The American army received the first prototype of the next generation tank for investigating – M1E3 Abrams. It is simply a demonstration of the technology of the early phase of construction work, which will service to measure key solutions and test systems. M1E3 is to be lighter, more efficient, more automated and better secured than M1A2 SEPv3, which is considered the best tank in the world.
The Abrams M1E3 prototype.
– The first prototype was completed and delivered according to an accelerated schedule. This shows that the army can apply the conclusions of investigation faster [than previously assumed] and deliver fresh technologies to soldiers," said General Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the US Army. Transfer of the American Army M1E3 prototype confirms the December study drawn up by the Congressional investigation Service (CRS) – an analytical office of the U.S. Congress, which prepares the improvement and review of defence programmes and presents proposals for government and budget.
The paper states that the M1E3 programme replaced the erstwhile M1A2 improvement plan with the SEPv4 variant. – Abrams Tank can no longer make its capabilities without expanding the mass and we must reduce its "logistics footprint" – said General George, referring to a concept that measures resource consumption, emissions, waste generation and land usage related to transport, retention and distribution. "The war in Ukraine highlighted the critical request for integrated protection of soldiers, built again, not by adding further elements," added the chief of staff of the US Army.
As a result, the fresh platform is expected to contain the best features of the M1A2 tank, while complying with the latest standards of modular architecture of open systems, which will let faster technological upgrades and reduce the request for operation. This will enable the military and its commercial partners to plan a more durable, lighter tank that will be more effective on the battlefield in the first phase of usage and easier to upgrade in the future.
The soldiers will test this year.
The U.S. Congress's survey office reports that the U.S. Army planned to implement M1E3 for service at a akin time to the fresh XM30 combat infantry car (following M2 Bradley), or around 2030. However, work on the fresh tank has been accelerated so that M1E3's first operational capacity is expected to scope within the next 24–30 months. This year, American soldiers are to test 4 prototypes of the fresh Abrams.
The Abrams M1E3 prototype.
Over the next 18 months, US Army and General Dynamics Land Systems are planning to implement a series of technologies, including the function of automatic charging of main guns, alternate propulsion systems and an active protection strategy (APS) designed to defend M1E3 against anti-tank guided missiles, anti-tank grenade launchers and unmanned aircraft (BSP). The APS is to be integrated into the plan of the tank alternatively than function as a separate set.
A fresh generation is coming
The analytical office study shows that M1E3 will be a completely fresh generation tank closer to Abrams X than the presently produced M1A2 line. Abrams X is the name of the GDLS technology demonstrators, shown, among others, at the AUSA Conference (United States Army Association) in 2022. At the time, the plan was to make a lighter tank of 10 t from M1A2, equipped with a importantly more efficient hybrid engine (diesel-electric) and an unmanned tower. It would be served by three, not 4 soldiers, capable of communicating with BSP and equipped with an on-board strategy that, based on AI, could inform the crew of long-range threats, prioritize targets, etc.
Delivering the first M1E3 prototype and speeding up work on the fresh generation tank does not mean that the production of M1A2 SEPv3 will expire. However, it will proceed “at a reduced pace” – as the Americans say – until it is switched to M1E3 production. Let's remind you that Abrams in the latest, serially produced version of SEPv3 (System Enhancement Package) reach Poland since January last year. This is the consequence of a contract from 2022 to acquisition 250 specified tanks along with M88A2 Hercules method safety wagons and M1074 Joint Assault Bridge accompanying bridges.
Abrams M1 tanks have been produced since the late 1970s. The M1A2 model entered service in the US Army in late 1992. Abrams were first utilized by the United States in the Gulf War (1991). The U.S. sold M1A1 and M1A2 tanks to, among others, Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Poland bought 250 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks before ordering 116 utilized M1A1. Users of Abrams M1A1 are besides Ukrainians thanks to the support of the US (31 units were handed over) and Australia, which completed transportation of 49 tanks in December 2025.
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