Depleted Uranium Armor
We mentioned earlier that M1A1 production began incorporating armor featuring depleted uranium (DU). This practice started in October 1988. While the armor considerably increased the weight to the tank, it also amplified efficiency against kinetic energy rounds. Existing M1A1 were upgraded, while all M1A2 tanks included the armor from their outset. Production unified DU models into Chobham armor as part of the plating on the front of the hull of the M1 Abrams tank as well as the turret’s front.