M103 heavy tank

The M103 Heavy Tank (officially designated 120mm Gun Combat Tank M103, initially T43) was a heavy tank that served in the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps during the Cold War. Introduced in 1957, it served through 1974, by which time evolution of the concept of a main battle tank considered heavy tanks obsolete.

M103 heavy tank
M103A2 at the Bovington Tank Museum
TypeHeavy tank
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1957–1974
Production history
ManufacturerChrysler
No. built300
VariantsM103A1, M103A2
Specifications
Mass65 short tons (58 long tons; 59 t)
Length37 ft 2 in (11.33 m)
Width12 ft 2 in (3.71 m)
Height10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Crew5 (commander, gunner, driver, 2 loaders)

Armor127 mm (5 in) @ 60 degrees
254 mm LoS (10 in)
Main
armament
120 mm gun M58, 34 rounds
Secondary
armament
2×.30-cal (7.62 mm) M1919A4E1 machine gun
(co-axial)
1×.50-cal (12.7 mm) M2 AA machine gun
Engine(M103A1) Continental AV1790 12-cylinder air-cooled gasoline
810 hp (604 kW) 
(M103A2) Continental AVDS-1790-2, V12, air-cooled, twin turbocharged diesel
750 hp (560 kW)
Power/weightM103A2: 12.7 hp (9.5 kW) / tonne
TransmissionGeneral Motors CD-850-4A or -4B, 2 ranges forward, 1 reverse
Suspensiontorsion bar
Fuel capacity280 US gallons (710 liters)
Operational
range
M103: 80 mi (130 km)
M103A2: 295 mi (480 km)
Maximum speed M103: 21 mph (34 km/h)
M103A2: 23 mph (37 km/h)
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