What exactly is included in the RISE program. I had thought that it was all automotive stuff, but some articles seem to say it includes teh passive armour like the marines used.can anyone tell me exactly what the differences are for a RIse vehicle versus a standar 60?

Josh WEingarten aka shiryon

In 1974/ 75 the RISE (reliability improvement of selected equipment) program featured a new engine configuration making among others, changing engines much easier. In 1977 the M60A1 was again upgraded with passive IR sights allowing for visibility during the night. These M60 were designated M60A1 RISE/ PASSIVE.

If you need more info, just search under "M60 RISE"

No, the US Army used M60A1 RISE/Passive but did not field the applique armor that the Marines ended up using. All US M60A1s were brought up to RISE/Passive standards, the additional armor came later. There was even a plan to use the armor on US Army M60A3TTS tanks stationed in Korea but then with the drawdown, there were enough M1A1s to go around.

The RISE upgrades, as stated above were all drive train related. When I had my first tank platoon in 1976, we had M60A1 (AOS). These were rebuilt M60A1 (hull serial numbers in the low 3000s) with Add-On-Stabilization for the fire control system. These tanks had AVDS-1790-b engines and the new top loading air cleaner boxes. The "old" Tamiya M60A1 kit comes with the original side loading air cleaner boxes (real ladyes to service). In 1977, while a tank XO we received the battalions first M60A1 (Rise). It came with a AVDS-190-d engine (I believe this is correct, either -c or -d, more later) which included new armored top-loading air cleaner boxes, more powerful oil-cooled (as compared to air cooled) alternator (inplace of old generators), other miscellaneous strenghtened engine components and most important for crew maintenance the abilty to drain the fuel filters from the top of the engine compartment (Moved to under right front air grills). We used to have enter engine compartment thru hatch at rear of fighting compartment to get to fuel filter drains - thus they often weren't drains as frequently as the humid air at Ft. Polk, LA required. At this time the older tanks were receiving engine upgrades whenever they received a new engine (these were AVDS-1790-a/b engines upgraded to AVDS-1790-c). The difference between the -c and -d engines are that -d engines were factory built, while -c engines were upgrades completed locally by general support maintenance companies.

That is my saga. Hope it helps.