Since last year, American enterprises have been engaged in the serial modernization of the existing Abrams main battle tanks under the M1A2C project. A few days ago, the first photo of a modernized tank with a full set of new equipment for various purposes appeared in the public domain. This model of an armored vehicle differs markedly from the prototypes previously demonstrated. Apparently, other upgraded tanks will have the same look.
Recall that the M1A2C project, until last year known as the M1A2 SEP v.3, provides for a significant upgrade of the M1A2 tanks (including SEP v.2), aimed at improving all the main parameters. It is proposed to strengthen the protection by means of new components, to replace part of the radio-electronic equipment, to modernize the power plant, etc. Also, during the modernization, equipment should be repaired to extend the service life.
Tank M1A2C at the Yuma training ground. Photo Defense-blog.com
The first prototype of the tank, then still designated as M1A2 SEP v.3, was first shown to specialists and the public in the fall of 2016. Later, several prototypes were tested, after which contracts appeared for a massive upgrade of equipment. By now, a number of tanks have been modernized, and some have been captured by the camera.
***
The first known image of the Abrams MBT in the new configuration was taken at the Yuma test site, one of the main sites for testing ground military equipment. The tank did not appear in the frame completely, but this did not prevent it from being identified correctly. Soon, specialized resources drew attention to the updated advertising brochure of the Leonardo DRS company, which contained very interesting materials.
The Italian organization participates in the modernization of American tanks as an installer of active protection systems. Not so long ago, she updated the promotional materials for the KAZ of the Trophy family and added new photos to them. The reader was shown a modernized M1A2C tank, equipped with a number of additional external mounting products. The equipment from the photographs from "Leonardo" did not differ in any way from the tank from the Yuma test site.
The tanks from fresh photographs have noticeable differences from the M1A2C / M1A2 SEP v.3 prototypes shown earlier. Such differences are primarily determined by the presence of additional protection systems of various kinds. Exhibition samples did not have such equipment. This means that after the first demonstrations of technology, the modernization project was supplemented, and with a serial update, tanks will receive a larger number of new devices.
The modernization of the tank provides for the strengthening of the existing protection with the help of several new components of various kinds. New overhead armor elements are installed on the frontal parts of the turret. The composition of these modules is unknown. Probably, combined armor was made in the form of flat angular parts. According to various estimates, which appeared due to the lack of official information, the use of overhead frontal armor brings the equivalent of the frontal protection of the turret to 800-900 mm.
The frontal armor of the hull is supplemented by a consignment note on the bottom sheet. It was also previously reported about the reinforcement of the bottom to increase resistance to mines. Measures are being taken to enhance the protection of the side projection. Explosive reactive armor units are placed along almost the entire length of the on-board screen. They do not cover only small sections of the bead in the front and rear parts - at the level of the drive and idler wheels. The characteristics of the reactive armor used are not specified, but it is obvious that its use has the most positive effect on the combat stability of the vehicle.
Over the past several years, the US Army has been working on the issue of mass equipping modernized tanks with active protection complexes. The recently updated M1A2C tanks received such equipment that it can speak of the successful completion of past work.
On the sides of the tower of the modernized "Abrams" are two casings with elements of the KAZ Trophy-HV of the Israeli company Rafael. Leonardo DRS is responsible for the supply and installation of such equipment. Front and rear on the casing of the complex there are antennas of the detection radar station, and a hinged cover is provided on top, under which there is a launcher for protective ammunition. KAZ is intended for the timely detection of incoming anti-tank ammunition and their destruction before striking the protected tank.
Another shot of the M1A2C tank. Photo Leonardo DRS / leonardodrs.com
The Trophy-HV complex weighs 820 kg and has a volume of 0.69 cubic meters. The ability to protect against attacks from all angles with the defeat of incoming targets at a safe distance for the tank is declared. It should be noted that the Israeli KAZ in the HV version can intercept only with protective ammunition. Other modifications of the Trophy also include optoelectronic suppression devices.
Other changes in the design and composition of onboard equipment are not visible from the outside. However, they are well known since the publication of the first data on the M1A2C / M1A2 SEP v.3 project. These improvements affect the power plant, control equipment and ammunition.
