View source for M48 Patton

{{short description|Cold War-era American medium tank}}
{{Redirect|M48 tank||M48 (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = M48 Patton
| image = Kampfpanzer M 48 A2 C.JPG
| image_size = 300
| caption = M48A2C Patton at the Deutsches Panzermuseum Munster
| origin = [[United States]]
| type = [[Medium tank]]<ref>FM 17-79, Department of the Army, 1955 (p. 4)</ref>
| is_vehicle = yes
| service = {{ubli|1952&ndash;present |[[United States Army]] (historical) 1952&ndash;1987|[[United States Marine Corps]] (historical) 1954&ndash;1973}}
| used_by = See [[#Operators|Operators]]
| wars = {{Tree list}}
*[[Cold War]]
**[[1958 Lebanon crisis]]
**[[Portuguese Colonial War]]
**[[Vietnam War]]
**[[Dominican Civil War]]
**[[Cambodian Civil War]]
**[[Six-Day War]]
**[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
**[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
**[[Yom Kippur War]]
**[[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]]
**[[Western Sahara War]]
**[[Lebanese Civil War]]
**[[Sino-Vietnamese War]]
**[[Iran–Iraq War]]
*[[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)]]
*[[Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present)|Kurdish–Turkish conflict]]
*[[2007 Lebanon conflict]]
*[[2025 Cambodia‒Thailand conflict]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Coughlan |first1=Joe |last2=Fulton |first2=Adam |last3=Coughlan |first3=Joe |title=Thailand-Cambodia border dispute live: Thailand closes border with Cambodia as death toll from fighting rises |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jul/24/thailand-cambodia-border-clashes-live-soldiers-fire-at-each-other-along-disputed-border?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-6881db058f0889d810c83fc6#block-6881db058f0889d810c83fc6 |access-date=24 July 2025 |work=the Guardian |date=24 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Thailand Deploys M48 Tanks in Combat Operations Against Cambodia |url=https://militarnyi.com/en/news/thailand-deploys-m48-tanks-in-combat-operations-against-cambodia/ |website=Militarnyi |access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref>
{{Tree list/end}}
| designer = [[Chrysler Defense| Chrysler Defense Engineering]]
| design_date = 1950{{r|1960_Data_Sheets}}
| manufacturer = [[Chrysler]], [[Fisher Body]], [[Ford Motor Company]], [[American Locomotive Company]]
| developed_from = [[M47 Patton]] 
| developed_into = [[M60 tank]]
| unit_cost =
;M48A3: {{US$|309090|1961}}{{r|2010_Maloney}} ({{As of|1981|alt=1981}}){{clarify inline|reason=Why is a cost from 1981 converted from 1961 dollars?|date=July 2025}}
| production_date =
;M48/M48A1: 1952–1956
;M48A2: 1955–1957
;M48A3: 1957–1961{{r|1992_Crismon|pages=25{{ndash}}27}}
| number = 12,000 (all variants)
| variants = See [[#Variants|Variants]]
| weight =
;M48: {{convert|49.6|ST|LT t|lk=on}}
| length = {{convert|9.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|3.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|3.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| crew = Four{{R|1960_Data_Sheets}}
*Commander
*Gunner
*Loader
*Driver
| armour =
;Upper glacis
:{{convert|110|mm|abbr=on}} at 60°
:{{convert|220|mm|abbr=on}} [[Sloped armour|LoS]]
;Turret front
:{{convert|178|mm|abbr=on}} at 0°{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015|p=428}}
| primary_armament =
;M48–M48A3
:[[90 mm Gun M1/M2/M3|90mm M41/T139]] gun
;M48A5
:105 mm [[Royal Ordnance L7|M68/T254E2]] gun
| secondary_armament =
;M48: [[M2 Browning|.50 cal (12.7 mm)]] on M1 mount
;M48A1/A2/A3/A5: [[M2 Browning|.50 cal (12.7 mm)]] in M1 commander's cupola
;M48/A1/A2/A3: [[M1919 Browning|M37/T153 machine gun]]
;M48A5: [[M73 machine gun|M219]] (7.62mm NATO)
| engine =
;M48/M48A1
:[[Continental AV1790]] [[V12 engine|V12]], [[air-cooled]], [[gasoline engine]]
:{{convert|650|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
;M48A2
:[[Continental AV1790]] [[Fuel injection|fuel-injected]], V12, gasoline engine
:{{convert|690|hp|kW|abbr=on}}{{efn|1=These AVI engines used a light blended gasoline (MOGAS) with a low-pressure ({{convert|20|psi|abbr=on}}) fuel-injection system and were rated at {{convert|810|HP|kW|abbr=on}}. No gasoline engines with the AVSI designation (air-cooled, V12, Supercharged, Fuel Injected) were used in the combat tanks. This engine designation was only found in the M88 ARV and was rated at {{convert|1050|HP|kW|abbr=on}} at 2800 RPM. {{citation needed|date=March 2021}} }}
;M48A3–M48A5
:[[Continental AV1790|Continental AVDS-1790]] V12, air-cooled, [[twin-turbo]], [[diesel engine]]
:{{convert|750|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
| engine_power = 
| transmission = [[Allison Transmission|Allison]] CD-850-4A or CD-850-4B
*Two forward ranges
*One reverse
| fuel_capacity =
;M48:{{convert|200|USgal|L|abbr=on|lk=on}}
;M48A1:200 US gal internal {{convert|420|USgal|L|abbr=on|lk=on}}(with external fuel drums)
;M48A2:{{convert|335|USgal|L|abbr=on|lk=on}}
;M48A3/A5:{{convert|300|USgal|L|abbr=on|lk=on}}
| pw_ratio = {{convert|16.6|hp|kW|abbr=on}}/[[tonne]]
| suspension = [[Torsion bar suspension]]
| clearance = {{convert|16|in|m|abbr=on}}
| vehicle_range =
;M48
:{{convert|113|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{r|1989_Jane_s}}
;M48A1
:{{convert|217|km|mi|abbr=on}} with external fuel drums{{r|1989_Jane_s}}
;M48A2
:{{convert|177.8|km|mi|abbr=on}}
;M48A3
:{{convert|463|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{r|1989_Jane_s}}
;M48A5
:{{convert|499|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{r|1989_Jane_s}}
| speed =
;M48A5
:{{convert|30|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}
}}

The '''M48 Patton''' is an American [[List of main battle tanks by generation#First|first-generation]] [[main battle tank]] (MBT) introduced in February 1952, being designated as the '''90mm Gun  M48''', armored, full-tracked, combat vehicle of the medium-gun tank class.<ref>FM 17-79, 1955 (p. 4)</ref>  It was designed as a replacement for the {{nowrap|[[M26 Pershing]]}}, [[M4 Sherman]], [[M46 Patton|M46]] and [[M47 Patton]] tanks, and was the main battle tank of the {{nowrap|[[U.S. Army]]}} and [[U.S. Marine Corps]] in the Vietnam War.<ref>Starry [[Department of the Army]] p. 53, 54, 236, 237</ref>{{r|1991_Terry|page=5}} Nearly 12,000 M48s were built, mainly by [[Chrysler]] and [[American Locomotive Company]], from 1952 to 1961. The M48 Patton was the first U.S. medium gun tank<ref>FM 17-79 (1955) p. 4, Department of the Army</ref> with a four-man crew, featuring a centerline driver's compartment and no bow machine gunner.<ref>Department of the Army 1954; p. 7, 10 ''TM 9-7012 90-mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tanks M48, M48A1, and M48C.''</ref> As with nearly all new armored vehicles it had a wide variety of suspension systems, [[Cupola (military)|cupola styles]], power packs, fenders and other details among individual tanks.

The early designs, up to the M48A2C, were powered by a gasoline engine. The M48A3 and A5 versions used a diesel engine. However, gasoline engine versions were still in use in the US Army National Guard through 1968 and by many West German Army units through 1975. Numerous examples of the M48 saw combat in various [[Arab–Israeli conflict]]s and the [[Vietnam War]]. Beginning in 1959, most American M48A1s and M48A2s were upgraded to the M48A3 model.

The M48 Patton-series saw widespread service with the United States and [[NATO]] until it was superseded by the [[M60 tank]]. It was widely exported. The tank's hull also became the basis for a wide variety of experimental, utility and support vehicles such as armored recovery vehicles and bridge layers. Some M48A5 models served into the mid-1980s with US Army [[National Guard (United States)|National Guard]] units, and M48A3s were used as targets for weapons and radar testing into the mid-1990s.

Many M48s remain in service in countries other than the US. Most of these have been modified and their firepower, mobility and protection upgraded to increase their combat effectiveness on the modern battlefield. {{As of|2015|post=,}} Turkey is the largest operator with over 750 units in service, Taiwan is second with approximately 500 upgraded variants, and Greece is third with 390 in service.

==History==
After the conclusion of [[World War II]], the United States [[United States Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command|Ordnance Tank-Automotive Command]] (OTAC) drastically slowed or canceled many tank development and design programs. On 7 November 1950, the Ordnance Technical Committee mandated a change in the nomenclature for tanks in the US military.{{r|1991_Terry|page=2}} It was decided that weight designations (Light, Medium, Heavy) were no longer applicable due to changes in the way tanks were developed and employed on the battlefield, and the varying calibers of main guns now available. Thus the caliber of the gun replaced its weight designation. For example, the M103 Heavy Tank was redesignated as the [[M103 (heavy tank)|120&nbsp;mm Gun Tank M103]] and the Light Tank M41 Walker Bulldog as the [[M41 Walker Bulldog|76&nbsp;mm Gun Tank M41 Walker Bulldog]].{{r|2014_DavidB}}

The M47 Patton entered production in 1951 and was used by the [[United States Army]] and [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] but ongoing technical and production problems kept it from serving in the [[Korean War]]. This forced the US to field older tank models, such as the [[M26 Pershing]] and [[M46 Patton]]. In response, the Army launched several design projects for a replacement of the M46 and M26. The United States entered a period of frenzied activity during the crisis atmosphere of the Korean War, when the U.S. seemed to lag behind the [[Soviet Union]] in terms of tank quality and quantity.{{sfn|Icks|1971|pp=22-23}}

Testing and development cycles occurred simultaneously with production to ensure speedy delivery of new tanks. Such rapid production caused problems but the importance given to rapidly equipping combat units with new tanks precluded detailed testing and evaluation prior to its quantity production.{{r|1998_Cameron|page=31|q=Testing and development cycles occurred simultaneously with production to ensure the speedy fielding of new tanks. Such rapid production guaranteed teething troubles, but the importance attached to rapidly equipping combat units with the new tanks precluded detailed testing and evaluation prior to quantity production.}} Notable among these were the [[T42 medium tank|T42]], [[T69 (tank)|T69]] and T48 projects as well as continuing to pursue further improvements to the M47.

Compromise was inevitable, but not always welcomed, as General [[Bruce C. Clarke]] ironically observed: "We know exactly what we want. We want a fast, highly mobile, fully armored, lightweight vehicle. It must be able to swim, cross any terrain, and climb 30 degree hills. It must be air-transportable. It must have a simple but powerful engine, requiring little or no maintenance. The operating range should be several hundred miles. We would also like it to be invisible".{{r|1960_Clarke|page=11}}

===T48 project===
The T48 project was to focus on improving the turret of the [[M47 Patton]] and upgrading performance with a more powerful yet more efficient gasoline engine. {{frac|4}} and {{frac|8}} scale design [[mockup]]s of the turret were constructed during May 1950 using the T119 90mm main gun of the [[M47 Patton]]. The design study was accepted by the Army in December and a contract for the advanced production design and engineering (APE) of a 90mm armed tank was awarded to the Chrysler Defense.

Hull redesign included moving the driver's station to the front center and removal of the bow-mounted machine gun and its associated crew station, which was converted to safe container storage for additional main gun ammunition.{{r|2014_DavidB_02}} The front glacis was sloped to offer much better ballistic protection than former welded and rather flat designs.{{r|2014_DavidB_02}} An aircraft style steering wheel (a [[Yoke (aircraft)|yoke]]) replaced lever steering. The power pack consisted of the Continental AV-1790-5B gasoline engine producing 704 brake horsepower coupled to an Allison CD-850-4A cross-drive transmission with 2 forward and 1 reverse ranges. The hull armor was increased to {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}} on the front glacis of rolled homogeneous steel. It had six roadwheel pairs per side and five return rollers, a torsion bar suspension system, and used T97E2 steel tracks. A new hemisphere-shaped turret eliminated the M47s noted [[shot trap|shot traps]] and lowered the vehicle's height.

T48 pilot #1 was constructed by Chrysler Engineering to begin testing at the OTAC Detroit Arsenal Test Center in December 1951. Six prototypes were built in all.{{r|1987_Hilmes|page=11}}

On 27 February 1951, shortly after the outbreak of the [[Korean War]], the Ordnance Technical Committee Minutes (OTCM) #33791 initiated the simultaneous production and design refinement of the new tank, designating the production tanks as the 90mm Gun Tank M48.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015|pp=85,152}} The Army planned to produce some 9,000 M48s within three years of development. Chrysler Corporation became the principal producer of the tank. Expected production and teething troubles led to the creation of integrating committees to coordinate tank and component development. These Army Combat Vehicle (ARCOVE) committees included military and industrial representatives who provided early warning of defects and recommended remedies.{{r|1991_Terry|pages=21{{ndash}}22}}

Testing trials of the T48 tanks began in February 1952 and continued until the end of 1955. However, the perceived immediate threat of Soviet aggression in Western Europe and the ongoing Korean War impelled Army senior leadership to rush the T48 tank into series production before the inevitable bugs could be worked out of the new tank design. Instead, it was decided that any needed design changes uncovered by the continued testing and evaluation of the T48 tanks at the OTAC Detroit Arsenal Test Center would be incorporated into the M48 series production vehicles as quickly as possible.{{r|1991_Terry|pages=21{{ndash}}27}}

T48 pilot #1 was designed and constructed by Chrysler Engineering to begin the APE design development at the OTAC Detroit Arsenal Test Center in December 1951. This tank was provisionally armed with the M36/T119 gun using a Y-shaped deflector and a muzzle brake.<ref name="auto1">Standard Military Vehicle Characteristic Data Sheets. Center Line, Michigan: Army Tank and Automotive Command Research & Engineering Directorate, July 1960.</ref> This gun was not used for production M48 tanks. It used the Mod A hull and turret designs with smaller diameter crew hatches. The driver's hatch incorporated a mechanism that dropped his three periscope heads to provide clearance for the hatch door as it swung to the right, and the driver then had to reposition the periscopes by hand once the hatch was closed again. It had 5 return rollers, 6 roadwheel pairs per side with the drive sprocket at the rear and a torsion bar suspension system.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}}

Pilot #2 was built in February 1952 and also used the early Mod A design with small hatches. It was fitted with the T139/M41 90mm gun replacing the muzzle brake with a cylindrical blast deflector. A T-shaped deflector was used for production M48 tanks. This vehicle had two machine guns installed, a .30cal M1919E4 mounted coaxially to the left of the main gun and a .50cal M2HB mounted on the commander's cupola.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}} The full image stereoscopic T46E1/M12 rangefinder was placed in the central section of the turret.{{r|2014_DavidB_02}}

Pilot #3 was constructed in November 1952 and used the Mod B hull and turret designs with a simplified, larger diameter hatch that was easier for the driver to operate. Also the front vision block was removable and allowed for the future use of IR vision blocks by the driver. It also had 5 return rollers, 6 roadwheel pairs per side with the drive sprocket at the rear and a torsion bar suspension system. The Mod B turret also had larger hatches for the commander and loader. An additional three hulls were constructed (T48 pilots 4 through 6) in 1953. These tanks were used into 1955 for the component development of the M48A2 production tanks including fire control systems, turret cupolas, suspension configurations and [[Powerpack (drivetrain)|powerpacks]].<ref>Rolf Hilmes, ''Main Battle Tanks: Developments in Design since 1945'' (McLean, Va.: Pergamon-Brassey's International Defense Publishers, 1987), p. 11; Zaloga and Loop, Modern American Armor.</ref> At least one of these hulls was fitted with experimental silica glass composite armor panels.{{r|1958_Salter}}

===Components===

====Armor====
In conjunction with the development of the T48 project there was some discussion regarding armor. The weight of conventional armored steel needed to provide protection against the emerging large-caliber high-velocity main guns and improved APDS kinetic energy penetrators was making its continued use impractical. Composite [[applique armour|applique armor panels]] made with [[Fused quartz|fused silica]] glass was envisioned to be fitted to the hull. It was also desired that a turret be constructed using this special armor.{{r|1958_Salter}} The [[United States Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command|OTAC]] and [[Carnegie Institute of Technology]] began development of the armor in November 1952 at [[Fort Belvoir]] VA as Project TT2-782/51.{{r|1958_Salter}} This composite armor offered protection against HEAT, [[High-explosive squash head|HESH]], and HE rounds. Its overall slow development limited its use to the T48 and was dropped from consideration in the M48 by 1953, however its development was continued with the [[T95 Medium Tank]] until 1958.

