The first information and images of the mysterious new generation main battle tank have appeared.
After much speculation from the press, finally, the mysterious new generation main battle tank (MBT) of the US has been identified. It was a variant of the M1 Abrams, with the designation M1A2 SEPv4.
In 1981, the M1 Abrams main battle tank was commissioned for the US Army. Currently, the Pentagon and General Dynamics Corporation are working on another upgrade of this MBT.
In October 2022, the fully updated version of the M1A2 SEPv4 will be officially introduced to the public, but interesting details can already be seen in the first published images.
The latest version of the Abrams tank in service with the US Army is the M1A2 SEPv3. The improved heavy tracked combat vehicle will have a completely new turret with a low profile similar to the Russian tanks.
The specifics of this upgrade have yet to be revealed. Whether the new turret will be equipped with an automatic reloading system, thereby affecting the number of crew members is also not clear.
The main gun of the M1A2 SEPv4 tank will also be updated, but the caliber will remain at 120 mm. It will operate with a new type loader, similar to the experimental XM-360 barrel.
A few years ago, this weapon was tested on the MCS XM1202 infantry fighting vehicle as part of the FCS program. It is expected that the new cannon is capable of hitting targets at a maximum range of up to 10 km, but the effective range is still difficult to say.
Reconnaissance and targeting will be done by drones.
The US M1A2 SEPv4 like the future German-French EMBT tank will be installed with a remote control station with a 30mm automatic cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun. This will allow to fight lightly armored targets without having to spend expensive 120 mm ammo.
It is only possible to evaluate in detail the changes after the appearance of the prototype M1A2 SEPv4. The developers are working hard to reduce the weight of the tank, since 70 tons is too heavy for transport and logistics infrastructure.
Americans want the M1A2 SEPv4 to take the lead among the advanced MBTs in the world. The tank will also receive an upgraded laser rangefinder, state-of-the-art digital camera, meteorological sensor, ballistic computer programming, radiation warning device and improved 120mm ammunition for high efficiency. .
Also there is the introduction of the third generation thermal imaging system. Another new type of digital device with higher resolution and significantly increased detection range.
The engineers also wanted to reduce the device’s sensitivity to different types of interference. The new thermal imaging viewfinder will allow the tank to find and identify potential threats earlier, which will give the MBT an advantage on the battlefield.
In addition, it is also proposed to install a means of detecting laser radiation, as well as using a panoramic viewfinder system, accompanied by a new meteorological sensor that will increase the accuracy of the shot and the effectiveness of defense.
