DEFENCE
DEFENCE
ARMAMENTS

The US Department of Defence announced a $ 4.62 Billion Contract with General Dynamics Land Systems for the production of additional M1A2 SEPv3 (System Enhanced Package) Abrams main battle tanks (MBT’s) for the U.S. Army. The estimated time for the completion of the work is June 2028.
By January 2019, the U.S. military had signed agreements to modernize a total of 320 Abrams MBT’s for approximately $ 1.07 billion.
The SEPv3 configuration features technological advancements in communications, fire control and lethality, reliability, sustainment and fuel efficiency, plus upgraded armor. Abrams, the US Army top tank, has been in service for a total of 4 decades! The tank is 9.7m long, 3.7m wide and 2.4m high, and is manned by a crew of four, the driver, the commander, the loader and the gunner.
The new SEPv3 version will be powered by a Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine, which develops a power of 1,500hp. Additionally the tank integrates the line-replaceable module technology to enable easy maintenance of the fleet.
A significant upgrade is the new 120mm M256 smoothbore cannon, which can fire M829A4 advanced kinetic energy and advanced multi-purpose (AMP) rounds to defend armoured vehicles, personnel and low-flying aircraft. The multi-purpose projectile detonation mode can be set by the gunner before a round is fired.
Its three settings (detonate on impact, with a delay, or with an airburst) mean that a single round (AMP) can replace those different types of munitions, thus easing the burden on Army logistics.
Also read: National Guard | Live fire with Refleks anti-tank missile by T-80 tanks – VIDEO & Photos
The Abrams also features a 7.62mm M240 machine gun mounted coaxially with the main gun and a low profile remotely operated weapons station (CROWS) with a 12.7 and a 7.62mm machine guns.
Regarding its sensors the tank is fitted with improved forward-looking infrared (IFLIR) to detect targets. The IFLIR employs long and mid-wave infrared technology to enhance target acquisition, identification and engagement compared to the existing second-generation FLIR..
Also read: Turkish Leopard 2A4 tanks upgraded with T1 armor from Octoberber – VIDEO
It also has an upgraded day camera and the CREW Duke V3 counter remote-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIED) electronic warfare system. which protects the crew from road-side bombs and IED attacks. For further protection, the hull and turret integrate a new armour package and a total of two M250 six-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers.
In the field of communications, the Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 integrates joint tactical radio system (JTRS) handheld, man-pack, and small form fit radio to ensure network readiness and interoperation with future brigade combat teams (BCTs).
With information from: defenceworld.com
Also read:
ARMAMENTS
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION
Etemad | Iran’s New Ballistic Missile
Iran recently unveiled its new Etemad ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 km during a ceremony in Tehran attended by…
US Navy | Certification of the Operational Service of the New HELIOS Laser Weapon System
The US Navy has certified the operational service of the new HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance)…
Lockheed Martin | Upgrade of the Trident II D5 Missile for the US Navy
Lockheed Martin has secured a $383 million contract modification to develop the next-generation Trident II Strategic…
Etemad | Iran’s New Ballistic Missile
Iran recently unveiled its new Etemad ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 km during a ceremony in Tehran attended by…
US Navy | Certification of the Operational Service of the New HELIOS Laser Weapon System
The US Navy has certified the operational service of the new HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance)…
Lockheed Martin | Upgrade of the Trident II D5 Missile for the US Navy
Lockheed Martin has secured a $383 million contract modification to develop the next-generation Trident II Strategic…
INTRACOM DEFENCE | Launch of the ACTUS Project with Cypriot Participation
INTRACOM DEFENCE (IDE) has signed a €42 million Grant Agreement (No. 101168046 ACTUS–EDF-2023-DA) with the European Defence Fund…
XDOWN | Development of a Rugby Ball-Like Tactical Unmanned Aerial System
US defence startup XDOWN has developed a tactical Unmanned Aerial System called the PS Killer (PSK). Throwers use this lightweight drone…
European Defence Fund | Announcement of the 2025 EDF Work Programme
More than €1 billion will be allocated in 2025 from the European Defence Fund (EDF) to the European defence ecosystem for…
0 Comments