There were two different hulls used for the M48 series. The M48 hull had a wedge-shaped front glacis compared to the M46's rather flat design. Early Mod A hulls had smaller diameter driver's hatches. The suspension consisted of six roadwheel pairs per side with a torsion bar suspension system and five return rollers. The engine exhaust vents were located on the top of the rear deck. There was a dual compensating idler arm at the front, and dual auxiliary track tension wheels behind the last road wheels, using the T97E2 track assembly. The drive sprocket was located at the rear of the hull. Shock absorbers were mounted at the first two and last roadwheel arms. This hull design was manufactured for the original M48 and M48A1 versions of the M48 series.{{r|2019_Conners}} Many Mod B hull designs used for the M48A1 (T48 Pilot #3) were further upgraded to the A2 hull design standard but retained their original 5 return roller configuration.

The M48A2 hull design saw several modifications including a reduction from five to three return rollers per side. The suspension system was simplified, a more compact [[Powerpack (drivetrain)|powerpack]] compartment and additional fuel cells, with large louvered grill access doors replaced the complicated grill work of the rear engine decks of the M48/M48A1 hull designs. This hull was used on newly constructed M48A2 and M48A3 tanks of the M48 series.{{r|2019_Conners}}

The turret used for the M48 series was hemispherical in shape and was made from cast homogeneous steel. It had a flat gun shield and a standard pop-up styled hatch for the commander and an additional hatch for the loader's station. Early production Mod A models of the turret had somewhat smaller diameter hatches. The gunner was provided with an M37 .30 cal machine gun with 5,900 rounds of ammunition.{{r|2019_Conners}}

====Rangefinders and fire control systems====
During WWII and the Korean War, most tanks used a direct sighting system where the gun sights and rangefinders were slaved directly to the gun's barrel but its long range accuracy depended upon the focusing abilities of the individual gunner. There are two basic types of optical [[rangefinders]], stereoscopic and coincidence. With a [[stereoscopic rangefinder|stereoscopic model]] range determination occurred by measuring the distance from the observer to a target using the observer's capability of [[binocular vision]]. The [[coincidence rangefinder]] uses a single eyepiece. Light from the target enters the rangefinder through two windows located at either end of the instrument. The ARCOVE emphasis upon increased long range accuracy led to the incorporation of a [[Fire-control system|fire control system]] (FCS)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US4760770A/en|title = Fire control systems}}</ref> in the M48.

The fire control system included a rangefinder, mechanical ballistic computer, ballistic drive, and gunner's sight. Collectively, these mechanical devices resembled in miniature the fire control systems used in [[naval gunnery]]. Only after the Second World War did such systems become small enough for use in combat vehicles. These mechanical fire control systems permitted tanks to engage effectively at much longer ranges than in [[World War II]], a critical consideration for the Army, expecting to enter the European battlefield outnumbered. Instead of a gunner's sight being slaved to the gun tube, the ballistic computer and drive computed the range and elevated the gun. The gunner's primary responsibility lay in keeping the sight on the target. The mechanical ballistic computer made a more accurate computation of range possible by mathematically accounting for such factors as vehicle cant and ammunition type.{{r|1991_Terry|pages=1{{ndash}}2}} Many developmental range finders based on pulses of IR light, such as the Optical Tracking, Acquisition and Ranging (OPTAR) rangefinder of the [[T95 Medium Tank|T95]] continued into 1957.{{r|1991_Ogorkiewicz|page=174|q=The first major attempt to use an electro-optical rangefinder was represented by the T53 Optical Tracking, Acquisition and Ranging (OPTAR) system, which was tested on the US T95 tank between 1955 and 1957}}

====Autoloader systems====
Another requirement of the T48 project was to explore the use of [[autoloader]]s for the main gun as they became available. Preliminary experiments with a loading system using the T48 turret were unsuccessful due to the limited space and the need to line up the breech with the loading system after each firing. It also was dropped from consideration for use on the M48 but was further developed on the [[T69 (tank)|T69 tank]] as the 90&nbsp;mm T178 gun. It was fitted with an eight-round auto-loader system mounted in an oscillating turret.<ref name="auto1"/>

====90 mm main gun====
ARCOVE also involved the Ordnance Department with the goal of improving the 90&nbsp;mm gun and its ammunition. The Army expected difficulties in engagements with the Soviet [[IS tank family#Object 703 IS-3|IS-3 heavy tank]], since the M47's M36/T119 90&nbsp;mm rifled main gun could not consistently penetrate its frontal armor, even with special armor-piercing capped (APC) or HEAT ammunition.{{r|1954_Conference|page=12}} Work was performed to address this by developing the improved T300E53 HEAT ammunition and the T137 series of hypervelocity armor-piercing discarding-sabot (HVAP-DS or simply APDS) ammunition for the M36 gun. The new APDS round could penetrate {{convert|11.1|in|mm|abbr=on}} of homogeneous steel armor, angled at 30 degrees, at a distance of {{convert|1000|yd|m|abbr=on}}, but was not accepted for service.{{r|1954_Conference|page=12}}

Instead it was decided to use an improved version of the 90&nbsp;mm gun, the T139 for the M48 production tanks. It allowed for easier barrel changing and weighed less than the preceding M36/T119 gun. It was later standardized as the 90mm Gun M41 in February 1951.

====Turret cupolas====
The T48 and M48(Mod A) tanks featured a remote controllable machine gun mount as the tank commander's weapon on a pedestal, which allowed him to fire the .50 caliber (12.7&nbsp;mm) M2HB machine gun from within the vehicle's turret. It used a 100-round ammunition box and could also be employed manually by the commander. However, servicing and reloading of the weapon required the tank commander to open his roof hatch and expose his head and upper torso. This remote-controllable mount was designated as the .50 Caliber Machine Gun Mount, M1 and designed by Chrysler Defense Engineering.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

By October 1954, the Army decided to amend the design of the tank by installing a cupola. During the production of M48s it was modified several times resulting in a wide mix of cupola styles among individual tanks. Afterwards it was renamed as the Cupola, Tank Commander's Caliber .50 Machine Gun, M1.{{r|1987_Hilmes|page=23}} The new tank commander cupola would allow the tank commander to aim and fire his weapon while remaining under armor protection via a remote controlled M2HB machine gun, however the commander had to open the cupola hatch and expose his head to reload or service the machine gun due to the limited headroom.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} These cupolas had a small rearward opening hatch and a single, non-removable vision block. They were designed by [[AAI Corporation|Aircraft Armaments Incorporated]]. Because of its smaller turret roof hatch opening those M1 cupolas retro-fitted to early production M48 Mod A turrets used an adaptor ring.

The M1E1 cupola design used a G305 cupola riser with 9 non-removable vision blocks installed (some versions had 7 with the 2 rear blocks deleted) between the turret roof and the cupola. It also came with a new bulged hatch cover to provide the tank commander with more headroom and allowed him to reload the weapon while remaining under armor protection. A major drawback of both these cupolas was their inability to mount either daylight or infrared vision devices. The [[Receiver (firearms)|receiver]] of the M2HB took up a great deal of space in the already cramped cupola's interior. Also due to restraints in the cupola, smaller 50 round ammunition boxes were used. Development of its eventual replacement, the [[M60 Patton#M19 commander's cupola|T9/M19 cupola]] of the XM60 tank was continued into {{year|1958}} and some M19 cupolas were retro-fitted to M48A5s to allow for the use of IR and daylight periscopes by the commander.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015|pp=109-111}}

===M48===
[[File:M48 Patton.webm|thumb|''"Land Battleship: M48"'' (1952) - Official U.S. Army promotional film.]]
Chrysler began building the [[Newark Assembly|Newark Tank Plant]] in Newark, Delaware, in March 1951 to produce the M48 while Chrysler Defense Engineering and ARCOVE continued advanced production engineering (APE) to evolve the design using the T48 prototypes at the OTAC Detroit Arsenal. In May 1952 Chrysler agreed to take control of a Government-Owned and Contractor Operated (GOCO) basis of the Newark Tank plant production facility with the US Government and continue production design refinement of the T48 at the OTAC Detroit Arsenal. To meet the urgent need for tanks, production contracts were also awarded to [[General Motors]] [[Fisher Body]] Division (Grand Blanc Tank Plant) and [[Ford Motor Company]] (Livonia Tank Plant) to produce the tank in Michigan starting in April 1952. Also in July 1952 the Army awarded [[American Locomotive Company]] a $200 million contract to start producing the tank in 1953 at the Schenectady Tank Plant in New York.{{r|TankOrder}} All four companies were given initial production contracts in that same year for around 400 tanks each. The first Chrysler production tank was unveiled on 1 July 1952 as the 90mm Gun Tank M48 and christened the M48 Patton by Mrs. Beatrice Ayer Patton, widow of the late General [[George S Patton]].{{r|Christened}}

The M48 featured a gasoline-powered engine, different models were used depending on availability and manufacturer. Originally the M48(Mod A) that was built by Chrysler Defense at the OTAC Test Center (T48 Pilot #1) in 1951 used the Continental AV-1790-5B coupled to a General Motors CD-850-4A cross-drive transmission as used for the M47.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015|p=317}} The M48s built by American Locomotive used a Continental AV-1790-5C gasoline engine and either an Allison CD-850-4A or 4B cross-drive transmission. Additionally a two-cylinder, gasoline, air-cooled engine (sometimes referred to as the "Little Joe" by tank crews) was provided to power a 28 volt, 300 ampere generator when the main engine was not needed.{{r|2014_DavidB_02}}

Fuel capacity was {{convert|200|gal|L|abbr=on}} providing a cruising range of about {{convert|70|mi|km|abbr=on}}. The suspension consisted of six roadwheel pairs with a torsion bar suspension system and five return rollers. There was a dual compensating idler arm at the front, and dual auxiliary track tension wheels behind the last road wheels, as had the preceding M46 and M47 tanks.{{r|2014_DavidB_02}} The M48 used the new {{convert|28|in|m|abbr=on}} wide T97E2 track assembly.

It had hydraulic shock absorbers mounted on the first, second and sixth roadwheel pairs (opposite of the M46 and M47). The bow mounted machine gun and its related crew station was eliminated thus providing more ammunition storage for the main gun. The driver's station was moved to the front center of the hull. The steering controls were redesigned. A large aircraft-styled steering wheel (replacing the wobble stick control of the M46 and M47) and placing the transmission range selector on the floor to the driver's right.

Mod A hulls had a small oval overhead hatch for the driver. T48 Pilots #1 & 2 incorporated a mechanism that dropped the three periscope heads to provide clearance for the hatch door as it swung to the right, and the driver then had to reposition the periscopes by hand once the hatch was closed again. The vehicle did not have an [[NBC protection]] system for the crew and a fording depth of approximately {{convert|1.2|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It had a crew of 4; the commander, gunner and loader were positioned in the turret and the driver stationed in the front center of the hull.

The M48's turret consisted of a redesigned flat gun shield and standard pop-up hatch for the commander's station. The M48 Mod A turret design had smaller roof hatches for both the commander and loader. A .50 cal M2HB using a M1 remote control mount on a pedestal was available for the commander. When not in use, the machine gun mount could be stowed on a bracket welded to the turret roof in front of the loader. The M48's direct fire control system consisted of an M12/T41 stereoscopic rangefinder with a field of view of 5 degrees and magnification of x7.5, an azimuth indicator, an M20 gunner's periscope and a T13 super elevation actuator. Two main bearings are bolted to the mounting plate on the roof of the tank turret to support the range finder on steel radial ball bearings. A parallel gun linkage between the gun trunnion and the range finder assures that the line of sight of the range finder reproduces the exact motion of the gun in elevation.{{r|TM9718A|page=60|q=A parallel gun linkage between the gun trunnion and the range finder assures that the line of sight of the range finder reproduces the exact motion of the gun in elevation.}}

A .30 caliber M1919E4 machine gun was coaxially mounted to the main gun's left and was operated by the gunner. An M12 full field optical range finder was used, the same as the M47. The tank was not fitted with any night fighting or computerized fire control systems.{{r|M47_PattonMania}} Some early production M48s used a Y-shaped blast deflector on the barrel and carried 53 rounds. Eight ready rounds were stored in the left side of the turret bustle for the loader, the rest were stored inside safe containers in the hull. Tank crews complained that the Y-shaped fume extractor was found to be prone to snagging brush. It was replaced with a T-shaped model early in production.{{r|2014_DavidB_02}}

These early M48 tanks suffered from engine, transmission, track, and suspension problems. The first production vehicles suffered from excessive oil consumption and engine failures after only 1,000&nbsp;mi (1,600&nbsp;km). The gasoline engine managed only 0.33 mpg US (0.14&nbsp;km/L), limiting range to 75 miles (121&nbsp;km). The M12/T41 rangefinder was too fragile and often broke. Army Field Forces (AFF) found these tanks to be unsuitable for combat use in Europe and was regulated to limited use by US Army CONUS units until numerous shortcomings were corrected. Furthermore, some 120 hulls were found to have insufficient hull armor protection. These were denoted as the M48C and relegated by the [[United States Army Training and Doctrine Command|Continental Army Command]] (CONARC) for non-ballistic training use by the Armor School at [[Fort Knox]] to train crewmembers and maintenance personnel.{{sfn|Icks|1971|p=25}}

===M48A1===
[[File:M48 Medium Tank Patton at Fort Greely Alaska, 14th April 1955.jpg|thumb|right|Late series M48A1 during cold weather tests at Fort Greely, Alaska, 1955. The main gun is equipped with a T-shaped blast deflector on the muzzle and the driver's station is under a protective cover.]]
[[File:Tensions_ran_high_at_Checkpoint_Charlie_in_1961_as_Easterners_fled_to_West,_Berlin_Wall_went_up.jpg|thumb|right|Two U.S. Army M48A1s of F Co., 40th Armor of the [[Berlin Brigade]] face off in [[Berlin]] against [[Red Army]] [[T-54]]s during one of several standoffs at [[Checkpoint Charlie]] in 1961.]]

