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M1A3 Abrams MBT - Marvel of Engineering

LeGenD

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General information:-

M1A3 Abrams is the fourth generation model of the M1 (series) MBT. It will be lighter and more maneuverable then earlier generation models.

Official demonstration: 2017
Mass production: 2020
Developer: General Dynamics Land Systems
Development cost: 395 million USD

Concept art:-

m1a3_abrams_tank_by_outcastone.jpg


NOTE: This is not final design.

Primary advantages over M1A2 Abrams model:-

The M1A3 Abrams will be outfitted with a number of enhancements over previous versions of the tank. To make the next version lighter and more mobile, the Army plans to replace the M256 smoothbone gun with a lighter 120 millimeter cannon; add road wheels and an improved suspension system; install a more durable track; use lighter armor; and insert precision armaments capable of hitting targets from 12 kilometers. Preliminary plans also call for the addition of an infrared camera and laser detector.

New (superior) main gun:


The new M256A2 120mm Smoothbore gun has an effective range of 12,000 metres with the latest generation of munitions. It is also 15% lighter than the M256 and has a 50% longer life span.

Autoloader:

A lightweight and reliable autoloader capable of allowing for a rate of fire in excess of twenty rounds per minute.

Superior protection:

An optimized armor layout that further increases the Abram's unrivaled protection. In addition, the armor is lighter yet more effective, using a combination of depleted uranium and the latest types of ceramic armor.

More advanced electronics:

Upgraded electronics with fiber optic cables, lightening the tank by two tonnes. In addition, laser detectors, improved targeting computers, and superior optics all boost the Abram's combat ability.

New (more powerful and reliable) engine:

A powerful and responsive diesel engine that is far more reliable and more fuel efficient than the jet turbines of earlier Abrams models.

More lethal ammo:

M1A3 Abrams MBT will be armed with new ammunition with greater penetration known as AKE, AMP and MRM.

Advanced Kinetic Energy (AKE):

The new M829E4 round can circumvent explosive reactive armour, rendering it useless, including the new Russian Relikt type. It has a penetration in excess of 1200mm of steel plate at 1000 metres and 900mm at 5000 metres. This means that it is capable of knocking out any tank in existence from the front at ranges in excess of 10,000 metres.

Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP):

Multipurpose grenade, which is intended to replace M908 (Obstacle Reduction), M830 (HEAT), M830A1 (MPAT) and M1028 (Canister) by a grenade type.

Mid-Range Munitions (MRM):

Self-homing end bullet for indirect fire in up to 12 km away.

Specifications:-

Type: Main Battle Tank

Unit Cost: 8,250,000 USD per unit

Weight: 56 tonnes

Length (Hull): 7.93 meters

Width: 3.66 meters

Height: 2.5 meters

Crew: Three (Commander, Gunner, Driver)

Armour: Next-generation depleted uranium-composite armour.
  • Frontal maximum of 2355 mm RHA equivalent versus KE; 3800 mm versus HEAT
  • Frontal minimum of 1200 mm RHA equivalent versus KE; 2200 mm versus HEAT
Engine: Diesel-Electric engine producing 1550 hp or 1157.33 kW

Power to weight: 20.67 kW/tonne

Main Armament: 120mm M256A2 Smoothbore gun with 46 rounds of ammunition.

Secondary Armament: 1 x Rotary 20mm Cannon with 1000 rounds; 2 x 7.62mm M240 with 10,400 rounds

Transmission: Allison DDA X-1100-3C (Improved variant of M1A2 transmission)

Suspension: High-hardness-steel torsion bars with rotary shock absorbers

Ground Clearance: 42 meters

Fuel Capacity: 2000 liters

Operational Range: 360 miles

Speed: 75 km/h [on road]; 46 km/h [off-road]

Defensive Countermeasures:
  • TUSK capable
  • Missile jamming system
  • IR smokescreen
  • Sealed cabin
  • IR camouflage (To prevent detection by IR systems)
  • Laser detectors
  • Iron Curtain Active Protection System
References:-
 
. . . . . .
General information:-

M1A3 Abrams is the fourth generation model of the M1 (series) MBT. It will be lighter and more maneuverable then earlier generation models.

