Very soon, the United States Army will face the biggest upgrade of its greatest asset in decades, of any asset since the 1980s: its pride and joy, the M1 Abrams. General Dynamics Land Systems designed and engineered this future generation of AbramsX to promise much: a hybrid electric-diesel engine, integration with artificial intelligence, and reduced crew size. Funding and shifting military doctrines might cloud prospects for this very massive tank anytime soon, though.
The AbramsX is the future of modern US tank technology, which will imply better mobility and improved fuel efficiency to enhance the crew’s protection. The new tank will be lighter and more fuel-efficient compared to the mainstream M1 Abrams, as many of its users find it expensive and clumsy in fuel consumption. The turret will be unmanned with an autoloader, and the crew size shrinks down to three people, while the protective hull is increased.
Although these appear promising, however, the Department of Defense has several reservations about investing in the AbramsX program. “The new tank faces an uphill climb in the halls of the Pentagon,” The Washington Post says. Moreover, there are now shifting phases of modern warfare and a different role of tanks in future conflicts.
The use of artificial intelligence on the AbramsX has also been controversial. While AI may improve situational awareness and smooth out some tasks, the risk factors that come with integrating AI into military equipment are a significant issue. The Terminator franchise is melodramatic enough but does point to several valid concerns regarding warfare and AI.
Of course, there is no other new-generation tank but the AbramsX.
The European region too has future orientation through designs like EMBT-ADT 140 and KF-51 Panther tanks, which feature unmanned turrets, autoloaders, and active protection systems. The EMBT-ADT 140 possesses a 140mm ASCALON gun and has a set of sensors to be able to detect airborne threats. The KF-51 Panther is an army vehicle developed by Krauss Maffei Wegmann, armed with a 130mm autoloaded gun and three layers of protection: passive, reactive, and active.
What’s more, the modern military market is the one where new technologies and innovations take place on the show stands of arms expositions at any point in the world. As an example, at the last Eurosatory exposition in Paris, several future main battle tanks were showcased, including the AbramsX. Such designs are made lighter, faster, and more agile compared to previous models and are equipped with enhanced firepower and protection systems.
Looking into the future, the US Army and other armies worldwide hope that the development and mass implementation of next-generation tanks like AbramsX will be secured through available funding allocations and the changing demands of the new war. Time will tell if AbramsX will be a backbone to the US tank corps or an expensive gamble.