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M60-2000
M60-2000
M60-2000
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Key Information

The General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) M60-2000 or 120S was an upgrade developed for the M60 tank. The development of the M60-2000 was initiated primarily due to the large number of M60 main battle tanks in service with many Middle Eastern nations unable to afford a sufficient force of more modern main battle tanks. The upgrade was marketed at those M60 users with the industrial capability to convert the tanks themselves. The M60-2000/120S was a GDLS supplied conversion kit that married the turret of the M1A1 variant of the M1 Abrams to the M60A1 hull of the M60, offering many features of the M1A1 Abrams to existing M60 users at a reduced cost.

Development

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It was first referred to the M60-2000 Program and design work began in late 1999 by General Dynamics Land Systems as a private venture for the export market and was never evaluated for US military service. Later the M60 designation was dropped because of the extensive changes and to highlight this as a new vehicle to potential customers thus changing the name to the 120S Project. The 120 represented the gun, and S according to company marketing stood for Speed and Survivability. Two of the major upgrades this would offer to the M60 series of the vehicle.[3] It is essentially a hybrid vehicle consisting of an M1A1 version of the Abrams tank turret mated to a M60A1 hull. The M60-2000 was test-marketed during 2000 and a number of countries in NATO and the Middle East were briefed on the vehicle. Following customer feedback, detailed engineering work was carried out and in December GDLS decided to build a functional prototype.[4] In August 2001 the company rolled out the fully functional prototype of the 120S tank at their Detroit, Michigan, facility. The prototype was shown at the IDEF Exhibition held in Turkey in October 2001.

Description

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During development an upgrade to the M60A3 turret was considered, but the M1A1 turret was used because of its higher level of armor protection and the fact that the 120 mm ammunition is separated in the turret bustle. For the 120S Project the M1A1 turret and M60A1 series chassis were leased from the US Army. The turret is mated to the existing M60 chassis using an adapter ring that allows the use of the M1A1 wire race ring with no turret modifications. It consisted of a functional M1A1 turret, M1 turret gear box, hydraulic pump and an M1A1 slip ring adapter.[4] Many of the subsystems were already well proven and in volume production.

The turret armor is of a composite material and lacks the protective depleted uranium (DU) meshing found in the M1A1HA (Heavy Armor) variant of the Abrams tank. The hull armor is conventional hardened steel. It was planned that armor packages for the production vehicles would be customized for each customer. Available options included additional STANAG Level 6 armor plating for the hull frontal arc to the third road wheel, slat/cage armor skirting for the turret, steel or composite armored side skirts, spall liners and reactive armor packages.[5]

The M60A1 chassis was modified with the enhanced torsion bar system of the M1 series tank to take account of the additional weight of the M1A1 turret as well as the additional armor that would have been fitted to production vehicles. An optional offering was to replace the torsion bar suspension with hydropneumatic units for improved cross-country ride. The prototype of the 120S retains the standard M60 series power pack consisting of a Continental V-12 750 hp (560 kW) air-cooled, AVDS-1790-2 diesel engine with a CD-850-6 cross drive transmission, with a range of 275 miles (443 kilometres). It was envisioned that production vehicles would have the more powerful General Dynamics Land Systems AVDS-1790-9 diesel developing 1,200 hp (890 kW) and Allison X-1100-5 series automatic transmission extending operational range to over 300 miles (480 km) but other power pack combinations were also offered as well as road wheels and drive sprocket being replaced by M1A1 components and the Abrams T158 lightweight track if desired. The upper part of the suspension of the prototype is fitted with mock ballistic side skirts and new sponsions. It has a crew of 4, the commander, loader and gunner are positioned in the turret and the driver in the front of the hull.

