In the Cold War arms race for tank armaments, the US picked up an interest in developing an anti-tank guided missile as the main armament for tanks. As the M60 was coming into service, development started to create an ATGM armament for the tank with the goal of putting it into service by 1965. This developed into a 152 mm gun/launcher system that could fire conventional rounds or a Shillelagh missile system. Enthusiastic with the new weapon system, the US Army aimed to have the weapon equip both their newest airborne reconnaissance and assault vehicle and their main battle tanks. As a way to upgrade the existing M60 fleet with the new weapon system, the M60A1 would be converted to equip the system. A modified turret was provided to equip the gun/launcher system; however, the US Army's dream of a simple transition into the weapon system was trashed when complications with the system arose, especially in regards to the sensitive ammunition. While a limited production run was allowed with the tank designated as the M60A2, but continued trouble with the tank and poor troop reception led to the M60A2's phasing out with only 526 units produced.
Introduced in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica", the M60A2 is a rather unique vehicle with its gun/launcher system. Like on the M551 Sheridan, the weapon allows greater flexibility with blasting away lighter-armoured enemies with a 152 mm high-explosive shell to trigger an overpressure, or a HEAT round to penetrate steel armour, or the Shillelagh missile to inflict lethal blows to targets from range. However, unlike on the M551, the taller profile and platform of the M60A2 makes the weapon more difficult to employ as the M60A2 lacks the mobility and small size of the M551. Though the M60A2 is certainly more proof against enemy tank shells at its rank than the M551, it shouldn't be relied upon to stand up against a full-front attack from an enemy due to prominent weak points like the turret cupola. In short, the M60A2 can be a difficult weapon to employ, but can still present some opportunities if played to the weapon's strengths.
