The U.S. Army on Friday released the first detailed images of the next version of the Abrams tank with active protection systems.
The new images – made at U.S Army Yuma Proving Ground revealed the M1A2C Abrams main battle tank with the Rafael Advanced Defence Systems-developed Trophy HV hard-kill active protection systems (APSs).
The M1A2C (also know as M1A2 SEPv3) is the latest variant of Abrams tanks in production, which concluding testing at the Yuma Proving Ground, one of the largest military installations in the world.
This version rectifies many of the space, weight and power issues identified during Operation Iraqi Freedom and will be the foundational variant for all future incremental upgrades. In addition to having improved survivability, the Abrams M1A2C can host any mature technology the Army deems operationally relevant. Improvements focus on increasing the electrical power margin, Vehicle Health Management Systems, integrated counter-improvised explosive device protection, a new Auxiliary Power Unit, embedded training and an ammunition data link.
It is the most reliable Abrams tank ever produced, will decrease the Army’s logistic burden, and leads the Army in enterprise-level connectivity to maintenance and supply systems.
The M1A2C is equipped Trophy APS that eliminates enemy threats, such as rocket propelled grenades and anti-tank guided missiles.
The Israeli government first developed the Trophy technology and the U.S. Army began developing the system for the Abrams about two years ago.
Production of the system would be a collaboration between General Dynamics Land Systems, Leonardo DRS and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. General Dynamics Land Systems is the Abrams tank Original Equipment Manufacturer; Rafael is the Original Equipment Manufacturer of the Trophy Active Protection System and is in partnership with Leonardo DRS.
M1A2C with TROPHY APS at YPG pic.twitter.com/AgCtwyXLrQ
— 笑脸男人 (@lfx160219) 22 February 2019