Controls are identical to predecessor.

The M65A3 Ardent is a varaint of the M65 Ardent series. During development, two turrets were considered for use: a rounded, cast turret, or an elongated octagonal turret. The cast turret won, and equipped the M65 and M65A1.

When an M65A3 was to be developed, it was decided to improve it's turret armor. With the introduction of composite armor and its lack of suitability with cast turrets, the rejected turret design was resurrected in 1974 and modified to incorporate Aberdeen I composite armor.

The M65A3 would not remain in production for long; tests with a Unity-designed prototype 120mm high-velocity cannon demonstrated that the turret can in fact mount the significanlty more powerful gun with little modifications. Vehicles were converted to the new standard, and were designated M65A4 Ardent.