The M1A2C project provides for the use of an auxiliary power unit to supply power to on-board systems when the engine is off. Unlike previous projects, this time the APU is placed inside an armored hull, next to the main engine, which dramatically increases its survivability. The conflicts of recent decades have shown that the initial external deployment of the Armed Forces is a serious problem.
The optical-electronic sighting devices of the commander and gunner are undergoing modernization. The new sights are being built on the basis of modern thermal imagers. Communication and control equipment is being replaced: new devices more effectively ensure the interaction of equipment and troops. For the first time, the Vehicle Health Management System is installed, designed to monitor the status of components and assemblies.
The main gun receives several new projectiles, including a fragmentation round with a programmable fuse. Accordingly, the gun is equipped with a programmer for working with such devices. At the expense of new ammunition, it is proposed to increase the firepower of the tank without resorting to replacing weapons.
Auxiliary weapons are being finalized. The commander's machine gun is transferred from an open installation to a remotely controlled weapon station CROWS RWS. The second machine gun remains on the loader's hatch, and to use it, the tanker needs to protrude from the hatch. The loader's safety is ensured by a double flap with bulletproof glass.
According to known data, as a result of the modernization and installation of new units, the M1A2C tank is noticeably heavier. Its combat weight increases to 66.8 tons. It is not entirely clear whether this takes into account additional means of protection in the form of overhead panels, KAZ and side screens with reactive armor.
***
According to the results of modernization under the M1A2C project, the Abrams tank should increase all the main characteristics, with the exception of mobility. New devices in the fire control system and modern ammunition should increase firepower and combat effectiveness. The APU simplifies and reduces the cost of operation. Overhead armor elements and other protection systems increase combat survivability.
Experienced tanks with the SEP v.3 update package have been tested since 2015, and in 2016 such a vehicle was shown for the first time at an open event. The tests were completed in 2017 and confirmed the potential of the proposed "internal" improvements. At the same time, tests of the Israeli-developed Trophy-HV active protection complex were carried out. This system has confirmed the main characteristics and is now used when converting tanks.
One of the pre-production tanks M1A2 SEP v.3. US Army Photos
The first pre-production batch of M1A2 SEP v.3 / M1A2C tanks was handed over to the US Army in October 2017. In addition, in the same year, the army ordered 45 serial modernization tanks; this contract cost her $ 270 million - 6 million each for the renewal of one armored vehicle. The first production M1A2C went to the troops in July last year. In the coming August, the army wants to receive the last of the 45 vehicles of the first batch. General Dynamics Land Systems is engaged in updating the equipment.
At the end of 2017, a framework contract appeared with GDLS for the restructuring of 435 M1A2 tanks according to a new project. In July 2018, the parties signed a firm agreement for the supply of a new batch of 100 tanks. A few weeks ago, the customer and the contractor agreed on the restructuring of another 174 armored vehicles, which should be completed by 2021. Thus, there are already contracts for the modernization of almost 320 tanks from combat units.
The execution of current orders will continue until 2021, after which the start of the next stage of modernization of armored vehicles is possible. Already, defense industry enterprises are working on a new project to modernize tanks. This development was previously known as the M1A2 SEP v.4, but since last year it has been referred to as the M1A2D. This project provides for the use of developments in previous modernization options, as well as the further development of fire control systems and communications, the use of new projectiles, etc. Improved additional protection systems are expected to appear.
According to known data, a prototype of the M1A2D tank may appear no earlier than 2020. It will take some time to test it, after which orders may appear for serial rebuilding of equipment. Thus, the serial M1A2D will appear no earlier than 2021-22. Probably, this project will carry out the modernization of the remaining machines of the M1A2 type, which did not have time to receive the type "C" updates.
In the meantime, GDLS, together with the customer, are engaged in a program to modernize existing tanks to the M1A2C state. Such machines have recently appeared in the frame for the first time, and their image has become public. Probably, in the near future, such pictures or videos of modernized American tanks will become commonplace. The equipment renewal program for the new project is gaining momentum and yielding the desired results. However, in a few years the current project will be replaced by a new one, which provides for other changes in the design and composition of the equipment of the tanks.
