Given that the crew is supposedly in the hull, the turret shape and all that Abrams shares and is distinguishable from any other vehicle can be completely scrapped and remade into a more functional design instead of an aesthetic design. Just like most other modern next-generation main battle tanks design with the crew compartment entirely on the hull while all the firing systems in the turret, I am expecting at least enough protection to sustain 30 or 57 mm projectiles.
I personally believe that most of it’s outside is just for looks, when it become an active production vehicle, all that futuristic-looking paraphernalia will be replaced by more robust parts to sustain active combat scenario, speaking specifically about the headlights and exposed sensors in the turret, there are very few vehicles with these systems in service today and even fewer in active combat (i.e. Merkava and T-90), I do sound skeptical because the M10 Booker is a recent example of the most powerful army in the world in both terms of power and money to not be able to put in service a more modern tank support vehicle.
I hope it will get that 1500hp 6TD-F in future
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Gotta be honest its kinda meh for me, i prefer the old chassis design personally but the covering of the turret ring gap gives me T series Vibes but it definitely fits the turret armor way more.
judging from the hull, driver camera, no more funny 3.5 inches windshield wipers
big L
Do we know what it’s got mounted in the loaders position?
It’s got an M2 / 240 + FGM-148 on the CROWS.
Belt feed makes me think M230LF, but I’m not sure, as the Abrams-X’s installation looked a little different.
Seems to be an unmanned turret given the lack of periscopes/hatches. Slightly strange that the turret is still so large and presumably quite heavy for being a (presumably) unmanned design.
It’s also riding strangely low on it’s suspension.
Also strange to see the ATGM on top.
Not so much, as the CROWS-J was already developed for the Stryker. And there is growth potential with the Javelin’s CLU, being intended to be able to be swapped out for the NGSRI (Next Generation Short Range interceptor).
And there is the potential to further extend compatibility to the CLT(Common Launch Tube), which would provide access to most of the powered Air Launched Effector (e.g. AGM-176) Developments. It also gives commonality with H-AT teams in the interim so it’s basically free logistically.
They maintained the original Abram look :D. And it has CROWS-J i think which is awesome
Would turret ring still be a problem?
Somewhat, but the Glacis has been re-sloped quite a bit as can be seen in the third image.
I’m assuming unmanned turret here, in which case: Who’s going to reload the Javelin?
I’m aware of it being used on different platforms, but in those cases they are accessible by the crew. If there is an autoloading mechanism for the Javelin, then that might be a bit of a waste of interior volume given the presence of the 120mm?
Javelins are often found on vehicles which otherwise would not have a (or have limited) means of defeating armoured threats, the Abrams clearly has this need satisfied with the 120 already.
Ah. Atleast it would fix the lower hull since i think all crew would be sitting there and would be the most armored. Also do you you what the senor is on the top? Looks like a senor for APS
I also wonder if they stripped out the composite armour from the turret as a means of weight saving.
I think there is an opening. That round thjng on top in the last image just behind the CROWS-J
From what I hear they are using a m1a1 turret as a place holder for testing purposes so the turret might change when the production variant comes along.
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So no iconic abram look :(
Yeah, that’s what I thought and predicted based on the earlier posted photo’s.
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Don’t know, could be anyone, but it’s the same with any other external weapon system like the CROWS, it’s probably not going to be done until in defilade or cover if the crew is buttoned up, same with pintle mounted guns on existing M1s.
The Javelin works out to 4km, which until the MRM(s) comes online isn’t something the Abrams can do, yet even with M829A4. So is a significant extension to the the effective Range of the M1
