U.S. Army Orders Modernized Abrams Tanks for $4.6B

The U.S. Department of Defense announced a contract valued $4.62 billion to General Dynamics Land Systems for modernized Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tanks.

On Thursday, the Army awarded Honeywell $1.1 billion for AGT 1500 engines that powers their Abrams tanks.

Work is expected to be completed in June 2028.

Abrams M1A2 System Enhancement Program Version 3 (SEPv3) Main Battle Tank (MBT)

The SEPv3 configuration includes advancements in communications, reliability, sustainment, fuel efficiency and upgraded armor. The MBT measures 9.7m-long, 3.7m-wide and 2.4m-high, and is manned by a crew of four, including a driver, a commander, a loader and a gunner.

It retains the layout of the M1A2 MBT with the driver’s cab at the forward centre hull, turret in the middle and power-pack at the rear. The tank integrates the line-replaceable module technology to enable easy maintenance of the fleet.

The tank integrates joint tactical radio system (JTRS) handheld, man-pack, and small form fit radio to ensure network readiness and interoperation with future brigade combat teams (BCTs).

It is powered by a Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine, which develops a power of 1,500hp. The main gun fitted on the MBT is a M256 120mm smoothbore cannon, which can fire M829A4 advanced kinetic energy and advanced multi-purpose (AMP) rounds to defend armoured vehicles, personnel and low-flying aircraft.

The tank features a low-profile (LP) common remotely operated weapon system (CROWS) installed with a 12.7mm machine gun. A 7.62mm M240 machine gun is also mounted coaxially with the main gun.

The tank is fitted with improved forward-looking infrared (IFLIR) to detect targets, upgraded day camera, ammunition data link (ADL) for programming of M829A4 and AMP rounds and CREW Duke V3 counter remote-controlled IED (RCIED) electronic warfare system.