The US Army is testing improved versions of the M1 Abrams tank. This tank has changed one of its secondary weapons to the M134 minigun.
The minigun can fire up to 6,000 rounds per minute, and boasts a firing speed of about 10 times faster than a traditional M240 machine gun. It provides overwhelming firepower against urban and drones-like threats. The 1st Armored Division, which is in charge of the test, emphasized that the weapon “provides a tactical advantage over complex terrain”, noting that tanks are vulnerable to ambush attacks, especially in dense urban areas.
However, this modification also presents several challenges. The tested minigun will require soldiers to manually operate it from the loader’s hatch, which will expose them to enemy firepower. Experts have criticized this lack of protection and suggested that the remotely controlled version is safer. Furthermore, as a single minute of continuous fire consumes as much as 3,000 rounds of ammunition, it may not be suitable for long-term combat. The Army is looking at solutions that utilize computer-controlled aim systems and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve accuracy for drones and moving targets.
This initiative reflects lessons learned from the Ukrainian War. There, tanks face new threats: ambush attacks and drone-scattered swarms in urban areas. Military reports predict that heavy tanks like Abrams will lose their control in the future, but upgrades like Miniguns aim to prolong their importance.
If adopted, this weapon will be a valuable resource in high-strength scenarios where rapid fire and suppression are critical.
source: The War Zone | Photo: X @USArmy | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