The Army concluded in January 1952 that the T42{{r|1952_Baldwin}} had failed as a tank capable of combat in Europe against Soviet tanks and reached the same conclusion in November 1953 for the M48 Mod A versions.{{r|1998_Cameron|page=32|q=The M48s width proved too wide for many European tunnels, complicating rail transport.}} The M48A1 focused on improving the engine and the vehicle's operational range and fixing numerous mechanical problems. To cope with the lack of range, an add-on modification allowed the use of 4 external jettisonable {{convert|55|USgal|L|abbr=on}} fuel drums of [[Avgas|MOGAS]] (motor gasoline) that was mounted to the rear deck, extending the range to {{convert|135|mi|km|abbr=on}}. This proved very unpopular with tank crews and operational range remained unsatisfactory.{{r|2016_Pike}}

Further ARCOVE changes included a desire for the commander to observe and operate his weapons station while remaining under armor protection.{{r|2016_Pike}} At this same time the US Army Field Forces (AFF) declared the T42 medium tank unfit for production in November 1952, mainly due to serious shortcomings of its hull design. Ford's production of the M48 ended in August 1953 after a fire destroyed most of the Livonia Tank Plant.{{r|2020_Jackson}}

Testing and feedback from ARCOVE had uncovered the fact that the original driver's hatch design of the M48 Mod A hull's design (T48 pilots #1 and 2) tanks proved to be too small and made for an uncomfortable seating position for the driver when operating the tank with his hatch in the open position. To rectify this problem a new larger driver hatch was devised that was introduced into series production vehicles as early as possible.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} Also the driver's front vision block was removable and could be replaced with an infrared IR vision block. A redesigned power pack featured an AV-1790-7B gasoline engine and CD-850-4B transmission.{{r|2019_Conners}} The turret was fitted with the M1 cupola that enclosed the M2HB machine gun. Cupolas fitted on those tanks with early production Mod A turrets used an adapter ring.{{r|2014_DavidB_02}} In April 1953, the Army standardized this configuration as the 90mm Gun Tank M48A1 Patton{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}} and originally applied this designation to both the early Mod A hull design and the Mod B hulls currently in series production.

Between April 1952 and December 1954, nearly 7,000 M48s and M48A1s were produced, with production contracts for an additional 2,500 tanks to be built through 1956.{{sfn|Icks|1971}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}} Army units in Europe immediately received 2,120 of these early M48A1 tanks, but correction of ARCOVE defects discovered after production delayed the fielding of the remaining tanks. The Marines Corps however continued to use the [[M47 Patton]]. The M48A1's width proved too wide for many European tunnels, complicating rail transport.{{sfn|Icks|1971}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}} Operational readiness rates of M48-equipped units tended to be low. The tanks continued experiencing engine, transmission, track, and suspension problems, and the M12 stereoscopic rangefinder was uncomfortable to operate.{{sfn|Icks|1971}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}}

However, the M48A1 was considered an even match for its Soviet counterpart, the T-44 and fielded to combat units in Europe. On 25 October 1954, the Army decided to amend its designation of the M48 tank. Thereafter, the tanks with the original Mod A hull design and the Chrysler-designed M1 remote-control machine gun mount attached to the tank commander's pop-up hatch would remain the 90mm gun tank M48. However, all those tanks with the Mod B hull (some production M48A1 tanks had the Mod B turret) and fitted with the new small turreted M1 cupola armed with a .50 caliber M2HB machine gun would be designated as the 90mm gun tank M48A1.{{sfn|Icks|1971}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}} M48A1 tanks with 5 return rollers and the ModB driver's hatch were modified to the M48A2 hull configuration. The hull's armor framing for the engine compartment was modified. In addition detachable headlights, armored boxes around the taillights, newly redesigned mudguards, an updated fuel delivery system and a tank infantry phone were added.

===M48A2===
The concurrent testing of the T48 and production of the M48 was the source of widespread debate among Congressional Budget Oversight committees. The [[Office of Management and Budget|Bureau of the Budget]] believed that the Army was not progressing with sufficient speed in its tank modernization program and recommended the immediate replacement of the M48A2 as well as better quality control. Under the ARCOVE's "single, efficient producer" model, Defense Secretary [[Charles Erwin Wilson]] directed the Army to reduce the number of contractors producing each model of tank. In a new round of production bids for the M48A2, [[General Motors]] underbid Chrysler, and in September 1953 [[United States Secretary of the Army|Army Secretary]] [[Robert T. Stevens]] awarded GM's [[Fisher Body]] division a $200 million contract to become the sole producer of the M48A2 and started production at its [[Grand Blanc Metal Center|Grand Blanc Tank Plant]] in Michigan in April 1953.{{r|underbid|q=WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Robert T. Stevens, Secretary of the Army, announced today his decision to award to the Fisher body division of General Motors a contract of approximately $200,000,000 for the building of M-48 medium tanks.}}

The decision raised skepticism among lawmakers. Senator [[Estes Kefauver]] noted the move would effectively leave GM as the only producer of light (the [[M41 Walker Bulldog]]) and medium tanks when the Chrysler production contract for M48A1 production was set to expire in April 1956. Months later Chrysler underbid GM in the new round of bidding. In September 1954 the Army awarded Chrysler an exclusive $160.6 million contract to restart production.{{r|Chrysler_underbids}} In November 1955 the Army awarded [[American Locomotive Company]] a $73 million contract to begin producing 600 M48A2s the next year at the Schenectady Tank Plant, New York.{{r|Alco}}

However Alco opted to wrap up its tank business when its contract ended in July 1956. In May the Army awarded Chrysler, the only bidder, a $119 million contract to continue production of the M48A2 at the Delaware Tank Plant.{{r|1957_NYT}} In December 1955 Chrysler took on orders initially intended for the American Locomotive after Alco opted production cutbacks to its tank program{{r|American Locomotive canceled}} and became the only manufacturer of the tank by the end of 1956.

During the ARCOVE Questionmark III conference in June 1957 it was predicted that the Congress would not approve the procurement of the M48A2 after the fiscal year 1959. However, the ongoing [[T95 Medium Tank|T95 Tank]] Program was progressing slowly as its new technologies were being developed. Several ideas were proposed to replace the M48A2. General [[Bruce C. Clarke]] wrapped competing and even conflicting desires in irony, observing that "We know exactly what we want. We want a fast, highly mobile, fully armored, lightweight vehicle. It must be able to swim, cross any terrain, and climb 30-degree hills. It must be air-transportable. It must have a simple but powerful engine, requiring little or no maintenance. The operating range should be several hundred miles. We would also like it to be invisible".<ref>{{Cite book|title=WorldCat.org|oclc=44288631 }}</ref>

[[File:R32 tank arrangement.jpg|thumb|Envelope-stretching [[nuclear fission]] powered R-32 tank design proposal]]
Some ideas proposed were to utilize a [[nuclear fission]] power plant in the R-32 or a vapor-cycled power plant fueled by hydrocarbons in the [[Chrysler TV-8]] tank.{{sfn|Hunnicutt| 2015|pp=123-127}} In response to these findings an eventual replacement for the M48A2 was recommended. ARCOVE and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics (DCSLOG) submitted a proposal for a tank based on the M48A2 featuring improved firepower and a [[compression ignition]] engine and started the design development of the XM60 in September 1957.

The engine deck was redesigned with two large louvered doors that replaced the complicated grill work of the rear engine decks of the M48/M48A1 hull designs. This new rear hull arrangement on the M48A2 tank helped in cooling the engine and minimizing the infrared (heat) signature of the vehicle.{{r|1992_Crismon|page=73}} The suspension system was simplified. The track tensioner arm was eliminated, modifications to the idler arm, the addition of bumper springs and friction snubbers, and a relocation of the air cleaner assembly. The number of return rollers was reduced to 3 per side. With the more compact AVI-1790-8 engine, additional fuel tanks were installed in the engine compartment, increasing fuel capacity to 335 gallons.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}} Many older model M48A1s were rebuilt to this production configuration but retained their original 5 return rollers per side.{{r|1999_Decker|page=144}}

The M48A2C saw improvements for the turret implementing the Mod B turret design with larger hatches for the commander and loader. The M12 rangefinder was replaced with a full-field coincidence model along with an improved turret control system. The M13 Fire Control System (FCS) consists of the M5A2 ballistic drive and mechanical M13A3 gun data computer which integrated barrel temperature data{{r|1980_M60}} with an M17 coincidence range finder.{{r|2019_Conners}} The rangefinder is a [[Coincidence rangefinder|double image coincidence image instrument]] used as the ranging device of the gunner's primary direct sighting and fire control system. The gunner is provided with an M20 day periscope with a magnification of x8 and an M105D day telescopic sight with a magnification of x8 and a field of view of 7.5 degrees.{{r|1980_M60}}

Range information from the rangefinder is fed into the ballistic computer through a shaft. The ballistic computer is a mechanically driven unit that permits ammunition selection, range correction, and superelevation correction by the gunner. The ballistic drive receives the range input and, through the use of cams and gears, provides superelevation information to the superelevation actuator. The superelevation actuator adds sufficient hydraulic fluid to the elevating mechanism to correctly position the gun.{{sfn|Icks|1971|p=25}}

M48A2s were widely deployed to both the US Army and [[United States Marine Corps|US Marine Corps]] fully replacing the [[M47 Patton]] in combat units as well as being exported to NATO allies and foreign governments. In 1967 M48A2 tanks still in service with National Guard units were upgraded to the A3 configuration. The M48A2 hull received modified armored boxing around the taillights, an updated fuel delivery system and a tank infantry phone (TIP). The gasoline engine was replaced with the AVDS-1790-2A. They remained in [[CONUS]] training use with the [[Army National Guard]] through 1979.

===M48A3===
[[File:Vietnam. Marines of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, riding on an M-48 tank. - NARA - 532441.jpg|thumb|Infantry of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, riding on an M48A3 in Vietnam, 1966]]

Citing high fuel consumption, poor low-end torque, and the extreme fuel flammability of gasoline engines, ARCOVE industrial representatives had expressed desires for a diesel engine for the M48 since 1953.{{r|2014_DavidB_02}} Continental Motors and OTAC began to develop an experimental X-shaped vapour-cycled engine design powered by hydrocarbons in 1954 for the [[T95 Medium Tank|T95 tank]] but it remained unreliable. In June 1955, OTAC adopted the recommendations and allowed a [[diesel engine]] to be used if it significantly improved fuel economy.{{r|1987_Hilmes|page=31}}

By August 1956 the diesel powered AVDS-1790 was recommended as meeting this requirement,{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}} and the Army requested the initial retrofitting of approximately 1,020 older M48A1s and A2s with the new engine in December.{{r|2019_Conners}} By February 1957, the Army had around 600 converted M48A3 Patton tanks and the Marine Corps had received 419.{{r|2015_Tencza}} Because many M48A3 tanks were conversions from earlier models many details varied among individual examples of this type. M48A3 tanks could have either three or five support rollers on each side and might have either the early or later type headlight assemblies, some retained their earlier Mod A turrets and different cupola styles.{{Sfn|Hunnicutt|2015}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}}

During the [[Hungarian Revolution of 1956]], a Soviet [[T-54A tank|T-54A]] medium tank was driven onto the grounds of the UK's embassy in Budapest by the Hungarians.{{r|2018_Beast}} After a brief examination of this tank's armor and [[D-10 tank gun|100&nbsp;mm gun]] by a British military attaché, the UK decided that their [[Ordnance QF 20 pounder|20 pounder]] (84mm L/66.7) was apparently incapable of defeating it. There were also rumors of an even larger [[U-5TS|115&nbsp;mm gun]] in the works.{{sfn|Nordeen|Isby|2010|p=137}} In response to this the US Army started [[M60 tank#XM60 development|development of the XM60]] to replace the M48 tank series and incorporating the ARCOVE recommendation of a more powerful main gun, the [[Royal Ordnance L7]] (105mm T254). Instead of immediately getting a 105mm main gun, large stockpiles of 90&nbsp;mm main gun ammunition and funding shortfalls that made it impossible to supply enough 105mm main gun rounds for all the planned tank conversions left the M48A3s with their M41 90mm guns.

In addition to the conversion of older model M48s, Chrysler continued to build new vehicles. These used the M48A2 hull design (with 3 return rollers) and had redesigned fenders and mudguards, armored boxes around the taillights among other minor details. They were fitted with another re-designed commander's cupola, the M1E1. It had a modified hatch to allow more room in comparison to the previous M1 cupola and the two rear vision blocks were eliminated.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015|p=87}} The driver's steering wheel was replaced with a T-bar control and received a padded seat.{{r|2019_Conners}} M48 procurement for the Army ceased and M48A2 hull production ended in May 1961. The Newark Tank plant was closed in October.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015|p=103}} This newest version of the M48 series received the designation Tank, Combat, Full-Tracked; 90mm Gun, M48A3 on 19 March 1958.{{r|1991_Terry|page=29}}

The M48A3 was withdrawn from Europe by October 1961, being replaced by the [[M60 tank]]. As US armored and cavalry units rotated out of combat deployments to [[South Vietnam]] most of their M48A3s were either directly transferred to the [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam|South Vietnamese army]] or to [[Thailand]]. [[FORSCOM]] withdrew the M48A3 from combat service with both the [[US Army]] and [[US Marine Corps]] in 1973, replacing them with the M60A1. Some M48A3s continued in service with National Guard units until 1979. Some were repurposed as [[Armoured vehicle-launched bridge]]s (AVLBs). Afterwards they were relegated to target use for the testing of radar and weapons systems until the mid 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aw.my.com/us/news/general/development-m48a3|title=In Development: M48A3|date=3 November 2016}}</ref> They were replaced in this role by the QM60.