Weapons systems

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The main weapon is a fully stabilized M256 120 mm smoothbore gun with a thermal sleeve as used on the M1A1 version of the Abrams tank and carries 36 rounds in the turret bustle. The ammunition is stored in the turret bustle with blow-out panels for better survivability. Production versions planned to have additional round storage in safe boxes on the hull floor. Secondary armament consists of two M240C 7.62 mm machine guns. One of them is mounted coaxially on the right of the main gun, another is mounted over the loader's hatch. There is also a roof-mounted M2HB 12.7 mm machine gun, mounted over commander's hatch. The turret is fitted with two six-barreled, electronically fired M250 smoke grenade launchers, one on each side of the main gun. The smoke grenades contain a phosphor compound that masks thermal signature of the vehicle to the enemy. A Vehicle Engine Exhaust Smoke System (VEESS) can also be laid from the engine operated system to visually obscure the area around the vehicle.[6]

The electronics package used components designed by Hughes consisting of a 240X4 Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) day/FLIR stabilized sight with an eye-safe laser range-finder, a Thermal Imaging System (TIS), an onboard digital fire control computer and data bus providing a similar capability as the M1 Abrams Mark 1 Advanced Fire Control System. Production vehicles would also have a BITE (Built In Test Equipment) package.[5]

Results

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The 120S was initially aimed at the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) M60 upgrade requirement but this competition was subsequently won by Israel Military Industries with their Sabra II upgrade. The Egyptian Army was considering this offer until it was finally rejected in favor of a licensed contract to build M1s in Egypt.[7] Only one prototype was made. As of early 2009 there were no sales of the 120S tank and was no longer mentioned in General Dynamics marketing literature. The prototype was disassembled and the hull and turret returned to the US Army in 2003.[5]

See also

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References

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Sources

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M60-2000

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The M60-2000, also designated as the 120S, is an upgraded main battle tank developed by General Dynamics Land Systems as a cost-effective modernization kit for the M60 Patton series, integrating the M1A1 Abrams turret onto an enhanced M60A1 hull to improve firepower, mobility, and survivability for export customers. Initiated in the late 1990s, the project targeted nations with large M60 inventories, such as Egypt, Greece, and Turkey, offering a pathway to extend the service life of these vehicles without the full expense of acquiring new-generation tanks like the M1 Abrams. The prototype was completed by August 2001 and publicly unveiled at the IDEF 2001 defense exhibition in Ankara, Turkey, where it demonstrated advanced armor capabilities to potential buyers, including the Turkish Main Battle Tank Committee. Despite interest, no production orders were secured, and the program remained at the demonstrator stage. Key enhancements include the 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun from the M1A1, capable of firing modern ammunition types, paired with a computerized supporting day/night targeting and commander’s independent thermal viewer integration. The upgraded features a 1,200 hp AVDS-1790-9A and M1A1-style suspension for better on-the-move accuracy, achieving a top speed of 61.6 km/h and a of 21.3 hp/ at a weight of 56,250 kg. storage is compartmentalized in the turret bustle for , with capacity for 42 rounds of 120 mm projectiles, alongside 11,400 rounds of 7.62 mm and 1,000 rounds of 12.7 mm. The design emphasizes compatibility with existing M60 logistics while delivering performance comparable to contemporary main battle tanks at approximately half the cost.

Background and Development

Origins of the Upgrade

The M60 Patton series, introduced in the early as a second-generation , served as the U.S. Army's primary armored vehicle during much of the , with over 15,000 units produced. By the 1990s, however, the M60 had become obsolete in comparison to third-generation tanks like the , which featured superior composite armor, advanced fire control systems, and a 120 mm smoothbore gun, rendering the M60's 105 mm rifled gun, thinner steel armor, and analog electronics inadequate against modern threats. In late 1999, (GDLS) initiated the as a private venture to address these shortcomings, aiming to develop an affordable upgrade kit that could modernize existing M60 hulls without requiring a complete fleet replacement. The project focused on integrating proven components from the series onto the M60A1 or A3 chassis, targeting nations with large inventories of these variants that lacked the budget for new-generation tanks. This approach allowed GDLS to leverage its expertise as the prime contractor for the Abrams, offering a cost-effective path to enhanced capabilities for allied forces. The program was later renamed the 120S Project, with the "120" denoting the upgraded 120 mm main gun and "S" emphasizing the core goals of speed and to extend the M60's service life into the . These objectives were driven by the need to improve mobility through a more powerful engine and enhance protection via modular armor kits, all while maintaining logistical compatibility with existing M60 fleets. Strategically, the upgrade targeted post-Cold War budget constraints faced by U.S. allies, particularly in the , where the end of major conflicts and reduced made full procurement of tanks like the Abrams prohibitive. Countries such as and , operating hundreds of M60A1 and A3 tanks transferred from U.S. stocks after the drawdowns, were primary prospects, as the kit enabled local industries to perform conversions and avoid the high costs of acquiring entirely new vehicles. This initiative aligned with broader efforts to sustain coalition interoperability while addressing the proliferation of advanced threats from adversaries equipped with and derivatives.

