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M1A2 SEPv4: Early Warning ProvisionsDisclaimer : There is currently limited imagery of the M1A2 SEPv4. Images will be updated as more information is released.
First look of the M1A2 SEPv4 main battle tank. Notice the Laser Warning Receiver located on the front-right side of the turret.
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Description :
- The M1A2 SEPv4 is the ultimate iteration of the M1A2 Abrams, besides the AbramsX, that will be the next standard upgrade for the U.S. Army. On August 25th, 2017, the Army awarded General Dynamics Land System’s, or GDLS, a contract worth $310.6 million to further upgrade the M1A2 Abrams to a new SEPv4 upgrade, also known as Engineering Change Proposal 1B. The M1A2 SEPv4 features all the upgrades of the M1A2 SEPv3 including the enhanced armor package, ammunition data link, M153A1E1 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station - Low Profile, digital architecture upgrades and much more. The M1A2 SEPv4 retains the original 1,500hp Honeywell AGT1500C Gas Turbine Engine coupled to the Allison DDA X-1100-3C automatic transmission providing high acceleration and speed at the cost of fuel efficiency. The M1A2 SEPv4 can equip the Israeli-Trophy APS as well as utilize the ARAT ERA packages in use with the Army. The main changes of the M1A2 SEPv4 include an updated fire control and diagnostic system which focuses on new targeting aids, better target acquisition, 3rd-generation Thermal Imagers for both the Gunner and Commander with the integration of color cameras, and more. The Commander features an improved laser rangefinder, enhancing hunter-killer capabilities. Further improving the Gunner and Commander’s fire control system is the use of the IntelliSense Ballistic Meteorological Sensor, and as well as an upgrade to the vehicle’s digital architecture. The ammunition datalink is improved as the Army plans on fully integrating the new XM1147 AMP round into the vehicle. The XM1147 was designed to replace the M830, M830A1, M1028, and M908 rounds by being able to perform each of the rounds missions. The XM1147 has 3 different modes, Air Burst, Point Detonation, and Point Detonation Delay. The ammunition data link also provides a connection to the M829A4 APFSDS-T round, allowing it to adjust to defeat APS systems. For other features, Leonardo DRS produces the computer systems and peripherals also known as the MFoCS system. The Driver utilizes also the Leonardo DRS Abrams Driver’s Vision Enhancer (DVE-A) for day or night operations. For cooling essential systems throughout the vehicle, the Meggitt Defense System’s Improved Thermal Management System (ITMS) is used which is an enhanced version of the older TMS. For survivability, the M1A2 SEPv4 utilizes the AN/VVR-4 Laser Warning System which provides 360-degree detection of incoming laser guided munitions. Building off of this, the Army is trialing the Rheinmetall Rapid Obscuring System or ROSY into both the Abrams and Bradley armored fighting vehicles and if accepted would be adopted onto the M1A2 SEPv4. ROSY is a directional smoke grenade launching system that can be easily installed by the use of stacking plates which feature 4-smoke grenades per plate. ROSY uses immediate/dynamic smoking capabilities which provides IR protection/jamming against TV-, E0-, IR-, IIR-, laser- and SACLOS-guided weapons. The M1A2 SEPv4 is still undergoing testing and will not be in full service in the near future as the Army is still rolling out the M1A2 SEPv3. Expected introduction is in FY2025.
- The main focus of this upgrade includes:
- XM1147 Advanced Multi-purpose (AMP) Round Integration
- 3rd-Generation FLIR for the Gunner.
- Color camera integration.
- 3rd-Generation FLIR for the Commander.
- Color camera integration.
- Improved Laser Rangefinder.
- AN/VVR-4 Laser Warning System
- Rapid Obscuring System (ROSY)
- Improved Thermal Management System (ITMS)
- IntelliSense Ballistic Meteorological Sensor
- Optional Additions:
- Trophy System APS
- For more information on the M1A2 SEPv3 and its capabilities, please see @Jackvony’s suggestion here:
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Armament:
- Main Weapon: 120 mm M256 L/44 Smoothbore Gun (w/ 42rds)
- Rounds:
- M829A4 APFSDS-T Round
- XM1147 Advanced Multi-Purpose Round
- Modes:
- Air Burst
- Point Detonation
- Point Detonation Delay
- Modes:
- Depression/Elevation: -10°/20°
- Rounds:
- Additional Weapons:
- Coaxial 7.62mm M240C Medium Machine Gun
- 12.7mm M2HB M153A1E1 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station - Low Profile
- 7.62mm M240C Medium Machine Gun
- Main Weapon: 120 mm M256 L/44 Smoothbore Gun (w/ 42rds)
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Maneuverability:
- Engine: 1,500hp Honeywell AGT1500C Gas Turbine Engine
- Transmission: Allison DDA X-1100-3C (8-forward, 4-reverse)
- Chassis: High-hardness-steel Torsion Bars w/ Rotary Shock Absorbers
- Max Speed: 67km/h
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Dimensions:
- Length: 7.93m (9.77m w/ Gun Forward)
- Width: 3.7m
- Height: 2.4m
- Weight: 68+ tons
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Crew (4x):
- Commander
- Driver
- Gunner
- Loader
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Features:
- Next Evolution Armor package in the Hull and Turret.
