News of the project for the modernization of tanks M1A2 SEP v.3
The M1A2 SEP v.3 project (System Enhancement Package version 3 - “System Improvement Package, 3 version”) is developed by General Dynamics Land Systems. The official representative of this organization a few days ago made an important statement on the current progress of work. A spokeswoman for the company Ashley Givens said that the first pre-production tank in the updated configuration will appear this month. At the same time, he will become a part of the whole party, opening the process of modernization of equipment.
To date, the customer and the developer have identified plans for the further development of the fleet of armored vehicles. E. Givens recalled that the ultimate goal of the M1A2 SEP v.3 project is to repair and modernize all of the Abrams’s main tanks in the army. Thus, new devices will receive 1500 machines.
According to known data, the current project of the modernization of the SEP v.3 was developed taking into account the developments under the previous programs of updating the equipment and takes into account the characteristics of the tanks that had been updated earlier. Thus, the M1A2 SEP v.3 serial tanks will be rebuilt from the existing M1A2 SEP v.2 tanks. Thanks to this technique will retain some of the positive features and features obtained earlier, as well as receive new features.
The newest project M1A2 SEP v.3 involves the replacement of a large number of onboard units, as well as the installation of some new devices. The proposed upgrade of tanks is aimed at improving fuel efficiency and obtaining new combat capabilities. As a result, the tank, while maintaining the hull, weapons, etc., will be able to show higher performance.
In previous modernization projects, it was proposed to use an auxiliary power unit that ensures the operation of various systems without starting the main engine. In the M1A2 SEP v.3 project, we were able to complete the introduction of such a device with maximum efficiency: now a compact low-power engine is placed inside a protected volume and is no longer an easy target.
The project provides for a certain increase in reservations, primarily aimed at increasing resistance to explosive devices. In this case, serious processing of the hull is not required, which greatly simplifies and reduces the cost of modernization.
The main weapon of the tank remains the same, but now it is proposed to use other ammunition. Earlier it was reported that the upgraded tank will be able to solve all assigned tasks with just two types of shots. Fighting enemy armored vehicles will be carried out using armor-piercing piercing pierced shells M829E4 AKE. For other purposes, is intended HM1147 АMP multipurpose ammunition, completed with a programmable fuse. Thus, the firepower of the tank will increase, and combat work and supplies will be simplified to a certain extent.
According to the experience of recent conflicts, the modernized tank loses an open machine gun mount on the roof of the tower. Instead, the CROWS-LP combat module (Commander's Remote Operated Weapon Station Low Profile - “Commander's remotely controlled armory low profile setting ”). With it, the crew will be able to use the standard machine gun without leaving the protected compartment.
The largest changes will undergo complex avionics. The project M1A2 SEP v.3 implies a cardinal reworking of this complex. The proposed rejection of the existing equipment in favor of quick-change modules for one purpose or another. Moreover, it is not just about replacing medium-sized units of equipment, but also working with individual printed circuit boards and other small items. It is assumed that the modular design principle of electronics will further simplify the maintenance of tanks in the new modification, as well as speed up the process of creating new modernization projects. In the latter case, it will be possible to take advantage of the possibility of replacing a separate product without processing other elements of the unit.
The use of new equipment for crew workplaces based on modern equipment is proposed. In particular, liquid crystal screens will be used to display information, one of which will be common to the commander and gunner. The armament system used by the crew introduced new thermal imaging devices that simplify the search for targets and the use of weapons in the dark.
M1 Abrams tanks of previous modifications have already received satellite navigation systems, and the new project again provides for the use of such means. At the same time, using modern developments and technologies, the developers of the project M1A2 SEP v.3 offered to equip the tank with more sophisticated positioning tools combined with other on-board electronics.
The United States continues to develop communications and control systems, and a new project for the renewal of tanks was created taking into account work in this direction. Thanks to the existing and new equipment, the tank version of the SEP v.3 will be able to work as part of the network-centric communications and control system of the Joint Battle Command Platform, built on the basis of the Blue Force Tracker 2 Satcom network. With its help, tankers will be able to transmit data about the current situation, or receive information about targets from other combat vehicles. An important feature of the new means of communication is reduced data update time.
There is information about the introduction of electronic warfare equipment. Such equipment will allow the tank to reduce the risks associated with the use of radio-controlled explosive devices by the enemy.
