| M1 Abrams | M1IP Abrams | M1A1 Abrams | M1A1HA Abrams | M1A1HC Abrams | M1A2 Abrams |
The M1IP Abrams (IP means Improved Performance) is an improved variant of the M1 Abrams. It was first introduced in Wargame: European Escalation.
History
The M1IP was produced briefly in 1984 before the M1A1, contained upgrades and reconfigurations like new turret with thicker frontal armor, new turret is referred as "long" turret instead of older "short" turret, armor upgraded from ~650mm line of sight thickness to ~880mm (894 build for US). This "long" turret had more armor along with rear turret bustle rack to get more stowage space for the crew equipment. This was a stopgap vehicle before the deployment of M1A1 were started using some of the upgrades planned to be in M1A1 but before the upgrade with M256 120mm and the NBC system. 890 of M1IP were produced between 1984 and 1986.
In the Canadian Army Trophy competition, M1IP Abrams made its debut in the 1985 competition held on Range 9 at Bergen-Hohne, which contained small upgrades to the M1 Abrams that was previously used for the first time in the 1983 competition. This was the first direct competition of the German Leopard II and the US M1 Abrams.
During the Gulf War two armored battalions of 1st Infantry were equipped with M1IP.
Overview
European Escalation
The M1IP is a minor improvement over the M1 Abrams, with 1 extra point of frontal and side armor, bringing frontal armor to 9 and side armor to 7. The stabilizer is upgraded from normal to good, and the cannon AP power is upgraded from 7 to 8. At 115 deployment points, this makes for a total cost of 15 more than the standard M1.
Like the regular Abrams, the M1IP is notable for having all the basic features that any late-era tank should have, such as good stabilization, range, accuracy, and power. It has impressive side armor in particular, at 7 the rating is even higher than the frontal armor of the basic T-72. Like the standard Abrams it is a fuel hog; although its 2000L fuel capacity sounds impressive, it burns through that fuel quickly, requiring frequent resupplying.
It's not a bad idea to actually keep some supply trucks around the M1IP since its principal features are its high armor and survivability, which require frequent repairs to fully take advantage of, and also its hunger for fuel. Its principal advantage over the M1 in practice is its improved ability to fire while moving, with the enhanced stabilizer and improved armor it can take hits and fire back more effectively while moving in the open.
AirLand Battle
Weapons
European Escalation
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Main Gun | HMG | MMG |
| Name | M68A1 | M2 Browning | M240 |
| Caliber | 105mm | 12,7mm | 7,62mm |
| Ammo | x 25 | x 900 | x 4400 |
| Range | Ground = N/A m Helicopters = N/A m  Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = N/A m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = N/A m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
| Accuracy | 8 | 3 | 4 |
| AP Power | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| HE Power | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Rate of fire | 7 r/min | 500 r/min | 600 r/min |
Airland Battle
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Main Gun | HMG | MMG |
| Name | M68A1 | M2 Browning | M240 |
| Caliber | 105mm KE AoE | 12,7mm | 7,62mm |
| Ammo | x 25 rounds | x 900 rounds | x 4400 rounds |
| Range | Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 1050 m Helicopters = 875 m Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 875 m Helicopters = 525 m Airplanes = N/A m
|
| Accuracy | 9 | 3 | 4 |
| AP Power | 15 | N/A | N/A |
| HE Power | 3 | 0.75 | 0.5 |
| Suppression | 121 | 90 | 54 |
| Rate of fire | 10 r/min | 500 r/min | 600 r/min |
Red Dragon
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Main Gun | MMG | MMG |
| Name | M68A1 | M2 Browning | M240 |
| Caliber | 105mm [KE] [AoE] |
12.7mm | 7.62mm |
| Ammo | x 40 | x 900 | x 2200 |
| Range | Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 1050 m Helicopters = 875 m Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 875 m Helicopters = 525 m Airplanes = N/A m
|
| Accuracy | 65% | 15% | 20% |
| Stabilizer | 50% | 5% | 10% |
| AP Power | 15 | N/A | N/A |
| HE Power | 3 | 0.75 | 0.5 |
| Suppression | 121 | 90 | 55 |
| Rate of fire | 9 r/min | 652 r/min | 652 r/min |
Gallery
