The United States Army is testing a modified version of the M1 Abrams tank, equipped with a highly cadence M134 machine gun in place of one of its secondary weapons.
The minigun, capable of shooting up to 6000 strokes per minute, almost 10 times faster than the conventional M240 machine gun, offers a devastating fire power in urban environments and against threats such as drones. The 1st battleship division, head of the tests, underlined that the weapon provides a “tactical advantage in complex land”, such as densely populated cities, where tanks are vulnerable to ambushes.
However, the adaptation still has challenges. The minigun tested requires that a soldier manually operates the weapon through the loader of the charger, exposing himself to the enemy fire. Experts criticize the lack of protection, suggesting that a remote control version would be safer. In addition, the high consumption of ammunition, about 3000 strokes in a minute of continuous fire, could limit its usefulness in prolonged fights. The army is exploring solutions such as computerized Mirini and artificial intelligence systems to improve precision against drones and mobile targets.
The initiative reflects the lessons learned by the war in Ukraine, where tanks face growing threats, from urban ambushes to drones of drones. Although military relationships provide that heavy armored vehicles, such as Abrams, will lose dominance in the future, updates such as Minigun try to extend their relevance.
If adopted, the weapon could become a precious resource in high intensity scenarios, where rapid fire and suppression are decisive.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: x @usarmy | This content was created with the help of the AI and reviewed by our editorial team
