I thought the Abrams’ gas turbine, although a fuel guzzler, was one of the most powerful deployed on a main battle tank.
The gas turbine is old technology. I was on the replacement program which was cancelled for funding and technical problems. See below with sources at bottom.
While the increased armor has necessitated the A6-s MLC to be increased from 60 to 70, the improved MTU MB 873 Ka501 liquidcooled, 47.6liter, 4stroke, turbocharged V12 diesel engine, which develops 1,500hp at 2,600 rpm, is more than capable of maintaining the Leo II-s legacy of automotive performance. The A6 is also equipped with an auxiliary power unit (APU) to power the vehicle-s electrical systems when the main engine is off as well as a crew compartment air conditioner.
Finally, in simple terms of technology age, the A6 is a much -newer- vehicle than the M1A2. Why is this significant? The issue of -newness- has serious implications when applied to maintenance requirements and parts availability. The AvroLycoming 1,500 hp turbine engine that powers America-s entire fleet of MBTs, for example, has been out of production since 1992, which makes finding replacement motors more difficult, and increases the cost of what spare parts are currently available. While the turbine powered M1 series has a higher acceleration and -burst- speed, this is at the expense of significantly higher fuel consumption rates. This may not seem like much, but fuel consumption is a very real issue for countries like Greece, which lacks America-s deep fiscal pockets. (The above appears to be incorrect. I was on the new engine and transmission program, which was cancelled after several fires. The old engine remains in production see below.)
From Wiki
The Honeywell AGT1500 is a gas turbine engine. It is the main powerplant of the M1 Abrams series of tanks. The engine was originally designed and produced by the Lycoming Turbine Engine Division in the Stratford Army Engine Plant. In 1995, production was moved to the Anniston Army Depot in Anniston, Alabama after the Stratford Army Engine Plant was shut down.[1]
Engine output peaks at 1,500 hp (1,120 kW), with 2,750 lb-ft (3,754 N-m) of torque at that peak.[2] The engine can use a variety of fuels, including jet fuel, gasoline, diesel and Marine Diesel.[2]
During the early 1970s, the AGT1500 was developed into the PLT27, a flight-weight turboshaft for use in helicopters. This engine lost to the General Electric GE12 (T700) in three separate competitions to power the UH-60, AH-64, and SH-60.[3]
http://battletracker.com/forum/other/militaryforum/97993germanleopard2a6vsamericanm1a2abrams/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeywell_AGT1500