===M48A4===
While the M60A1E1, later standardized as the M60A2, was under development, it appeared there would be many leftover M60 turrets, this resulted in a plan to transfer these turrets to M48A1 hulls modernized to the M48A3 standard. The turrets were essentially the same, although fitted with different guns, rangefinders and commander's cupolas.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=March–April 1985 |title=Evolution of the M60 Tank Continues |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bzgdfBCkRPIC&pg=RA1-PA28 |journal=Army Research, Development and Acquisition Magazine |publisher=U.S. Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command |pages=28}}</ref> However, the M60 turret featured a deeper basket necessitating the addition of spacers on the turret ring which elevated the turret by 2 inches. Also, the ammunition stowage had to be rearranged to accommodate the 105 mm ammunition, which was done by modifying the M60A1 racks.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Doyle |first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MsgpEQAAQBAJ&pg=PA132 |title=M48 Patton: America's First "Main Battle Tank" |date=2023-12-15 |publisher=Schiffer + ORM |isbn=978-1-5073-0422-8 |language=en}}</ref>

Two of these tanks were built, with one being sent to Fort Knox during the spring of 1967, the program was approved to retrofit 243 M48A1 tanks to this new configuration. The tank was planned to be designated as the 105 mm Gun, Full-Tracked, Combat Tank M48A4, however due to the decision to limit the amount of M60 tanks converted to M60A2s, the project was cancelled with no more tanks being built.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hunnicutt |first=R.P. |title=Patton A History Of The First American Main Battle Tank, Volume 1 |publisher=R.P. Hunnicutt |year=1984 |isbn=978-1-62654-159-7 |page=234 |language=en}}</ref>

===M48A5 ===
Retrofitting M48 with a 105 mm gun, which fit nicely in its turret, and the M60 powerpack, was an obvious idea explored since 1958, and M48A1E1 tank passed the trials in 1960. However, the cost of replacing large stores of 90 mm ammunition was considered too high, and the idea dragged without adoption for a decade and a half until the 90 mm gun became hopelessly obsolete.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Patton's Growing Pains |url=https://www.tankarchives.ca/2022/01/pattons-growing-pains.html |access-date=2024-10-28}}</ref>

The [[Yom Kippur War]] in 1973 demonstrated high attrition rates of tanks due to ATGMs and, besides diverging hundreds of American tanks to make up Israeli losses, forced the US Army to raise its inventory objectives from 8,300 initially to 10,300 and by 1976 to 14,400 tanks. The opened gap had to be closed as quickly and cheaply as possible, so it was decided to rearm and re-engine reserve M48s. The program cost on average under $170,000 {{USDCY|170000|1976}} per tank<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Deagle |first1=Edwin A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lv8eeH-Yv4UC&pg=PA13 |title=U.S. Army Force Design, Alternatives for Fiscal Years 1977-1981 |last2=Office |first2=United States Congressional Budget |date=1976 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |language=en}}</ref> ($110,000 for diesel M48A3s and $236,000 for gasoline M48A1/A2Cs), which was about three times cheaper than a new M60A1.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Services |first=United States Congress Senate Committee on Armed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bDhM099tJhkC&pg=PA105 |title=Fiscal Year 1976 and July-September 1976 Transaction Period Authorization for Military Procurement, Research and Development, and Active Duty, Selected Reserve, and Civilian Personnel Strengths, Hearing Before ..., 94-1 ... |date=1975 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:M48A5 dozer Team Spirit 1984.jpg|thumb|right|A U.S. M48A5 Patton with a dozer blade participates in [[Team Spirit]] in Korea, 1984]]
The last major US upgrade of the M48 tank series was initially designated XM736, then M48A3E1 and was finally standardized as M48A5 in May 1975.<ref name=":0" />

This conversion upgrade was applied to M48A3 versions still in service with [[Army National Guard]] units in order to maintain the training levels of Guard units as well as using a commonality in ammunition amongst tanks. The upgrade featured the mounting of the [[Royal Ordnance L7|M68 105&nbsp;mm gun]] carried in the M116 mount and the all-metric measurement M16 fire control system. The hull was upgraded by applying the [[M60 Tank|M60A1 RISE]] Hull PIP Update Kit and incorporated as many of the components as possible.<ref name="Rolf Hilmes 1987 pp. 11">Rolf Hilmes, Main Battle Tanks: Developments in Design since 1945 (McLean, Va.: Pergamon-Brassey's International Defense Publishers, 1987), pp. 11–18; Zaloga and Loop, Modern American Armor</ref>

Some of these included the retrofit of the AVDS-1790-2C RISE diesel engine incorporating TLAC engine panels coupled to with a CD-850-6 cross-drive transmission, a 300-gallon fuel capacity and the T142 track assembly, M13A1 [[CBRN|NBC protection system]] for the crew and the replacement of the .30 caliber M37 coaxial machine gun with the 7.62mm NATO [[M73 machine gun|M219]]/T175 machine gun.<ref name="Rolf Hilmes 1987 pp. 11"/> Because all M48A5 tanks were conversions from earlier models, many characteristics varied among individual examples of this type. M48A5 tanks could have either three or five support rollers on each side and might have either the early or later type headlight assemblies, some retained their earlier cupola styles.

Starting in 1975 M48A3 tanks that were still in service with the [[Army National Guard]] were converted to the M48A5 standard. These tanks were initially converted from former M48A3 tanks using the M48A1 hull design (with 5 return rollers) and given the designation M48A5PI. But, after August 1976 these early hull conversions were further upgraded, the Product Improvement (PI) designation was removed, and these tanks were redesignated as the M48A5. By March 1978, 708 M48A5 tanks had been converted from the M48A1 hull model.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015}}<sup>:242</sup> In conjunction with the conversion of M48A1 tank hulls, the conversion of M48A3s mated to M48A2 hulls (with 3 return rollers) to the M48A5 standard was also implemented in 1976. The conversion program ran from October 1975 to December 1979 with a total of 2,069 M48A3s converted to the A5 standard.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015}}<sup>:242</sup>

[[File:M48 Aggressor Sentry Castle 1981.jpg|thumb|An M48A5 of B Co., 1st Battalion/ 127th Armor Regiment, [[42nd Infantry Division (United States)|42nd Infantry Division]], New York Army National Guard performing as the [[Opposing force|OPFOR]] force during joint exercise Sentry Castle 1981 at [[Fort Drum|Ft. Drum, NY]].]]
They were used by Guard units in [[CONUS]] to maintain their training levels and proficiency. In May 1987, at [[Fort McCoy, Wisconsin|Fort McCoy]], 1st Battalion, 632nd Armor Regiment of the [[Wisconsin Army National Guard]] retired the last M48 tanks in the US military. The tanks were parked in a holding pen at the WI ARNG Mobilization and Training Equipment Site (MATES) and later transferred to the [[Moroccan Army]]. They were replaced in National Guard service by the M60A3.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.patton-mania.com/M48_Patton/m48_patton.html|title=M48 Patton|website=www.patton-mania.com}}</ref> However many other countries continue to use these M48 models.

Israel's wartime experiences with their M48/E48C [[Magach]] tanks spurred the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] to implement its own changes. These included replacing the M1 cupola with a low-profile "Urdan" type that mounted an [[M60 machine gun|M60D]] machine gun for use by the tank commander. A second M60 machine gun was mounted on the turret roof for use by the loader. Internal ammunition stowage for the 105mm main gun was also increased to 54 rounds. Many of them were fitted with Blazer [[Reactive armour#Explosive reactive armour|ERA]] panels.

=== E48 series ===
M48s for use in foreign military service were designated as the E48 series by the [[Foreign Military Sales|US Foreign Military Sales]] (FMS). These were essentially M48s with minor modifications requested by approved foreign purchasers. Some of the modifications included removal of the M1 cupola, different models of machine guns, electronics, fire control systems or radios, external armor plates, smoke launchers and power packs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a528585.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622120553/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a528585.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=22 June 2021 |title=Data |publisher=apps.dtic.mil |access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> Israel purchased many of these tanks forming the genesis of the [[Magach#Versions|Magach]] series.

This series included the following designations:

*'''E48''': modified M48/M48A1 variant for non-US service
*'''E48A''': modified M48A2 variant for non-US service
*'''E48B''': modified M48A3 variant for non-US service
*'''E48C''': modified M48A5 variant for non-US service
*'''E48 AVLB''': modified M48 AVLB variant for non-US service

==Combat service==
===Asia===
===Vietnam War===
[[File:Vietnam....Marines riding atop an M-48 tank cover their ears as te 90mm gun fires during a road sweep southwest of... - NARA - 532483.tif|thumb|US Marines riding atop an M48 in Vietnam in April 1968]]

The M48 saw extensive action with the US military during the [[Vietnam War]]. Over 600 Pattons would be deployed with US forces during that war.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015}}{{page needed|date=March 2021}}{{r|1979_Starry}} The initial M48s first landed with the US Marine 1st and 3rd Tank Battalions in 1965,{{r|1982_Dunstan}} with the 5th Marine Tank Battalion later becoming a back-up/reinforcement unit. The remaining Pattons deployed to South Vietnam were in three US Army battalions, namely the [[77th Armor Regiment (United States)|1-77th Armor]] near the [[Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone|DMZ]] (67 M48A2C (23 tanks supplied from US Army Training Center at [[Fort Knox]], and 44 tanks from [[Letterkenny Army Depot]]) tanks were used by the 77th Armor from August 1968 to January 1969.

These were later replaced with M48A3s, the [[69th Armor Regiment|1-69th Armor]] in the [[Central Highlands (Vietnam)|Central Highlands]] of central South Vietnam and the [[34th Armor Regiment (United States)|2-34th Armor]] positioned near the [[Mekong Delta]]. Each battalion consisted of approximately 57 tanks. M48s were also used by Armored Cavalry Squadrons in Vietnam until replaced by [[M551 Sheridan]] Armored Reconnaissance Airborne Assault Vehicles (ARAAV) in the Divisional Cavalry Squadrons. M48A3 tanks remained in service with the [[11th Armored Cavalry Regiment]] until the unit was withdrawn from the conflict. Some M48 variants, nicknamed "Zippos", or M67A1 [[Flame tank]]s were used by some U.S Marine Corps units, but the U.S. Army no longer used them.<ref>Starry ([[Department of the Army]]) p. 53</ref> From 1965 to 1968, 120 US M48A3 tanks were written off.{{r|armor.kiev.ua}}

[[File:Men of Troop B, Vietnam.jpg|thumb|M48 of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, [[4th Infantry Division (United States)|4th Infantry Division]], in the Central Highlands, June 1969]]

The M48 Patton has the distinction of playing a unique role in an event that was destined to radically alter the conduct of armored warfare.{{r|1982_Dunstan}} When US forces commenced redeployment operations, many of the M48A3 Pattons were turned over to the [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam]] (ARVN) forces, in particular creating the battalion-sized ARVN 20th Tank Regiment, which supplemented their [[M41 Walker Bulldog]] units. During the [[North Vietnam]]ese [[People's Army of Vietnam]] (PAVN) [[Easter Offensive]] in 1972, tank clashes between PAVN [[T-54]]/[[PT-76]] and ARVN M48/M41 units became commonplace.{{r|1982_Dunstan}}

On 23 April 1972, tankers of the 20th Tank Regiment were attacked by a PAVN infantry-tank team, which was equipped with the new ''[[9M14 Malyutka|9M14M Malyutka]]'' (NATO designation: Sagger) wire-guided [[anti-tank missile]]. During this battle, one M48A3 Patton tank and one [[M113 armored personnel carrier#M113 armored cavalry assault vehicle (ACAV) variant|M113]] Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV) were destroyed, becoming the first losses to the Sagger missile; losses that would echo on an even larger scale a year later during the [[Yom Kippur War]] in the Middle East in 1973.{{r|1982_Dunstan}} By 2 May, the 20th Tank Regiment had lost all of their tanks to enemy fire.{{r|1979_Starry|page=212}} During the first month of the [[First Battle of Quảng Trị]], all ARVN M48 Pattons (100 tanks) were lost.{{efn|1=1st Armor Brigade lost 43 M48s and 66 M41s, 20th Tank Regiment lost 57 M48s}}{{r|1979_Ngo|page=52}}

[[File:NARA 111-CCV-372-CC33992 25th Infantry Division M48A3 Patton moving through Viet Cong territory Operation Lincoln 1966.jpg|thumb|A 1st Battalion, 69th Armor M48 during [[Operation Lincoln (Vietnam)|Operation Lincoln]]]]

The M48s performed admirably{{r|1987_Nolan}} in South Vietnam in the infantry-support role. However, there were few actual tank-versus-tank battles. One was between the US 1-69th Armor and PT-76 light amphibious tanks of the PAVN 202nd Armored Regiment at [[Ben Het Camp]] in March 1969.{{r|1982_Dunstan}} The M48s provided adequate protection for its crew from small arms, mines, and [[rocket-propelled grenade]]s. South Vietnamese M48s and M41s fought in the [[1975 Spring Offensive]]. In several incidents, the ARVN successfully defeated PAVN [[T-34]] and [[T-55]] tanks and even slowed the North's offensive.{{r|1976_NM|page=10}}

However, due to shortages of fuel and munitions faced by the South Vietnamese military because of the US Congress-placed ban on the further funding and supply of military equipment and logistics to the country, the American-made tanks soon ran out of ammunition and fuel and were quickly abandoned to the PAVN, which then put them in their service after the war ended in May 1975. In total, 250 of the ARVN's M48A3s were destroyed and captured{{r|1976_NM|page=10}} and those captured (at least 30) were only used briefly before being phased out and turned into war-memorial displays all over Vietnam.

[[File:M48A3 Detonates Mine Vietnam.jpg|thumb|A destroyed M48A3 during Vietnam war - victim of a mine.]]
[[File:M48 Tanks in Herringbone Formation.jpg|thumb|right|M48 tanks in a defensive herringbone formation along a road in Vietnam, west of [[Pleiku]], April 1, 1966.]]

{{anchor|M48-land-mines}} M48s, along with Australian [[20 pounder|20 pounder (84&nbsp;mm)]]-gunned{{r|1979_Starry|page=113}} [[Centurion tank|Centurions]] of the [[1st Armoured Regiment (Australia)|1st Armoured Regiment]],{{r|1982_Dunstan}} were the only vehicles in use by the anti-communist side in the Vietnam War that could reasonably protect their crews from [[land mine]]s. They were often used for minesweeping operations along Highway 19 in the Central Highlands, a two-lane paved road between [[An Khe]] and [[Pleiku]]. Daily convoys moved both ways along Highway 19. These convoys were held up each morning while the road was swept for mines. At that time, minesweeping was done by soldiers walking slowly over the dirt shoulders of the highway with hand-held mine detectors.{{r|1979_Starry|page=80}}

During this slow process, convoys would build up into a dangerously inviting target for the enemy, especially their guerillas and partisans. As a result, a faster method was improvised, the ''"Thunder Run"'', in which one M48 lined up on each side of the road, with one track on the dirt shoulder and the other track on the asphalt, and then with all guns firing,{{r|1979_Starry|page=80}} they raced to a designated position miles away. If the M48s made it without striking a mine, the road was clear, and the convoys could proceed. In most cases, an M48 that struck a land mine in these operations only lost a road wheel or two in the explosion; seldom was there any hull damage that would be considered a [[catastrophic kill]].{{r|1979_Starry}}

Supply of M48A3 tanks to South Vietnam:

* 1971: 54.{{r|2015_Hatcher}}
* May 1972: 120.{{r|2005_Moïse|page=135}}
* October 1972: 72.{{r|2005_Moïse|page=135}}
* November 1972: 59.{{r|1979_Starry|page=218}}
* January 1973 - July 1974: 16.<ref>Better Management of Secondary Items by the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Would Reduce U.S. Investment; Department of Defense: Report to the Congress by the Comptroller General of the United States. United States. General Accounting Office. U.S. General Accounting Office. 1975. p. 8</ref>
* Total: at least 321 M48 tanks.

According to official US data 343 M48s were delivered to the ARVN up to March 1975.,<ref>Military posture and procurement of aircraft, missiles, tracked combat vehicles, torpedoes, and other weapons, Title I, H.R. 3689. General provisions, Title VII, H.R. 3689. United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1975. pp. 554, 555</ref> all of which were destroyed or captured.

The United States lost at least 123 M48 tanks (non-repairable) during the war.{{r|armor.kiev.ua}} As a result, the United States with South Vietnam lost about 500 M48 tanks.

===Indo-Pakistani wars===
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2016}}

[[File:M48 Patton.jpg|thumb|A [[Pakistan Army Armoured Corps|Pakistani]] M48 Patton advances at [[Chumb]] in 1965.]]

M47s and M48s were used in tank warfare by the [[Pakistan Army]] against the [[Indian Army]]'s Soviet T-55s, British Centurions and US M4 Sherman tanks in both the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] as well as the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|following war in 1971]] with at least some good results. During [[Operation Grand Slam]] Pakistani tank forces, composed mainly of M47 and M48 Patton tanks, thrust through the Indian defense-lines very quickly and swiftly defeated Indian Army armored counterattacks. At the Battle of Chumb, India's only tank battalion in the region was wiped out.

The Pakistanis used approximately a division's worth of tanks in the operation, although not all were Pattons, with upgraded Shermans included as well. In contrast, Pakistan's Patton tank failed to live up to its high expectations in the [[Battle of Asal Uttar]] in September 1965, where about 97 Pakistani tanks were lost, the majority of them being Pattons (M47s and M48s). Later, the Patton tank was the main Pakistani tank at the [[Battle of Chawinda]] and its performance at that battle was deemed satisfactory against Indian armor.

