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1 [1] (January 21, 2025)

handle is hein.crs/govesdt0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Servc Informing the legislative debate since 1914 Updated January 21, 2025 The Army's M-1E3 Abrams Tank Modernization Program Background The M-1 Abrams Tank (Figure 1) is designed to maneuver under fire and destroy enemy armored forces on the battlefield by means of mobility, survivability, and firepower. The M-1 is named for General Creighton Abrams, a noted World War II armored battalion commander who later served as Army Chief of Staff from 1972 to 1974. M-1 Abrams tanks are the primary major weapon system in Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs). At present, the Active Army has 11 ABCTs, and the Army National Guard has 5 ABCTs. Each ABCT has 87 M-1 Abrams tanks. Figure I. M-I A2 Abrams Tank Source: U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center, https://asc.army.mil/ web/portfolio-item/abrams-main-battle-tank/, accessed September 8, 2023. The M-1 program began in December 1971. In June 1973, two contracts were awarded by the Army for prototype development to the Defense Division of Chrysler Corporation (which in 1982 became General Dynamics Land Systems [GDLS]) and the Detroit Diesel Allison Division of General Motors (GM). In 1988, GDLS was awarded a contract for the M-1A2 version, and the first M- lA2s began to enter service in late 1992. The M-1A2 is the baseline export version of this tank. Export versions feature a variety of armor and communications packages. The United States has sold M-1A1 and M-1A2 variants to Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia via Foreign Military Sales (FMS). On January 25, 2023, President Biden announced that the United States would provide Ukraine with 31 M-1 Abrams tanks. Ongoing M- Abrams Modernization Efforts M-1 Abrams modernization efforts have been focused on fielding a M-1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) Version 3 (v3) and developing a new M-1A2 SEPv4 variant. According to the Army, both M-1A2 SEPv3 production and M-1A2 SEPv4 development began in FY2018. In FY2020, the first unit was equipped with M- 1A2 SEPv3. In December 2020, GDLS received a $4.6 billion contract for SEPv3 upgrades, which were expected to be completed by June 2028. For FY2024, the Army requested $698 million for the Abrams Upgrade Program. The New M- E3 Abrams Modernization Program On September 6, 2023, the Army announced it would close out the M-1A2 SEPv4 effort and develop the M-1E3 Abrams. The Army's announcement quoted Major General (MG) Glenn Dean, Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems, describing the rationale for the decision: The Abrams Tank can no longer grow its capabilities without adding weight, and we need to reduce its logistical footprint. The war in Ukraine has highlighted a critical need for integrated protections for soldiers, built from within instead of adding on. The Army announcement elaborated that the new platform [w]ill include the best features of the M-1A2 SEPv4 and will comply with the latest modular open systems architecture standards, allowing quicker technology upgrades and requiring fewer resources. This will enable the Army and its commercial partners to design a more survivable, lighter tank that will be more effective on the battlefield at initial fielding, and easier to upgrade in the future. Regarding M-1A2 SEPv3 production, the Army noted that the Army will continue to produce the M-1A2 SEPv3 at a reduced rate until production transitions to the M-1E3 Abrams. The Army projects achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2030. The Army's FY2025 budget proposal submitted to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) reportedly included a request for funds to begin M-1E3 design work. Possbe Features and Capabi ties ofthe M- E3 While the Army has not made public the new M-1E3 requirements, reportedly a 2019 Army Science Board study on a future tank influenced senior Army leadership to establish the M-1E3 program. The Army Science Board study reportedly recommended a $2.9 billion, seven-year program to develop a fifth generation combat vehicle, with proposed capabilities including * a hybrid electric drive;