M1A1 AIM

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Rank 6 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the American main battle tank M1A1 AIM. For other versions, see M1 Abrams (Family).
M1A1 AIM
us_m1a1_aim_abrams.png
GarageImage M1A1 AIM.jpg
ArtImage M1A1 AIM.png
M1A1 AIM
AB RB SB
11.3 11.3 11.3
Research:550 000 Specs-Card-Activity.png
Purchase:1 000 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

As new threat profiles emerged from the Cold War, the Australians recognized that their existing fleet of Centurions and Leopards for the Royal Australian Armoured Corp (RAAC) was becoming obsolete in being able to protect the crew against these threats. To provide the Australian Army with the best protection capabilities against these threats and continue fighting in a combined arms fashion, the Australian government sought to replace their existing tank fleet with 59 M1A1 AIM tanks from the United States. The M1A1 AIM ("Abrams Integrated Management") are refurbished Abrams tanks with additional sensors and communication platforms for better integration with the new information space on the battlefield. The M1A1 AIM were put into service by the Australian Army in 2007.

Introduced in Update "Danger Zone" as a squadron vehicle unlock, the M1A1 AIM presents most of the benefits of the M1A1 tank. Players benefit from the tank's upgrade to the AIM variant, with better armour array and fire control system to allow better usage of the Abrams' great specifications. While the KE-W APFSDS round's penetration values may be lower than the M1A1's M829A1, it still packs enough power to be a threat against most targets the M1A1 AIM can be expected to face.

General info

Survivability and armour

Composite armour
Balanced protection against all types of ammunition
Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
ESS
Creation of a smoke screen in the direction of movement of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull133 / 60 / 32
Turret139 / 120 / 13
Crew4 people
Visibility82 %

At first glance, the M1A1 AIM looks identical to post-M1A1 Abrams variants with its iconic 120 mm M256 cannon; but if there's anything that can make it different from the M1A1 and HC variant in US service, it is the AIM package. This gives better protection to the M1A1 AIM in terms of its turret and LFP where revised DU armour was installed to fit the 21st century battlefield. Thanks to its relatively large size overall, players might sometimes find that a penetrating shot does lesser damage as the shrapnel damage is mitigated by the large internal space, smaller calibre shells are the same case as well; but do not take this protection for granted since there is still the infamous "neck" by the turret where penetrating shots have possibility of taking out crew in the turret. Do also keep an eye on the LFP as well since the overall thickness is still insufficient to stop darts at its rank. Like other Abrams, it has a blowout panel at the rear of the turret for protecting the crew from an ammo detonation; make sure to clear the rear right side of the hull of ammunition as a detonation would mean an instant-kill for the crew.

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull ___ mm ___ mm Top
___ mm Bottom
___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Turret ___ - ___ mm Turret front
___ mm Gun mantlet
___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Cupola ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm

Notes:

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB76 / 43 km/h
RB and SB69 / 39 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
4 back
Weight62.0 t
Engine power
AB2 898 hp
RB and SB1 519 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB46.7 hp/t
RB and SB24.5 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 76 43 62 2,058 2,898 33.19 46.74
Realistic 69 39 1,343 1,519 21.66 24.5

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB4 343 → 6 857 Sl icon.png
RB4 245 → 6 702 Sl icon.png
SB5 369 → 8 477 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications277 400 Rp icon.png
458 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost3 000 Ge icon.png
Crew training270 000 Sl icon.png
Experts950 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 200 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 210 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
150 / 190 / 210 % Sl icon.png
244 / 244 / 244 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
29 000 Sl icon.png
450 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
4 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
3 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement us.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
29 000 Sl icon.png
450 Ge icon.png
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
ESS
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
120mm_DM_HEAT_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
29 000 Sl icon.png
450 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
120mm_NATO_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
29 000 Sl icon.png
450 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods thermal sight.png
NVD
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder
Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.
Thermal imager
Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Main armament

Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition40 rounds
First-order17 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
6.5 → 5.0 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°
Main article: M256 (120 mm)

The M1A1 AIM is armed with the 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun, players of the M1A1 HC will soon find themselves at home as they share identical shells.

The stock round is M830 HEATFS, although it might not be effective in the late Cold War where tanks are usually equipped with ERA blocks or composite armour; be sure to take down the enemies from the sides or pick light targets as they will either be knocked out by the explosive contents or melted by the jet stream.

The researchable M830A1 MPAT shell, while having lesser explosive content and penetration, is equipped with a proximity fuze, making it effective against aforementioned targets as well as aircraft - a hit from it certainly critically damage any aircraft, if not taking them down outright.

