This is the symbol of American might on the battlefield, up close and in action. The first M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank rolled off the assembly line in 1978. Built to close with and destroy any opposing armored fighting vehicle in the world, while providing protection for its crew in any conceivable combat environment, the stalwart M1 Abrams quickly became the backbone of the armored forces of the U.S. military - and of many U.S. allies.