Prototype Development

The M60-2000 project, also designated as the 120S, was initiated by (GDLS) in late 1999 as a private venture to develop an upgrade package for existing fleets targeted at export markets. Following initial customer feedback from nations operating large numbers of M60 series vehicles, detailed engineering commenced, culminating in GDLS's decision in December 2000 to construct a single functional prototype. Hull modifications on an M60A1 chassis and integration of the M1A1 turret were completed by early August 2001 at GDLS's Detroit, Michigan facility. A key engineering challenge was adapting the M60A1 hull—originally engineered for the lighter 105 mm M68 gun turret—to support the substantially heavier M1A1 turret assembly, which necessitated structural reinforcements to the turret ring and hull roof, along with upgrades including a new and transmission derived from the to maintain mobility under the increased load of approximately 56 tons. Additional modifications included custom adapters for mating the M1A1 turret and suspension components to the M60 chassis, as well as the addition of ballistic side skirts for improved protection. These changes were designed to leverage proven M1A1 subsystems while minimizing the need for extensive redesign of the legacy M60 platform. The completed was unveiled on September 27, 2001, during the opening ceremonies of the IDEF 2001 defense exhibition in , , serving as a marketing demonstration to attract interest from potential export customers, particularly and , which maintained sizable M60 inventories. Conceived as a -effective conversion kit rather than a full new-production , the M60-2000 allowed operators to upgrade their tanks for roughly half the acquisition of an equivalent M1A1 Abrams, with GDLS providing the necessary components and technical support for local integration. Only this single was ever built, emphasizing the project's focus on demonstrator and export potential over mass production.

Design Overview

Hull and Structure

The M60-2000 employs the M60A1 hull as its foundational , leveraging the established design of the earlier for cost-effective modernization. This hull configuration maintains overall dimensions of 9.55 meters in length (gun forward), 3.63 meters in width over tracks, and 2.89 meters in height to the turret top. It accommodates a standard four-person crew layout—commander, gunner, loader, and driver—consistent with the original M60 series for operational familiarity and efficiency. The combat-loaded weight reaches 56.25 tonnes, an increase of approximately 3.65 tonnes over the standard M60A1's 52.6 tonnes, primarily attributable to the heavier turret assembly. Structural modifications to the hull include reinforcements to support the elevated mass and recoil dynamics, featuring an updated system adapted with M1A1 rotary shock absorbers, T-158 tracks, and ballistic side skirts integrated via sponsons for greater stability and protection during mobility. These adaptations enhance the chassis's compatibility with the M1A1 turret while preserving the core M60A1 running gear integrity.

Turret Integration

The M60-2000, developed as a main battle tank upgrade kit by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) of United States origin, features a single prototype constructed in 2001 at the company's Detroit facility. This upgrade directly mates the M1A1 Abrams turret—complete with its 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun—to the existing M60A1 hull ring without requiring modifications to the turret itself. Compatibility is achieved through a custom adapter ring that accommodates the M1A1's wire race bearing system, ensuring structural integrity and alignment between the turret and hull. Electrical integration is facilitated by the incorporation of the M1A1 slip ring at the turret-hull interface, which provides seamless connectivity for power, controls, and sensor data transmission. The turret rotation system utilizes the M1A1's electrohydraulic gearbox and pump assembly, adapted to the M60 platform for reliable operation under the demands of the heavier 120 mm armament. This setup delivers a maximum traverse speed of 40 degrees per second, allowing full 360-degree rotation in approximately 9 seconds, which enhances responsiveness in dynamic scenarios. To handle the increased weight of the M1A1 turret, the M60 hull incorporates reinforcements, including adapters for upgraded rotary shock absorbers and torsion bars. Internally, the turret retains the M1A1's layout optimized for 120 mm , with the loader's station ergonomically configured for efficient round handling from the . storage prioritizes crew safety through full compartmentalization in the turret , accommodating 36 rounds of 120 mm projectiles. This design draws on proven survivability features from the M1A1, minimizing risks from events during combat.

