120S

120S

M60A3 TTS

M1A1 HC

120S

M60A3 TTS

M1A1 HC

USA

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
10.3	10.3	10.3

Class:

Medium tank

Research:260 000

Purchase:710 000

Show in game

Description

Despite the end of the Cold War, General Dynamics Land System (GDLS) envisioned a potential customer base of countries equipped with Cold War era tanks like the Patton tanks that want to keep their technological edge by upgrading their existing systems rather than developing or procuring new tanks. GDLS started developing the M60-2000 in late 1999, an upgrade over the M60 platform to keep the tank up-to-date with the new M1 Abrams tank. Aside from updating the components to allow the M60-2000 to maintain similar mobility as the Abrams, the most distinctive feature of the M60-2000 was the use of a M1A1 turret on top of the M60 hull, allowing the tank upgrade to use a 120 mm M256 cannon. During development, the tank name was changed from M60-2000 into 120S. The tank was first marketed as a concept to prospective customers in Europe and the Middle East. The first prototype was produced and revealed in 2001. However, no orders came in for the 120S, and the sole prototype was eventually disassembled in 2003.

The M60 120S was introduced in Update "Alpha Strike" and while looking like a compressed M1 Abrams, it is a hybrid of capabilities between the M1A1 Abrams and the M60. Firstly, the elephant in the room is the large M1A1 turret planted atop a M60 hull. The turret brings the benefits of being equipped with a 120 mm cannon to defeat most of the 120S' foes as well as the turret armour of the M1A1 Abrams that can resist most incoming shots. However, the hull is where most of the disappointment lies in as it is just a M60 hull, the armour of which is quite negligible against the guns that can be faced and the engine isn't upgraded despite the heavier turret, so mobility is slower than preceding M60s. However, for players that have become accustomed to the M60 playstyle from the previous versions in the US tech tree, the 120S can be a refreshing change of pace with new armor and firepower opportunities.

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

Armourfront / side / back

Hull108 / 70 / 40

Turret230 / 49 / 57

Crew4 people

Visibility142 %

The 120S is a M60 hull mated with an Abrams turret. It inherits the usual M60 turret ring (flat 114 mm) weak spot with an even larger 70 mm flat neck. The hull is otherwise the same but unlike the previous M60's, players will notice additional side skirts on hull sides which might help against stray HEAT-FS shells. Turret on the other hand, comes from a M1A1 model and is simply invincible to the most shells the 120S is likely to encounter. Sadly, putting the heavily armored Abrams turret onto the M60 hull increases the weight of 120S up to 56.2 tons. All while still retaining the same 750 hp engine which translates to 120S being slower than almost all the MBT's at its respective battle rating, and unlike the Israeli upgraded M60's, the 120S doesn't have any ESS.

Armour type:

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	108 mm (66°) Front Glacis 137 mm (54°) Lower Glacis	36 - 70 + 65**mm Front half 36 - 70 + 6.5 mm Rear half	25 mm (1°) Engine Grille 40 mm (31°) Top 28 mm (61°) Bottom	36 mm Front 20 mm Engine deck
Turret	38*+101* mm (21-30°) 38*+18* mm (30-36°) Gun mantlet 25.4 mm (74-82°) Turret underside	19*+101* mm (30°) Crew compartment 6*+13* (30°) Ammo rack bustle	12.7 mm (43-48°) 25.4 mm (80-83°) Turret underside	38.1 mm Front 25.4 mm Rear 12.7 mm Panels
Cupola	25.4 mm (conical)

Notes: * RHA plates part of composite armour ** Composite screens

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB53 / 13 km/h

RB and SB48 / 12 km/h

Number of gears6 forward

2 back

Weight56.3 t

Engine power

AB1 431 hp

RB and SB750 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB25.4 hp/t

RB and SB13.3 hp/t

Being one of the slowest MBT's at its battle rating, 120S users are forced to play under the pressure of getting flanked by faster vehicles such as Leopard 2s. The slow speed of 120S means either the players have to spawn early to get to their desired positions or simply spawn late to protect objectives or spawn point. As a result of the poor stock engine, one can skip getting the top shell and LSR (as the M829 at the rank I is simply enough in terms of penetration and accuracy) in favour of mobility upgrades.

