16 January 2026

Abrams This Time

The mighty M1!

There's a lot of sub-variants.

1979: The OG M1 with the 105mm gun.  58 tons.

1983: M1 Tank Test Bed.  3-man crew in hull.  Unmanned, remote, 120mm turret.  45 tons.

1984: The M1(IP) "improved performance" which got thicker turret armor and a bustle rack.  60 tons.

1985: M1A1 with the 120mm gun.  This is often called the M1A1(RA) for regular armor.  63 tons.

1988: M1A1(HA) "heavy armor" with DU plates inside the not-actually-Chobham-anymore armor.  63 tons.

1990: M1A1(HC) "heavy common" 2nd gen DU plates.  69.5 tons.

1992: M1A2 an M1A1(HC) with commander's independent thermal sight (CITS), new commander's weapon station, many electronic upgrades.  69.5 tons.

1995: M1A3 fictional development of the TTB speculated for Twilight: 2000.  Called M1A2 Abrams III "Giraffe" in game.  60.6 tons.

***Twilight: 2000 Cutoff Date***

1999: M1A2 SEP Upgraded gunner's sight, 3rd gen DU.  69.5 tons.

1999: M1A1(D) "digital" M1A1(HC) with new electronics from the M1A2 SEP, only 2 battalions worth made.  63 tons.

2006: M1A1 (AIM v1) M1A1 refurbished and significantly upgraded.  Most sold to Australia and later given to Ukraine.  63 tons.

2006: M1A1 (SA) or (AIM v2) Morrocan export version, similar to the AIM v1.  Also M1A1 (SA-UKR) for Ukraine export.  67.6 tons.

2006: M1A1 (FEP) "firepower enhancement package" AIM v2 for USMC M1A1(HC).  69.5 tons.

M1A1 (M) Iraqi standard armor variant.

2008: M1A2 SEPv2 Commander's weapon station replaced with CROWS, electronic upgrades, air conditioning, upgraded thermal optics.  71.2 tons.

2017: M1A2 SEPv3 Massive electronics and comms upgrade.  Many changes to make maintenance easier.  Better armor.  APU.  Reactive armor capable.  Airburst ammo.  M1A2T, M1A2R and M1A2K regular armor versions for Taiwan, Romania and Kuwait.  73.6 tons.

2025: M1A2 SEPv4 Cancelled upgrade to Gen3 FLIR for CITS and gunner.  Better sensors for fire control.  Laser detector sensors.  New smoke grenade launchers.

2026: M1E3 3-man crew in hull.  Unmanned, remote, 120mm turret.  Remote weapons station on turret roof.  SEPv4 levels of electronics and defensive countermeasures.  Goal of 60 tons.

Posted by Angus McThag at 19:37
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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous20 January, 2026 23:09

    You might find this video interesting. It's aobu thte M1E3, featuring The Chieftain:

    https://youtu.be/Xnd9fcgEuaw?si=NsmYmRqjaBmH3Y-X

    Daosus

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angus McThag21 January, 2026 00:01

      I did find that interesting. I'm a subscriber to his channel. I bought his book on tank destroyers and am awaiting my emotional support missile plushie.

      Delete

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