The M60A3 TTS (Tank Thermal Sight) is the final evolution of the legendary M60 Patton series. Equipped with advanced optics, improved firepower, and enhanced survivability features, the M60A3 TTS remains a formidable force on the battlefield. While it may lack the speed and cutting-edge technology of modern MBTs, its robust armor and powerful 105mm cannon ensure it can still hold the line against contemporary threats.
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| Reliable Firepower: 105 mm gun with strong ammo choices suits various threats. | Tall Profile: Exposed cupola makes it easier to spot and target. |
| Advanced Targeting: Thermal sight and laser rangefinder enhance spotting and precision at range. | Weak Base Armor: Still vulnerable to APFSDS and lacks composite protection. |
| Explosive Reactive Armor: ERA provides added protection against HEAT rounds. | Poor Mobility: Low power-to-weight limits acceleration and top speed. |
Armaments
The M60A3 TTS is outfitted with a potent combination of a 105 mm M68 cannon, a 12.7 mm M85 heavy machine gun, and a coaxial 7.62 mm M240 machine gun, allowing it to engage a broad spectrum of targets effectively.
105 mm M68 Cannon
The 105 mm M68 cannon, while a legacy system compared to modern smoothbores, remains reliable for its versatile ammunition loadout and precision. Equipped with a two-plane stabilizer, it can be fired with reasonable accuracy on the move, making it an essential feature in this BR bracket. Although its reload speed is modest when compared to modern tanks, its robust APFSDS rounds and other ammo types ensure sustained lethality against most tanks.
- Vertical Guidance: -10° to +20°
- Turret Rotation Speed: Up to 22.5°/s (with ace crew)
- Ammunition Capacity: 63 rounds
Available Ammunition
| M735 APFSDS | A kinetic energy round delivering 292 mm of penetration at 10 m, reducing to 257 mm at 2000 m. Ideal for medium to heavy armored targets in long-range engagements. | While less potent than the M774, the M735 is still effective against older MBTs or medium-armored opponents, particularly at close to mid-range. Use it in early matches, and prioritize side shots or weak spots on tougher tanks. |
| M774 APFSDS | A kinetic energy round that starts with 372 mm of penetration at 10 m, gradually decreasing to 343 mm at 2000 m. | The M774 is your best option for engaging modern main battle tanks. With superior armor-piercing capability, it's ideal against vehicles like the T-72A, Type 90, or Leopard 2K. Once unlocked, this should become your go-to round for reliably penetrating heavily armored frontal plates at range. |
| M456A2 HEATFS | Consistently delivers 400 mm of armor penetration at any range—from 10 m to 2000 m. | This round maintains consistent effectiveness regardless of range, making it a solid backup for dealing with light vehicles, IFVs, or when you expect to hit sloped or spaced armor. It's especially useful against targets with less kinetic resistance but good all-around armor geometry. |
| M393A2 HESH | Provides a constant 127 mm of penetration at all ranges, effective for producing spall on softer targets. | Best used against lightly armored vehicles such as SPAAs and early tanks. Its ability to generate internal spall makes it surprisingly lethal when aimed at flat surfaces like turret rears or side armor. |
| M416 Smoke | (Nominal penetration of 3 mm) | Use this for area denial, retreat cover, or to obscure enemy sightlines. Especially handy when repositioning or disengaging under pressure |
12.7 mm M85 Heavy Machine Gun
Provides supplementary firepower with 900 rounds (180 per belt) and a fire rate of 625 RPM, ideal for shooting light reconnaisance vehicles or other lightly armoured tanks.
- Ammunition Capacity: 900 rounds (180-round belts)
- Fire Rate: 625 rounds per minute
7.62 mm M240 Coaxial Machine Gun
Mounted alongside the main cannon, the M240 is invaluable for pinging enemy positions and roughly locating vehicles, even through smoke cover.
- Ammunition Capacity: 6,000 rounds (200-round belts)
- Fire Rate: 940 rounds per minute
Armor and Survivability
The M60A3 TTS improves on its predecessors with modest upgrades in protection, most notably through the addition of Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks covering key frontal areas. While the base chassis still relies on traditional rolled homogeneous armor, the ERA can help neutralize certain chemical rounds such as HEAT-FS or ATGMs, adding a critical layer of survivability that older M60 variants lack.
However, the tank still suffers from the same core vulnerabilities as the M60 platform. Its tall profile, large turret ring, and big exposed cupola make it an easy target, especially when peeking or cresting hills. The steel hull remains vulnerable to most modern kinetic rounds, and while the ERA may offer limited defense against early APFSDS, it won’t hold up to sustained fire.
