The M1 Abrams is powered by a 1500 hp (1119 kW) Honeywell AGT1500 (initially created by Lycoming) gas turbine, and a six speed (4 forward, two reverse) Allison X-1100-3B Hydro-Kinetic Automatic transmission, giving it a governed top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) on paved roads, and 30 mph (48 km/h) cross-country silo storage tanks . With the engine governor removed, speeds of about 60 mph (one hundred km/h) are attainable on an enhanced surface nevertheless, damage to the drive train (specially to the tracks) and an increased threat of injuries to the crew can take place at speeds above 45 mph. The tank can be fueled with diesel fuel, kerosene, any grade of MOGAS (motor gasoline), or JP-4 or JP-8 jet fuel the U.S. Army utilizes JP-8 jet fuel in order to simplify logistics. The gas turbine propulsion method has confirmed fairly dependable in practice and combat, but its high fuel consumption is a significant logistic concern (beginning up the turbine alone consumes 40 liters of fuel).

The high speed, high temperature jet blast emitted from the rear of M1 Abrams tanks tends to make it challenging for the infantry to proceed shadowing the tank in urban combat. The turbine is noisy, comparable to a helicopter engine, though the noise character (pitch) is considerably distinct from a modern diesel tank engine, reducing the audible distance of the sound, thus the nickname, “Whispering Death”. Future US tanks may return to reciprocating engines for propulsion, as 4- stroke diesel engines have verified rather successful in other modern day heavy tanks, e.g close window . the Leopard 2, Challenger 2 and Merkava. The tiny size, simplicity, power-to-weight ratio, and straightforward removal/replacement of the turbine power pack does, nevertheless, present substantial advantages more than any proposed reciprocating replacement.

The Abrams can be carried by the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III. The restricted capacity (1 combat-prepared tank or two transport-ready tanks in a C-five, one combat-prepared tank in a C- 17) caused serious logistical problems when deploying the tanks for the Initial Gulf War, though there was enough time for 1,848 tanks to be transported by ship construction of oil storage tanks .