Caleb Larson
The M1 Abrams Keeps Getting Lots of Upgrades
The M1 Abrams main battle tank has been the backbone of the United States Army’s armored forces for over four decades. Introduced in 1980, it has been continuously upgraded to offer tankers incrementally better capabilities: better firepower, more robust armored protection, and better situational awareness.
The most recent upgraded variant is the M1A2 System Enhancement Package Version 3, better known by its SEPv3 abbreviation. While the SEPv3 offers the Abrams significant improvements in onboard electronics, armor protection, and lethality, the pace of threats facing the tank has necessitated the development of an entirely new main battle tank concept: the AbramsX tank demonstrator.
Built by General Dynamics Land Systems, the AbramsX tank concept vehicle addresses deficiencies in the SEPv4 program — deficiencies that have come to light partly thanks to the ongoing war in Ukraine — which was ultimately canceled in favor of pursuing more advanced, next-generation capabilities.
AbramsX: an Entirely New Main Battle Tank
The AbramsX is genuinely a new kind of main battle tank. Although it is still a prototype, its planned enhancements to survivability, lethality, and mobility are nothing short of radical. Thanks to an active protection system, a new powertrain, and lighter weight, the platform holds real promise.
No comments:
Post a Comment