Armor Thickness:
| Front | Side | Rear | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | 108 mm + ERA 370 mm chemical protection | 70 mm | 40 mm |
| Turret | 230 mm + ERA 370 mm chemical protection | 49 mm | 57 mm |
Inside, the M60A3 TTS houses a four-man crew, commander, gunner, loader, and driver, all spaced out within a roomy interior. While this can sometimes prevent a single penetrating round from instantly knocking out the tank, it also means a larger internal volume to be hit. Ammunition is stored in racks near the center and front of the tank, making hull penetrations especially dangerous.
To offset these risks, the M60A3 TTS is equipped with several defensive aids, including:
| Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA): | Helps reduce damage from chemical and some ATGM rounds. |
| Smoke Grenade Launchers: | Quickly conceal the vehicle to break line of sight or cover a retreat. |
| Engine Smoke System (ESS): | Allows the tank to generate a smoke screen while moving. |
| Laser Rangefinder & Thermal Imaging (TTS): | Reduces exposure time by improving target detection with thermals and long-range accuracy being aided by the rangefinder. |
Armor Comparison:
Compared to other vehicles at its battle rating such as the Leopard A1A1, T-72A, and Type 74, the M60A3 TTS offers better protection against chemical rounds thanks to its ERA, but still falls short against most modern kinetic penetrators. While its turret cheeks are thick enough to resist some older shells, the combination of a high silhouette and thin side armor makes it vulnerable to flanking shots, overpressure, and autocannon fire.
Its best defense is good positioning. Staying hull-down and using smoke tactically can greatly extend its survivability. In open terrain or prolonged brawls, however, the armor will rarely save the tank from a well-placed shot particularly against tanks with modern APFSDS.
Mobility
The M60A3 TTS offers reliable, if dated, mobility, a reflection of its Cold War roots. Powered by a 750 hp engine pushing 52.6 tons, the tank has a power-to-weight ratio of 14.3 hp/ton, giving it enough torque to get moving but lacking the agility of more modern MBTs. With a top speed of 48 km/h forward and a reverse speed of 11 km/h, the TTS performs well enough for supporting roles but struggles to outmaneuver faster threats or reposition quickly under fire.
Despite its limitations, the M60A3 TTS remains stable on the move and benefits from the classic M60 suspension, which performs reliably across most surfaces. Acceleration is slow, and turns feel heavy, especially in tight terrain or when retreating from an ambush. The reverse speed is just enough to get out of a firing line, but don’t expect much.
- Max Forward Speed: 48 km/h
- Max Reverse Speed: 11 km/h
Terrain Handling:
Off-road, the M60A3 TTS handles predictably. Flat terrain poses no issues but inclines can seriously hamper acceleration. Urban environments help compensate for the sluggish engine, but the vehicle’s weight still causes noticeable drag when turning or trying to change direction on a slope. While it can go most places, it won’t do so quickly.
Mobility Comparison:
At its BR, the M60A3 TTS feels outpaced by most peers in terms of raw mobility. Tanks like the Leopard A1A1 and Type 74 have lighter frames and better engines, making them far more nimble and adaptable.
The M60A3 TTS isn’t a slug, but it definitely favors deliberate positioning over fast flanking plays. It works best when holding a lane or anchoring a push from a second line and not leading a charge.
Usage in Battles
The M60A3 TTS is best played as a second-line support tank, capitalizing on its excellent sighting equipment and reliable firepower while avoiding prolonged exposure. Thanks to its thermal imaging and laser rangefinder, it excels at spotting and engaging targets at long range, especially in low-light conditions where other tanks might struggle. However, despite improvements in gun handling and ammunition, its dated hull and modest mobility demand a more calculated approach.
This tank isn’t a frontline bruiser and I cannot say this enough. The turret can deflect some rounds, and the ERA helps in niche situations, but most modern APFSDS will make short work of your armor. Instead, the M60A3 TTS shines when positioned on a ridge or flank, scanning open areas for targets of opportunity and supporting your team with accurate long-range fire.
To maximize its potential, you should leverage the thermal imaging to detect other enemies easily, particularly those obscured by foliage. Rely on your precise APFSDS firepower at range, engaging opponents before they can close in while also maintaining a posture that minimizes risk. Hide your vulnerable hull behind natural obstacles and use smoke tactically when the situation deteriorates. For instance, if you become overextended or are being flanked, deploying the smoke effectively with the Engine Smoke System (ESS) can create the cover you need to reposition. A clever ESS trick is to activate it to form a screen, then switch to your thermal sight; most enemies without thermals will be unable to see you, allowing you to spot and engage targets while staying obscured.
While it can’t lead a charge like newer MBTs, the M60A3 TTS becomes a formidable support platform in the hands of a patient and strategic player. Position well, watch your angles, and strike first. With its upgraded optics and decent gun, the TTS rewards those who think before they move and shoot before they’re seen.
