Sheridan (Tank)

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The tank was designed to replace the M41 light tank and the M56 self-propelled gun in the U.S. airborne forces. Military tests of the tank at the Aberdeen proving ground began in January 1963, by mid-1963, two tanks were built. In 1963, the tank passed military tests and was recommended for the adoption of reconnaissance and airborne units of the us army, the tanks began to arrive in 1966. During the period from July 1966 to 1970, was produced in 1700 tanks.In the M551 was embodied a number of the latest design solutions: case aluminum armor, the widespread use of plastics, gun-launcher, capable of firing a guided missile "Shilela", etc. As of the beginning of 1978, the us army was armed with up to 1600 m551 tanks, but the experience of their operation and combat use showed the failure of the concept of such a tank, so after 1978, the M551 were mainly removed from service.As of 1986, more than 1,500 m551 tanks were in storage in the Annington Arsenal. As of 2008, a small number of them remains only in service of the 82nd airborne division, since the United States has no other serial airborne tanks.