The U.S. Army is aggressively revolutionizing armored warfare, placing the iconic Abrams tank at the forefront of a revolution for the new age. Instead of adhering to the incrementalism of change for change’s sake on the heels of previous success, the Army cancelled planned M1A2 SEPv4 modernizations and went down a new path with the M1E3 Abrams—a clean-sheet redesign that will redefine what a fighting tank can do in the battles ahead.
This is more than just keeping up with technology. Combat in the real world has proven the fallacy of simply adding more armor and electronics to current designs. Tomorrow’s battlefields, that are increasingly controlled by drones, computer-guided anti-tank missiles, and electronic warfare, need a new platform—one that is not merely survivable but also quick, agile, and capable of winning in an environment that redefines itself at lightspeed. Hard-won experience has taught that the ability to survive and get around is as vital as firepower.
Army Brigadier General Geoffrey Norman, who heads the Army’s Next-Generation Combat Vehicle team, points out that it is a matter of keeping the tank on top in an evolving world where threats continuously evolve. Defense experts have sounded the warning that close-combat capabilities would be left behind over the decades unless something revolutionary happens. It is on this premise that the Army concluded that a clean sheet approach was inevitable.
The M1E3 Abrams is not an upgrade. It is a completely new ground-up design with a focus on speed, mobility, and simplicity for use in the field. Instead of putting new technology on top of existing systems, the Army is building a tank that will move at high speeds, handle information on the battlefield, and be repaired or refurbished faster and more effectively than ever before. Norman calls it an “engineering change proposal,” but what it is is a total rethinking of what a tank can and should do.
The most revolutionary shift is the effort to reduce the weight of the tank to under 60 tons, which is far lighter than before. It’s not merely a question of mobility; light weight improves maneuverability, tactical response, and makes the tank harder for the enemy to target.
Even a hybrid-electric power plant is being developed, with the potential for quieter operation, reduced fuel usage, and an element of tactical quiet that can provide crews with a critical advantage on sensitive operations.
The M1E3 is also being designed on an open architecture to enable it to be quickly upgraded with new technology as it emerges. Artificial intelligence will assist the tank in assessing threats and assigning priorities on the battlefield in real time, enabling crews to make better decisions when needed. The tank will also be connected to larger battlefield networks, fighting as part of a combined force and not as a standalone weapon.
Crew safety and efficiency are also being reimagined. The M1E3 will feature an autoloader and a remote turret, which may reduce the crew to three. The lower profile lowers the silhouette of the tank, improves survivability, and eases camouflage. Active defense systems that can protect against missiles and drones will be incorporated into the tank at the very design phase, as opposed to the practice of fitting them as after-market solutions, in a way that these defenses blend seamlessly with others.
How the Army is building the tank is also changing. General Dynamics Land Systems remains the lead contractor, but the Army is seeking competition for major subsystems such as engines and anti-armor systems. This approach encourages innovation and saves money, and ensures the final product meets the requirements of tomorrow’s battlefield.
Strategically, the lighter, more agile Abrams is not only perfectly suited for European combat environments. It allows the Army to deploy soldiers more quickly in a variety of environments, so armored forces can be more responsive and effective anywhere on earth. Of course, all this high-tech gadgetry relies on having the right people. The Army is investing in training and talent management to allow crews to operate and maintain the new systems well.
The first M1E3s will materialize on the battlefield in the 2030s, probably with next-generation mechanized infantry combat fighting vehicles. While timelines, performance, and achieving a balance between innovation and functionality are issues left open to question, the program is a step in a positive direction. The M1E3 is not about developing a better tank; it’s about developing America to be on top of coming challenges on the battlefield today and charting the ground combat vision of the future decades.