AbramsX MBT

Main Battle Tank Technology Demonstrator - United States

The AbramsX, an innovative Main Battle Tank (MBT) technology demonstrator, was first showcased by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) at the Association of United States Army (AUSA) defense exhibition in September 2022, held in Washington DC. This concept marks the dawn of the next generation of Main Battle Tanks for the U.S. Army. It is not merely an extension of the traditional Abrams tank lineage, but rather a fresh concept, designed to tackle emerging threats on the contemporary battlefield.

The AbramsX stands out by its lighter weight, tipping the scales at 60 tons, compared to the 68 tons of the existing M1A2 Abrams tank. This reduced weight enhances its mobility, making it more adept at crossing bridges, navigating critical passageways, and matching the pace of maneuvering infantry and lighter vehicles. This feature directly addresses ongoing concerns of the U.S. Army about the Abrams tank's weight potentially inhibiting its mobility and deployability.

Its design, drawing parallels with the Russian-T-14, places a three-man crew at the front of the hull in an unmanned turret. This next-generation Abrams tank is equipped with advanced technology and features, ensuring it is nimble, robust, and powerful. Its mission: to offer unparalleled crew protection while unleashing potent firepower and state-of-the-art targeting systems on the battlefield. The AbramsX embodies the future of tank warfare and constitutes a considerable leap forward in military technology.

AbramsX MBT variants:

- No variants at this time.

Armament

The AbramsX is equipped with a cutting-edge armament system, starting with a new generation 120mm gun that could be based on the XM-360 Future Combat System. This gun is capable of firing a variety of new munitions including Mid-Range Munitions (MRM), Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP), and Advanced Kinetic Energy (AKE) shells. Accommodating the reduced three-man crew, the AbramsX integrates an automatic loading system, thus optimizing the handling and firing of these advanced munitions. Furthermore, the AbramsX has the potential to incorporate the Mounted Combat System (MCS). This feature boasts an automatic ammunition handling system that carries up to 27 shells ready to be fed into the cannon by a mechanized loader. This automated mechanism alleviates the burden of manually loading heavy shells, enhancing the crew's efficiency and safety. On the right side of the main armament, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is installed, providing additional firepower. The AbramsX also features a remotely operated weapon station mounted on the turret roof. This station is armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, capable of rapidly delivering precise firepower in response to various threats. This extensive arsenal, combined with its advanced technologies, underscores the AbramsX's role as a formidable player on the battlefield.

The roof of the turret is equipped with a remotely operated weapon station armed with a 30mm automatic weapon.

Design and protection

The AbramsX exhibits a completely redesigned structure, composed of three main components: a crew hull at the front, an unmanned turret in the middle, and the powerpack at the rear. Some of its groundbreaking features include an unmanned turret, drone-launching capability, course-correcting ammunition, 360-degree thermal sites, an AI-enhanced command and control system, and advanced sensor data processing and integration. The introduction of an automatic loading system means the AbramsX operates with a three-person crew: a commander, a driver, and a gunner/technical operator. All crew members are situated at the front of the hull, with the driver on the left, the commander in the middle, and the gunner on the right, each equipped with a personal hatch. In terms of defense, the AbramsX sets a new benchmark with enhanced armor that significantly bolsters its resilience on the battlefield. The tank's armor is crafted from advanced materials, offering superior protection against enemy fire and explosive attacks. The tank's defensive system combines enhanced standard armor and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA), providing outstanding protection for its crew. Further reinforcing its defense capabilities, the AbramsX seems to be equipped with an Active Protection System (APS) resembling the Israeli Trophy, including radar detection systems on each corner of the turret. Additionally, there are eight countermeasure tube launchers installed on each side of the turret, seamlessly integrated into the armor, adding an extra layer of active protection.

The AbramsX has a crew of three located at the front of the hull

Mobility

The AbramsX is propelled by a hybrid powerpack, a feature that decreases the overall weight of the tank, enhancing its mobility and transportability while maintaining the same tactical range as its predecessor, the M1A2 Abrams. However, it consumes 50% less fuel, a crucial advantage in line with the U.S. Army's environmental and electrification objectives. This hybrid power pack also improves silent watch capabilities and provides limited silent mobility. The AbramsX employs Diehl 570P3 tracks, a model initially designed for the diesel version of the Abrams. It is a modified variant of the 570P0, which was used on the Leopard 2A5DK tank in Denmark, distinguished by a larger center guide and an altered rubber pad. Equipped with a new propulsion system, the AbramsX can maneuver with greater speed and efficiency. Its superior suspension system offers increased stability and control on uneven terrain, rendering the AbramsX highly adaptable and effective in military operations. The tank's suspension system consists of seven road wheels on each side, with the drive sprocket positioned at the rear and the idler at the front. The upper portion of the suspension is shielded by armor plates. Perhaps the most intriguing feature of this heavily-armored tank is its deeply integrated hybrid powertrain. According to General Dynamics, this innovative technology could result in a significant fuel saving of up to 50% — a substantial upgrade considering the traditional Abrams' reputation as a kerosene-guzzling machine. This hybrid system not only permits the AbramsX to operate silently while idle but may also provide short bursts of low-speed silent movement, a feature that would offer significant tactical advantages.

The upper part of the suspension is protected by armor plates

Combat Equipment

The AbramsX comes with advanced onboard combat equipment, including panoramic sights for both the gunner and the commander. The third-generation FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) system is incorporated into the AbramsX platform. Moreover, the tank could be outfitted with the Future Combat System (FCS), working hand in hand with the Mounted Combat System (MCS) to deliver beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) capabilities on the battlefield. This ability enables the tank to interact with, observe, and engage targets that are obscured due to Earth's curvature, physical barriers, or other factors hindering direct visibility. By utilizing drone-based localization information, the AbramsX can acquire and neutralize a target even if it's on the far side of a terrain feature and over 10 kilometers away The KATALYST Next Generation Electronic Architecture (NGEA) serves as the digital backbone of the tank. It connects all the systems within the AbramsX, providing for easy hardware upgradeability and software modification. This adaptability ensures that the tank remains operationally relevant despite the ever-changing tactical landscape and evolving technologies. Equipped with cutting-edge features and technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous capabilities, the AbramsX proves highly efficient and effective on the battlefield. The AI system can process data from sensors and cameras to identify potential threats and targets, while its autonomous capabilities enable it to operate without human intervention in certain situations. These advancements give the AbramsX a significant edge over its predecessors, making it a force to reckon with on the battlefield. Another major enhancement is the tank's software, which leverages artificial intelligence for threat detection. For instance, the software could alert soldiers of a potential enemy tank several miles away with a high degree of confidence in its threat level. Furthermore, the AbramsX can communicate with unmanned aerial vehicles, which can scout for threats ahead, making this tank a truly modern piece of military equipment.

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