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We got an up-close look at an M1 Abrams tank training in the desert and saw why it's still king of the battlefield

Jul 18, 2020, 21:53 IST

We found the M1A2 Abrams in the middle of the desert, surrounded by mountains.

Here's what the Abrams looked like as I got closer.

Check out a side shot of the cannon.

After showing me around the dusty inside, which I was not allowed to photograph, the crew rotated the turret, which was incredibly quiet, seen and heard in the short video below.

I then jumped on top of the tank, straddling the gun to get a barrel view.

The tankers weren't firing the guns that day, but this is what it would look like if they did.

Here's a close-up of the 120mm cannon.

Although they wouldn't let me take pictures, the crew let me sit inside the tank. But this is what it looks like inside.

I got on top of the tank for this shot of the cannon and .50 Caliber machine gun from the back.

And got to experience a gunner's view of the 7.62 mm gun.

I then jumped down and got a shot of the 7.62mm gun from below.

As well as a shot of the .50 Caliber.

Here's the L8A1 six-barrel smoke grenade discharger, which they can use to create defensive smoke screens.

Here's a close-up of the tracks.

Check out what they do to the sand.

Abrams tanks each have four people in their crew.

They look me take a look at the helmets they wear, equipped with built-in radios.

Here's Spc. Leyba sitting in the tank commander's position behind the .50 caliber machine gun.

It's a pretty awesome machine.

Other Abrams and Bradley convoys drove down the road from time to time, allowing me to see the dust signatures firsthand.

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