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Updated June 3, 2024
The Army’s 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 included a 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;
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The Army’s M-1E3 Abrams Tank Modernization Program
• an autoloader and new main gun;
capabilities for the main gun to facilitate an unmanned
•
turret, alternate power trains, and an active protection
advanced munitions, such as maneuvering hypersonic
system (APS) designed to protect the M-1E3 from anti-tank
and gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles;
guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and threats
• integrated armor protection;
from a variety of armed aerial drones and loitering
•
munitions.
improved command, control, and networking
capabilities;
Figure 2. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS)
• artificial intelligence (AI) applications;
Abrams X
• 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-1E3 program requirements, reportedly both weight
reduction and a hybrid electric power drive are seen by the
Army as essential features and are being prioritized in order
to reduce logistical requirements.
In October 2022, GDLS reportedly unveiled the Abrams X
Technology Demonstrator (Figure 2). Some Abrams X
Source: Breaking Defense, https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/
features reportedly include
armys-fy24-budget-request-doesnt-include-funding-for-new-abrams-
• reduced weight (10 tons less than the current M-1
prototype/, accessed September 8, 2023.
Abrams);
FY2025 M-1E3 Budgetary Information
• a hybrid electric diesel engine 50% more fuel efficient
According to the Army, a separate FY2025 funding request
than the current Abrams;
for the M-1E3 was not included in the Army’s March 2024
•
budget submission and, instead, funds needed in FY2025 to
an unmanned turret which would reduce the crew from
support initial M-1E3 contract actions will come from
four to three soldiers;
existing Abrams budget lines.
• enhanced armor to protect against bombs dropped by
drones;
Considerations for Congress
•
Potential oversight considerations for Congress could
ability to communicate with unmanned aerial vehicles;
include
and
•
•
What is the Army’s detailed program plan for reduced
an onboard AI system that could both alert the crew to
M-1A2 SEPv3 production?
long-range threats and prioritize fires against multiple
threats.
• How will funds appropriated for M-1A2 SEPv3
production be reallocated?
While the Abrams X might not meet all of the Army’s
• What is the economic impact on the defense industrial
eventual requirements for a M-1E3 candidate for
base participating in M-1A2 SEPv3 production, in
procurement, it is seen as demonstrating current tank design
particular, the smaller companies involved in the
capabilities.
program?
Current Program Update
• Will the M-1E3 replace current M-1 Abrams tanks in
Reportedly, in early May 2024, the Army awarded a
service on a one-for-one basis, or will the Army
contract to GDLS allowing the Army to work closely with
maintain a mixed fleet of tanks?
GDLS to shape requirements for the M-1E3. The Army
• Will Army National Guard ABCTs receive M-1E3s?
hopes to be able to bring the M-1E3 into service along a
similar timeline as the XM-30 Mechanized Infantry Combat
• How many years will it take to field M-1E3s to all of the
Vehicle (see CRS In Focus IF12094, The Army’s XM-30
Army’s ABCTs?
Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (Formerly Known as
•
the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle [OMFV]), by
Will M-1E3s be authorized for Foreign Military Sales
Andrew Feickert), which is currently under development.
(FMS)?
Reportedly, the Army hopes to have a firmer program
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
timeline by the fall of 2024. Over the next 18 months, the
Army and GDLS plan to work through a number of
IF12495
technology maturation efforts, including autoloader
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The Army’s M-1E3 Abrams Tank Modernization Program
Disclaimer
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