Armament and Electronics

Primary Weapon System

The primary weapon system of the M60-2000 upgrade features the 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun, a license-built version of the L/44 cannon originally developed for the tank series. This gun is fully stabilized in two planes and equipped with a and fume extractor to enhance operational reliability and barrel life during sustained fire. Mounted in the integrated M1A1-derived turret, it provides the M60 hull with modern anti-armor capabilities far surpassing the original 105 mm M68 gun. The M256 gun fires a range of NATO-standard 120 mm , including armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS), multipurpose (HEAT-MP), and high-explosive (HE) rounds. APFSDS projectiles achieve muzzle velocities of approximately 1,650 m/s, enabling effective engagement of armored targets at extended ranges. The system stores 42 rounds in a turret bustle configuration optimized for rapid access and crew safety, with compartmentalization to mitigate risks in case of penetration. A , adapted from the Abrams design, absorbs the gun's high-energy firing impulse while maintaining platform stability. Fire control integration draws directly from the M1A1 Abrams, incorporating a computerized ballistic computer, , and thermal imaging sights for the gunner. A commander's independent thermal viewer (CITV) was proposed as a potential to allow for independent target acquisition and handoff to the gunner, supporting hunter-killer operations. This setup delivers a high first-round hit probability day/night against stationary and moving targets, thanks to advanced stabilization and environmental compensation algorithms.

Secondary Armament and Defenses

The M60-2000 features secondary armament consisting of two 7.62 mm M240 machine guns—one mounted coaxially with the main gun and the other at the commander's station—with a total capacity of 11,400 rounds, alongside a 12.7 mm M2HB positioned on the turret roof with 1,000 rounds. These weapons provide against and light vehicles, integrating seamlessly with the primary for coordinated engagements. For enhanced situational awareness, the tank incorporates optics and sensors derived from the M1A1 Abrams, including a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system and thermal imaging system (TIS) that enable day and night operations. The FLIR supports target detection at ranges up to 5 km, allowing the crew to identify threats in low-visibility conditions such as darkness or adverse weather. Defensive measures include twelve M250 grenade launchers (two six-barreled units) arranged around the turret to deploy smoke screens for obscuration and evasion. The also retains a comprehensive (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection suite with overpressure s to safeguard the against contaminated environments. Crew interfaces have been modernized with an upgraded for clear internal communication during operations and battle management displays that facilitate real-time data sharing and coordination among the four-person . These enhancements improve response times and tactical decision-making without altering the core M60 layout.

Performance Specifications

Mobility

The M60-2000 utilizes the Continental AVDS-1790-9A V12 air-cooled diesel engine, producing 1,200 hp and yielding a power-to-weight ratio of 21.3 hp/tonne at a combat weight of 56.25 tonnes. This powerplant pairs with the Allison X-1100-5 automatic transmission and final drive sprockets, facilitating maximum forward speeds of 61.6 km/h on roads and reverse speeds up to 10 km/h. The vehicle maintains an internal fuel capacity of 1,860 liters, supporting an operational range of 443 km on roads, while its fording capability reaches 1.2 in unprepared conditions. Mobility is further supported by a system featuring six road wheels per side and enhanced shock absorbers, which improve ride quality and performance across rough terrain compared to the standard M60; the integration of an M1A1-derived suspension enhances cross-country agility and firing stability on the move.