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	53	13	56.3	1,162	1,431	20.64	25.42
Realistic	48	12		663	750	11.78	13.32

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB4 444 → 6 612

RB4 306 → 6 407

SB5 033 → 7 489

Total cost of modifications211 200

354 000

Talisman cost2 800

Crew training200 000

Experts710 000

Aces2 100

Research Aces1 080 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

150 / 200 / 250 %

232 / 232 / 232 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 7 600 Cost: 12 000 250 Suspension Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 430 Brake System Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 430 Filters Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 460 Transmission Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 400 Engine Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 400	Improved Parts Research: 2 300 Cost: 12 000 250 Improved FPE Research: 3 900 Cost: 20 000 430 Crew Replenishment Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 460	Horizontal Drive Research: 7 600 Cost: 12 000 250 120mm_NATO_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 7 600 Cost: 12 000 250 120mm_DM_HEAT_FS_ammo_pack Research: 7 600 Cost: 12 000 250 120mm_M908_HE_OR_ammo_pack Research: 7 600 Cost: 12 000 250 Adjustment of Fire Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 430 Elevation Mechanism Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 460 Smoke grenade Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 460 Artillery Support Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 400 Laser rangefinder Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 400 120mm_M829A_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 400 NVD Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 400

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

120 mm M256 cannon

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Ammunition42 rounds

First-order17 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

6.5 → 5.0 s

Vertical guidance-10° / 20°

The 120S has the same 120mm M256 smoothbore gun used by the later Abrams tanks, and has the same ammunition options as the M1A1 consisting of M830 HEATFS as its stock shell, M829 APFSDS as a Tier I modification, and M829A1 as a Tier IV modification. In terms of battle rating, this is the lowest where these rounds are found with M829A1 undoubtedly being better than any other contemporary APFSDS round at this rank. It allows the 120S to comfortably tackle almost any target it comes across even from some distance away.

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	42	-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
M829	APFSDS	491	488	481	473	464	454
M830A1	HEAT MP	350	350	350	350	350	350
M829A1	APFSDS	598	596	589	580	570	560
M908	HE-OR	300	300	300	300	300	300

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°
M829	APFSDS	1,670	4.27	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°
M829A1	APFSDS	1,575	4.89	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°
M908	HE-OR	1,410	11.4	0.4	5	1.99	65°	72°	77°

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	1.99	65°	72°	77°

Ammo racks

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
42	39 (+3)	35 (+7)	18 (+24)	1 (+41)	No

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun

Ammunition1 000 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate575 shots/min

Vertical guidance-9° / 65°

7.62 mm M240 machine gun

Ammunition1 400 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate941 shots/min

7.62 mm M240 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition10 000 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate941 shots/min

Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Commander's cupola	1,000 (200)	575	-9°/+65°	-160°/+180°

7.62 mm M240
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Loader's cupola	1,400 (200)	941	-9°/+65°	-77°/+135°
Coaxial	10,000 (200)	941	-	-

Usage in battles

Being a tall MBT is not always a bad thing. With the superior turret protection, 120S can hold long lines as long as there is something to cover its weak hull.

The 120S must use its strongpoints to alleviate its handicaps. The MBT inherits the excellent 2nd-generation thermal view and the superb 120 mm M256 cannon. The fast turret slew rate and the quick reload is the cherry on top. Let's also not forget the blowout panels (up to 34 shells can be taken without worrying). Compared to the M1 Abrams experience, gameplay will be slow but much more satisfying due to the M829A1 shell, which will not care about the opposition. Players do not have to worry about dealing with annoying Leopard 2s or the reckless USSR MBTs.

Common tactics include performing hull down or covering hull behind solid cover. If possible, while reloading, simply turn the turret slightly to side to decrease chances of getting the breech damaged. Due to the fast reload, one can bait enemies by shooting. Care must be taken to have enough room between You and enemy to have the next shell ready before they peek. An even rare tactic is to use the poor armour of the 120S to bait shots, such as turning at the last second to the opposite direction of where enemy is aiming (most likely hull). At the end of turn, the hull must look sideways to the enemy, thus when done right, only the engine will be damaged.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Very quick reload, up to 5 seconds with an ace crew
• Very good firepower, can comfortably tackle whatever it faces even at higher BRs
• Superb gun handling
• Effective hull down capability due to the M1A1 turret
• 2nd generation thermals for the gunner
• Unlike most NATO MBTs, can look behind due to high placement of the turret

Cons:

• Poor mobility, compounded by poor reverse speed
• Poor hull armour made up of just RHA
• Very obvious turret neck that sticks out from the hull
• Lack of a commander sight hampers the combat effectiveness in simulator mode

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Devblog

Late in 1999, General Dynamics Land Systems were looking to put a tank together that was suitable to export to countries as a cheaper alternative to the current main battle tanks. To attract buyers, it was decided to pair an M1A1 turret onto an M60A1 hull — a hull which was already in use with many countries around the world. This combination could also allow for countries to convert their existing M60 hulls into the M60 120S standard if required. In August 2001 the first prototype was completed and subsequently shown at the IDEF Exhibition in Turkey in October 2001. Having been proposed to countries such as Turkey and Egypt, there was no interest and the project was abandoned with only 1 prototype being built.

Media

Videos

The Shooting Range #398 - Metal Beasts section at 00:25 discusses the 120S.

See also

• M60 (Family)
  • Magach 7C - Israeli end of the line upgraded M60

External links

• [Devblog] M60 120S: The Frankentank