Poland to equip M1A2 SEP V3 tanks with Pearson Engineering's SLICE system for independent engineering capabilities.

On March 11, 2025, Pearson Engineering was awarded a contract to supply 99 engineering capability kits for integration onto Poland’s new fleet of M1A2 SEP V3 main battle tanks. The agreement, facilitated through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) office, will see the British company equip the tanks with track-width mine ploughs and combat dozer blades. The engineering capability will be integrated via Pearson Engineering’s SLICE vehicle interface kit, a system that allows fighting vehicles to rapidly accept and operate various types of Front-End Equipment (FEE) without permanent modifications.
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By equipping main battle tanks such as the M1A2 SEP V3 with engineering capabilities, commanders gain greater operational flexibility, allowing them to maneuver and adapt to adversarial threats without depending solely on dedicated engineering units. (Picture source: Pearson Engineering)

Pearson Engineering’s involvement with the U.S. FMS office builds on a long history of supporting the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The company has previously supplied a wide range of Front-End Equipment to platforms such as the Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV), the M1 main battle tank, the Stryker Engineer Support Vehicle, and multiple Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

Commenting on the contract, Richard Beatson, Business Development Director at Pearson Engineering, highlighted the significance of this agreement as a key step in extending the company's support to operators of diverse armored vehicles. The company reaffirmed its commitment to advancing next-generation engineering capabilities that enhance battlefield agility and flexibility. By integrating SLICE, Pearson Engineering aims to enable the interoperability of Front-End Equipment across different platforms, allowing armed forces to achieve a more adaptable and effective engineering capability on the battlefield.

SLICE is a vehicle interface that allows armored vehicles to rapidly install Front-End Equipment, such as mine ploughs and dozer blades, to conduct mobility and counter-mobility operations without requiring permanent modifications. The system is designed as a scalable and modular solution that enhances battlefield flexibility. In alignment with the emerging tactical concept of “march divided and fight united,” SLICE enables main battle tanks to quickly fit, operate, and remove a variety of engineering attachments as mission needs evolve.

The lightweight interface is engineered for easy installation without affecting the host vehicle’s survivability. SLICE maintains the vehicle’s approach angle, step height, and gun sweep, ensuring no reduction in combat effectiveness. It also integrates a hydraulic motor pump and control system, allowing seamless operation without additional external components. Designed for rapid deployment, SLICE can be installed on an Abrams tank within approximately 15 minutes using a crane and basic tools. Once in place, Front-End Equipment can be attached in field conditions without tools, taking as little as two minutes with proper training. The system also allows for the under-armor jettison of battle-damaged equipment, preserving vehicle integrity during operations.

While dedicated engineering vehicles remain essential for specialized tasks such as creating safe passage for convoys, laying assault bridges, and overcoming complex obstacles, they cannot always be deployed at all necessary locations simultaneously. By equipping main battle tanks such as the M1A2 SEP V3 with engineering capabilities, commanders gain greater operational flexibility, allowing them to maneuver and adapt to adversarial threats without depending solely on dedicated engineering units.

The Polish Armed Forces are set to field a total of 366 Abrams tanks, incorporating both the newly produced M1A2 SEP V3 models and refurbished M1A1 FEP variants. (Picture source: Polish MoD)

Poland’s procurement of Abrams main battle tanks is part of a broader modernization strategy aimed at enhancing its armored forces. In April 2022, the Polish Ministry of National Defense, led by Mariusz Błaszczak, signed a contract for 250 new M1A2 SEP V3 tanks, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2025 and conclude in 2026. Additionally, in January 2023, Poland secured a contract for 116 M1A1 Firepower Enhancement Package (FEP) Abrams tanks, primarily to replace T-72 tanks that had been transferred to Ukraine. As a result, the Polish Armed Forces are set to field a total of 366 Abrams tanks, incorporating both the newly produced M1A2 SEP V3 models and refurbished M1A1 FEP variants.

The M1A2 SEP V3, also designated M1A2C, incorporates multiple upgrades over previous Abrams models. It features enhanced power generation and distribution, an advanced Vehicle Health Management System (VHMS), and Line Replaceable Modules (LRMs) to facilitate maintenance. The tank is equipped with an Ammunition DataLink (ADL) for programming airburst rounds, an improved counter-IED armor package, and the Next Generation Armor Package (NGAP) for increased protection. The Trophy Active Protection System (APS) further enhances survivability, while the Improved Forward-Looking Infrared (IFLIR) system significantly boosts target acquisition and identification capabilities in varied battlefield conditions.

Lethality improvements on the SEP V3 include the integration of advanced munitions such as the M829A4 kinetic-energy anti-tank round, optimized for defeating modern explosive reactive armor and active protection systems. The M1147 Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) round consolidates the functions of multiple previous rounds, allowing for engagement of bunkers, obstacles, and enemy anti-tank teams. The tank also benefits from the Low-Profile Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (LP CROWS), which improves situational awareness with an expanded field of view and upgraded optics. Production of the M1A2 SEP V3 is managed at the Lima Army Tank Plant in Ohio, with an annual output of approximately 109 tanks, aligning with Poland’s scheduled deliveries.

The Lima Army Tank Plant in Ohio follows a structured manufacturing process for M1A2 SEP V3 tanks. The facility has a maximum production capacity of 35 tanks per month, with a standard rate of 12 tanks per month under normal operations. The current production output stands at 109 units annually, or roughly nine tanks per month. These production timelines align with Poland’s scheduled deliveries, ensuring that the newly acquired Abrams tanks will be integrated with Pearson Engineering’s engineering capability kits as they enter service.