Designed to be more lethal, faster, lighter weight better protected equipped
with new sensors and armed with upgraded more effective weapons, service
officials said.
Advanced networking technology with next generation sites, sensors targeting
systems and digital networking technology are all key elements of an ongoing
upgrade to position the platform to successfully engage in combat against
rapidly emerging threats. Such as the prospect of confronting a russian T-14
armada or chinese third generation type 99 tank.
The SEP V4 variant slated to be tested in 2022, will include new laser
rangefinder technology, color cameras integrated onboard networks, new slip
rings, advanced meteorological sensors, ammunition data links, laser warning
receivers and a far more lethal multi-purpose 120 millimeters tank round.
While army officials explained that many of the details of the next-gen
systems for the future tanks are not available for security reasons. Bassett
did explain that the lethality upgrade referred to as an engineering change
proposal or ECP is centered around the integration of a higher tech third
generation fleer, forward-looking infrared imaging sensor.
The advanced fleer uses higher resolution and digital imaging along with an
increased ability to detect enemy signatures at farther ranges through
various obscurants such as rain, dust or fog, Bassett said.
A combination of mid-wave and long-wave sensors allow for better target
identification at long ranges and better resolution at shorter ranges,
bassett explained.
Higher definition sensors allow army crews to for instance, better
distinguish an enemy fighter or militant carrying an AK-47. Improved fleer
technologies also help tank crews better recognize light and heat signatures
emerging from targets such as enemy sensors, electronic signals or enemy
vehicles.
This enhancement provides an additional asset to a tank commander's
independent thermal viewer. Rearview sensors and laser detection systems are
part of these upgrades as well.
Also newly configured meteorological sensors will better enable abram's
tanks to anticipate and adapt to changing weather or combat conditions more
quickly, bassett explained.
The emerging M1A2 SEP V4 will also be configured with a new slip ring
leading to the turret and onboard ethernet switch to reduce the number of
needed, boxes by networking sensors to one another in a single vehicle.
Also some of the current electronics called line replaceable units will be
replaced with new line replaceable modules including a commander's display
unit, driver's control panel, gunner's control, panel turret control unit
and a common high resolution display, information from general dynamics lan
system states.
Advanced multi-purpose round
The M1A2 SEP V4 will carry advanced multi-purpose 120 millimeters
ammunition round able to combine a variety of different rounds into a single
tank round.
The AMP round will replace four tank rounds now in use. the first two are
the M830 high explosive anti-tank or heat, round in the M830A1,
multi-purpose anti-tank or MPAT round.
AMP also provides two additional capabilities. the defeat of enemy dismounts
the especially enemy Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATMG), teams at a distance
and breaching walls in support of dismounted infantry operations.
Bassett explained that a new ammunition data link will help tank crews
determine which round is best suited for a particular given attack. Rather
than having to carry different rounds, you can communicate with the round
before firing it, bassett explained.
Engineering change proposal 1
Some of the upgrades woven into the lethality enhancement for the M1A2
SEP V4 have their origins in a prior upgrade now underway for the platform.
Accordingly the lethality upgrade is designed to follow on to current
mobility and power upgrade referred to as an earlier or initial ECP.
Among other things this upgrade adds a stronger auxiliary power unit for
fuel efficiency and on-board electrical systems, improved armor materials,
upgraded engines and transmission and a 28-volt upgraded drive system.
This first ecp slated to begin production by 2017 is called the m1a the 2nd
of september v3 variant.
The abrams is also expected to get an advanced force tracking system that
uses GPS technology to rapidly update digital moving map displays with icons
showing friendly and enemy force positions.
The system called joint battle command platform uses an extremely fast blue
force tracker 2 satcom network able to reduce latency and massively shorten
refresh time.
Having rapid force position updates in a fast-moving combat circumstance,
quite naturally could bring decisive advantages in both mechanized and
counter-insurgency warfare.
Active protection systems
The army is fast-tracking an emerging technology for abrams tanks designed
to give combat vehicles an opportunity to identify, track and destroy
approaching enemy rocket-propelled grenades in a matter of milliseconds,
service officials said.
Called Active Protection Systems (APS), the technology uses sensors and
radar, computer processing, fire control technology and interceptors to find
target and knock down or intercept incoming enemy fire such as RPGs and
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM).
Systems of this kind have been in development for many years however the
rapid technological progress of enemy tank rounds, missiles and RPGs is
leading the army to more rapidly test and develop a PA for its fleet of
abram's tanks.
Radar scans the entire perimeter of the platform out to a known
range
When a threat penetrates that range, the system then detects and classifies
that threat and tells the on-board computer which determines the optical
kill point in space, a DRS official said
Over all these lethality and mobility upgrades represent the best effort by
the army to maximize the effectiveness and lethality of its current abrams
tank platform.
The idea is to leverage the best possible modernization upgrades able to
integrate into the existing vehicle.
Early conceptual discussion and planning are already underway to build
models for a new future tank platform to emerge by the 2030s, stay with
scout warrior for an upcoming report on this effort.
