank. Its devastating gun/launcher, strong turret armor, and advanced targeting systems allow it to engage enemies effectively at both long and short ranges. However, due to its weak hull armor and small crew, it cannot sustain prolonged firefights and should avoid direct brawling when possible.
To maximize its effectiveness utilize hull down tactics such as keeping the turret exposed while hiding the weak hull. Engaging quickly and using the high mobility and reverse speed to your advantage to take shots and retreat before enemy counterfire lands. The XM803’s combination of ATGMs, a stabilizer, and a laser rangefinder makes it deadly at mid-to-long range—catching opponents off guard is key, so ambushing is a must.
In the right hands, the XM803 is a fast, hard-hitting, and versatile tank that rewards players who plan ahead and adapt quickly to the flow of battle.
