The American tank M1A2D is expected to become the most feared tank in the world, its features are advertised to surpass all rivals, including the Russian T-14 Armata.
The M1A2D battle tank also known as the M1A2 SEPv4 is the latest upgraded varient of the battle proven and famous US-made M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank.
It’s been almost four years since the United States Army announced that they are renaming the M1A2 System Upgrade Packages (SEP) versions 3 and 4 to emphasize the importance of modernization for this Main Battle Tank.
According to Major General Brian Cummings – Former Director of the US Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle Program, the M1A2 SEPv3 and M1A2 SEPv4 varients has been renamed to M1A2C and M1A2D.
The creation of the M1A2C (formerly SEPv3) configuration began in October 2017 as part of a $92.2 million contract awarded to General Dynamics in December 2015 for the conversion of the six initial tanks to be new standard.
In December 2020, this company received a large-scale upgrade contract worth upto 4.6 billion USD to produce the Main Battle Tank M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams, after the necessary testing process.
The M1A2C configuration offers new advanced battlefield data link, improved forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sighting system, remote-controlled weapon system, auxiliary engine, and vehicle condition management system to reduce maintenance costs.
The U. S. Army continues to find ways to equip its battle tanks with second and third-generation sensor and weapon systems improvement packages (SEPs), as part of an ongoing effort to keep the tank in good condition. These types of requirements were actually born in the late 1980s.
This led the U. S. Army to continue to develop a much superior version of the M1A1 battle tank, which resulted in the form of M1A2 SEPV4, the most advanced version of the Abrams Tank.
The M1A2D will be the “most lethal” Abrams Tank ever built, it features the third-generation FLIR system, a advanced technology that gives the tank crew the capability to locate and attack enemy targets at much longer distances.
The 3rd generation FLIR upgrades includes both aiming points and compatibility with other combat platforms. The tank had the ability to identify targets from a longer distance, also automatically tracking enemy targets with very high degree of accuracy.
In addition to these mentioned upgrades, the M1A2 SEPv4 manufacturer will also provide a comprehensive training package to maximize the crew survivability and ability to fight on the battlefield.
The M1A2D (M1A2 SEPv4) is still a few years away from its final configuration, but it seems like some additional features on the tank that includes autonomous operation, artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, defence systems, etc are expected to be finalised later this year.
So, finally the United States Army will soon operate the best battle tank on the planet, that will be comparable with advanced versions of the German Leopard and South Korean K-2 Black Panther MBTs.
If placed next to the Russian T-90M Proryv, the most advanced version of the Soviet-era T-90, the M1A2 SEPV4 is clearly superior in comfort, technology, firepower and protection system, even the most advanced Russian Tank, the T-14 Armata will also “sweat” in front of the M1A2D MBT.