First M1A2 SEPv4 Abrams tank delivered to US Army Calvary Regiment

[F-22Raptor]

First pictures of the Abrams M1A2 SEP V4 also called M1A2D Main Battle Tank (MBT) were released on the Facebook page of the U.S. Army Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment. According to our source, this is the first unit of the U.S. Army to receive the latest generation of M1A2 Abrams.

U.S. Army M1A2 SEP V4 is an improved version of the M1A2 Abrams with new combat capabilities and features. (Picture source Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment Facebook account)

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The 2nd Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, also known as Thunderhorse, is a unit of the United States Army. It is part of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and is based at Fort Hood, Texas. The unit has a history of service dating back to World War I and has been deployed to various locations throughout the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. The unit's mission is to provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition in support of the 1st Cavalry Division.

The 2nd Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, is equipped with a variety of military equipment to support their missions. This includes:

- M1A2 Abrams SEP V3 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): The primary combat vehicle of the unit, used for ground warfare and armored reconnaissance.
- M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles: Used for infantry support and transport.
- M3A3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicles: Modified version of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle with additional reconnaissance capabilities.
- M1126 Stryker: A wheeled armored combat vehicle used for reconnaissance and transportation.
- M1114 Up-Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV): A versatile vehicle used for a variety of tasks, such as troop transport and reconnaissance.

In addition to these vehicles, the unit is also equipped with a variety of weapons, including machine guns, rifles, and mortars. The unit also has access to a variety of reconnaissance and surveillance equipment, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground sensors.

The M1A2 Abrams MBTs are the backbone of the Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment. The main mission of the M1A2 Abrams is to provide armored ground warfare capability, specifically in the role of defeating enemy armored forces and providing protection for friendly forces. The tank is designed to engage and destroy enemy armored vehicles and fortifications, as well as provide fire support for infantry units.

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U.S. Army M1A2 SEPV 4 Main Battle Tank. (Picture source Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment Facebook account)

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The Abrams M1A2 SEP V4 also called M1A2D is the latest generation of the tank in the Abrams M1A2 family. It is an upgrade to the M1A2 Abrams SEPV V3 with improved capabilities and features. The layout of this version is similar to the previous version with the driver seated at the front of the hull, the turret in the middle, and the engine at the rear.

The Abrams M1A2 SEP V4 is armed with a 120mm M256 smoothbore gun, which is capable of firing a variety of different types of rounds, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds. The second armament includes on 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, which is mounted on the right of the main gun, and one remotely operated weapon station mounted on the roof of the turret armed with one 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The tank is also equipped with smoke grenade launchers mounted on each side of the turret, which are used to create a smoke screen to obscure the tank's movement and hide it from the enemy.

The M1A2 SEP V4 includes new equipment and upgrades to existing systems. Some of the new equipment includes:

- Improved situational awareness and networking capabilities through the installation of a new digital battlefield management system.
- Integration of third generation (3GEN) FLIR the cornerstone technology that will provide tank crews the ability to identify enemy targets farther than ever before. The 3GEN FLIR will be an upgrade to both sights and will be common with other combat platforms.
- An upgraded power generation system, which includes the installation of an auxiliary power unit (APU) and a new power distribution system.
- Increased armor protection, including the installation of enhanced armor packages on the hull and turret.
- Improved fire control and targeting systems, including the integration of a new third-generation thermal imaging system and a new laser rangefinder.
- An upgraded driver's display and control system, which includes a new color display and improved controls for the driver.
- A new air conditioning system to improve crew comfort in extreme temperatures.

 

[Super Falcon]

Type 99 has been upgraded with advanced protection and combat management system to counter these Abrams

 

[Beny Karachun]

Type 99 has been upgraded with advanced protection and combat management system to counter these Abrams

Nah, no chance against an Abrams

 

[jhungary]

From what Biden said, these may be the tank that are going to Ukraine......

Notice that he did not mentioned Drawdown or Lend Lease, which mean those Abrams going to Ukraine is not from existing US stock. He did mentioned Foreign Aid, so either it is someone else Abrams we bought and transfer them to Ukraine (I don't see Saudi, Egypt or Kuwait giving up their Abrams tho, maybe Poland? but they only have a very small amount.) Otherwise it would be new out of factory stock if I have interpret the bill correctly.

 

[LeGenD]

Type 99 has been upgraded with advanced protection and combat management system to counter these Abrams

You are too focused on "theory."

Can Indian T-90, T-72 MBTs be considered obsolete?

West has not been tested in a battle where the enemy has the same access to firepower as Ukraine. US-led forces fought and defeated the Wehrmacht much like any other opposing force around the world where they could execute armored thrusts and/or apply combined arms doctrine. Where the...

defence.pk

M1A2 SEPv2 (and above) are much better protected and capable MBTs.

