The AFAP round in this test had an airburst detonation at 160m altitude, estimated yield: 15 kilotons (Hiroshima). It fired a AFAP (artillery-fired atomic projectile) round up to 32km at 625 m/s. The M65 cannon used had a bore of 280mm (11'), barrel length 1380mm (54') and weighed 77 tons. Upshot-Knothole Grable, tested in 1953 fired a nuclear artillery projectile. To Serve nuclear weapons - build a monster It seems plausible that this tank could launch shells far enough (modern effective ranges for tank guns seem to be about 4km) to not be caught in the worst of the blast. According to nukemap a 1kt yield should have a fireball of about 80m in radius, and heavy damage out to about 220m. In terms of armament, although the 130mm gun was not designed to fire nuclear shells, some of the smallest nuclear artillery shells designed were as small as 127mm with sub 1kt yields.

This would likely include near airtight seals, and a comprehensive air treatment and filtration system. Sealed interior and life support system: details are sketchy, but it is reported to have a degree of CBRN protection.This also meant that this tank could navigate terrain that regular tanks would struggle with.

Extremely wide tracks: It's hard to push something around that has such a phenomenal level of surface traction.

Low, aerodynamic profile: This tank doesn't have a curved profile for speed - it has it to deflect a blast wave up and over the top.

Heavy weight: at 60 tonnes it was about 20% heavier than many of it's contemporaries, preventing it from being tossed around easily.

Key features that make it able to (it is claimed) survive a nuclear blast are: This unusual tank was designed in 1959 to fight on nuclear battlefields that the designers thought may exist in the future.

Military tank engineering