The “Tank Protection Levels” isn´t a source. It was a super old website serving as a compendium of mostly unsourced guesses. I don´t even think the website is online anymore. I think the original author pulled the M1 figures from a Zaloga work published back in the early 2000s. Nevertheless most of the figures attributed to the most modern tanks then are gross overestimations. Case in point:
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I still honestly question If they even still use DU within sepv3s armor. NGAP (next generation armor package) is an entirely new armor composition and very possible they just don’t use DU. I also found that each country that brought (Poland and Australia) Sepv3s have different serial numbers on their turret which usually indicates different armor packages on the abrams for foreign export. On US sepv3s M is the suffix code for NGAP just like how U was the suffix code for DU armor on Sepv2s. As the images point out the Polish sepv3 is MP and for Australia is just A.
It’s very possible that it could be some kind of export NGAP armor package for sepv3.
DU benefit the abrams “moderately” so i dont see a reason why not, its cheap, offer decent benefit
And yk when something is cheap and offer decent benefit(aside from weight-its fat regardless) the US would definitely implement it on the tank
Or maybe the export NGAP doesnt have DU but the domestic one does
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Weight is currenlty the biggest issue for any MBT, and DU is currently not the best ingredient for armor as technologies for other evolved.
SEP v3’s crew manual clearly doesn’t include crew evasion manual when armor damaged, which was included in every Abrams crew manual with DU turret armor. This may means Kenny110’s assumption right.
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They without a doubt use DU in SEPV3 armor package. It specifically had to be removed and a redesigned armor area with similar protection for sales to Australia.
how would this affect the armor value and protection?
we arent sure how heavy the NGAP abrams are and how much are the weight reduction
in all fairness maybe the US would prioritize the crews over weight of the vehicle more right
no one knows but theories
Was there a document stating that? I could never find it.
Let me see if I can find the article I read about it.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/02/06/2023-02377/arms-sales-notification
This one talks about needing a bespoke armor package. The article I found before (i think) referenced this and another one to say how they required the creation of a different armor array because DU was a non starter for OZ.
what is the quote that conclude ur statement?(im lazy-in the article)
Its this quote that kind of confirms that there is actually DU within NGAP armor composition.
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Then what is?
I guess the main question now is whether Poland sepv3s have DU in it or the suffix code on the turret “MP” means some kind of modified export NGAP.
interesting
DU is beneficial for the abrams even tho its heavy so i dont see a point in not using it
this better not make the sep v3 have less armor protection than the sep v2 or the one that has DU
M probably mean modified like u said
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I hate you for making me reread this so many times to find it since I’m just quick skimming. I’m mad dashing Google right now trying to find the article that talks about Australia not wanting DU lol
The quote form this article is “ Australia has commissioned the development and production of bespoke Turret Front armor to be used in their M1A2SEPv3. This armor is being developed by the USG in consultation and coordination with the CoA to ensure that it is optimized to their perceived threat matrix.”
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sorry lol
Should we call them M1A2MP then to distinguish?
Modified Protection or something M Poland maybe?
then australia should be MA but maybe the aus ask for it so its just have designated A
I don’t think it would be, only because the round remain consistent now. They’re accepted and using m829, whereas Australia uses KEW. Which would be consistent with not wanting DU, while also not being able to buy them. But Poland was given these rounds, and would assume that they’d also be given access to the same armor array as well, but it’s conjecture on my part.