The US Army has announced the preparation of an upgraded M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank for artillery tests at the Fort Hood test site in Texas. The new version is heavier than the previous ones, which casts doubt on its use-especially in Europe.
"The Abrams upgrade is causing fitness issues. The increase in mass limits the tactical transportability of the tank. Modern evacuation vehicles, tactical bridges and transporters are not designed for the new version of Abrams, " Defense News quotes the Pentagon's director of operational testing and evaluation. Nevertheless, according to the documents of the military department, the updated tank is suitable for transportation of the listed equipment.
The increase in the weight of tanks and other combat vehicles is of particular concern in light of the prospects for their operation in Eastern Europe, where roads and bridges have weight restrictions.
The first upgraded Abrams tanks entered military testing in the fall of 2020. The vehicle received a more powerful power plant to power new systems, new ammunition with a programmable fuse, improved sights and a fire control system. At the same time, the weight of the tank increased to 62.5 tons.
Anton Valagin