Official demonstration: 2017
Mass production: 2020
Developer: General Dynamics Land Systems
Development cost: 395 million USD

Concept art:-

m1a3_abrams_tank_by_outcastone.jpg


NOTE: This is not final design.

Primary advantages over M1A2 Abrams model:-

The M1A3 Abrams will be outfitted with a number of enhancements over previous versions of the tank. To make the next version lighter and more mobile, the Army plans to replace the M256 smoothbone gun with a lighter 120 millimeter cannon; add road wheels and an improved suspension system; install a more durable track; use lighter armor; and insert precision armaments capable of hitting targets from 12 kilometers. Preliminary plans also call for the addition of an infrared camera and laser detector.

New (superior) main gun:


The new M256A2 120mm Smoothbore gun has an effective range of 12,000 metres with the latest generation of munitions. It is also 15% lighter than the M256 and has a 50% longer life span.

Autoloader:

A lightweight and reliable autoloader capable of allowing for a rate of fire in excess of twenty rounds per minute.

Superior protection:

An optimized armor layout that further increases the Abram's unrivaled protection. In addition, the armor is lighter yet more effective, using a combination of depleted uranium and the latest types of ceramic armor.

More advanced electronics:

Upgraded electronics with fiber optic cables, lightening the tank by two tonnes. In addition, laser detectors, improved targeting computers, and superior optics all boost the Abram's combat ability.

New (more powerful and reliable) engine:

A powerful and responsive diesel engine that is far more reliable and more fuel efficient than the jet turbines of earlier Abrams models.

More lethal ammo:

M1A3 Abrams MBT will be armed with new ammunition with greater penetration known as AKE, AMP and MRM.

Advanced Kinetic Energy (AKE):

The new M829E4 round can circumvent explosive reactive armour, rendering it useless, including the new Russian Relikt type. It has a penetration in excess of 1200mm of steel plate at 1000 metres and 900mm at 5000 metres. This means that it is capable of knocking out any tank in existence from the front at ranges in excess of 10,000 metres.

Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP):

Multipurpose grenade, which is intended to replace M908 (Obstacle Reduction), M830 (HEAT), M830A1 (MPAT) and M1028 (Canister) by a grenade type.

Mid-Range Munitions (MRM):

Self-homing end bullet for indirect fire in up to 12 km away.

Specifications:-

Type: Main Battle Tank

Unit Cost: 8,250,000 USD per unit

Weight: 56 tonnes

Length (Hull): 7.93 meters

Width: 3.66 meters

Height: 2.5 meters

Crew: Three (Commander, Gunner, Driver)

Armour: Next-generation depleted uranium-composite armour.
  • Frontal maximum of 2355 mm RHA equivalent versus KE; 3800 mm versus HEAT
  • Frontal minimum of 1200 mm RHA equivalent versus KE; 2200 mm versus HEAT
Engine: Diesel-Electric engine producing 1550 hp or 1157.33 kW

Power to weight: 20.67 kW/tonne

Main Armament: 120mm M256A2 Smoothbore gun with 46 rounds of ammunition.

Secondary Armament: 1 x Rotary 20mm Cannon with 1000 rounds; 2 x 7.62mm M240 with 10,400 rounds

Transmission: Allison DDA X-1100-3C (Improved variant of M1A2 transmission)

Suspension: High-hardness-steel torsion bars with rotary shock absorbers

Ground Clearance: 42 meters

Fuel Capacity: 2000 liters

Operational Range: 360 miles

Speed: 75 km/h [on road]; 46 km/h [off-road]

Defensive Countermeasures:
  • TUSK capable
  • Missile jamming system
  • IR smokescreen
  • Sealed cabin
  • IR camouflage (To prevent detection by IR systems)
  • Laser detectors
  • Iron Curtain Active Protection System
References:-

Pakistan should work with US for acquiring some used ones like 1000 with A3 upgrades. Pakistan is privatizing about the whole system and they will going to gain a lot of money to buy new and used stuff from the World Weapons Market. Booking now can safe up a lot of time.
 
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no word on a APS for the M1A3?

