M1A2 SEPv4 Abrams: The Evolution of a Super Tank

The recent Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seen an increased focus on the role of main battle tanks in modern warfare. Ukraine’s imminent shipment of Western armored vehicles, including Challenger, Leopard, and Abram’s MBTs, underscores the escalating importance of these military assets. A mainstay of this armored contingent is the M1 Abrams, a tank series built in the U.S. and serving as the Army’s primary armored vehicle for over four decades. The Abrams tank has seen numerous modifications throughout its life, evolving to meet the changing requirements of modern warfare. This article focuses on the latest version, the M1A2 Abrams SEPv4, also known as the M1A2D, and the enhancements that have led it to be considered the most formidable iteration in the Abrams family thus far.

Historical Context

Before delving into the specifications of the M1A2 SEPv4 Abrams, it is important to recognize the lineage and history that precedes it. Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1980, the original M1 Abrams was named after General Abrams, the commander of U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. Over time, various iterations of the Abrams tank emerged, each representing a significant leap in technology and performance. The latest in this evolution, the M1A2 SEPv4 (or M1A2D), is an upgraded version of the M1A2 Abrams SEPv3, boasting superior capabilities and features.

Features and Capabilities

The overall layout of the M1A2 SEPv4 Abrams remains similar to its predecessors, with the driver located at the hull’s front, the turret in the middle, and the engine at the rear. The primary armament is a 120mm M256 smoothbore gun, capable of firing various types of ammunition including high explosive anti-tank and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot rounds. Secondary armament includes a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun mounted to the right of the main gun and a remotely operated Weapon Station positioned on the turret roof, armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. Moreover, the tank is equipped with smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret, serving to obscure the tank’s movements and conceal it from enemy sight.

However, these features are just the starting point. According to a report from the Pentagon’s Office of the Director Operational Test and Evaluation, the M1A2 SEPv4 incorporates a variety of new equipment and enhancements. These include an improved Gunner’s Primary Sight featuring a third-generation forward-looking infrared sensor, an upgraded laser rangefinder, and a full-color video camera. The Commander’s Primary Sight has also been upgraded, now equipped with a third-generation FLIR, a full-color video camera, a laser pointer, and a rangefinder.

Additional enhancements include the integration of a digital data link that enables communication with the Army’s new reprogrammable XM 1147 Advanced Multi-Purpose round for the tank’s 120mm main gun, a new onboard meteorological sensor for enhanced accuracy, and upgrades to the communication, data sharing, and onboard diagnostic systems. The SEPv4 variant also incorporates a laser warning receiver system, designed to alert the crew of incoming laser-guided anti-tank missiles and other threats.

The M1A2 SEPv4 features an improved thermal management system to handle the increased heat generated by the new electronics and their power sources. In prototype images from the Yuma testing grounds in Arizona, the new meteorological sensor is clearly visible, as are boxy protrusions resembling horns on each side of the front of the turret. These protrusions are thought to be components of the laser warning receiver system.

Potential Future Enhancements

Looking ahead, the Army’s budget request for fiscal year 2023 suggests that future variants of the Abrams tank could incorporate various improvements, including vehicle smoke generation, survivability enhancements, signature management improvements, embedded training enhancements, the integration of 360-degree situational awareness cameras, and efforts to reduce weight.

Armor and Crew Protection

Rather than opting for a completely new main battle tank, the U.S. Army has chosen to upgrade the M1A2 Abrams to the SEPv4 version. A primary feature of the Abrams tank series, including the SEPv4, is exceptional armor protection, achieved through the use of depleted uranium armor mesh and the ability to add additional explosive reactive armor. This provides a high level of defense against a variety of anti-tank munitions.

Further enhancements to armor protection in the SEPv4 include upgraded armor packages on both the hull and turret, providing even greater levels of safeguarding. Additionally, to ensure the crew’s survival, ammunition storage has been strategically designed to enhance safety. Most ammunition is stored separately in a turret bustle equipped with blowout panels, effectively isolating it from the fighting compartment. Some rounds are stored within protective containers in the hull. This design ensures that, should the turret bustle be struck, the ammunition would detonate without endangering the crew.

Furthermore, the interior of the Abrams is lined with Kevlar, reducing spalling in the event of armor penetration. These measures significantly enhance crew protection and increase survival chances.

Systems and Comfort Enhancements

The M1A2 SEPv4 features a new digital battlefield management system, improving situational awareness and networking capabilities. The driver’s display and control system have also been upgraded, featuring a new color display and improved controls. A new air conditioning system has been added to enhance crew comfort in extreme temperature conditions.

The Future of the M1A2 Abrams

The Army plans to have the M1A2 SEPv4 Abrams tank operational and conduct initial operational drills by 2025. With these enhancements, it’s clear that the SEPv4 version of the Abrams tank represents a significant advancement in armored warfare, leading to the question — will the Abrams SEPv4 tank become the unstoppable MBT of the U.S.? Only time will tell.