Anyone gunman popping out of a door, window, or hole was promptly gunned down by this team. However, the Abrams blows out 1000F degree heat from its rear, making it impossible for infantrymen to follow behind or ride on top. Since the U.S. military has recognized the need to prepare for urban warfare, it needs to recognize this problem. Diesel engines are much cheaper, more reliable, and require less maintenance. This is false, no weapon system can provide more immediate direct firepower than a tank.
Tanks are essential for urban operations and to flush out entrenched infantrymen.
However, tanks are less important on the modern battlefield, particularly in open terrain where airpower rules. Overall, the U.S. Army should plan an M1A3 upgrade program for about 2000 tanks, including those in the National Guard and pre-positioned stocks. The Army has amassed 8000 M1 series tanks, most are surplus and maintained in storage. The Army should scrap 6000 of these tanks and cannibalize them for billions of dollars in spare parts. The Army should not award profitable contracts to perform this task, it only needs to park a a few hundred surplus Abrams tank near each heavy division and tell the mechanics to take whatever they need.