General Dynamics announces Abrams NextGen project
In the foreseeable future, the US Army plans to launch another modernization program for its main combat tanks M1A2 Abrams. In turn, the industry is working on ways to develop such equipment and creates new projects. So, the other day it became known about a similar project from General Dynamics Land Systems. Officially, it will be presented only in the fall, but the first promotional materials are already available.
New generation
A few days ago, GDLS launched a website dedicated to its new developments in the field of ground military equipment. Along with other projects, the site mentions for the first time a new tank upgrade option called the Abrams NextGen.
So far, we are only talking about the announcement and the start of an advertising campaign. The developer company revealed the fact of the existence of the project, and also published several spectacular videos showing a three-dimensional model of the upgraded MBT. Any features of the project or design characteristics are not mentioned.
The upper frontal part of the hull, the driver's hatch and the "lure" under the forehead of the tower
At the same time, commercials are accompanied by promising slogans: “Legend Mode: The Next Generation of Supremacy”, “Super Power. Cloak Not Included", "Brains and Muscles, a Deadly Combination", and "Silence Strike: They Won't Hear Us Coming".
The official presentation of the new project is scheduled for October 10 this year. It is going to be held as part of the next conference of the US Armed Forces Association. An obligatory component of such conferences is an exhibition of equipment and weapons, and often it becomes a platform for interesting premieres. One of the main novelties of this year is already known.
Army needs
Currently, in the interests of the US Army, serial modernization of cash MBT M1A2 is being carried out according to the current project System Enhancement Package v.3 (SEP v.3). Updated machines receive the designation M1A2C and return to service. Work on SEP v.3 will take a few more years, but the Pentagon is already working on the further development of tanks.
In the recent past, the development of the next tank modernization project was announced; while it is known as SEP v.4. It is assumed that in the course of such an upgrade, the MBT will receive all the updates of the previous project, as well as new systems and tools will be introduced.
Main weapon element
First of all, various components of the fire control system will be replaced. So, promising optical devices will be used, incl. thermal imagers. There will be funds for working with advanced programmable projectiles. Meteorological instruments will be replaced. It is also planned to improve network-centric capabilities through the introduction of new communication and control devices.
Which companies are involved in the development of SEP v.4 has not yet been reported. Probably, GDLS, which is directly related to the creation and development of the Abrams MBT, is also involved in this project. It can be assumed that the next version of the SEP project is hidden under the new Abrams NextGen cipher. Whether this is so will become known only in the future, when the Pentagon and GDLS will disclose new information about promising developments.
Noticeable differences
So far, GDLS has shown only a three-dimensional model of the upgraded Abrams NextGen. At the same time, in commercials, the tank is not shown in full, and only individual structural elements and units consistently fall into the frame. In addition, some parts and assemblies are simply not shown. However, such advertising allows you to determine some of the features of the project.
One of the roof hatches and part of the combat module
First of all, it is clear that the Abrams NextGen project does not provide for a radical restructuring of the existing tank. The overall architecture and layout will remain the same. Apparently, the armor of the hull and turret will correspond to the latest modernization projects. In this case, it is possible to introduce active protection to complement the armor.
A part of the barrel with the characteristic holes of the muzzle brake fell into the frame, which indicates the replacement of the gun. The regular 120-mm M256 cannon can be replaced by a promising product of the same caliber XM360 or its modern modification. Whether they are going to supplement the gun with an automatic loader, as in previous projects with the XM360, is unclear.
On the roof of the simulated turret there are two panoramic sights for the gunner and the commander. In their appearance, they are similar to the French Safran PASEO products. Such sights are intended for all-round observation, searching for targets at an increased range and subsequent firing at them. Probably, new devices from the SLA will also appear inside the fighting compartment.
Also on the roof of the tower, but closer to the stern, there is a remotely controlled weapon station. The 6D model is similar to the real Protector RS30 from the Norwegian company Kongsberg. The module carries a 230mm M914 autocannon or its lightweight XMXNUMX variant, as well as a normal caliber machine gun. The module has its own optics.
30 mm cannon and 7,62 mm machine gun on DBM
Main trends
A few months remain before the official presentation of the Abrams NextGen project. However, it is already generally clear how exactly GDLS proposes to develop the existing tank, and what characteristics will be improved in the first place. At the same time, one should not be surprised if the project actually provides for other positive changes.
It is easy to see that the main changes in the announced project affect the weapons complex. For the first time in a long time, a replacement of the main gun is proposed. As always, the SLA is undergoing a major update, and a new combat module with a small-caliber weapons.
With the successful implementation of all these ideas, the upgraded tank will be able to observe and detect targets at a greater distance. This will increase the effective range of fire with different ammunition. In addition, the flexibility of combat use will increase. Depending on the type of target detected, the MBT will be able to use more than just a 120mm gun or machine gun. For "intermediate" purposes, a 30 mm gun is now offered.
Much attention is now being paid to improving the means of communication and control. In previous materials on the ways of upgrading the M1A2 from GDLS, the possibility of introducing new tools and instruments for faster and more efficient data exchange with the command post and / or other combat vehicles was mentioned. In addition, it is possible to equip the tank with its own reconnaissance UAV. Which of these ideas went into the Abrams NextGen project is unknown.
Sensor or camera on the tank
Having received a number of advantages, the new Abrams NextGen can save the problems of its predecessors. The main one is a decrease in mobility and mobility. GDLS does not report what will happen to the power plant and chassis of the tank, and in addition, does not specify the estimated combat weight. It is quite possible that as a result of the next modernization, the tank will become heavier again. However, another scenario cannot be ruled out. In the new project, measures to reduce weight and / or increase power density may finally appear.
Upgraded instead of new
The M1A2 MBT upgraded according to the new project will be presented only in October, but for now you have to be content with only a few promotional materials. They show that GDLS plans to continue the systematic development of the existing design. Its characteristics will be improved due to the successive replacement of components and assemblies.
With a favorable development of events, the GDLS Abrams NextGen project will become the basis of the SEP v.4 program and will determine the development of the American tank fleet for the next few years. The ground forces will once again be able to upgrade their equipment, which will give them obvious advantages. However, the production and purchase of new M1A2 tanks, as with the latest upgrades, are not planned.
In addition, the development and future implementation of the SEP v.4 project shows the difficult situation of the Pentagon. He does not yet have the capacity to create and mass-produce a new next-generation tank. And until such a prototype appears, GDLS and other contractors will have to create the next projects of the SEP series, which have various advantages and face objective limitations.
Promotional video of the new project
Information