Quite the opposite: new threats such as hunter-killer drones are appearing on the battlefield, and new technologies such as hybrid-electric engines have emerged that could make Abrams more survivable, lethal and mobile. However, that does not mean that the Army can forego further upgrades to Abrams. That decision was presumably driven by a desire to field the most formidable main battle tank available anywhere, a combat vehicle fully capable of defeating its Russian counterparts. It is worth noting that Poland, a country with similar terrain, opted to purchase Abrams when it could have simply kept buying Leopards from Germany. In other words, the logistical and training challenges associated with introducing Abrams into Ukraine are not all that imposing, especially given the availability of spare parts and repair facilities in neighboring countries. The logistical packages that accompany exports of the tank typically include provisions for the necessary backup equipment. And because it is a gas turbine, it is much quieter than a diesel engine.Įlectronic equipment on the Abrams consists largely of line replaceable units, boxes that can be switched out quickly when the tank’s on-board diagnostics identify a problem. If the engine does falter, its powerpack can be removed and replaced in 30 minutes. The engine is highly reliable and the rest of the tank is ruggedly constructed, so it is unlikely to break down in conditions where other vehicles might fail. Actually, the computerized targeting system for the main gun simplifies the gunner’s role, and has an over 95% likelihood of hitting its target.

It has also been suggested that the M1A2 could not be used without extensive training because it is so complex. The engine can also run on gasoline or diesel (like the Leopard)-you just need to change the fuel filter. That is only true because the Army elected to use the same fuel in both its tanks and its helicopters to simplify logistics. You might not know this from following the debate about whether to send Abrams to Ukraine, because a number of half-truths about the vehicle made their way into public media.įor example, it was said that fueling the vehicle at the front would be difficult because its Honeywell gas-turbine engine runs on JP-8 jet fuel.

The tanks don’t look all that different from the vehicles with which the Army began the new century-General Dynamics typically rebuilds the hull from tanks already in inventory-but internally they are thoroughly digitized, often with technology far superior to anything Russia has fielded.

Future main battle tank designs