- Capable of stopping most Kinetic and Chemical Energy rounds. Mainly in the Turret Cheeks.
- Optional Tusk I/II Package (options are not applied to all vehicles, variations in levels of TUSK equipment may occur due to mission requirements):
- Tusk I:
- M-19 Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT)
- Loader’s Armored Gun Shield
- Protection shield around the M240C to protect the loader against small arms fire.
- Tusk II:
- M-32 Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT)
- Loader’s Armored Gun Shield
- Protection shield around the M240C to protect the loader against small arms fire.
- IED Armor Plating
- V-shaped armor plating to protect the underbody of the M1A2 SEPv2 main battle tank against IED’s.
- Tusk I:
- Optics (Block 3 FLIR for Commander and Gunner):
- Gunner: Improved Gunner’s Primary Sight (3rd Generation Thermal Imager)
- Commander: Raytheon Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer (3rd Generation Thermal Imager)
- Driver: Abrams Driver’s Vision Enhancer (DVE-A) (Thermal Imager)
- 800x600 display connected to the Thermal Camera.
- Laser Rangefinders
- M153A1E1 CROWS-LP
- DUKEv3 IED Protection
- ROSY Smoke Grenade System (Likely)
- ESS
- Next Evolution Armor package in the Hull and Turret.
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Reason for Implementation:
- The M1A2 SEPv4 is the ultimate Abrams that is available to the tree. Featuring the latest thermals, and munitions, it easily places itself as the top vehicle in the USA Ground Forces Tree. With the addition of the Laser Warning System, the XM1147 multi-purpose round for multiple different targets (including low flying helicopters) and the M829A4 which can defeat APS systems, the M1A2 SEPv4 is a force to be reckoned with. Other features include the likely-use of the ROSY obscuring system which is a unique new system that can be easily reloaded which obstructs most types of guided munitions, and 3rd-generation Thermal Imagers for both the Gunner and Commander, and a Thermal Imager for the Driver. As more images are released, we will likely see the M1A2 SEPv4 equipped with the newly developed passive armor, Trophy APS, ARAT ERA, and more.
- Battle Rating: 11.3+
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Imagery/Videos:
Spoiler
Images of the Abrams SEPv4 during testing.
Army PowerPoint showcasing upgrades of the SEPv4.
New IntelliSense Ballistic Meteorological Sensor information.
M829A4 APFSDS-T round used by the SEPv4.
XM1147 AMP round during testing.
View of DVE-A.
DVE-A sight for the Driver.
AN/VVR-4 Laser Warning System.
ROSY system which will be likely integrated into the SEPv4 per the new acquisition plan.
A video showcasing the Abrams and Bradley AFV’s equipped with ROSY and AN/VVR-4 Laser Warning System.
Additional Passive Armor on the turret, ARAT I tiles, CROWS-LP, and the Trophy System as seen on the SEPv3 for referencing.
- Sources:
- https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/our-first-look-at-the-armys-upgraded-m1a2-sepv4-abrams-tank
- https://asc.army.mil/web/portfolio-item/abrams-main-battle-tank/#:~:text=M1A2%20SEP%20version%204%20(SEPv4,targets%20farther%20than%20ever%20before
- https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m1a2d.htm
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_october_2022_global_security_army_industry/us_army_testing_new_m1a2_sepv4_abrams_at_yuma_proving_ground.html
- https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/first-m1a2-sepv4-abrams-tank-delivered-to-us-army-calvary-regiment.759417/
- https://insidedefense.com/inside-army/gdls-receives-m1a2-sepv4-developmental-contract
- https://insidedefense.com/insider/general-dynamics-wins-contract-abrams-sepv4-additions
- https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/ausa/2022/10/14/what-comes-after-abrams-tanks-the-army-is-working-on-possibilities/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20180315133534/http://www.chinatopix.com/articles/112850/20170328/new-army-m1-abrams-tank-rounds-easily-destroy-t-14.htm
- Army Guide
- https://www.rheinmetall.com/media/editor_media/rheinmetallag/events/land_forces_2022/protection_systems/B180e0821_RWM_Rosy_Rapid_Obscuring_System_LR.pdf
- Abrams Driver’s Vision Enhancer (DVE-A) | Leonardo DRS
- https://web.archive.org/web/20180315134509/https://www.gd.com/news/press-releases/2017/09/general-dynamics-receives-contracts-upgrade-abrams-main-battle-tanks
- https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064424/http://www.janes.com/article/77273/utc-aerospace-readies-an-vvr-4-laser-warning-system
- https://www.mobilityengineeringtech.com/component/content/article/adt/pub/features/articles/28778
- https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2020/army/2020_120mm-amp.pdf?ver=SPTvLIk0uiFxSsopP243RQ%3D%3D
- https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2021/army/2021_120mm-amp.pdf?ver=0NlcOCr_udm7l6DjN6jbnA%3D%3D
- Armor crews fire new barricade-busting tank round
- US Army tankers test the XM-1147 Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) round