The Patton was later used by Pakistan again, this time, in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. A counterattack led by the 13th Lancers and the 31st Cavalry army units was defeated by the Indian 54th Division around [[Battle of Barapind]] in December 1971. The Pakistan Army Patton tanks could not stop an assault by Indian T-55 Soviet-supplied tanks of the 2nd Armored Brigade.{{r|strategic_affairs}} At least 9 of the Pattons were destroyed by T-55 tanks during the battle of Nainakot.{{r|1995_Chakravorty|page=342}} It total, more than 80 Pakistani Pattons were knocked out during the war, mainly by Centurion and T-55 fire.{{r|strategic_affairs}}

India later set up a temporary war-memorial so named "''Patton Nagar''" (or "Patton City") in [[Khemkaran]] District in Punjab, where the captured Pakistani Patton tanks were displayed for a short period of time before being scrapped or sent all across India for use as war monuments and military memorials.

Analyzing their overall performance in their wars with India, the Pakistani military held that the Patton was held in reasonably-high esteem by both sides and that combat-tactics were to blame for the setback at Asal Uttar.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} However, a post-war US study of the tank battles in South Asia concluded that the Patton's armor could, in fact, be penetrated by the [[Ordnance QF 20 pounder|20-pounder tank gun]] (84&nbsp;mm) of the Centurion (later replaced by the even-more successful L7 105mm gun on the Mk. 7 version which India also possessed) as well as the 75&nbsp;mm tank gun of the [[AMX-13]] light tank.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}

===Other countries===
In the [[2025 Cambodian-Thai conflict]], [[Royal Thai Armed Forces|Thai side]] employed M48A5PI tanks in combat against [[Cambodians]]. Thai M48A5PI tanks engaged variety of Cambodian targets as videos showing these engagements which they were purportedly published by Thai side.

In one incident Royal Thai Army M48A5 tank engaged 4 Cambodian T-55 tanks in [[Thai-Cambodian border]], shortly after the video another video emerged depicting one Cambodian T-55 tank destroyed during the engagement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thai M48 hits Cambodian T-55 tanks in border clash |url=https://defence-blog.com/thai-m48-hits-cambodian-t-55-tanks-in-border-clash/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHouSOeHsbnD0jTTAJg38X3hsGZj6IfR-zTQASw-Tr0gD0P6m00Z2pd1v_cds_aem_w6wzSOvkrS60DXYEFM_64g |website=Defence Blog – Military and Defense News |access-date=31 December 2025 |date=31 December 2025}}</ref>

===Middle East===
[[File:Israeli M48 tank captured by Egypt.jpg|thumb|An ex-Israeli M48 captured by Egypt during the [[Yom Kippur War]] in 1973]]

M48s were also used with mixed results during the [[Six-Day War]] of 1967. On the [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] battlefront, [[Israel]]i M48s upgunned with the then-advanced 105&nbsp;mm L7 rifled tank gun were used with considerable success against [[Egypt]]ian [[IS-3 (tank)|IS-3]]s, T-54s/T-55s, T-34/85s and [[SU-100]]s supplied by the [[Soviet Union]] during the 1950s and the 1960s (such as during the [[Battle of Abu-Ageila (1967)|Second Battle of Abu-Ageila]]. On the Sinai front, Israel lost 50 M48 tanks of 117: 39 M48A2C and 11 M48A3.<ref>(זלמנוביץ, בעז (ע סופת אש במדבר המערכת בזירה המצרית במלחמת ש. (Hebrew) A Firestorm in the Desert. The Six Days War: The Egyptian Front. Boaz Zalmanovitz. 2017. P.354</ref> However, on the [[West Bank]] war-front, [[Jordan]]ian M48s (Jordan was also a user of the M48 Patton as was Israel at the same time-period) were often defeated by Israeli 105mm-armed Centurions and WWII-era upgraded M4 Shermans - [[Super Sherman|M-51s]] upgunned with French-built 105&nbsp;mm tank guns, not to be confused with the British L7 105mm tank gun.

In purely technical terms, the Pattons were far superior to the much-older Shermans, with shots at more than 1,000 meters simply glancing off the M48's armor. However, the 105&nbsp;mm main gun of the Israeli Shermans fired a [[High explosive anti-tank warhead|HEAT]] round designed to defeat the Soviet [[T-62|T-62 tank]], which was the USSR's response to the M48's successor in US service, the [[M60 tank]]. The Jordanian Pattons' general failure on the West Bank could also be attributed to excellent Israeli [[air superiority]].{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} The Israeli Army captured about 100 Jordanian M48 and M48A1 tanks and pressed them into service in their own units after the war, as were the Jordanian M113 APCs they seized during the war.

Israel used 445 M48 tanks in 1973 during the [[Yom Kippur War]].{{sfn|Nordeen|Isby|2010|p=20}} From 15 to 18 October, M48 tanks participated in the largest<ref>{{cite book | last1= Zaloga | first1= Steven J. | author-link= Steven Zaloga | date= 2009-08-18 | title= T-62 Main Battle Tank 1965–2005 | url= https://archive.org/details/tmainbattletankn00zalo | series= New Vanguard | language= en | volume= Book 158 | others= Illustrated by Tony Bryan | edition= 1st | publisher= [[Osprey Publishing]] | isbn= 978-1-84603-390-2 | lccn= 2009502076 | oclc= 650085634 | ol= OL25562728M | access-date= 2020-03-07 | via= [[Internet Archive]] | url-access= limited |page=34}}</ref> tank battle of the war - [[Battle of the Chinese Farm]]. The battle involved the Egyptian [[21st Armoured Division (Egypt)|21st Armored Division]] (136 T-55s),{{r|Chinese_Farm}} 25th Armored Brigade (75 T-62s),{{r|Gab_Battle}} tank battalion (21 T-55s) from 24th Armored Brigade (in the total 232 Egyptian tanks) and the Israeli 143rd and 162nd Armored Divisions (about 440 tanks).{{r|1973_Suez_Map}}

[[File:Destroyed Israeli Armour (M48 Tank) During Yom Kippur War.jpg|thumb|right|An Israeli M48 destroyed during fighting in the Yom Kippur War.]]
The battle ended with an Israeli victory, but both sides lost a huge number of tanks in this battle (each side lost about two hundred tanks). On the night of 15/16 October, the Israeli 14th Brigade of the 143rd Division lost 70 tanks out of 97. Between the 16th at 0900 and the 17th at 1400, the Israeli 143rd and 162nd Divisions have lost 96 tanks.{{r|1999_Razoux}} As of 18 October, the Egyptian 21st Armored Division had no more than 40 tanks remaining of an original 136 tanks available at the start of the battle{{r|2000_Gawrych|page=64}}, 25th Armored Brigade had only 10 tanks of an original 75 T-62s.{{r|Chinese_Farm}}

Totally, when the [[Yom Kippur War]] broke out, Israel had 540 M48-series (with 105&nbsp;mm gun) and M60/M60A1 tanks.<ref name="test">{{Citation |contribution=Patton Tanks in Israeli service |contribution-url=http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/vehicles/tanks/magach/Patton_Tanks_in_Israeli_Service.htm |title=Vehicles |publisher=Israeli weapons}}.</ref><ref name="SIPRI">{{Citation |contribution=Trade register |contribution-url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Arms trade |publisher=Sipri |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-date=14 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |url-status=dead }}.</ref> During the war, the tanks suffered heavy losses. The location of flammable hydraulic fluid at the front of the turret was discovered to be a severe vulnerability. Egypt had destroyed a large number of Israeli tanks, and after the war, only 200 M48 and M60A1 tanks remained. Israel entrenched most of these tanks in the Sinai front against opposite entrenched Egyptian infantry armed with [[9M14 Malyutka]] anti tank missiles.<ref name="test" />

Aside from the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF), the M48 was also operated by the [[Lebanese Armed Forces|Lebanese Army]], the Christian [[Lebanese Forces (militia)|Lebanese Forces]] militia, the [[Druze in Lebanon|Druze]] [[Progressive Socialist Party]]'s [[People's Liberation Army (Lebanon)|People's Liberation Army]] militia, the Shia [[Lebanese Resistance Regiments|Amal militia]] and the [[South Lebanon Army]]. All the tanks seized by the militias were captured from the Army's mostly Druze [[4th Infantry Brigade (Lebanon)|4th Infantry Brigade]] which collapsed due to sectarian divisions in 1983. On 10 June 1982, eight Israeli M48A3s, two M60A1s and at least three M113 APCs were lost in a successful ambush by Syrian T-55 tanks and [[BMP-1]] infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) during the [[Battle of Sultan Yacoub]] in 1982.
[[File:AGM-65 M-48 post impact.jpg|thumb|A target QM48 struck by an [[AGM-65]] Maverick missile during a weapons test]]

The Lebanese Army still operates about 100 M48s. In 2007, during the [[2007 North Lebanon conflict]], Lebanese Army M48s shelled militant outposts located in a refugee camp.{{r|2007_ynet|q=Hundreds of Lebanese army troops, backed by tanks and armored carriers, surrounded the refugee camp early Monday. M48 battle tanks unleashed their cannon fire on the camp, sending orange flames followed by white plumes of smoke. The militants fired mortars toward the troops at daybreak.}}{{r|Sultan}}

Together with the M47, M48 tanks were used by the [[Turkish Armed Forces]] during the [[Military operations during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus|Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974]]. The [[Turkish Armed Forces in Northern Cyprus]] continue to use M48 tanks today.

When the [[Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present)|Kurdish–Turkish conflict]] began, the Turkish Armed Forces had a number of M48s. These were used throughout the 1980s and the 1990s as static artillery and was used in defending military-base perimeters from enemy attacks.{{Citation needed|date=September 2016}}

Iranian M48 tanks were used widely in the [[Iran–Iraq War]] from 1980 to 1988, where they faced Iraqi T-55s, T-62s and T-72s, alongside M60 Pattons, in fierce and harsh combat with their Iraqi foes, with mixed results. M48s of the 37th Armored Brigade were used in the [[Battle of Abadan]]. About 150 M48s were lost in this tank battle alone.{{r|2011_Farrokh|page=362}}

===Africa===
In 1973, Morocco took delivery of its first M48A3s. By the end of the 1970s, further deliveries of M48A5 had occurred and the upgrade to M48A5 was achieved locally with the aid of US consultants. In 1987, a final shipment of 100 M48A5 tanks from the Wisconsin National Guard was delivered to the Moroccan army. There are unconfirmed reports of deliveries of Israeli M48A5s during the 1980s. The tanks were used in the Western Sahara desert against Polisario guerrillas.

Pakistan used M48 Pattons while reinforcing American troops during the [[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)|Battle of Mogadishu]] in 1993.{{r|1999_Bowden|page=324}}

==Specifications==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!
! style="width:13em;" | T48{{sfn|Hunnicutt|1984|p=427}}
! style="width:13em;" | M48{{sfn|Hunnicutt|1984|p=428}}
! style="width:13em;" | M48A1{{sfn|Hunnicutt|1984|p=429}}
! style="width:13em;" | M48A2{{sfn|Hunnicutt|1984|p=434}}
! style="width:13em;" | M48A3{{sfn|Hunnicutt|1984|p=436}}
! style="width:13em;" | M48A5{{sfn|Hunnicutt|1984|p=438}}
|-
! Overall length (gun forward)
| {{convert|343.7|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|colspan="2"| {{convert|346.9|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|colspan="2"| {{convert|341.8|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|366.4|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Overall width
|colspan="6"| {{convert|143.0|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Height 
|colspan="2"| {{convert|127.6|in|m|1|abbr=on}} (over MG)
|colspan="2"| {{convert|121.6|in|m|1|abbr=on}} (over cupola periscope)
| {{convert|129.3|in|m|1|abbr=on}} (over cupola periscope)
| {{convert|120.5|in|m|1|abbr=on}} (over cupola periscope)
|-
! Ground clearance
|colspan="6"| {{convert|16.5|in|cm|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Top speed
| {{convert|30|mph|0|abbr=on}}
|colspan="2"| {{convert|28|mph|0|abbr=on}}
|colspan="3"| {{convert|30|mph|0|abbr=on}}
|-
! Fording
|colspan="3"| {{convert|48|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|40|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|colspan="2"| {{convert|48|in|m|1|abbr=on}} w/o kit
|-
! Max. grade
|colspan="6"| 60%
|-
! Max. trench
|colspan="6"| {{convert|8.5|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
! Max. wall
|colspan="6"| {{convert|36|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Range
|colspan="3"| {{convert|70|mi|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|160|mi|abbr=on}}
|colspan="2"| {{convert|300|mi|abbr=on}}
|-
! Power
|colspan="3"| {{convert|810|hp|abbr=on}} at 2800 rpm
| {{convert|825|hp|abbr=on}} at 2800 rpm
|colspan="2"| {{convert|750|hp|abbr=on}} at 2400 rpm
|-
! Power-to-weight ratio
| {{convert|16.5|hp/ST|kW/t|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|16.4|hp/ST|kW/t|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|15.6|hp/ST|kW/t|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|15.7|hp/ST|kW/t|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|14.0|hp/ST|kW/t|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|13.9|hp/ST|kW/t|1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Torque
|colspan="2"| {{convert|1610|lbft|N.m|-1|abbr=on}} at 2200 rpm
| {{convert|1600|lbft|N.m|-1|abbr=on}} at 2200 rpm
| {{convert|1670|lbft|N.m|-1|abbr=on}} at 2200 rpm
|colspan="2"| {{convert|1710|lbft|N.m|-1|abbr=on}} at 1800 rpm
|-
! Weight, combat loaded
| {{convert|98400|lb|kg|-1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|99000|lb|kg|-1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|104000|lb|kg|-1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|105000|lb|kg|-1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|107000|lb|kg|-1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|108000|lb|kg|-1|abbr=on}}
|-
! Ground pressure
|colspan="2"| {{convert|11.2|psi|kPa|0|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|11.8|psi|kPa|0|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|11.9|psi|kPa|0|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|12.1|psi|kPa|0|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|12.2|psi|kPa|0|abbr=on}}
|-
! Main armament
|colspan="5"| 90&nbsp;mm [[90 mm gun M1/M2/M3|M41/T139]]
| 105&nbsp;mm [[Royal Ordnance L7|M68]]
|-
! Elevation, main gun
| +20° −9°
|colspan="5"| +19° −9°
|-
! Traverse rate
| 10 seconds/360°
|colspan="5"| 15 seconds/360°
|-
! Elevation rate
|colspan="6"| 4°/second
|-
! Main gun ammo
|colspan="3"| 60 rounds
| 64 rounds
| 62 rounds
| 54 rounds
|-
! Firing rate
|colspan="5"| 8 rounds/minute
| 7 rounds/minute
|}

==Variants==

*'''T48''': Developmental prototypes designed in 1950 and used between 1951 and 1955.
*'''M48''': Initial production variant with Mod A hull & turret designs featuring M41 90mm gun, M1 remote-controllable machine gun mount and AV-1790-5 or -7 gasoline engine. Deemed not fit for combat use in Europe, relegated to [[CONUS]] use only.
**'''M48C''': M48 with incorrect hull ballistic protection. Relegated by CONARC to the [[United States Army Armor School|Armored Forces School]] at [[Fort Knox]] for non-ballistic training of crewmembers and maintenance personnel.
*'''M48A1''': First variant to have M1 cupola and Mod B hull design. Fitted with external fuel drums to extend its range.
*'''M48A2''': Redesigned hull with simplified suspension system and louvered engine access doors, AVI-1790-8 fuel-injected gasoline engine and Mod B turret design.
**'''M48A2C''': M48A2 fitted with M13 fire control system
*'''M48A3''': Featured AVDS-1790-2A diesel engine and M1E1 cupola. Withdrawn from combat use in 1973, replaced by M60A1.
*'''M48A4''': M60 turrets on M48A1 hulls modernized to the M48A3 standard. Fitted with spacers on the turret ring to elevate the turret and the rearrangement of ammunition stowage to accommodate the 105 mm ammunition.
*'''M48A5PI''': Early conversions of M48A1 hulls to the M48A5 standard. Retained the AVDS-1790-2A engine, CD-850-5A transmission and T97 track. All were further upgraded in 1976 with components from the M60A1 RISE Hull PIP Update Kit and redesignated M48A5.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015}}{{page needed|date=March 2015}}
*'''M48A5''': Featured M68 105mm gun, all metric-measurement M16 FCS, coax machine gun upgraded to M219 and a crew NBC protection system. Hull component upgrades included AVDS-1790-2C RISE engine, TLAC engine panels and T142 track. Some were fitted with the M19 cupola. All were relegated to the [[Army National Guard]] for CONUS training use. Replaced by the M60A3.
*'''QM48''': M48A3 designation for target vehicles. Withdrawn from use by 1994 and replaced in role by QM60.

