The US army tests a modified version of the M1 Abram Panzer, which is equipped with a high-caliber M134 minigun instead of one of its secondary weapons.
The minigun, which can fire up to 6000 shots per minute – almost ten times faster than the conventional M240 machine gun – offers overwhelming firepower in urban areas and against threats such as drones. The 1st Panzer Division, which carries out the tests, emphasizes that the weapon offers a “tactical advantage in complex terrain”, such as in dense cities in which tanks are susceptible to prevent.
However, the adjustment still represents challenges. The tested minigun requires that a soldier operates the weapon manually over the loader flap, which exposes it to the enemy fire. Experts criticize the lack of protective measures and suggest that a remote -controllable version would be safer. In addition, the high ammunition consumption – 3000 shots in a minute permanent fire – could restrict the usefulness in longer battles. The army checks solutions such as computer -aided target systems and artificial intelligence to improve the precision against drones and movable goals.
The initiative reflects the teachings from the war in Ukraine, where tanks are increasingly facing threats, from urban holding to drone floors. Although military reports predict that heavy armored vehicles such as Abrams could lose dominance in the future, upgrades like the Minigun should extend their relevance.
If the weapon is taken over, it could become a valuable resource in highly intensive scenarios in which fast fire and oppression are decisive.
Those: The War Zone | Photo: x @usarmy | This content was created with the help of AI and checked by our editorial team.
