Honeywell AGT1500

Multi-fuel gas turbine that has powered the entire M1 Abrams main battle tank family since 1980, originally designed and built by Lycoming's Stratford Army Engine Plant before production shifted to the Anniston Army Depot in 1995.

In service since 1980

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-08-10

1,500

1,134

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

US ITAR-controlled

Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.

Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale

Fielded & proven

Operator data not public

In service since 1980. Status: active.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Overview

Peak output of 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) arrives at 3,000 rpm, with peak torque of roughly 2,750 lb-ft (3,730 N-m). The turbine's multi-fuel tolerance, jet fuel, diesel, gasoline or marine diesel, was a deliberate NATO-standardization choice, though the AGT1500's fuel consumption at idle and low speed has been a long-running Abrams sustainment cost, motivating the Army's parallel pursuit of a lighter, more fuel-efficient hybrid-electric or turbine replacement under the M1E3 concept.

Powers these platforms

Systems in the WeaponSpecs database that list the Honeywell AGT1500 as their engine.

M1A2 SEP v3 Abrams

M1A2 SEP v2 Abrams

M1A1 Abrams

Full specifications

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Physical specifications
Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.	1.6 m
Width Overall width, matters for rail/road transport of vehicles.	1.02 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.	0.71 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.	1,134 kg

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Propulsion specifications
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.	1,500 hp
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…	Gas turbine

Specifications compiled from public Honeywell Aerospace and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-08-10.

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