M1A1 Abrams

The M1A1 Abrams is a US military main battle tank used by the HECU during the Black Mesa Incident.

Half-Life
In Half-Life, the Abrams is first encountered in the chapter Surface Tension, providing fire support for a group of entrenched HECU soldiers. Another is stationed near the end of the chapter "Forget About Freeman!", blocking the entrance to the Black Mesa Central Complex. It differs from the first in a way that it also fires a machine gun. The tank is seen a third time near the end of the same chapter, this time with a mounted M2 machine gun on top, and the hatch open. It is unmanned, allowing the player to fire the 120mm cannon and the M2 at the incoming Vortigaunts and Alien Grunts.

Half-Life: Blue Shift
In Blue Shift, a single Abrams is encountered in the Freight Yard, in the chapter Captive Freight. It is placed on a train wagon, with a nearby truck conveniently stocked with rockets. It is not encountered for the rest of the game.

Tactics

 * The Abrams is completely bulletproof; explosives or experimental weaponry (such as the Tau Cannon) will be needed to destroy one. Since it keeps on firing at the player with its cannon and machine gun, the best approach is to take cover and shoot it with the RPG or the Tau Cannon's secondary attack. Satchel Charges can also be used.


 * Surprisingly, the Abrams is vulnerable to the crowbar, and can be destroyed with a little over two dozen whacks to the turret. This is not a practical attack method however, as the tank's explosion upon destruction will kill the player.


 * If the Abrams catches the player in the truck in Blue Shift, it blows off its back which can only be survived by crouching. This Abrams only takes damage from hits on the turret. This is because the turret is a model, while the rest of the tank is a brush.

List of appearances

 * Half-Life
 * Half-Life: Blue Shift