MBT-70

MBT-70

XM803

M1 Abrams

MBT-70

XM803

M1 Abrams

USA

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
9.0	9.3	9.3

Class:

Medium tank

Research:110 000

Purchase:620 000

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Description

The 152-mm Gun-Launcher Main Battle Tank 70 (shortened as MBT-70) is a Rank VI American medium tank with a battle rating of 9.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.71 "New E.R.A".

The MBT-70 handles like virtually no other vehicle (barring the KPz-70, its German twin) in the game in terms of its ability to pickup and maintain speed over various terrains. Cross country mobility is arguably the best currently available in the game and is one of the signature traits that stands out about it.

Unlike the Soviet T-64A (its main rival), the MBT-70 does not utilise composite armour, but an air gap that forces munitions penetrating the initial layers to lose their mass by fragmenting apart before moving to the next layer of armour. This general design concept has been in use as far back as WW2 and is even used to this day on modern fighting vehicles.

Spaced armour works wonderfully well against shaped charge munitions or any other munition with explosive filler provided it is of a stronger protection rating. Proceeding weapons and munitions development has seen this benefit decreased with either more powerful or tandem charge warheads and can be seen in-game against weapons that proceeded different designs of spaced armour. As such you will find weapons that were designed to defeat spaced armour such as the HOT-K3S ATGM and BAE Swingfire system that will penetrate it. However the spaced armour in the MBT-70 works exactly as it was designed to do against older anti-tank missiles, HEAT, HE, and HESH munitions.

The tank mounts no external spaced armour. The armour on the side and rear of the tank is not worth mentioning as it will only stop light machine gun fire and some cannon fire on the turret. Adversary sabot rounds will penetrate clear through your engine and into the crew compartment most likely killing you if you are engaged from behind.

The most important feature that makes a tank is the cannon. In this department, the MBT-70 is no slouch. The 152 mm gun launcher system (similar to the one used on the M551 Sheridan), but with a longer barrel and is capable of firing a variety of munition types including an experimental APFSDS round, a traditional HEAT round (with high penetration), an experimental smoke round, and lastly the very capable and proven MGM-61C Shillelagh. This wide range of munition choices gives the operator a variety of options in pre-combat configuration which can greatly either hinder or enhance the tankers capability on the battlefield. The benefit of a longer barrel compared to its Sheridan counterpart ensures the MBT-70 is much more accurate at range and that the rounds leave the barrel at higher velocities thus increasing their overall damage dealing capabilities.

Additionally the 152 mm gun launcher gets equipped with an auto loader, greatly reducing its time between followup shots on a target. For targeting, the option to equip an incredibly accurate laser range finder is available. Additionally the 7.62 mm machine gun mounted in the turret can be used for range finding as well.

The Rheinmetall Rh 202 20 mm auto cannon is highly effective at dealing with light armoured battlefield threats and on some tanks exposed sides or rears. In some situations, it may be more beneficial to utilise the 20 mm as it will allow you to deal damage rapidly while conserving your main cannon ammunition. The cannon is also highly effective at shooting down low flying attackers. Note that if your commander is knocked out, you will lose use of this weapon.

The MBT-70 is equipped with a 1,470 horsepower air-cooled Continental V-12 diesel engine. This engine pack compared to its German counterpart produces slightly less power, but both vehicles handle essentially the same.

A highly advantageous feature is the hydro pneumatic suspension system which not only provides great cross country mobility, but allows the crew to position the vehicle in such a way to only expose the strongest armour at an enemy threat. The suspension can also be used to gain further gun depression by raising the rear of the tank and lowering the front thus allowing the gunner to engage from a position that he might not have been able to engage from previously.

The MBT-70 features the standard NATO track and rubber block design. The rubber track blocks provide great traction off road and on road compared to all metal tracks found on other fighting vehicles as sliding on a short halt or drifting is minimised.

Because of the elevated engine deck, gun depression is decreased significantly when firing or aiming the gun over the rear of the tank.

An unconventional feature at the time was that the MBT-70 was designed to house all the crew members in the turret. Because of the autoloading system, the need for a loader was eliminated and due to an attempt to further lower the tanks silhouette, the driver was located to the turret with the gunner and commander. This can have potentially devastating consequences on the battlefield as the crew can easily be injured or killed by penetrating munitions entering the crew compartment.