 

[Beny Karachun]

From what Biden said, these may be the tank that are going to Ukraine......

Notice that he did not mentioned Drawdown or Lend Lease, which mean those Abrams going to Ukraine is not from existing US stock. He did mentioned Foreign Aid, so either it is someone else Abrams we bought and transfer them to Ukraine (I don't see Saudi, Egypt or Kuwait giving up their Abrams tho, maybe Poland? but they only have a very small amount.) Otherwise it would be new out of factory stock if I have interpret the bill correctly.

I doubt they'll give Russia brand new Abrams tanks. If I had to guess they'll give them M1A1/A2 with TUSK.

 

[Super Falcon]

Nah, no chance against an Abrams

Sir Chinese done heavy upgrades

 

[hyperman]

From what Biden said, these may be the tank that are going to Ukraine......

Notice that he did not mentioned Drawdown or Lend Lease, which mean those Abrams going to Ukraine is not from existing US stock. He did mentioned Foreign Aid, so either it is someone else Abrams we bought and transfer them to Ukraine (I don't see Saudi, Egypt or Kuwait giving up their Abrams tho, maybe Poland? but they only have a very small amount.) Otherwise it would be new out of factory stock if I have interpret the bill correctly.

Well all I read was that it wasn't going to be the abrams that use depleted uranium armor, so either it will be export abrams that are diverted, or bought back from someone else, or downgraded abrams, with many things removed.

 

[SQ8]

From what Biden said, these may be the tank that are going to Ukraine......

Notice that he did not mentioned Drawdown or Lend Lease, which mean those Abrams going to Ukraine is not from existing US stock. He did mentioned Foreign Aid, so either it is someone else Abrams we bought and transfer them to Ukraine (I don't see Saudi, Egypt or Kuwait giving up their Abrams tho, maybe Poland? but they only have a very small amount.) Otherwise it would be new out of factory stock if I have interpret the bill correctly.

They may be Abrams but not these - we’re not sending our spec because the danger always exists of the Russians getting their hands on one since the Iraqi models were dumbed down export ones. It is probably something from Polish or Marine stocks.

 

[jhungary]

Well all I read was that it wasn't going to be the abrams that use depleted uranium armor, so either it will be export abrams that are diverted, or bought back from someone else, or downgraded abrams, with many things removed.

As I said, my interpretation of what Biden said is that those Abrams aren't going to come from US stock. As I mentioned in my point, it would either be made for Ukraine, divert from other country or buy back.

Don't know and have not heard of anyone giving up their Abrams, and there are only 3 countries waiting in line for theirs, Australia, Poland and Taiwan, I don't think any of them said they are going to give up their Abrams and send those to Ukraine...

They may be Abrams but not these - we’re not sending our spec because the danger always exists of the Russians getting their hands on one since the Iraqi models were dumbed down export ones. It is probably something from Polish or Marine stocks.

I don't know man, as I said, what Biden announcement is very odd, I don't really know what or how these tank come from, but from his word, it does not seems like they are coming from US stock.

 

[LegionnairE]

First pictures of the Abrams M1A2 SEP V4 also called M1A2D Main Battle Tank (MBT) were released on the Facebook page of the U.S. Army Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment. According to our source, this is the first unit of the U.S. Army to receive the latest generation of M1A2 Abrams.

U.S. Army M1A2 SEP V4 is an improved version of the M1A2 Abrams with new combat capabilities and features. (Picture source Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment Facebook account)

---

The 2nd Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, also known as Thunderhorse, is a unit of the United States Army. It is part of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and is based at Fort Hood, Texas. The unit has a history of service dating back to World War I and has been deployed to various locations throughout the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. The unit's mission is to provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition in support of the 1st Cavalry Division.

The 2nd Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, is equipped with a variety of military equipment to support their missions. This includes:

- M1A2 Abrams SEP V3 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): The primary combat vehicle of the unit, used for ground warfare and armored reconnaissance.
- M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles: Used for infantry support and transport.
- M3A3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicles: Modified version of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle with additional reconnaissance capabilities.
- M1126 Stryker: A wheeled armored combat vehicle used for reconnaissance and transportation.
- M1114 Up-Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV): A versatile vehicle used for a variety of tasks, such as troop transport and reconnaissance.

In addition to these vehicles, the unit is also equipped with a variety of weapons, including machine guns, rifles, and mortars. The unit also has access to a variety of reconnaissance and surveillance equipment, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground sensors.

The M1A2 Abrams MBTs are the backbone of the Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment. The main mission of the M1A2 Abrams is to provide armored ground warfare capability, specifically in the role of defeating enemy armored forces and providing protection for friendly forces. The tank is designed to engage and destroy enemy armored vehicles and fortifications, as well as provide fire support for infantry units.

