The M60 tank entered service with the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. It was developed and designed as the successor to the renowned M-47 and the later M-48 Patton. The M60 became the main MBT (Main Battle Tank) of the U.S. Army during the Cold War. It was produced until 1983 by the American company Chrysler, with more than 15,000 units built, and was used, in various versions, by the armed forces of numerous countries around the world. Its main armament consisted of an M68 105 mm gun mounted in the turret. From the original hull, the A2 version was developed, featuring the adoption of a short-barrelled 152 mm gun/launcher capable of firing conventional ammunition or Shillelagh anti-tank missiles, combined with a laser rangefinder. A considerable number of units were produced between 1972 and 1981.