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M1A2 SEP V2 main battle tank
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The M1A2 SEP V2 is an improvement of the M1A2 SEP main battle tank. Upgrades include improved survivability, automotive power pack, computer systems, and night vision capabilities. As the second version in the M1A2 SEP, the V2 variant provides the Army with a digital tank with a new electronic backbone, powerful new computers and an open architecture designed to accept future technologies without the need for significant redesign. The variant fully exploits the intent of the SEP to maximize the tank’s effectiveness on today’s battlefields while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. The M1A2 SEP V2 has improved microprocessors, color flat panel displays, improved memory capacity, better Soldiermachine interface, and a new open operating system designed to run the Common Operating Environment (COE) software. In February 2015, it was announced that General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, Mich., will build six M1A2 Abrams System Enhanced Package (SEP) Version 2 (V2) main battle tanks with digital vetronics under terms of a $49.8 million U.S. Army contract modification. Officials of the Army Contracting Command in Warren, Mich., awarded the contract on behalf of the Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) in Warren, Mich. The M1A2 SEP V2 is considered to be one of the most technologically advanced and most survivable digital main battle tank available worldwide. On December 2018, U.S. Soldiers assigned to Company D, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, tested the Trophy Active Protection System mounted on M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams main battle tank tanks at Fort Bliss in the United States. In July 2020, M1A2 Sep V2 tanks were deployed in Germany fitted with the Israeli-made Trophy APS (Active Protection System) for the NATO exercise Defender Europe 2020.
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| Variants: |
- M1A2: first version of M1A2 family
- M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement Package): Has upgraded 3rd generation depleted uranium armor components with graphite coating (240 new built, 300 M1A2s upgraded to M1A2SEP for the USA, also unknown numbers of upgraded basic M1s and M1IPs, also 400 oldest M1A1s upgraded to M1A2SEP).
- M1A2 SEP V3: improvement in lethality for the Abrams M1A2 SEP V3 will derive from the combination of developmental upgrades and the addition of mature technologies that include the Ammunition DataLink (ADL), improved 120mm ammunition, Improved Forward-Looking Infrared (IFLIR) and the low-profile (LP) Common Remotely Operated Weapon System (CROWS).
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| Technical Data |
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| Armament |
The main armament of the M1A2 SEP V2 is similar to the M1A2 Abrams which consists of one 120 mm smoothbore M256 cannon. It can fire a wide range of ammunition as the M829 APFSDS-T (Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized, Discarding Sabot), M830 HEAT-MP-T (High Explosive Anti-Tank-Multi Purpose - Tracer), M831 TP-T training round and M865 TPCSDS-T training round, but also the M829A3 kinetic, the M1028 canister rounds and the M829E4 120mm Advanced Kinetic Energy tactical tank round. The standard 12,7mm machine gun for the tank commander is replaced by a Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) II developed by the Norwegian Company Kongsberg Defense armed with a 12.7mm machine gun. The CROWS II is fitted with detached Line of Sight (DLOS) enables the gunner to keep his sights on target, independent of ballistic solution for the weapon/ammo in use. Color Daylight camera allows a wide field of view up to 45 degrees while observing, and more than 30 times optical magnified close-up view of the target area when identifying and engaging a long distance target. Mounted coaxially to the right of the main armament is a 7.62 mm M240 machine gun, and a similar weapon skate-mounted on the left side of the turret for the loader can be elevated from -30 to +65º, total traverse being 265º. On both sides of the turret, the tank is fitted with six-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers, model L8A1, designation M250. A smokescreen can also be laid by an engine operated system.
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| Design and protection |
The layout of the M1A2 SEP V2 is similar to the M1A2 MBT with the driver position at the front in the center, the turret is in the middle of the hull and the powerpack at the rear. The M1A2 SEP V2 has improved frontal and side armor for enhanced crew survivability.
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| Mobility |
The M1A2 SEP V2 is motorized with an Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine. The M1A2 SEP V2 is also equipped with battery based auxiliary power, Total InteGrated Engine Revitalization (TIGER), and an upgraded transmission for improved automotive reliability and durability. The suspension is also similar to the M1A2 and M1A2 SEP with seven road wheels on each side with rotary shock-absorbers at the first, second and seventh road wheel stations. The drive sprocket is at the rear with the idler at the front and there are two return rollers.
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| Accessories |
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The networked M1A2 SEP V2 has an electronic backbone, improved processors, high-resolution color displays, increased memory capacity, a day and night forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sighting system, auxiliary power, a tank-infantry phone, and an open architecture designed to accommodate future upgrades without redesigns. A few of the enhanced capabilities provided by SEP include: introduction of the U.S. Army’s second-generation Forward-Looking Infrared detector in both Gunner’s Primary Sight and Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer.
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| Specifications |
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Armament
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One 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun, one coaxial 7.62 mm M240 MG, CROWS II Remotely Operated Weapon Station with 12.7mm machine gun, one 7.62 mm M240 machine gun
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Country users
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United States
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Designer Country
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United States
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Accessories
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Second generation infrared sight system, auxiliary power, high-resolution color displays
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Crew
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4
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Armor
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Improved frontal and side armour
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Weight
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63,000 kg
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Speed
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68 km/h
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Range
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425 km
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Dimensions
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Length: 9.77 m; Width: 3.7 m; Height: 2.4 m
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