Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1446249
M1A2SEPV3 Between 2012 and 2014 US Army wanted to develop a new variant of the M1 tank. The goal of the project launched extended beyond a mere upgrade. The said undertaking was also to address the problems stemming from the de- pletion of the SWaP-C (Space, Weight, and Power – Cooling) limitations. This led to the launch of the Engineering Change Proposal 1 project. Rationally, a conclusion was reached suggesting that it would be impossible to timely implement all of the proposed changes. Therefore, the program was divided into ECP1A and ECP1B phases. The ECP1A initiative led to the development of the latest M1 MBT variant - the M1A2SEPv3. What changes were made to the design of the vehicle? The changes have been deep. Deep enough to confuse any beholder - it should be clarified whether M1A2SEPv3 have been modernized, or manufactured from scratch? Both answers are correct. The legacy variants - such as M1A1 stored at depots, such as the Sierra Army Depot in Herlong, California, are sent to the Joint Systems Manufac- turing Center in Lima, Ohio. There, the vehicles are dismantled to bare shells, whereas those shells are then cut. This stems from the fact that serious shell structural changes pertain to the M1A2SEPv3. For instance, the bottom part of the hull has been redesigned, arrangement of the subsystems inside the hull and the turret has also been changed. Hence, cutting the shells and re-welding are required. PROTECTION Table 2. Variants of the MBTs and the special armor used. Special armor of the turret and the hull is also replaced. Here, a dis- cussion of M1 armor seems to be necessary. As in the case of any other modern MBT, the special armor is modular. Chambers of the steel shell of the turret and the hull accommodate special armor modules. Once these chambers are opened, the said modules may be replaced during an overhaul or modernization. Throughout its service, the M1 underwent seven armor upgrades. In the case of M1A2SEPv3, a new type of special armor has been used, designated as NGAP (Next Generation Armor Package), sometimes referred to as NEA (Next Evolution Armor), that replaced the previous HAP (Heavy Armor Packages). Variant Armor type M1 BRL-1 M1IP BRL-2 M1A1 BRL-2 M1A1HA HAP-1 or HAP-2 M1A1HC/M1A1D/M1A2 HAP-2 M 1 A 1 A I M / M 1 A 1 F E P / M1A2SEPv1 HAP-3 M1A1SA/M1A2SEPv2 HAP-3 or NGAP-1 M1A2SEPv3/M1A2SEPv4 NGAP-2 ANALYSIS