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.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![UK fires Archer for first time in live-fire exercise]()
UK fires Archer for first time in live-fire exercise
Exercise Dynamic Front 25 is part of a series of NATO exercises that will run until 26 November.
-
![CV90 delivery to Slovakia imminent]()
CV90 delivery to Slovakia imminent
Slovakia is undergoing a radical refresh of its equipment, like many central and eastern European countries, and the arrival of new vehicles will form a substantial part of this.
-
![Mortar mobility: Patria’s TREMOS takes aim at the modern battlespace]()
Mortar mobility: Patria’s TREMOS takes aim at the modern battlespace
In conversation... Patria’s Lauri Pauniaho talks to Shephard's Gerrard Cowan about how high mobility levels are essential for mortar systems in the face of modern counter-battery fire, and how a new platform-agnostic module can combine existing vehicles and mortar barrels into a cost-effective new weapon system.
