M1 Abrams
IOC: 1980
Total Production: 9,625
Total Program's Cost: USD$40 billion
M1A2 Abrams SEP
IOC: 2000
Unitary Cost: USD$4.0 million
Also Known As
M1A2 SEP
M1A2 SEP V2 (Version two configuration)
Origin
United States of America
Contractor/s
General Dynamics
Family Members
M1 Abrams
M1A1 Abrams
M1A2 Abrams
Munitions:
M829 APFSDS-T
M830 HEAT-MP-T
M831A1 TP-T
M865
XM1111 Mid Range Munition
Power plant:
AGT1500
Sensors & Communications:
CITV
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Description:
The Abrams tank has been designed to provide heavy armor superiority on the battlefield destroying enemy forces using mobility and firepower. It was deployed in the early 1980s replacing the aging M60 main battle tank in the US Army and in the USMC in the 1990s. It has been exported to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
More than 8,800 Abrams main battle tanks have been produced for the US Army, the USMC, Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In addition to its heavy armor, the Abrams tank features Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) protection and a powerful AGT 1500 gas engine which provides high mobility.
The Abrams can open fire moving or stationary, at night, in adverse weather against moving and stationary targets with a high probability of kill using depleted uranium penetration ammunition and its advanced ballistic computers, as well as its sensor package housed on the turret.
The M1A2 Abrams main battle tank features a M256 120mm smooth bore gun, two M240 7.62mm machine guns and a M2 12.7mm crew-served machine gun which provides a short range air defense capability against helicopters and low flying aircraft. The first M1A2 was fielded within the US Army in 1996. US Army M1A2s are remanufactured and upgraded existing M1 Abrams main battle tanks. This model retains mobility and increases firepower compared to previous M1 tank.
The M1A2 provides the Abrams with improvements in lethality, survivability, and fightability required to defeat advanced threats. The A2 includes a commander's independent thermal viewer (CITV), an improved weapon station, fire control system, and increased armor. The US Army has a requirement to upgrade older M1 to the M1A2 configuration. The first US Army M1A2-equipped unit was ready in 1998.
The M1A2 Abrams SEP (System Enhancement Program) features enhanced digital command and control capabilities allowing the Abrams to use the US Army common command and control software enabling the rapid transfer of digital situational data and map overlays. In addition, a second generation FLIR is provided to gunner and commander, as well as a new auxiliary power unit under armor.
In August 2006, the US Army awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $135 million contract to upgrade 60 M1A2 Abrams tanks to the SEP configuration. The contract included an option to upgrade 60 additional M1A2s worth $145 million. The first 60 M1A2 SEPs deliveries were slated to begin in November 2007 and the 60 additional upgraded tanks in November 2008 if the contract option is exercised.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 4
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 120 mm
Dimensions: Height 2.4 m, Length 9.8 m, Width 3.7 m
Weights: Max Weight 69,540 kg (153,307 lb)
Performance: Cross Country Speed 13 mps (26 kt), Max Range 411 km (222 nm), Top Speed 19 mps (37 kt)
Power: Power 1,500 shp
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Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)
Last Updated: Friday, October 10, 2008
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United States of America / 1,203 
US Army 588 M1A2 SEP and 615 M1A2 SEP V2 converted from existing M1A1 tanks