Protection Features

The M60-2000's protection emphasizes enhancements to the turret while retaining the legacy hull design of the M60A1, resulting in an asymmetric survivability profile focused on frontal engagements. The turret incorporates Burlington composite armor, a Chobham-style layered system of steel, ceramics, and other materials, with optional mesh for added density and penetration resistance. This configuration provides advanced protection comparable to the M1A1 turret across the frontal arc, as demonstrated to potential buyers including the Turkish Army. In contrast, the hull preserves the original M60A1 homogeneous armor, with the upper plate measuring 109 mm thick at a 65-degree from horizontal, yielding about 250 mm effective thickness against KE penetrators based on line-of-sight calculations. The sides and rear maintain the baseline M60 specifications of roughly 70-100 mm RHA, offering limited defense against shaped-charge warheads or flanking attacks. This legacy hull renders the vehicle vulnerable to modern anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), which typically exceed 400 mm penetration, highlighting the upgrade's prioritization of turret-centric improvements over comprehensive hull retrofitting. The prototype lacks explosive reactive armor (), relying instead on passive measures for additional protection. Spaced armor skirts along the hull sides create air gaps to disrupt incoming projectiles, while the turret's compartmentalized 120 mm ammunition storage includes blow-out panels designed to vent internal explosions outward, reducing crew risk from ammunition cook-offs. These features, inherited from the M1A1 design, enhance overall survivability in controlled scenarios but do not fully mitigate the hull's inherent weaknesses against contemporary threats.

Operational History

Testing and Demonstrations

Following the completion of assembly, the M60-2000 prototype underwent initial post-assembly trials in 2001 at U.S. testing ranges, where engineers validated the seamless integration of the upgraded turret with the existing M60A1 hull, the precision of the , and fundamental mobility parameters under controlled conditions. These trials were complemented by prior component-level testing, including extensive evaluations of the upgraded —featuring the 1,200 hp AVDS-1790-9A engine—and the system, which were rigorously assessed for compatibility and performance in a modified high-mobility M60 armoured bridgelayer platform. The prototype was publicly unveiled at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2001 in Ankara, Turkey, on 27 September 2001, where turret armor capabilities were demonstrated to potential buyers, including the Turkish Main Battle Tank Committee. Reliability assessments involved short-term endurance runs that confirmed the operational harmony between the engine, transmission, and other drivetrain elements, with no significant failures documented during the limited prototype evaluation phase. The upgraded fire control system provided expected improvements in targeting accuracy over the standard M60 series, though the original M60A1 hull retained limitations in protection against modern threats.

Adoption Attempts

The M60-2000, also known as the 120S, was marketed by General Dynamics Land Systems primarily to NATO allies and Middle Eastern nations operating large fleets of aging M60 Patton tanks, positioning it as a cost-effective upgrade that could achieve performance comparable to the M1A1 Abrams at roughly half the acquisition cost of a new tank. Key targets included Turkey and Egypt, both of which maintained substantial M60 inventories and sought modernization options without the full expense of procuring entirely new main battle tanks. In Turkey, the prototype was publicly unveiled at the IDEF 2001 defense exhibition in Ankara, where it was demonstrated to senior Turkish Land Forces Command officials as a viable upgrade path for their over 900 M60s. Egypt was also briefed on the program, with offering to build a dedicated for evaluation as part of broader discussions on enhancing their M60 fleet. However, Egyptian military planners ultimately favored acquiring new M1A1 Abrams tanks under a U.S.-Egypt co-production agreement that began in the and resulted in over 1,100 units entering service, effectively sidelining upgrade proposals like the M60-2000 in favor of full fleet replacement with more advanced platforms. In competitive tenders, the M60-2000 failed to secure contracts, most notably in Turkey's modernization program for its M60 series, where it lost to the Israeli Military Industries' Sabra Mk II (later designated M60T in Turkish service) upgrade package. The Sabra, which similarly integrated a 120 mm gun and enhanced protection on an M60 hull but with Israeli-specific modifications, was selected without a formal , leading to the upgrade of 170 Turkish M60A3 tanks between 2007 and 2009. This outcome reflected geopolitical preferences for established partnerships and local production capabilities over the American hybrid proposal. Following these unsuccessful bids, the sole M60-2000 prototype was returned to the after its international demonstrations and subsequently disassembled, with its components reintegrated into U.S. Army inventory by 2003. No further development or marketing efforts were pursued, and as of 2006, no sales had been recorded. As of 2025, the program has not resulted in any production or exports, remaining at the prototype stage. The M60-2000's lack of underscored the export market challenges for hybrid upgrade kits, which struggled against both new tank acquisitions and regionally tailored competitors like the Sabra, despite the conceptual appeal of leveraging existing M60 for rapid modernization.
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