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September 18, 2023
The Army’s New M-1E3 Abrams Tank Modernization Program
Background
M-1A2 SEPv4 development began in FY2018. In FY2020,
The M-1 Abrams Tank (Figure 1) is designed to maneuver
the first unit was equipped with M-1A2 SEPv3. In
under fire and destroy enemy armored forces on the
December 2020, GDLS received a $4.6 billion contract for
battlefield by means of mobility, survivability, and
SEPv3 upgrades, which were expected to be completed by
firepower. The M-1 is named for General Creighton
June 2028. For FY2024, the Army requested $698 million
Abrams, a noted World War II armored battalion
for the Abrams Upgrade Program.
commander who later served as Army Chief of Staff from
1972 to 1974. M-1 Abrams tanks are the primary major
The New M-1E3 Abrams
weapon system in Armored Brigade Combat Teams
Modernization Program
(ABCTs). At present, the Active Army has 11 ABCTs, and
On September 6, 2023, the Army announced it would
the Army National Guard has 5 ABCTs. Each ABCT has
“close out the M-1A2 SEPv4 effort and develop the M-1E3
87 M-1 Abrams tanks.
Abrams.” The Army’s announcement quoted Major
General (MG) Glenn Dean, Program Executive Officer for
Figure 1. M-1A2 Abrams Tank
Ground Combat Systems, describing the rationale for the
decision:
The Abrams Tank can no longer grow its
capabilities without adding weight, and we need to
reduce its logistical footprint. The war in Ukraine
has highlighted a critical need for integrated
protections for soldiers, built from within instead of
adding on.
The Army announcement elaborated that the new platform:
Will include the best features of the M-1A2 SEPv4
and will comply with the latest modular open
systems architecture standards, allowing quicker
technology upgrades and requiring fewer resources.
Source: U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center, https://asc.army.mil/
This will enable the Army and its commercial
web/portfolio-item/abrams-main-battle-tank/, accessed September 8,
partners to design a more survivable, lighter tank
2023.
that will be more effective on the battlefield at
initial fielding, and easier to upgrade in the future.
The M-1 program began in December 1971. In June 1973,
two contracts were awarded by the Army for prototype
Regarding M-1A2 SEPv3 production, the Army noted that:
development to the Defense Division of Chrysler
The Army will continue to produce the M-1A2
Corporation (which in 1982 became General Dynamics
SEPv3 at a reduced rate until production transitions
Land Systems [GDLS]) and the Detroit Diesel Allison
to the M-1E3 Abrams.
Division of General Motors (GM). In 1988, GDLS was
awarded a contract for the M-1A2 version, and the first M-
The Army projects achieving Initial Operational Capability
1A2s began to enter service in late 1992. The M-1A2 is the
(IOC) in 2030. The Army’s FY2025 budget proposal
baseline export version of this tank. Export versions feature
submitted to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)
a variety of armor and communications packages. The
reportedly includes request for funds to begin M-1E3
United States has sold M-1A1 and M-1A2 variants to
design work.
Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia
via Foreign Military Sales (FMS). On January 25, 2023,
Possible Features and Capabilities
President Biden announced that the United States would
of the M-1E3
provide Ukraine with 31 M-1 Abrams tanks.
While the Army has not made public the new M-1E3
requirements, reportedly a 2019 Army Science Board study
Ongoing M-1 Abrams
on a future tank influenced senior Army leadership to
Modernization Efforts
establish the M-1E3 program. The Army Science Board
M-1 Abrams modernization efforts are focused on fielding
study reportedly recommended a $2.9 billion, seven-year
a M-1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) Version 3
program to develop a “fifth generation combat vehicle,”
(v3) and developing a new M-1A2 SEPv4 variant.
with proposed capabilities including
According to the Army, both M-1A2 SEPv3 production and
• a hybrid electric drive;
https://crsreports.congress.gov
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The Army’s New M-1E3 Abrams Tank Modernization Program
• an autoloader and new main gun;
Figure 2. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS)
•
Abrams X
advanced munitions, such as maneuvering hypersonic
and gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles;
• integrated armor protection;
• improved command, control, and networking
capabilities;
• artificial intelligence (AI) applications;
• ability to pair with robotic vehicles; and
• masking capabilities to reduce the vehicle’s thermal and
electromagnetic signatures.
Although, as noted, the Army has not articulated formal M-
Source: Breaking Defense, https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/
1E3 program requirements, reportedly both weight
armys-fy24-budget-request-doesnt-include-funding-for-new-abrams-
reduction and a hybrid-electric power drive are seen by the
prototype/, accessed September 8, 2023.
Army as essential features and are being prioritized in order
to reduce logistical requirements.
Considerations for Congress
Potential oversight considerations for Congress could
In October 2022, GDLS reportedly unveiled the Abrams X
include the following:
Technology Demonstrator (Figure 2). Some Abrams X
• What is the Army’s
features reportedly include
detailed program plan for reduced
M-1A2 SEPv3 production?
• reduced weight (10 tons less than the current M-1
•
Abrams);
How will funds appropriated for M-1A2 SEPv3
production be reallocated?
• a hybrid electric diesel engine 50% more fuel-efficient
•
than the current Abrams;
What is the economic impact on the defense industrial
base participating in M-1A2 SEPv3 production, in
• an unmanned turret which would reduce the crew from
particular, the smaller companies involved in the
four to three soldiers;
program?
• enhanced armor to protect against bombs dropped by
• Will the M-1E3 replace current M-1 Abrams tanks in
drones;
service on a one-for-one basis, or will the Army
•
maintain a mixed fleet of tanks?
ability to communicate with unmanned aerial vehicles;
and
• Will Army National Guard ABCTs receive M-1E3s?
• an onboard AI system that could both alert the crew to
• How many years will it take to field M-1E3s to all of the
long-range threats and prioritize fires against multiple
Army’s ABCTs?
threats.
• Will M-1E3s be authorized for Foreign Military Sales
While the Abrams X might not meet all of the Army’s
(FMS)?
eventual requirements for a M-1E3 candidate for
• In terms of competition, other than GDLS’s Abrams X,
procurement, it is seen as demonstrating current tank design
have other defense firms designed technology
capabilities.
demonstrators or prototypes that might be candidates for
a future Army M-1E3 competition?
• Will the M-1E3 incorporate active defense features to
counter anti-tank guided missiles (including top attack
munitions) and loitering munitions, which have proven
effective in the current Ukraine conflict?
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
IF12495
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The Army’s New M-1E3 Abrams Tank Modernization Program
Disclaimer
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12495 · VERSION 1 · NEW