US Army accelerates development of next-generation M1E3 Abrams tank PHOTO

The US Army is pressing forward with plans to field an early prototype of the next-generation M1E3 Abrams tank before the end of the year. Designed to be significantly lighter, more fuel-efficient, and more technologically advanced than its predecessors, the M1E3 marks a major departure from previous incremental upgrades.

In a live interview at the Association of the US Army’s (AUSA) annual conference, Dr. Alex Miller, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Advisor for Science and Technology to the Chief of Staff of the Army, revealed the accelerated timeline for the M1E3, The War Zone reports.

“Very long story short, when we went – when the Chief [of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George] and I went to Detroit, 18 months ago, the PEO team, at the time, said that we would not see the M1E3 until 2032,” Miller told Defense News’ Jen Judson. “And we said no.”

He added that a "pre-prototype" would be delivered in December: “He [Col. Ryan Howell] has told me several times, the paint will still be wet. It will be very fresh.”

Miller emphasized a new approach to development: “The way that we move that faster, was we focused on commercialization. So rather than building a bespoke power plant and a bespoke transmission, and a bespoke integration cell, we said, hey, there are other companies that do this.”

The pre-prototype will feature a hybrid propulsion system, with Caterpillar supplying the powerplant and SAPA providing the transmission. “It’ll be hybrid. It will not be fully electric,” said Miller. “But what we’re seeing... it’ll be about 40 percent more fuel efficient.”

A key feature of the M1E3 is its integrated active protection system (APS), possibly improving on the Israeli-designed Trophy APS already fielded on current Abrams variants. Other innovations may include an autoloader, modular architecture, advanced sensors, and loitering munition launchers.

Explaining the push for rapid feedback, Miller said, “We want the armor brigades to be able to tell us what works and what doesn’t… Get feedback for the seats. Get feedback for the gunnery. Get feedback for the autoloader.”

The Army aims to deliver a full platoon of M1E3s by the end of next year.

By Vafa Guliyeva