Since there were limits from the Non-Proliferation Treaty of nuclear-related weapons, including DU rounds, RAAC received the tungsten alloy version of M829A1, the KE-W. Although it has lesser penetration compared to M829A1 at 583 mm, the "Silver Bullet" will still make short work of most armoured targets with one shot.

120 mm M256 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 40 -10°/+20° ±180° Two-plane 38.1 52.7 64.0 70.8 75.3 6.50 5.75 5.30 5.00
Realistic 23.8 28.0 34.0 37.6 40.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
M830 HEATFS 480 480 480 480 480 480
M830A1 HEAT MP 350 350 350 350 350 350
KE-W APFSDS 583 579 569 556 542 528
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M830 HEATFS 1,140 13.1 0.05 0.1 2.36 65° 72° 77°
KE-W APFSDS 1,585 4 - - - 78° 80° 81°
Proximity-fused shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Arming
distance (m)
Trigger
radius (m)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M830A1 HEAT MP 1,410 11.4 0.05 0.1 400 10 1.39 65° 72° 77°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M1A1 (identical)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
40 35 (+5) 18 (+22) (+39) No

Identical to the M1A1 and A1 HC, be sure to clear out all ammunition in the hull (5 rounds); although the Abrams has a blowout panel to save the crew from turret side shots, a solid hit on those 5 unprotected shells will cause players to quickly meet a miserable end.

Machine guns

Ammunition1 000 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-9° / 65°
Ammunition1 400 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate941 shots/min
Ammunition10 000 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate941 shots/min
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle (Commander) 1,000 (200) 575 -9°/+65° -160°/+180°
7.62 mm M240
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle (Loader) 1,400 (200) 941 -9°/+65° -77°/+135°
Coaxial 10,000 (200) 941 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

The AIM plays just like its regular tech tree counterparts, meaning seasoned Abrams players will already be accustomed to its playstyle. The increased turret protection allows it to make use of hull down tactics just as effectively as the M1A1 HC and M1A2, with the 2nd generation thermal sights allowing for easier target identification and acquisition at range. It can also brawl relatively well because of its quick reactionary ability. The KE-W APFSDS round is perfectly capable of tackling its contemporaries.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Has access to 2nd generation thermal sights allowing for easier targeting especially at long range
    • Also has access to 2nd generation thermals for the commander's machine gun
  • Effective turret armour
  • Good gun handling and reload speeds
  • M830A1 allows the engagement of helicopters
  • Highly effective KE-W APFSDS

Cons:

  • Poor stock grind with no tier 1 APFSDS round
  • Poor hull armour, easily penetrated by its contemporaries
  • Raised engine deck limits firing angles when the main gun is pointed rearwards

History

The Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) had been a long time user of European tanks including British Centurions and German Leopard AS1s. However, the Royal Australian Army opted to purchase M1A1s from from the United States as the replacement of Leopards in July 2007.[1] These 59 M1A1 AIM have their DU armour removed to comply with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and were deployed in the RAAC as their new generation MBT. These tanks were planned to be upgraded in the late 2010s, and later plans include building 75 M1A2 Sep v.3 domestically with a non-DU armour package specifically for Australia by 2024 to replace these 59 M1A1 AIMs.

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links

References


USA medium tanks
M2  M2
M3  M3 Lee · ▃Grant I
M4  M4 · Calliope · M4A1 · M4A1 (76) W · M4A2 · M4A2 (76) W · M4A3 (105) · M4A3 (76) W · M4/T26
M26 Pershing  T20 · T25 · M26 · M26 T99 · M26E1
M46/47/48 Patton  M46 · M46 "Tiger" · M47 · M48A1 · T54E1 · T54E2
M60  M60 · M60A1 (AOS) · M60A1 RISE (P) · M60A2 · M60A3 TTS · M728 CEV · 120S
MBT-70  MBT-70 · XM803
M1 Abrams  XM1 (Chrysler) · XM1 (GM)
  M1 Abrams · M1 KVT · IPM1
  M1A1 · M1A1 HC · M1A1 Click-Bait
  M1A2 Abrams · M1A2 SEP · M1A2 SEP V2
Other  T95E1
Australia  M1A1 AIM
Canada  M4A5
Israel  ▃Magach 3 (ERA) · ▃Merkava Mk.1 · ▃Merkava Mk.2B · ▃Merkava Mk.3D
Turkey  M60 AMBT

Squadron ground vehicles
USA  M901 · M1A1 AIM
Germany  Leopard 2 PL
USSR  BMP-2M · T-80UK
Britain  Bhishma TWMP
China  Object 122MT "MC"
Sweden  T 80 U
Israel  Magach 6B Gal