“The tank is powered by Avco Lycoming (now Honeywell) AGT1500 gas turbine engine, developing 1 500 horsepower. Essentially it is a modified helicopter engine, adapted for use on tanks. It is a multi-fuel engine, which can run on any grade of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel or kerosene. This engine has impressive performance and is compact for its power output. So even though the Abrams tank is heavy and bulky, it is surprisingly agile. It is faster than many other tanks and has superior cross-country performance.”
https://www.military-today.com/tanks/m1a1_abrams.htm
Yes, you can run a jet turbine engine on a variety of fuels, but if you want to not have to do maintenance after a few hours of running, you better be running clean jet fuel. Anything else and components will get hot and burn out in short order.
Jet aircraft have the same warnings regarding using fuels other than jet grade fuel.
Although there are tanks with higher top speeds, the Abrams accelerates quickly and is able to dart from location to location, thanks to that gas turbine engine. That is the kind of performance that puts it above other tanks.
Ask the guys who have taken the Abrams into the field under duress.
The logistical tail and maintenance infrastructure are enormous. Yes, they’re the best tank in the world...but it takes a highly skilled and capable team to put them in the field.
3 gallons per mile in fuel alone...which dedicates at least 1 fuel truck per tank in a small arena(150 mile radius/1,000 gallons). And make sure you don’t suck up any dirt.
The Leopard and the Abrams use the same 120mm ammo.