The abrams tank's new advanced
multi-purpose round can destroy any
target. The advanced multi-purpose round
consolidates several types of ammunition
into one, allowing gunners to change the
loadout with a datalink.
The advanced multi-purpose round is a
tank ammunition which can be adjusted or
programmed by tank gunners to achieve
specific attack effects as needed by the
mission. The advanced multi-purpose consolidates
high explosive anti-tank rounds, multi-purpose anti-tank rounds, canister
rounds and obstacle reduction rounds
into a single munition, using new
technology in an advanced ammunition
datalink.
The round just went through its initial
operational test and came out of it as
far as i understand with flying colors, said Brigadier General Glenn Dean, program executive officer ground combat
vehicles. so that capability is going into the
force now.
The M830 high explosive anti-tank round
and the M830A1 multi-purpose anti-tank
round are the first two to be
consolidated. The M1028 canister round which is used
to engage and defeat dismounted infantry
is the third one being replaced. The canister round can be used to
destroy human wave assaults with a
scattering of small projectiles to
increase anti-personnel lethality.
The fourth round to be integrated is the M908 obstacle reduction round which is
designed to destroy large obstacles. Tank crews are able to choose which
round effect to use through an
ammunition data link, according to
documents from Northrop Grumman.
Northrop Grumman documents say the data
link enables direct communication from
the tank fire control to the cartridge
chambered in the breach. it uses a mechanical electrical
interface and communication is enabled
when the round is chambered and the tank
is on. The advanced multi-purpose round uses
airburst technology, meaning it can be
programmed to explode at a predetermined
point in space. This can be useful should enemy soldiers
or vehicles be hidden behind cover.
The specific distance can be determined
with a laser rangefinder and the round
is set with a variable fuse to explode
after a specific number of rotations. Using this data a computer can determine
the exact distance to a target.
Northrop documents also explain a point
detonate round where the advanced
multi-purpose round is set to explode
upon impact. The point detonate round can reach walls
and penetrate up to eight inches of
concrete. The fuse can also create a point delay
effect, setting the fuse to explode after
penetrating a target's exterior
and now the army expects this new abrams
tank to serve for decades.
The M1A2 SEP V4 variant incorporates a series
of transformative upgrades to ensure the
tank's continued combat performance. The army is now building its first
prototype of an upgraded next generation
variant of its abrams tank, indicating
that the service is pursuing a long-term
vision for the venerable combat platform. But many adjustments are related to
sensor technologies, said Brigadier General Glenn Dean program executive
officer ground combat vehicles office of
the assistant secretary of the army
acquisition, logistics and technology.
General Glenn Dean explained the new
technology integrates of a new
generation of forward-looking infrared
targeting sensors with improved image
resolution, range and image processing. This is the first prototype and it will
go through a wide range of testing, Dean
said. We have multiple prototypes we have to
build so it will be a number of years
before it will see the field. The first
prototype is being built right now and
it should be ready in about the june
2022 time frame, he added.
Other V4 innovations include new color
camera adaptation laser rangefinder
technology, meteorological sensors and
fire control or weapon sites
improvements. Onboard networking will also be heavily
emphasized the V4 variant will have a
new ethernet switch to streamline
information flow throughout the vehicle. This will improve information flow and
reduce the hardware footprint.
Along with other modern tanks such as
the recently introduced V3 Abrams Tank, the V4 will fire an advanced kind of
ammunition called an advanced
multi-purpose round. the advanced multi-purpose is an
advanced ammunition technology that
enables tank crews to pick and adjust a
specific blast effect from a single
round.
For example, high explosive anti-tank
rounds multi-purpose anti-tank
ammunition or fragmenting canister
rounds can be used to attack dismounted
fighters on the move in a penetration
ram. This is made possible through a variable
fuse, ammunition data link, and airburst
technology. The arrival of the V4 is further proof
that while the abrams tank may have
first emerged in the 1980s. The platform
has been upgraded so extensively that it
is now an entirely different vehicle.
The computing, electronics, targeting
technology, armor protections and sensors
are generations beyond anything from the
1980s. The prevailing consensus among army
weapons developers seems to be that the
abrams can remain superior for many
years to come and that heavy armor is
here to stay.