===Specialized===
[[File:M67 Flamethrower Tank Vietnam.jpg|thumb|right|A USMC M67 Flamethrower Tank in action near Da Nang, Vietnam.]]
[[File:M48 Patton with E202 Ensure.jpg|thumb|right|The Ensure 202 expendable tank-mounted mine roller was tried in Vietnam on the M48 tank.]]

*'''M48 AVLB''': [[armored vehicle-launched bridge]] Former M48A3 with 60-foot (18 meters) scissors bridge mated to the M48A1/M48A2 hull. Most were upgraded with the M60 Hull PIP Update Kit.
*'''M48 GAU-8:''' a prototype [[Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon|self propelled anti-aircraft]] platform created by [[General Electric]] that incorporated the [[GAU-8 Avenger]] cannon as its main gun. 
*'''[[M60 AVLB#Israel|M48 Tagash AVLB]]''': Israeli variant of the M48 AVLB. Former Jordanian M48A2s. Upgraded with Merkava-based track and suspension, upgraded engine and two ''Tzmed'' tandem bridge sections.<ref>IDF ARMOR SERIES No.4 Magach 6B GAL M60A1 in IDF Service Desert Eagle Publishing</ref>
*'''[[M67 flame thrower tank]] "Zippo"''': An M48 tank armed with a flame thrower and a mock barrel and deflector. Named after a popular [[Zippo|cigarette lighter]].
*'''[[Keiler (mine flail)|M48 ''Minenräumpanzer Keiler'']]''': German [[mine flail]] variant based on the M48A2 hull with upgraded 986&nbsp;hp German MTU 871 Ka501 diesel engine and Renk HSWL 284 M transmission. {{As of|2007}} they were still in service.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|url=https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/US/M48_Patton.php/|title=M48 Patton|date=18 November 2014}}</ref>
*'''M48 Marksman SPAAG''' (Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun): British short range [[Marksman anti-aircraft system]] designed by [[GEC-Marconi]]. Armed with two [[Oerlikon GDF|Oerlikon 35&nbsp;mm cannon]] mated to M48A2 hull. Not accepted for US service.
*'''[[M247 Sergeant York|M247 Sergeant York DIVAD]]''' (Division Air Defense): A short range air defense system designed by Ford Aerospace armed with 2 [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70|Bofors 40&nbsp;mm]] cannons mounted on the M48A1 hull incorporating component upgrades from the M60A1 Hull PIP Kit. Canceled by 1985.
*'''M48T5''' Tamay: Turkish combat support vehicles based on the M48A2 hull designed by TLFC Kayseri and introduced at the IDEF Show at Ankara, Turkey in December 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/News/2005/December/Military_News_december_2005_UK.htm|title = Information and news about military equipment and army of all countries December year 2005}}</ref>
**'''M48T5 ARV''' ([[armored recovery vehicle]]): The turret has been replaced with a welded armored superstructure that provides protection from shell fragments and small arms fire and a front-mounted stabilizer/dozer blade. It is fitted with a hydraulically operated winch with a maximum rated capacity of 70 tons and an auxiliary winch with a capacity of two tons. Both winches are located at the front of the vehicle.
**'''M48T5 CEV''' (Combat Engineer Vehicle): Visually similar to the ARV and has the same two winches and a front-mounted stabilizer/dozer blade. The boom is mounted on the right side of the hull at the front but has an extendable jib that can be fitted with various attachments to meet specific engineer requirements, when used as a crane it has a lift capacity of seven tons. The boom can be traversed through 195 degrees.

''Additional equipment''
*[[List of U.S. military vehicles by model number#Tankdozer kits|M8 Bulldozer Kit]] for the M48 tank series (SNL G278): The M8 bulldozer installed on the M48 series tank will increase the vehicle's weight by 4.45 tons (4.04 metric tons). It is controlled by the driver.

===International===
*'''E48 series''': [[Foreign Military Sales]] designation for the M48 series
**'''E48''': modified M48/M48A1 variant for non-US service
**'''E48A''': modified M48A2 variant for non-US service
**'''E48B''': modified M48A3 variant for non-US service
**'''E48C''': modified M48A5 variant for non-US service
**'''E48 AVLB''': modified M48 AVLB variant for non-US service
*'''Israeli variants''': Many of the Israeli M48s have been upgraded with additional reactive or passive armor. These up-armored versions are referred to as the [[Magach]] series.
**'''Magach 1''': Israeli M48A1/E48 variant armed with M41 90mm main gun. Different configurations exist.
**'''Magach 2''': Israeli M48A2/E48A variant armed with M41 gun, some also fitted with ERA and Urdan cupola. Different configurations exist.
**'''Magach 3''': Modernized Israeli M48A1/A2/A3. Armed with British 105mm L7A1 cannon, Urdan cupola, new communication suite and a AVDS-1790-2A 750&nbsp;hp diesel. Most were eventually fitted with Blazer ERA. Different configurations exist.
**'''Magach 5''': Generally similar to the Magach 3, but with upgraded AVDS-1790-2D engine and CD-850-6A transmission. Most were fitted with Blazer ERA and Urdan cupola. Different configurations exist.
*'''Spanish variants''':
[[File:M-48A5E2_Ejército_Español.JPG|thumb|right|Spanish M48A5E2]]
**'''M48A3E''': M48A3/E48B variant with M68E1 105mm main gun, M17B1C rangefinder, M13A4 ballistic computer and AN/VSS-1(V)1 IR searchlight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.patton-mania.com/M48_Patton/m48_patton.html|title=M48 Patton |website=www.patton-mania.com}}</ref>
**'''M48A5E1''': M48A5E with upgraded engine
**'''M48A5E2''': Hughes Mk7 fire control system with laser rangefinder & solid-state ballistic computer and passive night vision equipment.
**'''M48A5E3''': Prototype vehicle. M48A5E2 fitted with gunner's IR thermal sight and a new gun stabilization system
*'''South Korean variants''':
[[File:육군 7사단 M48A5K 전차 기동-cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|South Korean M48A5KW]]
**'''M48A3K''': South Korean modified M48A3/E48C fitted with Laser Tank Fire Control System (LTFCS)
**'''M48A5K1''': 105mm KM68A1 main gun, digital fire control system, M1 cupola and steel side skirts
**'''M48A5K2''': Same as K1 but fitted with Urdan low profile cupola.
**'''M48A5KW''': Same as K2 but without side skirt armor
*'''Taiwanese variants''':
**'''M48A3 (Taiwan variant)''': M48/E48B variant with lower fuel capacity, Operational range lowered to 194 miles (312&nbsp;km)
**'''[[CM-11 Brave Tiger|M48H/CM-11 Brave Tiger]]''': M48/M60 hybrid variant mating the M48A3 turret to the M60A1 RISE hull. Included improved gun stabilization and new fire control system.
**'''[[CM-12 tank|CM-12]]''': M48A3/E48B variant upgraded with CM-11 FCS and weapons systems. Lower fuel capacity, range 126 miles (203&nbsp;km).
*'''Turkish variants''':
**'''M48A5T1''': Turkish M48A5/E48C variant upgraded to M60A1 level. Modifications include M68E1 105mm gun, M19 FCS, a passive night vision system and AVDS-1790-2C RISE diesel engine. Some fitted with M19 cupola.
**'''M48A5T2''': upgraded to M60A3 level with M21 FCS, laser range finder and TTS thermal sight for the gunner.
*'''West German variants''': As a member of NATO, [[West Germany]] acquired a large fleet of M48 tanks.
[[File:KpzM48.jpg|thumb|right|West German M48A2CGA1 during NATO exercise "REFORGER 85", 1985]]
[[File:M 48 A2GA2, 4. PzBtl 361 Külsheim, in Bad Mergentheim, 1983.jpg|thumb|right|M48A2GA2 of 4./PzBtl 361 Külsheim in 1983]]
**'''Kampfpanzer M48A2CGA1''': West German M48A2/E48A armed with 90mm M41 main gun with a cylindrical blast deflector. Some were fitted with the M8 Bulldozer kit.<ref name="auto2"/>
**'''Kampfpanzer M48A2GA2''': West German upgrade mounting [[Royal Ordnance L7|L7A3]] 105mm cannon with new cast gun mantlet and [[MG3]] machine gun ring mounted on new circular cast commander's cupola,<ref>{{cite book |author=Stefan Marx |title=The M 48 Main Battle Tank in German Army Service |series=Militärfahrzeug Spezial |issue=5011 |publisher=Tankograd Publishing |location=Erlangen |year=2005 |page=8}}</ref> along with the MTU 871 diesel engine.
**'''M48 G Export''': West German upgrade for export, similar to the M48A2GA2 and equipped with [[MTU Friedrichshafen|MTU]] MB-837 Ea-500 diesel engine. Turkey had its five M48A1 tanks upgraded in Germany and bought another 165 upgrade kits.<ref>{{cite book |author=Stefan Marx |title=The M 48 Main Battle Tank in German Army Service |series=Militärfahrzeug Spezial |issue=5011 |publisher=Tankograd Publishing |location=Erlangen |year=2005 |page=54}}</ref>
**'''Super M48''': West German modular upgrade offered in 1994 by Krauss Maffei and Wegmann and other partners for the M48A2/A3. Upgrades included Applique armor panels for the turret, NBC protection system, MOLF 48 fire control system, thermal sight, laser rangefinder, MTU MB-837 Ka-501 diesel engine and Renk RK304 automatic transmission. Armed with L7A3 105mm gun. Only 5 prototypes built.<ref>{{cite book |author=Stefan Marx |title=The M 48 Main Battle Tank in German Army Service |series=Militärfahrzeug Spezial |issue=5011 |publisher=Tankograd Publishing |location=Erlangen |year=2005 |pages=57–58}}</ref>
*'''M48A5 MOLF''': (Modular Laser Fire) Greek M48A5/E48C variant fitted with EMES-18 fire control system.
*'''[[Zulfiqar (tank)#Zulfiqar-1|Zulfiqar-1]]''': Iranian modernized M48A3/A5 variant developed in the mid 1990s, armed with a Russian [[2A46 125 mm gun|2A46 125&nbsp;mm smoothbore]] main gun.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/iran_iranian_army_heavy_armoured_main_battle_tank_uk/zulfiqar_zolfaqar_1_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_description_pictures_video.html |title=Zulfiqar or Zolfaqar 1 main battle tank |publisher=Armyrecognition.com |date=2013-02-03 |access-date=2020-05-22 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305171154/https://armyrecognition.com/iran_iranian_army_heavy_armoured_main_battle_tank_uk/zulfiqar_zolfaqar_1_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_description_pictures_video.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Operators==
[[File:M48 operators.png|thumb|upright=1.35|A map of M48 Patton operators{{legend|#0b60d4|Current}}{{legend|#dc0023|Former}}]]

===Current operators===
Operators of main battle tank:

* {{flag|Greece}}: 450 M48A5 MOLF.
* {{flag|Iran}}: 180 M48A5.
* {{flagicon|Lebanon|1943}} / {{flag|Lebanon}}: 104 M48A5PI.
* {{flag|Morocco}}: 225 M48A5PI.
*{{flag|South Korea}}: 400 M48A5K1/K2/KW remain in service with the [[Republic of Korea Army]] as of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-15 |title=“50년 전 장비가 지금도 있다”, 낡은 무기 여전히 쓰는 한국군 |url=https://m.segye.com/view/20231013515233 |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=세계일보 |language=ko}}</ref>
* {{flag|Taiwan}}: 450 CM-11, 100 CM-12{{r|2019_Pike}}
* {{flag|Thailand}}: 105 M48A5PI, notably used in the [[2025 Cambodia–Thailand clashes]].<ref>{{Cite tweet | user=sentdefender | number=1948586562218066379 | title=An M48A5PI "Patton" Main Battle Tank with the Royal Thai Army spotted by a drone near the border during yesterday's clashes with Cambodia}}</ref>
* {{flag|Turkey}}: 630 M48A5T2 in service. All other variants, 2,250 pieces including the 1,389 M48A5T1 are phased out of active service.


Operators of mine clearing tank [[Keiler (mine flail)|Minenräumpanzer Keiler]]
* {{flag|Germany}}: As of 2021, 24 Minenräumpanzer Keiler were in service.<ref name="TMB2022">{{Cite book |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2021 |publisher=Routledge |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-03-201227-8 |page=107 |doi=10.4324/9781003177777 |issn=0459-7222 |s2cid=241415678}}</ref>
* {{flag|Poland}}: 4 Minenräumpanzer Keiler, transferred from Germany.

===Former operators===
[[File:Spanish soldiers aboard an M48 medium tank participate in the joint US Spanish military Exercise CRISEX 83 DF-ST-84-08205.jpg|thumb|right|Spanish M48A5E in 1983.]]
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Only M48 AVLBs.
* {{flag|Germany}}: Used until {{year|1993}}.
** {{flag|West Germany}}: 1,692 in active service, passed onto unified Germany.
* {{flag|Kingdom of Greece|1935}} / {{flag|Greek junta|1967}}
* {{Flag|Ba'athist Iraq|1968}}: Limited [[ad hoc]] use of captured Iranian tanks during [[Iran–Iraq War]].<ref name="archive.org">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/EquipmentOfTheIraqiArmy1958-2003specialReportVol.1 |title=Former Equipment of Iraqi Army |via=Archive.org |access-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403195657/https://archive.org/details/EquipmentOfTheIraqiArmy1958-2003specialReportVol.1 |archive-date=3 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Any remaining tanks scrapped after the war. It was never officially in Iraqi service.
* {{flag|Israel}}: 561 [[Magach|Magach 5 Golan]].{{r|2019_Pike}}
* {{flag|Jordan}}: 200 M48A1.
* {{flag|Norway}}: 38 M48, upgraded to M48A5 between 1982-86. Additional 17 acquired in 1986. The M48 was phased out in 1993.
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: 300 M48A5s in active service till {{year|2002}}, currently in reserve.{{r|Pike_Pakistan}}
* {{flag|Portugal}}: 86 M48A5 received supplied by West Germany from 1977. Replaced by 93 U.S. Supplied M60A3 TTS from 1993 and 37 Leopard-2A6 in the 2000s.
* {{flag|Spain}}: 164 M48A5E.
* {{flag|Taiwan}}: 309 M48A3 (Taiwanese variant).
* {{flag|Tunisia}}: 28 M48A3.
* {{flagu|United States|1960}}: Retired from combat use in 1973, by the [[Army National Guard]] in 1987, and from target use by 1994.
* {{flag|Vietnam}}: M48A3s in strategic storage until 2010s.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://militarymatters.online/weapons/vietnam-loves-american-booty-what-did-the-vietnam-peoples-army-do-with-all-the-captured-weapons | title=Vietnam Loves American Booty; What Did the Vietnam People's Army do with All the Captured Weapons? - Weapons - Military Matters | date=11 April 2020 }}</ref>
** {{flag|North Vietnam}}: Limited [[ad hoc]] use of captured US and ARVN tanks during the Vietnam War.
** {{flag|South Vietnam}}: A few hundred.

