US Army awards Abrams upgrade order
M1A2 SEPv3 includes enhancements to lethality, maintainability, situational awareness and survivability.
General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) is to produce Abrams M1A2 System Enhancement Package 3 (SEPv3) tanks for the US Army, under a $4.62 billion fixed-price-incentive contract announced by the DoD on 18 December 2020.
‘Work locations and funding will be determined with each order,’ the DoD announced, adding that the contract has an estimated completion date of 17 June 2028.
M1A2 SEPv3 is the latest production-standard variant of the Abrams MBT.
The upgraded configuration includes improved communications and better networking capabilities than the M1A1 Abrams, plus additional electrical power from an auxiliary power unit, upgraded armour, an ammunition data link to interface with advanced ammunition and reduced maintenance requirements.
Due to these new modifications, the overall weight of the tank is increased to 66.8t.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the next variant of the M1A2, designated M1A2 SEPv4, is expected to add third-generation FLIR sights, embedded training functions and any additional subsystems that the US Army deems necessary.
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