When Did the U.S. Military Stop Using the M60?

The question of when the U.S. military officially stopped using the M60 weapon system is a multifaceted one. To provide a comprehensive answer, it is essential to consider the different variants of the M60, including the M60 machine gun, M60 tank, and the 105mm M60 projectile. Let's delve into the details to understand when each variant was retired.

The M60 Machine Gun

The M60 machine gun, a 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun, has had a long and significant role in U.S. military operations. It was adopted by the U.S. military in 1957 and has been gradually phased out over several decades. The last major phase-out occurred during the 1980s when the M240B replaced it in the Light Machine Gun (LMG) role.

Although some units, particularly those within the U.S. Navy Special Warfare units, still use specific variants of the M60, such as the M60E4 or Mk 43, these are now in limited use. The last widespread use of the M60 machine gun in active service occurred during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with some limited use continuing into the 2000s in specific specialized units.

The M60 Tank

The M60 tank, officially known as the M60A3 Patton, was a main battle tank used by the U.S. military from the 1950s to the early 2000s. It was first adopted in 1959 and served with various modifications until the late 1980s and early 1990s. The U.S. Army officially retired the M60 tank in the early 2000s, making way for the M1 Abrams.

The transition to the M1 Abrams began in the 1980s but was not complete until the early 2000s. Some M60 tanks were retained for specialized roles or training purposes, but the active combat role ended in the early 2000s.

105mm M60 Projectile

Lastly, the 105mm M60 projectile, a chemical round specifically for the U.S. 105mm howitzer, was never actually used by the U.S. military for its primary purpose. These rounds were occasionally tested until the Chemical Weapons Ban was adopted in 1993. The adoption of this ban marked the official cessation of testing and production of chemical weapons in the U.S., including the 105mm M60 projectile.

Current Status and Usage

While some units still use the M60 machine gun and M60 tank for training purposes, they are no longer in active combat use. The M60 machine gun, particularly the M60E4 and Mk 43 variants, is still used in specialized roles, but its widespread use has ended. Similarly, the M60 tank, albeit in limited numbers, continued to be used in Afghanistan during the late 2000s but has since been retired from active service.

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Conclusion

In summary, the U.S. military officially phased out the M60 machine gun in the early 1990s, with the last widespread use in the late 1980s. The M60 tank was retired in the early 2000s, and the 105mm M60 projectile was never used for its intended purpose. Despite some specialized and training uses, the M60 has now been largely retired from active service, making way for newer and more advanced technologies in the U.S. military arsenal.