---

U.S. Army M1A2 SEPV 4 Main Battle Tank. (Picture source Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment Facebook account)

---

The Abrams M1A2 SEP V4 also called M1A2D is the latest generation of the tank in the Abrams M1A2 family. It is an upgrade to the M1A2 Abrams SEPV V3 with improved capabilities and features. The layout of this version is similar to the previous version with the driver seated at the front of the hull, the turret in the middle, and the engine at the rear.

The Abrams M1A2 SEP V4 is armed with a 120mm M256 smoothbore gun, which is capable of firing a variety of different types of rounds, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds. The second armament includes on 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, which is mounted on the right of the main gun, and one remotely operated weapon station mounted on the roof of the turret armed with one 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The tank is also equipped with smoke grenade launchers mounted on each side of the turret, which are used to create a smoke screen to obscure the tank's movement and hide it from the enemy.

The M1A2 SEP V4 includes new equipment and upgrades to existing systems. Some of the new equipment includes:

- Improved situational awareness and networking capabilities through the installation of a new digital battlefield management system.
- Integration of third generation (3GEN) FLIR the cornerstone technology that will provide tank crews the ability to identify enemy targets farther than ever before. The 3GEN FLIR will be an upgrade to both sights and will be common with other combat platforms.
- An upgraded power generation system, which includes the installation of an auxiliary power unit (APU) and a new power distribution system.
- Increased armor protection, including the installation of enhanced armor packages on the hull and turret.
- Improved fire control and targeting systems, including the integration of a new third-generation thermal imaging system and a new laser rangefinder.
- An upgraded driver's display and control system, which includes a new color display and improved controls for the driver.
- A new air conditioning system to improve crew comfort in extreme temperatures.

It's a very minor upgrade, still no L55 gun, shameful.

 

[Oldman1]

From what Biden said, these may be the tank that are going to Ukraine......

Notice that he did not mentioned Drawdown or Lend Lease, which mean those Abrams going to Ukraine is not from existing US stock. He did mentioned Foreign Aid, so either it is someone else Abrams we bought and transfer them to Ukraine (I don't see Saudi, Egypt or Kuwait giving up their Abrams tho, maybe Poland? but they only have a very small amount.) Otherwise it would be new out of factory stock if I have interpret the bill correctly.

Probably SEP v3 instead of v4. Don't think even Biden knows about the V4 just barely coming out. Unless some Pentagon official decides that order for Biden.

 

[Oldman1]

It's a very minor upgrade, still no L55 gun, shameful.

With the gun on Abramsx demonstrator that could be introduce in future Abrams, most like it won't happen. Unless the U.S. Army combines both in terms of length, lighter gun and more powerful gun chamber on it. Depends on the threat of Russian and Chinese tanks. So far we haven't seen the need for it yet. Other countries especially in Europe are introducing the 130mm gun as well as more powerful 120mm L55A1 which has a gun chamber pressure to handle more powerful rounds being introduce. Those are mature tech and can be implemented on the Abrams. Just a reminder that a longer and more powerful chamber gun would require turret change and so on into the future Abrams.

New 120 mm gun and ammunition; a 20% performance increase in the coming years - EDR Magazine

While Rheinmetall’s new 120 mm smoothbore gun is already available and is in series production, the new APFSDS round has still to come.

www.edrmagazine.eu

While Rheinmetall’s new 120 mm smoothbore gun, known as L55A1, is already available and is in series production for Germany, Denmark and Hungary, fitted to the Leopard 2A7V MBT, the second element that will bring increased performances, the new APFSDS round, has still to come. As for the gun, Rheinmetall released the pressure differences between the L44 gun and the L55A1, which feature the same chamber volume that is of approximately 10 litres. The Extreme Service Condition Pressure (ESCP) is raised from 672 to 700 MPa, the Permissible Maximum Pressure (PMP) from 710 to 735 MPa, and the Design Pressure from 740 to 760 MPa. This pressure increase is vital to obtain the performances increases that the two rounds under development will bring with them.

The first one to enter service will be the DM73, which should reach qualification by year-end and will ensure an 8% performance increase over current DM53/DM63 rounds. However the round that will “squeeze” all the remaining growth potential from the 120 mm smoothbore weapon system will be the KE2020Neo; while the DM73 is an upgraded version of previous rounds, this one is a brand new development which qualification should start in 2024 to be completed by 2026, when it will become available on the market. The forecasted increase in performances should reach 20% compared to current armour piercing ammunition.

 

[kingQamaR]

The one aspect is confusing why not upgrade to the L55 .

 

[jhungary]

Probably SEP v3 instead of v4. Don't think even Biden knows about the V4 just barely coming out. Unless some Pentagon official decides that order for Biden.

I honestly don't know, if they are going to give the Ukrainian what coming out of that production line, unless they are making both v3 and v4. it is not really logical to have them make v3 and send them over.