====Non-state former operators====
* [[File:Flag of the Amal Movement (version).svg|22px|border]] [[Lebanese Resistance Regiments|Amal Movement]]: unknown number of M48A5 tanks loaned by the Shia [[6th Infantry Brigade (Lebanon)|6th Infantry Brigade]] in 1988.
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Lebanese Forces.svg|border}} [[Lebanese Forces (militia)|Lebanese Forces]]: 7 M48A5s captured in 1984 from the [[Lebanese Armed Forces|Lebanese Army]] and returned in 1994.{{r|1998_Zaloga|pages=63{{ndash}}64}}
* [[File:People's Liberation Army (Lebanon).jpg|22px]] [[People's Liberation Army (Lebanon)|People's Liberation Army]]: 7 M48A5s captured in 1984 from the [[Lebanese Armed Forces|Lebanese Army]] and returned in 1993.{{r|2006_Kassis|page=59}}
*[[South Lebanon Army]]: 7 M48A5s captured in 1984 from the [[Lebanese Armed Forces|Lebanese Army]] and returned in 2000.

==See also==
* [[M46 Patton]]
* [[M47 Patton]]
* [[M60 tank]]
* [[M88 Recovery Vehicle]] – armored recovery variant based on the M48 Patton/M60 Series tanks chassis and part of the automotive component.
* [[M103 heavy tank]]
* [[List of armoured fighting vehicles]]
* [[G-numbers]] – SNL G254

===Tanks of comparable role, performance and era===
* [[T-55]] – a contemporary Soviet design
* [[Centurion tank|Centurion]] – a contemporary British design
* [[Type 59 tank|Type 59]] - a contemporary Chinese design

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="1960_Data_Sheets">{{cite report |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= 1960-07-01 |title= Standard Military Vehicle Characteristic Data Sheets |language= en-us |location= [[Center Line, Michigan]] |publisher= [[United States Army CCDC Ground Vehicle Systems Center|Army Tank and Automotive Command Research & Engineering Directorate]]}}</ref>

<ref name="2010_Maloney">{{cite web |url = http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/PattonMuseum/M48A3PattonTank/index.htm | title = Patton Museum - M48A3 Patton Tank | last = Maloney | first = Bill | date = 2010-11-29 | website = williammaloney.com | language = en | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191022163814/http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/PattonMuseum/M48A3PattonTank/index.htm | archive-date = 2019-10-22 | url-status = live | access-date = 2020-03-05}}</ref>

<ref name="1992_Crismon">{{cite book | last1 = Crismon | first1 = Fred | date = 1992-07-01 | title = U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles | series = Crestline Series | language = en-us | edition = 1st | location = [[Osceola, Wisconsin]] | publisher = [[The Quarto Group|Motorbooks International]] | isbn = 978-0-87938-672-6 | oclc = 26013467}}</ref>

<ref name="1989_Jane_s">{{cite book | last1 = Christopher F. Foss | title = Jane's Armour and Artillery 1989-90  |date=1989 | language = en-gb | edition = 10th | location = London, United Kingdom | publisher = [[Jane's Information Group]] | isbn = 978-0-7106-0885-7 | oclc = 464003018 | ol = OL11240704M| author1-link = Christopher F. Foss}}</ref>

<ref name="1991_Terry">{{cite book | last1 = Terry | first1 = T. W. | last2 = Jackson | first2 = S. R. | last3 = Ryley | first3 = C. E. S. | last4 = Jones | first4 = B. E. | last5 = Wornell | first5 = P. J. H. | date = 1991-10-01 | chapter = A History of the Development and Production of the M48 90mm Gun Tank | title = Fighting Vehicles | series = Battlefield Weapons Systems & Technology (Book 7) | language = en-us | edition = 2nd | publisher = [[University of Nebraska Press|Potomac Books Inc]] | isbn = 978-0-08-036705-7 | oclc = 898874952}}</ref>

<ref name="2014_DavidB">{{cite web | url = https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/US/M41_Walker_Bulldog.php | title = 76mm Gun Tank M41 Walker Bulldog | last = Bocquelet | first = David | date = 2014-11-18 | website = tanks-encyclopedia.com | language = en | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190924081756/http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/US/M41_Walker_Bulldog.php | archive-date = 2019-09-24 | url-status = live | access-date = 2020-03-05}}</ref>

<ref name="1998_Cameron">{{cite journal | last1 = Cameron | first1 = Robert | date = 1998-07-01 | title = American Tank Development During The Cold War | url = https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/Historian/content/PDF/Armor%20Dev%20Cold%20War.pdf | access-date = 2020-03-05 | journal = [[Armor (magazine)|Armor]] | language = en-us | publisher = [[United States Army Armor School|U.S. Army Armor Center]] | volume = CVII | issue = 4 | pages = 30{{ndash}}36 | issn = 0004-2420 | oclc = 44288631 | archive-date = 26 October 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191026123115/https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/Historian/content/PDF/Armor%20Dev%20Cold%20War.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>

<ref name="1960_Clarke">{{cite report |last1= Clarke |first1= Bruce C. |author-link1= Bruce C. Clarke |date= 1960-09-01 |title= Future Tank Requirement |journal= [[Armor (magazine)|Armor]] |language= en-us |publisher= [[United States Army Armor School|U.S. Army Armor Center]] |issn= 0004-2420 |oclc= 44288631}}</ref>

<ref name="1987_Hilmes">{{cite book |last1= Hilmes |first1= Rolf |date= 1987-11-01 |title= Main Battle Tanks: Developments in Design Since 1945 |language= En-US, De |edition= 1st |publisher= [[University of Nebraska Press|Potomac Books Inc]] |isbn= 978-0-08-034756-1 |lccn= 87002396 |oclc= 15221901 |ol= OL2374252M}}</ref>

<ref name="2014_DavidB_02">{{cite web |url= http://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/US/M48_Patton.php |title= 90mm Gun Tank M48 Patton III |last= Bocquelet |first= David |date= 2014-11-17 |website= tanks-encyclopedia.com |language= en |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191227101710/http://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/US/M48_Patton.php |archive-date= 2019-12-27 |url-status= live |access-date= 2020-03-05}}</ref>

<ref name="1979_Starry">{{cite report | last1 = Starry | first1 = Don A. | author-link = Donn A. Starry | date = 1979 | title = Mounted Combat in Vietnam | url = https://history.army.mil/html/books/090/90-17-1/CMH_Pub_90-17-1.pdf | url-status = dead | language = en-us | publisher = [[United States Government Printing Office]] | series = Vietnam Studies | isbn = 978-1-78289-366-0 | lccn = 78012736 | oclc = 983465420 | ol = OL4725093M | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190419154507/https://history.army.mil/html/books/090/90-17-1/CMH_Pub_90-17-1.pdf | archive-date = 2019-04-19 | access-date = 2020-03-06 | via = [[United States Army Center of Military History]]}}</ref>

<ref name="1987_Nolan">{{cite book | last1 = Nolan | first1 = Keith William | author-link = Keith W. Nolan | date = 1987 | title = Into Laos: The Story of Dewey Canyon II / Lam Son 719: Vietnam 1971 | language = en | edition = 1st | publisher = [[Ballantine Books|Presidio Press]] | isbn = 978-0-440-20044-4 | oclc = 17887412 | ol = OL7518446M}}</ref>

<ref name="1982_Dunstan">{{cite book | last1 = Dunstan | first1 = Simon | date = 1982 | title = Vietnam tracks: Armor in battle 1945-75 | url = https://archive.org/details/vietnamtracksarm00duns | language = en-us | publisher = [[Ballantine Books|Presidio Press]] | isbn = 978-0-89141-171-0 | lccn = 83116585 | oclc = 654146627 | ol = OL3210048M | via = [[Internet Archive]] | url-access = limited}}</ref>

<ref name="1958_Salter">{{cite report | last1 = Salter | first1 = Charles B. | last2 = Spiro | first2 = Harry | date = 1958-11-08 | title = AD0524050: Evaluation of Siliceous Cored Armor for the XM60 Tank | url = https://archive.org/details/DTIC_AD0524050/mode/2up | language = en-us |via=[[Defense Technical Information Center]] |publisher= [[United States Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command|Ordnance Tank-Automotive Command]] | asin = B009B3DE1Y | access-date = 2020-03-06}}</ref>

<ref name="2019_Conners">{{cite web | url = http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m48patton.html | title = 90mm Gun Tank M48 Patton 48 | last = Conners | first = Chris | date = 2019-10-28 | website = American Fighting Vehicle Database | language = en-us | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190826021352/http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m48patton.html | archive-date = 2019-08-26 | url-status = live | access-date = 2020-03-06}}</ref>

<ref name="1980_M60">{{cite report | date = 1980-05-01 | title = ADA141935: M60A1, M60A1 RISE, AND M60A1 RISE (PASSIVE) SERIES TANKS, COMBAT, FULL-TRACKED 105-MM GUN UPDATE SYSTEM ASSESSMENT | url = https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a141935.pdf | url-status = live | language = en-us |via=[[Defense Technical Information Center]] |publisher=[[United States Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command|Ordnance Tank-Automotive Command]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191026123114/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a141935.pdf | archive-date = 2019-10-26 | access-date = 2020-03-06}}</ref>

<ref name="1991_Ogorkiewicz">{{cite book | last1 = Ogorkiewicz | first1 = Richard M | date = 1991-07-01 | title = Technology of Tanks | url = https://archive.org/details/Janes_Technology_of_Tanks_01/mode/2up | language = en-us | volume = 1 | publisher = [[Jane's Information Group]] | isbn = 978-0-7106-0595-5 | lccn = 97142050 | oclc = 636155271 | ol = OL748351M | access-date = 2020-03-06 | via = [[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>

<ref name="2019_Pike">{{cite web | url = https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/army-inventory.htm | title = Taiwan Army Equipment | last = Pike | first = John | date = 2019-07-28 | website = globalsecurity.org | language = en | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190629203915/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/army-inventory.htm | archive-date = 2019-06-29 | url-status = live | access-date = 2020-03-06}}</ref>

<ref name="1954_Conference">{{cite report | date = 1954-11-19 | title =Falkovich Papers: Final Report of United States Army Armor Policy Conference, 15-19 November 1954 | language = en | publisher=PTM Archives | volume=  Section V| at = Box 2}}{{clarify|reason=wouldn't cite archive be a better choice here? |date=March 2024}}</ref>

<ref name="2005_Moïse">{{cite book | last1 = Moïse | first1 = Edwin E | date = 2005-07-21 | title = The A to Z of the Vietnam War | series = The A to Z Guide Series | language = en | volume = Book 9 | edition = Revised | publisher = [[Rowman & Littlefield|Scarecrow Press]] | isbn = 978-0-8108-5333-1 | lccn = 2005282682 | oclc = 863158135 | ol = OL3437006M}}</ref>

<ref name="Christened">{{cite news |last1 = Abel |first1 = Elie | author-link = Elie Abel |title=Army Ushers in 'Finest Medium Tank' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/07/02/archives/army-ushers-in-finest-medium-tank-the-army-puts-its-new-medium-tank.html |access-date=20 September 2018 |date=1 July 1952 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920123129/https://www.nytimes.com/1952/07/02/archives/army-ushers-in-finest-medium-tank-the-army-puts-its-new-medium-tank.html |archive-date=20 September 2018 | url-access = subscription | language = en-us | issn = 0362-4331 | eissn = 1553-8095 | oclc = 1645522}}</ref>

<ref name="TankOrder">{{cite news |title=$200,000,000 Tank Order |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/08/01/archives/200000000-tank-order.html |access-date=20 September 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1952-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920122853/https://www.nytimes.com/1952/08/01/archives/200000000-tank-order.html |archive-date=20 September 2018 |url-status=live | url-access = subscription | language = en-us | issn = 0362-4331 | eissn = 1553-8095 | oclc = 1645522}}</ref>

<ref name="TM9718A">{{cite book | date = 1952-01-09 | title = TM 9-718A: 90-mm Gun Tank M47 | url = https://archive.org/details/TM9-718A_201211 | language = en | publisher = [[United States Government Printing Office]]}}</ref>

<ref name="M47_PattonMania">{{cite web | url = http://www.patton-mania.com/M47_Patton/m47_patton.html | title = The M47 Tank | last = Hueger | first = Andreas | website = patton-mania.com | language = en | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190720212949/http://www.patton-mania.com/M47_Patton/m47_patton.html | archive-date = 2019-07-20 | url-status = live | access-date = 2020-03-06}}</ref>

<ref name="1952_Baldwin">{{cite news | last1 = Baldwin | first1 = Hanson W. | author-link1 = Hanson W. Baldwin | date = 1952-01-25 | title = Armor Tribute Timely,<!--; General Collins Comes Out for Tanks, but Program Is Still Slow and Unsure --> | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1952/01/25/archives/armor-tribute-timely-general-collins-comes-out-for-tanks-but.html | url-access = subscription |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | language = en-us  | issn = 0362-4331 | eissn = 1553-8095 | oclc = 1645522 | access-date = 2020-03-06}}</ref>

<ref name="2016_Pike">{{cite web | url = https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m48.htm | title = M48 Patton | last = Pike | first = John | date = 2016-07-22 | website =Global Security | language = en | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200128081954/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m48.htm | archive-date = 2020-01-28 | url-status = live | access-date = 2020-03-06}}</ref>

<ref name="2018_Beast">{{cite web | url = https://www.historynet.com/the-beast-of-budapest.htm |title = The Beast of Budapest |last= Smith |first= Nicholas |date= 2018-07-19 |website=History Net |language= en |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191018170118/https://www.historynet.com/the-beast-of-budapest.htm |archive-date= 2019-10-18 |url-status= live |access-date= 2020-03-06}}</ref>

<ref name="2020_Jackson">{{cite web |url= http://www.usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/General%20Motors/detroit-transmission.htm |title= Detroit Transmission (Hydra-Matic) Division of General Motors Corporation in World War Two |last= Jackson |first= David D. |date= 2020-01-08 |website=US Auto Industry World War Two |language= en |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140315140951/http://www.usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/General%20Motors/detroit-transmission.htm |archive-date= 2014-03-15 |url-status= live |access-date= 2020-03-06}}</ref>

<ref name="underbid">{{cite news |title=Army Awards G. M. Big Tank Contract; Chrylser Bid Loses<!-- ; General Motors Will Become Sole Producer by Spring -- Shares in Truck Orders G. M. WINS AWARD OF TANK CONTRACT --> |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/09/12/archives/army-awards-g-m-big-tank-contract-chrysler-bid-loses-general-motors.html |access-date=18 September 2018 |date=11 September 1952 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918125222/https://www.nytimes.com/1953/09/12/archives/army-awards-g-m-big-tank-contract-chrysler-bid-loses-general-motors.html |archive-date=18 September 2018 |url-status=live | url-access = subscription |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | language = en-us | issn = 0362-4331 | eissn = 1553-8095 | oclc = 1645522}}</ref>

