The M1 Abrams has been a cornerstone of U.S. armoured forces since its introduction in the early 1980s. Designed for mobility, firepower, and survivability, it has undergone multiple upgrades, including the M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) versions 3 (SEPv3) and 4 (SEPv4). The SEPv3 version introduced improved lethality, advanced sensors, and enhanced power generation, while SEPv4 aimed to integrate upgraded optics, new sensors, and enhanced communications systems.
However, as noted by Major General Glenn Dean, Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems, the M1A2 SEPv4 program was discontinued because “the Abrams Tank can no longer grow its capabilities without adding weight, and we need to reduce its logistical footprint.” The war in Ukraine has underscored the importance of integrated protection systems and modular designs that allow for rapid adaptation to emerging threats.
Key features and bbjectives of the M1E3 Abrams
According to the CRS report, the M1E3 Abrams will incorporate select features from the M1A2 SEPv4, while adopting a modular open systems architecture (MOSA). This approach will allow for quicker technology upgrades and reduced logistical requirements, improving both performance and sustainment on the battlefield.
Although formal M1E3 requirements have not been publicly disclosed, the CRS report suggests that the new tank will integrate recommendations from a 2019 Army Science Board study. The study proposed several key capabilities, including:
- Hybrid-electric drive to improve fuel efficiency and reduce logistical burdens
- Autoloader and new main gun for increased firepower
- Advanced munitions, including maneuvering hypersonic rounds and gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles
- Integrated armor protection to defend against drones, guided munitions, and new anti-tank weapons
- Enhanced command, control, and networking capabilities
- Artificial intelligence (AI) applications to assist targeting and situational awareness
- Capability to operate alongside robotic combat vehicles
- Reduced thermal and electromagnetic signatures for enhanced survivability
One of the most significant shifts in the M1E3 design will be weight reduction and hybrid-electric propulsion, which the Army has identified as essential to improving battlefield mobility and reducing sustainment challenges.
Technology development and contract award
To facilitate the transition, the Army has awarded a contract to General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in May 2024 to collaborate on shaping the M1E3 Abrams design. Over the next 18 months, the Army and GDLS will focus on technology maturation efforts, including:
- Autoloader capabilities to enable a possible unmanned turret
- Alternate powertrain solutions, including hybrid-electric propulsion
- Active Protection Systems (APS) designed to defend against anti-tank guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and drone-based threats
In addition, the M1E3 Abrams development will be aligned with the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program, another key Army modernization initiative. The Army aims to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by 2030.
Transition plan and future considerations
Until the M1E3 Abrams reaches production, the Army will continue producing the M1A2 SEPv3 at a reduced rate. This transition raises several questions regarding the future composition of the Army’s armored forces, including:
- Will the M1E3 replace the M1 Abrams on a one-for-one basis?
- How will the Army allocate resources between M1A2 SEPv3 production and M1E3 development?
- What impact will the transition have on the defense industrial base, particularly smaller suppliers involved in M-1A2 SEPv3 production?
- Will the Army National Guard’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs) receive M1E3 tanks?
- Will the M1E3 be made available for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to U.S. allies?
A hybrid-electric Abrams tank for the future
According to Army officials cited in the CRS report, the M1E3 Abrams will be the Army’s first hybrid-electric combat vehicle, a major shift aimed at reducing fuel consumption and enhancing battlefield endurance. One official stated:
“The hybrid version of the upgraded tank [M1E3] will reduce the amount of fuel the service has to lug around the battlefield and will reduce the vehicle’s electromagnetic footprint. The tank will be lighter than ever, and it will come with an active protection system that can take down enemy drones through kinetic or non-kinetic means.”
The M1E3 Abrams is expected to incorporate some features from the Abrams X technology demonstrator, which GDLS unveiled in October 2022. Features showcased in the Abrams X include:
- Weight reduction of approximately 10 tons compared to the current M1 Abrams
- A hybrid-electric diesel engine offering 50% improved fuel efficiency
- An unmanned turret, potentially reducing crew size from four to three
- Advanced armor protection against drone-dropped munitions
- Integration with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- AI-powered threat detection and fire control systems
While the Abrams X demonstrator may not fully align with the Army’s requirements for the M1E3 Abrams, it provides a proof of concept for future tank designs.
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS).
