The M60A2 was in development since the 1960s as a temporary solution for the mutual German-American joint project of the Main Battle Tank - the MBT-70. The tank went into the series production in the 1974/75 and was based on the classic M60 hull with completely new, very well armoured (up to 290 mm!), low profile turret housing the 152mm M81 gun/launcher system that was able to use the wire-guided MGM-51 Shillelagh anti-tank missile as well as the conventional ammunition.

Starships was powered by the Continental AVDS-1790-2A diesel engine with a maximum of 750 horsepower. With a combat weight of 52 tons it was able to reach 48 km/h on the road or 25 km/h during cross-country combat deployments.

The M60A2 was a short-lived production model and was eventually replaced by the M60A3 - many of the Starships were converted into the A3 model or specialized vehicles such as bridgelayers. Chrysler produced cca 530 vehicles until the production was discontinued.