![]() In 1960, with the deactivation of its last ( M103) heavy tank battalion, and the fielding of the new M60 series tank, the US Army had adopted the new doctrine of Main Battle Tank (MBT) a single tank filling all combat roles. Īt the time of the M551's acceptance into service production in 1966, the United States Army no longer used the heavy, medium, and light tank classifications. Now retired from service, it saw extensive combat in Vietnam, and limited service in Operation Just Cause (Panama), and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (Kuwait). In April and August 1969, M551s were deployed to units in Europe and Korea, respectively. Under the urging of General Creighton Abrams, the US Commander of Military Forces in Vietnam at the time, the M551 was rushed into combat service in Vietnam in January 1969. Production began in 1966, entering the US Army inventory in 1967. It was armed with the technically advanced but troublesome M81/M81E1 152mm gun/launcher which fired conventional ammunition and the MGM-51 Shillelagh guided anti-tank missile. It was designed to have both an air drop and swimming capability. The M551 Sheridan was an Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle developed by the United States, named after Civil War General Philip Sheridan. ![]()
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