Read the OP more carefully next time-see below in green

Defensive Countermeasures:
  • TUSK capable
  • Missile jamming system
  • IR smokescreen
  • Sealed cabin
  • IR camouflage (To prevent detection by IR systems)
  • Laser detectors
  • Iron Curtain Active Protection System
 
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copying how?? what the autoloader bit?

no word on a APS for the M1A3?

$8.250 mill a pop and another $300,000 for an APS like Trophy
Looks like a t-90
diesel engine instead of jet
auto loader
lighter armour
IR camera & laser detector
active protection system

all taken from t-90
 
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Looks like a t-90
diesel engine instead of jet
auto loader
lighter armour
IR camera & laser detector
active protection system

all taken from t-90


those aren't only Russia traits o_O

Diesel just makes the most sense

Russia developed and widely used the autoloader since the T-64, but it's been what 40 years since then not the U.S copied it.

lighter armor is this a Russia trait?

I guess the laser dectector is copying from shotra

APS is becomming more common not just a Russia thing
 
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Lmao.....

Laser detectors are standard gear on tanks. They warn if tank is being illuminated by range finding or target designating lasers.

I doubt previous Abrams didn't have any. I mean this is modernized T-55 standard of gear here not some scifi thingy.

------------

The interesting thing will be the engine maker. If US decides for MTU or not. Would also like to see antimissile system in more widespread use. So far only Germans and Israelis have shown it out of western sphere and German one isn't even deployed due to budget issues.
 
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At last Americans copying Russian tanks.
No they aren't. IIRC the German-American MBT-70 (from which Leo2 and M1 Abrams sprung) had / was intended to have an autoloader. The M551 Sheridan replacement M8 Armored Gun System had an autoloader. Although that too was cancelled, its subsequent replacement - the M1128 Mobile Gun System - uses an autoloader. Which illustrates there is no inherent objection to the use of an autoloader and at least a willingness to adopt it. Of course, autoloaders are common e.g. with naval guns. A semi-automatic loading system is optional on the M109A6 Paladin.

General Dynamics GD 883 V-12 diesel engine was adopted for the Merkava 4. Of course, this is just a licence built copy of the MTU 883 V-12 . This 12-cylinder engine MT 883 has the same power rating as the Leopard 2 MBT engine but requires only 60 per cent of its installation volume. For the export market, especially Turkey, a General Dynamics Land Systems M1A2 MBT has been fitted with a EuroPowerPack and this completed initial trials late in 1998.

Prototype power packs have been built by MTU for several vehicles in the USA, including the US programme for the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle . For application in amphibious vehicles or for electric drive, a version of the MTU 883 rated at 1,920 kW (2,600 hp) is now under development. This version of the MTU MT 883 performed a 400 hour endurance run in 1996.

MTU has been awarded a contract from General Dynamics Land Systems, prime contractor for the US Marine Corps Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) for a small number of MTU MT 883 engines for installation in the prototype vehicles. For the marine propulsion mode the engine will be rated at 1,920 kW (2,600 hp) while for land mode it will be rated at 645 kW (865 hp).

For this programme, MTU will co-operate with Detroit Diesel Corporation of the USA which will deliver the engines to General Dynamics Land Systems for integration with the transmission.

In 1998, MTU and General Dynamics Land Systems of the US signed an agreement under which the MTU 880 series of diesel engines will be manufactured in the US and offered on the home and export markets.
Army Guide

Also, in this context, I think 'lighter armor' means armor of less weight for a given level of protection, not less armorprotection:
The Army is exploring the possibility of developing a 60-ton Abrams main battle tank that provides as much protection as the current 75-ton version.
Army looking into lighter Abrams tank | Army Times | armytimes.com

1x Rotary 20mm Cannon with 1000 rounds, 2x 7.62mm M240 with 10,400 rounds
This could also mean 20mm coaxial, 2x 7.62 on top.

The Army plans to preserve the Abrams through 2050 by improving networking capability and laser-designation, and providing composite armor upgrades
Not laser detection, but laser designation.
Army looking into lighter Abrams tank | Army Times | armytimes.com
 
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We are leaving 2015 & some Indians has still no Brain.
Some??? I think many would be more appropriate. Just check the fact they elected Murdoodi.

On topic; this tank is a white elephant and NOT a marvel of engineering. It has failed in middle east and especially in Yemen.
 
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