The US Army is testing a modified M1 Abrams tanker equipped with an M134 minigun instead of its secondary weapon.
Minigun, which can shoot up to 6,000 shots per minute, is almost ten times faster than the traditional M240 machine guns and provides enormous firepower in urban environments and threats like drones. The 1st Armored Brigade, which performs the tests, emphasized that the weapon provides a “tactical advantage in complex terrain”, such as dense urban environments where tanks are vulnerable to embuscadas.
However, the transformation is still facing challenges. At the tested minigun, soldiers must manually operate the weapon from the filling opening, thus exposing themselves to enemy fire. Experts criticized the deficiencies of defense and suggest that a remote control version would be safer. Furthermore, the already high ammunition requirement, which means 3000 shots per minute, can limit the usefulness of the weapon in longer fighting. The US Army is considering computer target systems and artificial intelligence to increase the resistance of drones and moving targets.
The initiative reflects the lessons of the war in Ukraine, where tanks are increasingly facing new threats, including urban traps and drones. Although military reports say heavy armored vehicles like Abrams may lose control in the future, improvements such as Minigun are trying to extend their relevance.
If accepted, the weapon can become a valuable resource in high -intensity scenarios, where rapid firing and suppression of the attack are crucial.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: x @usarmy | The content was made with the AI and was checked by the Editorial team.