<ref name="Chrysler_underbids">{{cite news |title=Chrysler Is Given A Tank Contract <!--; Company to Replace General Motors as the Sole Supplier of Patton M-48 Model A TANK CONTRACT GOES TO CHRYSLER --> |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/09/30/archives/chrysler-is-given-a-tank-contract-company-to-replace-general-motors.html |access-date=18 September 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=29 September 1954 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918123643/https://www.nytimes.com/1954/09/30/archives/chrysler-is-given-a-tank-contract-company-to-replace-general-motors.html |archive-date=18 September 2018 |url-status=live | url-access = subscription | language = en-us | issn = 0362-4331 | eissn = 1553-8095 | oclc = 1645522|page=1}}</ref>

<ref name="Alco">{{cite news |title=73 Million Order For Tanks Is Let <!-- Army Contract Goes to Alco Products -- Service Reduces Armored Vehicle Output --> |journal=New York Times (Print) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/11/04/archives/73-million-order-for-tanks-is-let-army-contract-goes-to-alco.html |access-date=18 September 2018 |date=3 November 1954 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918123747/https://www.nytimes.com/1955/11/04/archives/73-million-order-for-tanks-is-let-army-contract-goes-to-alco.html |archive-date=18 September 2018 |url-status=live | url-access = subscription | language = en-us  | issn = 0362-4331 | eissn = 1553-8095 | oclc = 1645522}}</ref>

<ref name="1957_NYT">{{cite news |title=Army Tank Order Goes To Chrysler <!--; Delaware Production to Save 1.8 Million on a Contract Totaling 119 Million Some Modification Work Williams Sees 'Politics' Alto Says No More Tanks --> | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1957/06/01/archives/army-tank-order-goes-to-chrysler-delaware-production-to-save-18.html |url-access=subscription| access-date = 18 September 2018 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | agency = [[Associated Press]] | date = 31 May 1957 | language = en-us  | issn = 0362-4331 | eissn = 1553-8095 | oclc = 1645522}}</ref>

<ref name="American Locomotive canceled">{{cite news | last1 = Abel | first1 = Elie | author-link = Elie Abel |title=Auto Makers Hail '53 Output Ruling | journal = New York Times (Print) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/12/11/archives/auto-makers-hail-53-output-ruling-with-skilled-labor-in-demand-some.html |access-date=18 September 2018 |date=10 December 1952 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918123741/https://www.nytimes.com/1952/12/11/archives/auto-makers-hail-53-output-ruling-with-skilled-labor-in-demand-some.html |archive-date=18 September 2018 |url-status=live| url-access = subscription | language = en-us | issn = 0362-4331 | eissn = 1553-8095 | oclc = 1645522}}</ref>

<ref name="1999_Decker">{{cite book |date= 1999-08-12 |editor1-last= Hofmann |editor1-first= George F. |editor2-last= Starry |editor2-first= Donn A. |editor2-link= Donn A. Starry |title= Camp Colt to Desert Storm: The History of U.S. Armored Forces |language= en |publisher= [[University Press of Kentucky]] |doi= 10.2307/j.ctt5hk0cp |isbn= 978-0-8131-2130-7 |jstor= j.ctt5hk0cp |lccn= 99028924 |oclc= 868018525 |ol= OL8022441M}}</ref>

<ref name="2015_Tencza">{{cite web |url=http://battletanks.com/m48a3.htm |title=1963 - USA M48A3 Medium Tank Patton |last=Tencza |first=T.M. |website=battletanks.com|access-date=8 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011032911/http://battletanks.com/m48a3.htm |archive-date=11 October 2015 |url-status=live | language=en}}</ref>

<ref name="armor.kiev.ua">{{cite web | url= http://www.armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/M48/m48.php | title= M48. Михаил Никольский. Техника и Вооружение №7 2000 | last= Никольский | first= Михаил |script-website=ru:Броне-сайт Чобитка Василия | language= ru | trans-title= M48. Mikhail Nikolsky. Equipment and Armament No.7 2000 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190902173243/http://www.armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/M48/m48.php | archive-date= 2019-09-02 | url-status= live | access-date= 2020-03-07}}</ref>

<ref name="1979_Ngo">{{cite book | last1=  Trưởng | first1= Ngô Quang | author-link= Ngô Quang Trưởng | date= 1979-01-01 | title= The Easter offensive of 1972 | series= Indochina Monographs | volume= Book 5 | publisher= Pickle Partners Publishing | isbn= 978-1-78625-459-7 | oclc= 973834124}}</ref>

<ref name="1976_NM">{{cite news |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157886292/ |work=[[Albuquerque Journal]] |location=[[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] |date=15 November 1976 |title=Captured US Arms Bolster Vietnam Might |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418171728/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157886292/ | archive-date=18 April 2019 | url-status=live | issn=1526-5137}}</ref>

<ref name="2015_Hatcher">{{cite web|url=https://www.usahec.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16635coll26/id/161 |title=Report from the field: ARVN 20th Tank Regiment |first=Michael |last=Hatcher |date=2015|publisher= [[United States Army Center of Military History]]}}{{Dead link|date=March 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="strategic_affairs">{{cite web | url= http://www.strategic-affairs.com/details.php?task=special&&id=34 | title= Indo-Pak tank warfare scenario | website=Strategic Affairs | language= en | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190905141542/http://www.strategic-affairs.com/details.php?task=special&&id=34 | archive-date= 2019-09-05 | url-status= live | access-date= 2020-03-07}}</ref>

<ref name="1995_Chakravorty">{{cite book  | last1= Chakravorty | first1= Birendra Chandra | date= 1995 | editor1-last= Thapliyal | editor1-first= Uma Prasad | title= Stories of heroism: PVC & MVC winners | publisher= Allied Publishers | isbn= 978-81-7023-516-3 | oclc= 503187946 | ol= OL637150M}}</ref>

<ref name="Chinese_Farm">{{cite web | url= https://www.hativa14.com/2008/01/200 |script-title=he:כיבוש "הגדה הקרובה" – "החווה הסינית" – 15-16.10.73 | last= Reshef | first= Amnon |author-link = Amnon Reshef | date= 2008-01-24 |script-website=he:חטיבה 14 | language= he | trans-title= Occupation of the "Near West Bank" - "Chinese Farm" | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190420221253/https://www.hativa14.com/2008/01/200 | archive-date= 2019-04-20 | url-status= live | access-date= 2020-03-07}}</ref>

<ref name="Gab_Battle">{{cite web | url= https://www.group73historians.com/%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%B1/144-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%80%D8%AB%D9%80%D8%BA%D9%80%D9%80%D9%80%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%87 |script-title=ar:كل ما تريد أن تعرفه عن - الثغرة | last= Zayed | first= Ahmed Abdel-Moneim | date= 2013 | website=Group 73 Historians | language= ar | trans-title= All You Want To Know About "The Defresoar Gab Battle" | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191210111729/https://www.group73historians.com/%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%B1/144-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%80%D8%AB%D9%80%D8%BA%D9%80%D9%80%D9%80%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%87 | archive-date= 2019-12-10 | url-status= live | access-date= 2020-03-07}}</ref>

<ref name="1973_Suez_Map">{{cite web | url= https://www.steelbeasts.com/topic/12553-suez-canal-1973-war-maps/ | title= Suez Canal 1973 war maps | date= 2019 | website= steelbeasts.com | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200308024534/https://www.steelbeasts.com/topic/12553-suez-canal-1973-war-maps/ | archive-date= 2020-03-08 | url-status= live | access-date= 2020-03-08}}</ref>

<ref name="1999_Razoux">{{cite book | last1= Razoux | first1= Pierre | author-link= Pierre Razoux | date= 1999-06-21 | title= La guerre du Kippour d'octobre 1973 | trans-title= The Yom Kippur War of October 1973 | series= CAMPAGNES ET ST | language= fr | volume= Book 30 | publisher= [[Economica]] | isbn= 978-2-7178-3813-8 | issn= 0013-0427 | eissn= 1468-0335 | jstor= 130427 | lccn= 22023854 | oclc= 878432332 | ol= OL12529082M}}</ref>

<ref name="2000_Gawrych">{{cite book | last1= Gawrych | first1= George W. | date= 2000-03-30 | title= The Albatross of Decisive Victory: War and Policy Between Egypt and Israel in the 1967 and 1973 Arab-Israeli Wars | url= https://archive.org/details/arabisraeliwaral00gawr | series= Contributions in Military Studies | language= en | volume= Book 188 | publisher= [[Greenwood Publishing Group|Praeger]] | isbn= 978-0-313-31302-8 | oclc= 912514280 | ol= OL9418338M | access-date= 2020-03-08 | via= [[Internet Archive]] | url-access= limited}}</ref>

<ref name="2007_ynet">{{cite news | author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | date= 2007-05-21 | title= Lebanese troops tighten siege of camp | url= https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3402989,00.html | url-status= live | work= [[Ynet]] | language= en | publisher= [[Yedioth Ahronoth]] | agency= [[Associated Press]] | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180627063915/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3402989,00.html | archive-date= 2018-06-27 | access-date= 2020-03-06}}</ref>

<ref name="2011_Farrokh">{{cite book |last1= Farrokh |first1= Kaveh |author-link= Kaveh Farrokh |date= 2011-05-24 |title= Iran at War: 1500-1988 |url= https://archive.org/details/iranatwar00farr |language= en |publisher= [[Osprey Publishing]] |isbn= 978-1-84603-491-6 |lccn= 2011281478 |oclc= 804375019 |ol= OL24886483M |access-date= 2020-03-08 |via= [[Internet Archive]] |url-access= limited}}</ref>

<ref name="Sultan">{{cite web |url= http://www.waronline.org/IDF/Articles/sultan-yakub.htm |title= Бой у Султан-Яакуб |last= Гилад |first= Дов |date= 2004-07-03 |website= waronline.org |language= ru |trans-title= Fight at Sultan-Yaakub |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150118070340/http://www.waronline.org/IDF/Articles/sultan-yakub.htm |archive-date= 2015-01-18 |access-date= 2020-03-08}}</ref>

<ref name="1999_Bowden">{{cite book |last1= Bowden |first1= Mark |author-link= Mark Bowden |date= 1999-02-10 |title= Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War |url= https://archive.org/details/blackhawkdownsto2001bowd |language= en-us |edition= 1st |publisher= [[Grove Atlantic|Atlantic Monthly Press]] |isbn= 978-0-87113-738-8 |oclc= 1119667544 |ol= OL7574331M |access-date= 2020-03-08 |via= [[Internet Archive]] |url-access= limited}}</ref>

<ref name="Pike_Pakistan">{{cite web |url= https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/army-equipment.htm |title= Pakistan Army Equipment |last= Pike |first= John |website= globalsecurity.org |language= en |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180612235504/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/army-equipment.htm |archive-date= 2018-06-12 |url-status= live |access-date= 2020-03-08}}</ref>

<ref name="1998_Zaloga">{{cite book |last1= Zaloga |first1= Steven J. |author-link= Steven Zaloga |date= 1998 |title= Tank Battles of the Mid East Wars: (2) The Wars of 1973 to the Present |url= https://archive.org/details/tankbattlesmidea00zalo_215 |series= Armor at War |language= en |edition= First |publisher= Concord Publications |isbn= 978-962-361-613-3 |oclc= 464148452 |ol= OL27090763M |access-date= 2020-03-08 |via= [[Internet Archive]] |url-access= limited}}</ref>

<ref name="2006_Kassis">{{cite book |last1= Kassis |first1= Samer |date= 2006 |title= 30 ans de véhicules militaires au Liban, 1975-2005 |trans-title= 30 years of military vehicles in Lebanon, 1975-2005 |language= fr |publisher= Elite groupe |isbn= 978-9953-0-0705-2 |oclc= 496027616}}</ref>

}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*Department of the Army. ''FM 17-79, Field Manual, Tank 90-mm Gun M48.'' October 1955. 
*{{cite book |last1= Higgins |first1= David R. |date= 2016 |title= M48 Patton vs Centurion: Indo-Pakistani War 1965 |series= Duel 71   |others= Illustrated by Johnny Shumate and Alan Gilliland |edition= First |publisher= [[Osprey Publishing]] |isbn= 978-1-4728-1092-2 |oclc= 947095346}}
*{{cite book | last1 = Hunnicutt | first1 = Richard P. | author-link = R. P. Hunnicutt | date = 2015 | title = Patton |series=A History of the American Main Battle Tank |volume =1 |orig-date=1984 |edition=Reprint <!-- original is Presidio Press --> | publisher = Echo Point Books & Media | isbn = 978-1-62654-159-7 | lccn = 84016586 | ol = OL2854160M }}
*{{cite book | last1 = Icks | first1 = Robert J. | date = 1971 | title = M48-M60 Series of Main Battle Tanks | series = AFV Weapons Profile | language = en-gb | issue = 24 | publisher = Profile Publications Ltd | asin = B0030LI49A | oclc = 54311975 }}
*{{cite book |last1= Nordeen |first1= Lon |last2= Isby |first2= David |date= 2010 |title= M60 vs T-62: Cold War Combatants 1956–92 |url= https://archive.org/details/mvstcoldwarcomba00nord/page/n22 |series= Duel (Book 30) |language= en-gb |others= Illustrated by Richard Chasemore |publisher= [[Osprey Publishing]] |isbn= 978-1-84603-694-1 <!-- |lccn= 2010525413 |oclc= 495780787 |ol= OL24846591M --> |via= [[Internet Archive]] |url-access= limited }}
*{{cite book | last1 = Rabinovich | first1 = Abraham | author-link = Abraham Rabinovich | date = 1972 | title = The Battle for Jerusalem: June 5-7, 1967 | language = en | edition = 1st | publisher = [[Jewish Publication Society|Jewish Publication Society of America]] | isbn = 978-965-7287-07-1 | oclc = 947062697}}
*[[Donn A. Starry|Starry]], [[Donn]], A., [[General]]. ''Mounted Combat In Vietnam'', Vietnam Studies. [[Department of the Army]], Washington, D.C. 1978.
* {{cite book | last1 = Zaloga | first1 = Steven J. | author-link = Steven Zaloga | date = 2000-11-25 | title = M26/M46 Pershing Tank 1943–53 |series=New Vanguard 35 | url = https://archive.org/details/mmpershingtank00zalo | language = en | others = Illustrated by Tony Bryan and Jim Laurier | publisher = [[Osprey Publishing]] | isbn = 978-1-84176-202-9 | ol = OL8922180M | access-date = 2020-03-02 | url-access = limited }}
*{{cite book | last1 = Christopher F. Foss | title = Jane's Armour and Artillery 1989-90  |date=1989 | language = en-gb | edition = 10th | location = London, United Kingdom | publisher = [[Jane's Information Group]] | isbn = 978-0-7106-0885-7 | oclc = 464003018 | ol = OL11240704M | author1-link = Christopher F. Foss}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|M48 tanks}}
*[http://www.memorialmuseum.org/displays/tanks/item/m48-patton M48 Patton] at U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum
*{{Internet Archive short film | gov.archives.arc.2569562 | Birth of a Tank - 1950s United States Army Educational Documentary }}

{{US tanks|style=wide}}
{{Cold War tanks|style=wide}}

[[Category:Cold War tanks of the United States]]
[[Category:Medium tanks of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Medium tanks of the United States]]
[[Category:Main battle tanks of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Main battle tanks of the United States]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1950s]]
[[Category:Tanks named after individuals]]