The war in Ukraine has made the US Army change its plans on the Abrams MBT System Enhancement Package (SEP) Version 4 with its new digital architecture, laser warning receivers, and other upgrades. SEPv4 adds too much weight. Instead of the M1A2SEPv4, the US Army intends to make a more modified Abrams called the M1E3 with more drastic engineering changes than the SEPv4 will have. Details have not been forthcoming, but it is assumed by reporters that the M1E3 will have some features from the AbramsX prototype.
" The Army will end its M1A2 System Enhancement Package version 4 program, and instead develop the M1E3 Abrams focused on challenges the tank is likely to face on the battlefield of 2040 and beyond, the service said. The service was supposed to receive the M1A2 SEPv4 version this past spring." —Defense News
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"The development of the M1E3 Abrams will include the best features of the M1A2 SEPv4 and will comply with the latest modular open systems architecture standards, allowing quicker technology upgrades and requiring fewer resources, the statement said.
“This will enable the Army and its commercial partners to design a more survivable, lighter tank that will be more effective on the battlefield at initial fielding, and more easy to upgrade in the future.” --National Defense Magazine.
I don’t know how legit and official the photo is, or who built it, but it seems to incorporate some upgrades that are current and real to the US Army’s M1A2SEP during Project Convergence 2022.
This is all speculation analysis on my part of this 1/35 M1E3 model.
The new CITV is a SAOS/ATLAS aided target recognition sensor, the US Army told me. It uses AI to identify targets faster
The model has an “Iron Fist” radar on the turret face for the “Iron Fist” Active Protection Systems with two projectiles on each turret launcher on the sides of the turret.
Photo of “Iron Fist” radar and launcher on IDF IFV via TechTimes
The eight smoke dischargers are moved, up from six launchers on the normal M1 Abrams. There is more side turret armor. The turret basket is redesigned, but then again, I don’t know if he finished building the model.
There doesn’t seem to be a loader’s 7.62mm M240 machine gun or even a loader’s hatch, possibility indicating an autoloader in the turret and a three crew M1E3.
Again, this is all preliminary so I don’t know how accurate any of this is, but it’s in the media.
(Note that the background of the photo seems to suggest an office setting decor and furnishing, not a home or a hobby room setting, so this prototype model might have some legitimacy as a desired M1E3 objective).