For defensive countermeasures, the tank is equipped with two quad barrel externally mounted smoke canister launchers on both sides of the turret, which can provide either a defensive screen for yourself or friendly forces. These launchers can be fired in pairs of two. Keep in mind the smoke grenade launchers are operated by the gunner so should he become incapacitated in a fight, you will not be able to launch them until he is either replaced by another crew member or you have the crew replenishment consumable unlocked.

Due to its low profile and effective array of camouflage options, the MBT-70 scores high marks in the concealability category. The addition of various foliage can further increase the ability to conceal the tank.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

• Spaced armour (Hull front, Turret front)
• Rolled homogeneous armour
• Cast homogeneous armour

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	34* mm (57°) Front glacis 76.2 mm (65°) Lower glacis	23-34 mm (0-55°) Top 23-35 mm Bottom	25.4 mm (12°) Top 25 mm (60°) Bottom 12.7 mm (29-45°) Engine exhaust	20 mm Front 12.7 mm Engine deck
Turret	50-200 mm (0-75°)	12.7-38* mm (29-34°)	12.7* mm (27-80°)	20-50 mm Front 12.7 mm Rear turret
Armour	Sides	Roof
Cupola	25 mm	25 mm
Spaced armour*	Front	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	200 mm Kinetic 170 mm Chemical	N/A	N/A	N/A
Turret	320 mm Kinetic 280 mm Chemical	38 mm sections: 320 mm Kinetic 280 mm Chemical 12.7 mm sections: 35 mm Kinetic 40 mm Chemical	35 mm Kinetic 40 mm Chemical	N/A

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick and tracks are 30 mm thick.
• Belly armour is 16 mm thick.
• Gun mantlet ring around the gun barrel is 305 mm thick.
• A 16 mm RHA plate separates the engine from the crew compartment
• Hull spaced armour configuration is 34 mm RHA + 127 mm air + 46 mm RHA.
• Turret spaced armour configuration is 38 mm RHA + 127 mm air + 130-33 mm RHA.
• Turret rear spaced armour configuration is 13 mm RHA + 38 mm air + 19 mm RHA.

The MBT-70 is still your average medium tank with weak side armour. Thus, flanking is a good strategy to take for a shot at the weak spots. Go for the ammo, which is located in front of the engine, or in the protruding end of the turret. If in a head on engagement, shoot it directly below the gun, but above the upper glacis. This spot has 250 mm of armour with no composite armour. This shot, if successful, should knock out most of the crew, and maybe even the horizontal drive, allowing for a flank in a fast vehicle.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons)	Add-on Armor weight (tons)	Max speed (km/h)
51.7	N/A	72 (AB)
		64 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	2,286	954
Realistic/Simulator	1,305	1,475
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	44.22	__.__
Realistic/Simulator	25.24	28.53

Armaments

Main armament

152 mm XM150E5
Capacity				Vertical guidance	Horizontal guidance
48				-10°/+20°	±180°
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode	Stock	Upgraded	Prior + Full crew	Prior + Expert qualif.	Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade	21.24	29.40	35.60	39.50	42.00
Realistic	21.24	25.00	30.30	33.60	35.70
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock	Prior + Full crew	Prior + Expert qualif.	Prior + Ace qualif.
10.00	10.00	10.00	10.00

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration in mm @ 90°
		10m	100m	500m	1000m	1500m	2000m
XM578E1	APFSDS	380	370	360	345	330	315
M409A1	HEAT	354	354	354	354	354	354
MGM-51C	ATGM	431	431	431	431	431	431

Shell details
Ammunition	Velocity in m/s	Projectile Mass in kg	Fuse delay in m:	Fuse sensitivity in mm:	Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):	Normalization At 30° from horizontal:	Ricochet:
							0%	50%	100%
XM578E1	1,500	3.7	N/A	N/A	N/A	+1.5°	76°	77°	78°
M409A1	754	19	0.0	0.1	3,730	+0°	62°	69°	73°
MGM-51C	323	28	0.0	0.01	3,600	+0°	80°	82°	90°

Smoke characteristic
Ammunition	Velocity in m/s	Projectile Mass in kg	Screen radius in m	Screen time in s	Screen hold time in s:	Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):
XM410E1	754	19	25	5	30	50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks for he MBT-70.

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
48	44 (+4)	33 (+15)	25 (+23)	7 (+41)	1 (+47)	No

Hull empty: 25 (+23)

Racks 4 and 5 deplete top row together first before emptying in the second row.