The first M1A2 tank of the existing modification, re-equipped according to an earlier version of the SEP v.3 project, was introduced in October 2015 at one of the Pentagon events. Experts of the armed forces were able to review the finished sample, as well as examine the information provided. It is curious that already at that time the military department and General Dynamics Land Systems determined the schedule for further work. In addition, at the same time some details of a financial nature became known.
According to the plans for the end of 2015, the serial modernization of the front-end equipment on the new project M1A2 SEP v.3 was to start as early as 2016, with the delivery of the first finished machines in 2017. Having begun reworking tanks for the third version of the project, the land division of General Dynamics should have stopped the restructuring of armored vehicles to the state of SEP v.3. The defense budget for the last fiscal year provided for the allocation of 367,9 million dollars to carry out all the required work.
Last year there were reports of the release of several experimental tanks of the new modification. Nine serial "Abrams" received a complete set of equipment corresponding to the project SEP v.3, then went to the landfills to test and refine the new configuration. According to last year's reports, prototype testing will continue until the end of the decade. At the same time, the full-fledged operation of tanks rebuilt as part of serial orders will have to start.
Currently, the US Army has slightly less than 1600 main battle tanks M1A2 Abrams, previously upgraded by the SEP v.2 project. In the medium term, all this equipment will have to be upgraded according to a new project of the third version. The first pre-series M1A2 SEP v.3, following nine experienced machines, will be transferred to the customer in the very near future - until the end of September. Based on the results of testing this equipment, permission may be obtained for the further maintenance of the required work.
Recent statements by official representatives of General Dynamics Land Systems have mentioned plans for the further development of armored vehicles. Not having time to deploy a massive production of tanks SEP v.3, the project developer company plans to launch a new modernization. According to E. Givens, the next project should soon appear, designated as SEP v.4. To date, the customer and the developer have managed to identify some of the requirements for such equipment, as well as to form an approximate schedule of work.
According to the already signed contract, by the year 2020 a new project M1A2 SEP v.4 will be created, which is a logical continuation of the existing developments. Again, it is intended to improve protection and increase firepower. In addition, once again the tanks will have to get new radio-electronic equipment. First of all, the most serious sighting equipment upgrade is planned. Other devices included in the fire control system will also be replaced. It is proposed to use various new sensors of meteorological conditions, a more advanced laser range finder, improved means of communication and control, etc.
The current modernization project provides for the replacement of older ammunition with just two shells. If such an approach justifies itself during use in practice, then the appearance of new versions of AMP and AKE projectiles is possible. At the same time, the modernization of the M256 gun is not foreseen again. It is possible to use a new remote-controlled combat module with machine guns.
The project SEP v.4, the development of which has already been ordered by the Pentagon, will be created by the beginning of the next decade. On 2021, the year is scheduled to start testing pilot tanks configuration M1A2 SEP v.4. In 2023, it is planned to launch a serial modernization of existing tanks, and approximately two years after that, new vehicles will go into service.
The current works and announced plans show exactly how the United States intends to update the fleet of armored combat vehicles. Recent programs to create completely new tanks did not lead to the desired results, and all efforts were focused on upgrading existing machines. Over the course of several years, a number of Abrams projects have been created; the third of them has already been brought to production of pre-production samples. In addition, the US military has identified plans for the foreseeable future.
The consistent modernization of M1A2 Abrams tanks on a number of new projects, first of all, allows us to constantly update the fleet of armored combat vehicles and bring their capabilities in line with current requirements. In addition, in parallel with the modernization and installation of new equipment, repairs are being made to the main structural elements. As a result, the resource increases significantly, and the service life of equipment is extended.
According to recent reports, over the next few weeks, the US Army will receive the first pre-production main tanks M1A2 SEP v.3. In 2018-23, a full-scale technology upgrade will be carried out, after which the fourth modernization project will be put into production. Thus, the current plans of the Pentagon provide for a gradual upgrade of tanks until the second half of the twenties. The results of such work, in turn, will allow to keep the existing equipment in the army for a long time.
Current and planned modernization projects continue known trends and should lead to positive results. At the same time, as far as is known, there is no question of creating entirely new tanks. Perhaps the development of advanced equipment of this class will be launched in the foreseeable future, but for a long time the main way to maintain combat capability will remain the modernization of existing machines in service.
On the materials of the sites:
http://scout.com/
http://nationalinterest.org/
http://armyrecognition.com/
http://army-guide.com/
- Ryabov Kirill
- Nationalinterest.org, Armyrecognition.com
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