I didn't say the M1 was invulnerable. The anecdote I am referring to occurred in the 2003 war and involved a tank that had been immobilized (hit in the rear buy a Recoil-less rifle and later had to be destroyed) Frontal shot failed to do the trick. That's all. Man, people get so defensive. And yes, I'm sure a maverick would penetrate the "famed armor". Big difference between a maverick warhead and a kinetic round at over 1 k
Haven't seen the new ammo or armor tested against eachother so we don't know. All I know is that off all the M1s lost to enemy fire, the crew survived in the vast majority. Of course, none were killed by a kinetic round as far as I know.
Also, I have never said the turret armor or sides were impenetrable... Nor the frontal armor...just that the frontal armor is a very tough nut even with DU.
This is for the M1a2 but not the SEP
M1A1HC, M1A1HA, M1A1D
Against Kinetic Energy
(in mm of RHAe)
Turret
800 - 900
Glacis
560 - 590
Lower Front Hull