![\"M-60\"](\"https:\/\/hcsblogdotorg.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/05\/m-60.jpeg?w=620\")
<\/h4>\n<\/h4>\nRaytheon is pitching a new upgrade for the venerable M-60A3 Patton main battle tank that would turn the elderly design into a competitive force on the modern battlefield\u200a\u2014\u200aall at a fraction of the cost of a new vehicle.<\/p>\n
Named the Raytheon M-60A3 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP)<\/a>, the upgrade is being offered for export to nations that need the performance to take on threats like a Russian-built T-90S,<\/a> but can\u2019t afford a top-of-the-line machine like the M-1A2 SEP(v)3 Abrams<\/a> or Leopard 2A7<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the core of the upgrade is a new 950-horsepower diesel engine\u200a\u2014\u200awhich replaces the original 750-horsepower unit. As part of the deal, the engine would be reconditioned to a zero hour condition. Meanwhile, the old turret hydraulic controls would be replaced with new electrical systems, which are faster, more responsive and quieter than their predecessors.<\/p>\n Offensive firepower is exponentially improved by swapping out the old 105-millimeter M-68 rifled gun in favor of the Abrams\u2019 German-made L44 120<\/a>-millimeter smoothbore cannon. The addition of the new weapon would give the M-60A3 the ability to engage enemy tanks as advanced as the T-90MS on a near equal footing.<\/p>\n In fact, with the upgrade, the M-60 probably outperforms older M-1A1 variants.<\/p>\n