Honeywell AGT1500

History

The Honeywell AGT1500 is a 1,500 hp gas turbine engine used to power the M1 Abrams main battle tank family. The engine has provided propulsion for Abrams tanks since the early 1980s and remains associated with U.S. Army and international Abrams fleets.

The engine was originally designed and produced by the Lycoming Turbine Engine Division. Serial production began in 1980, and more than 11,000 engines had reportedly been delivered by 1992. Production was later transferred from the Stratford Army Engine Plant to Anniston Army Depot in Alabama in 1995.

Honeywell states that AGT1500-powered Abrams vehicles have accumulated more than 40 million operating miles. The engine has also received reliability and service-life improvements through the Total Integrated Engine Revitalization, or TIGER, program.

Development and production

Development of the AGT1500 had begun by 1964. During the early 1970s, the design was also developed into the PLT27, a flight-weight turboshaft intended for helicopter applications, although that derivative was not selected for the helicopter programs in which it competed.

Serial production of the tank engine began in 1980. The AGT1500 became the principal powerplant of the M1 Abrams series as the tank entered service in the early 1980s. Production was initially associated with the Lycoming Turbine Engine Division at the Stratford Army Engine Plant. After that plant closed, production was moved to Anniston Army Depot in 1995.

Design

The AGT1500 is a compact multi-fuel gas turbine designed for armored-vehicle propulsion. Honeywell lists rapid cold starting, immediate power availability, multi-fuel operation and relatively quiet operation among its principal characteristics.

The engine is a three-shaft machine composed of five sub-modules. Its compact arrangement allows the complete powerplant to occupy approximately 1.1 cubic meters while producing a maximum output of 1,500 hp.

Fuel compatibility

The AGT1500 can operate on several fuel types. Reported compatible fuels include jet fuel, gasoline, diesel fuel and marine diesel, allowing the engine to use different fuel supplies depending on operating requirements.

Power and mobility

Maximum engine output is 1,500 hp, equivalent to approximately 1,100 kW. Peak torque is reported as 3,730 N·m at 3,000 rpm, while substantial torque remains available at lower rotational speeds. Honeywell states that the engine enables a 72-ton Abrams tank to reach speeds of up to 42 mph.

Operational history

The AGT1500 has powered the M1 Abrams family since the early 1980s. Honeywell describes the engine as being used by the U.S. Army and by militaries operating Abrams tanks around the world. Its long-term support has included the TIGER program, which introduced enhancements intended to improve in-service reliability.

On September 4, 2026, the U.S. State Department approved a possible sale of 60 AGT-1500 engines to Saudi Arabia. The package was valued at approximately $750 million and also included spare parts and contractor support. The proposed engines were intended to sustain Saudi Arabia's existing M1 Abrams fleet rather than support the acquisition of new tanks.

Operators

• United States Army: Uses the AGT1500 as the propulsion engine for its M1 Abrams tank fleet.
• Saudi Arabia: Operates an existing M1 Abrams fleet. In 2026, the United States approved a possible sale of 60 additional AGT-1500 engines, spare parts and contractor support for fleet sustainment.

Specifications (AGT1500)

General characteristics

• Type: Three-shaft gas turbine engine
• Configuration: Five sub-modules
• Weight: Approximately 1,100 kg (2,500 lb)
• Dimensions: Approximately 1,600 × 1,020 × 710 mm (63 × 40 × 28 in)
• Volume: Approximately 1.1 m³ (40 ft³)
• Fuel capability: Jet fuel, gasoline, diesel fuel and marine diesel

Performance

• Maximum output: 1,500 hp (approximately 1,100 kW)
• Peak torque: 3,730 N·m (2,750 lb·ft) at 3,000 rpm
• Low-speed torque: More than 904 N·m (667 lb·ft) at substantially lower rotational speeds

Related equipment

• M1 Abrams: Main battle tank family for which the AGT1500 serves as the primary propulsion engine.
• PLT27: Flight-weight turboshaft derivative developed from the AGT1500 concept during the early 1970s for helicopter applications.

Technical and service information is available from the Honeywell AGT1500 product page.