General Dynamics Land Systems has officially unveiled its AbramsX future main battle.
AbramsX is a proposed upgrade of the M1 Abrams series of tanks.
It is being pitched as an interim solution between M1A2 SEPv3/SEPv4 and a future Main
Battle Tank.
Viewers may note that the initial information regarding AbramsX was provided in a press
release that General Dynamics Land Systems put out ahead of the Association of the U.S.
Army's (AUSA) main annual convention and trade show in Washington, D.C.
The company first teased the next-generation Abrams design back in June.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes how lethal is the new AbramsX tank ?
Let's get started.
In terms of new tanks being created, there has been a relative lull in developments since
the end of the Cold War.
The focus was on incremental upgrades instead of creating a revolutionary new design.
The M1 Abrams is a third-generation American main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense
(now General Dynamics Land Systems) and named for General Creighton Abrams.
The United States primary tank since the mid-1980s, the M1 has undergone gradual improvements
over 35 years that have continually improved its capability and lethality.
The tank was designed in such a way that it had enough room inside to accommodate new
components.
Many changes were made like improved sights and new battlefield command and control technologies.
So, while the tank looks similar from outside, the new variants were increasingly more capable.
The US Army’s most modern iteration, the M1A2 SEPv3 has used the same methodology.
This entered service with units in 2020 and incorporated items such as an under-armor
auxiliary power unit, improved radios and counter-IED technology.
The next variant SEPv4 which is being tested will have enhanced thermal sights and laser
detection systems, as well as integrate the new XM1147 advanced multi-purpose round, which
is expected to replace a number of other types of ammunition in a single shell.
Abrams X is supposed to bring much more to the table and some radically new features.
While details are limited, here are some of the key features.
1.
It will have an autoloader.
An autoloader or auto-loader is a mechanical aid or replacement for the personnel that
load ordnance into crew-served weapons without being an integrated part of the gun itself.
An autoloader extracts a shell and propellant charge from the ammunition storage rack and
loads it into a magazine or belt, if the gun has one, or directly into the chamber of the
gun if it does not.
It is expected to replace the human loader and hence reduce the crew size.
The autoloader can streamline and speed the loading process, resulting in a more effective
design.
2.
AbramsX will incorporate an unmanned turret.
An unmanned turret, as the name implies, does not house any crew.
It houses only the weapon and supporting mechanisms.
Having no humans in the turret itself means the turret does not need an enclosed space
for the crew to sit in.
The space will likely be used to hold new components and it will be completely isolated
from the crew compartment, protecting the crew in the case of a penetration or ammunition
explosion in the turret. 3.
AbramsX will also support Hybrid power pack that gives 50% more fuel efficiency.
This enhances silent watch capability and even allows for some silent mobility.
It also supports the U.S. Army’s climate and electrification strategies.
In this context, it is to be noted that Abrams' current kerosene turbine engine is a major
fuel guzzler. 4.
As per the U.S. Army, the M1A2 System Enhanced Package Version 3 (SEPv3) tank, the most modern
version of the Abrams currently in service, tips the scales as 73.6 tons, more than 10
tons heavier than the original M1.
The tank's weight, coupled with its physical dimensions, impose limits on how many of them
can be carried inside ships or planes.
The latest version of the Abrams is too heavy to be carried by certain landing craft.
AbramsX will have reduced weight for improved mobility.
5.
AI will be at the very core of the AbramsX.
This will enhance lethality, survivability, manned/unmanned teaming making the tank a
more effective platform.
6.
The digital backbone for the tank will be the KATALYST Next Generation Electronic Architecture
(NGEA).
It will connect all its systems together and provide easy upgradability of its hardware
and software so that the tank quickly accommodates changing tactical realities and technologies.
7.
The main gun will be XM360, an advanced 120mm type originally developed as part of the U.S.
Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program.
Secondary armament will include a 30mm chain gun.
8.
AbramsX is likely to have a very advanced sensor suite that will provide a 360-degree
video feed of its surroundings.
With the help of augmented reality, this would allow the crew to 'look through' the tank's
body for a huge leap in situational awareness.
Interestingly, AbramsX's launch comes after Germany’s Rheinmetall unveiled its first
new battle tank since the 1970s - the KF51 Panther recently.
KF51 is being pitched as the successor to the Cold War origin Leopard and Leopard II
tank.
To know more about that, check the video on the above card.
It is evident that AbramsX is designed to meet the future challenges that are expected
to present themselves.
For example, Russia has come up with Armata T-14 which is an entirely new design and is
in limited production.
The design incorporates very interesting features like a fully automated and unmanned turret,
the first for any tank and the ability to move at up to 90 km/h or 56 mph, which is
more than 20 km/h or 12.5 mph faster than the Abrams M1A2.
It also has Afganit Active Protection System that uses Active electronically scanned array
radar to detect incoming projectiles, and automatically intercept them.
AbramsX is expected to help the US Army keep its edge in armored warfare and it is also
clear that the era of Tanks has not ended.