Machine guns

20 mm Rh202
Pintle mount
Capacity (Belt capacity)				Fire rate (shots/minute)	Vertical guidance	Horizontal guidance
750 (750)				900	-9°/+65°	±180°

7.62 mm M73
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity)				Fire rate (shots/minute)	Vertical guidance	Horizontal guidance
6,000 (250)				500	N/A	N/A

Usage in the battles

The tank plays very much like the M41A1 Walker Bulldog. Players familiar with the hit and run play style will easily adapt to the MBT-70. Its fast speed, especially with full upgrades and aced crew, allows it to maneuver into spots not typically accessible by less mobile tanks. Utilise this to an advantage to set up ambushes as this is how you will get most of your kills. It's important to recognise when an engagement is not beneficial to you so that you may get a better position or escape from the threat.

Despite the initial appearance of strong frontal armour, it's important to remember when compared to its counterparts at its rank, it is not nearly enough to defeat threats head on such as the T-64A. Even ATGM from missile vehicles such as the Raketenjagdpanzer 2 HOT will penetrate the turret and upper glacis plate. Even other Rank V tanks can and will penetrate from the front. Because of the rather condensed placement of crew and ammunition you will most likely die. Because of this it is critical you get the first shot off in an engagement and ensure it is either a kill shot or one that cripples the threat to such a capacity they either cannot engage or will instinctively panic and try to run to repair or determine your engagement location.

The gun is especially versatile and powerful with a wide range of ammunition selection but you will generally find your cannon-launched ATGM's and sabot rounds able to get the job done in most situations. The 20 mm turret roof mounted cannon is great for taking out lightly armoured targets (to include some tanks, ATGM vehicles, etc), anti-air, and aircraft.

Essentially if you treat this tank like a light tank or fast medium, your survivability will increase dramatically. The hydro pneumatic suspension allows you to position the tank in such ways that you can engage from non conventional spots while exposing only your strongest armour at the threat. The low silhouette makes the tank especially difficult to hit at longer ranges and this can be further enhanced by your adjustable suspension depending on the situation. Because of the accurate cannon, you will also find it to be easy to engage at longer ranges, which will maximise your strengths while reducing your targets.

In summary, the MBT-70 is a great addition to any end game lineup as it provides great flexibility in almost all engagements and is well worth the time and investment to acquire.

Tactics

Ambushing is your strength. As covered previously utilise your speed to get into firing positions quickly and cause chaos and confusion among the enemy.

The MBT-70 can also quickly capture objective points and when used properly hold positions so long as it does not stay in any one place to long.

Scoot and shoot tactics will benefit you as well as terrain masking techniques.

Should you have to fight in closer engagement ranges or in close quarters, it is critical to always remember that your armour will not protect you; however, your speed, fast rotating turret, and maneuverability will. Provided you utilise these to your advantage, you will be able to control the fight. Recognise when you are being baited into an ambush and avoid them as you don't stand a great chance of conducting a counter ambush due to your weak armour, which will allow you to be killed easily at close range.

If you have found yourself to be the victim of an ambush from an opponent, launch a smokescreen, escape, and reassess for a counter ambush.

The MBT-70 benefits greatly from squad play. A skilled lone MBT-70 is most certainly a threat on the battlefield, but two or even three MBT-70's working in conjunction with each other in a squad is an extreme danger to the opposing team as the use of squad tactics in combination with the great strengths of the tank can almost completely control the momentum of the conflict.

Modules

Like for most other tanks in-game so far, go for the Parts first, then Horizontal Turret drive, then for the FPE. After these critical upgrades, go for the APFSDS Shell, then either engine upgrades or gun upgrades, depending on the play style. Optics, Tracks, Suspension and Brakes shouldn't be a Priority #1.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Single-plane gun stabilizer.
• Decent 76 mm gun.
• Better maneuverability than its predecessor.
• Easy to use if you played the M4 Shermans before it.
• Very fast turret traverse.
• Quick reload for the 76 mm Gun.
• Wet ammo storage - Which reduces greatly ammo rack chances, is indicated by the "W" in its name, this also means tightly packed ammo only placed under the turret.
• Top-mounted .50 cal useful against fighters and open topped/light vehicles.
• Access to APCR shells.
• Great cross terrain performances due to larger tracks, same as the M4A3 (105).

Cons:

• All-around armour is very weak against most cannons.
• 76 mm gun, while adequate when top rank, is lacking against opponents.
• Doesn't like being uptiered against big tanks such as the Tiger II P and IS-2 1944.
• Tall profile.

Media

Skins and camouflages for the MBT-70 from live.warthunder.com.

Read also

[Devblog] KPz-70 & MBT-70 - A Warrior of Two Armies

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.