First pictures of the Abrams M1A2 SEP V4 also called M1A2D Main Battle Tank (MBT) were released on the Facebook page of the U.S. Army Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment. According to our source, this is the first unit of the U.S. Army to receive the latest generation of M1A2 Abrams.
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U.S. Army M1A2 SEP V4 is an improved version of the M1A2 Abrams with new combat capabilities and features. (Picture source Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment Facebook account)
The 2nd Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, also known as Thunderhorse, is a unit of the United States Army. It is part of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and is based at Fort Hood, Texas. The unit has a history of service dating back to World War I and has been deployed to various locations throughout the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. The unit's mission is to provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition in support of the 1st Cavalry Division.
The 2nd Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, is equipped with a variety of military equipment to support their missions. This includes:
- M1A2 Abrams SEP V3 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): The primary combat vehicle of the unit, used for ground warfare and armored reconnaissance.
- M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles: Used for infantry support and transport.
- M3A3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicles: Modified version of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle with additional reconnaissance capabilities.
- M1126 Stryker: A wheeled armored combat vehicle used for reconnaissance and transportation.
- M1114 Up-Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV): A versatile vehicle used for a variety of tasks, such as troop transport and reconnaissance.
In addition to these vehicles, the unit is also equipped with a variety of weapons, including machine guns, rifles, and mortars. The unit also has access to a variety of reconnaissance and surveillance equipment, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground sensors.
The M1A2 Abrams MBTs are the backbone of the Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment. The main mission of the M1A2 Abrams is to provide armored ground warfare capability, specifically in the role of defeating enemy armored forces and providing protection for friendly forces. The tank is designed to engage and destroy enemy armored vehicles and fortifications, as well as provide fire support for infantry units.
U.S. Army M1A2 SEPV 4 Main Battle Tank. (Picture source Thunderhorse 2-12 Cavalry Regiment Facebook account)
The Abrams M1A2 SEP V4 also called M1A2D is the latest generation of the tank in the Abrams M1A2 family. It is an upgrade to the M1A2 Abrams SEPV V3 with improved capabilities and features. The layout of this version is similar to the previous version with the driver seated at the front of the hull, the turret in the middle, and the engine at the rear.
The Abrams M1A2 SEP V4 is armed with a 120mm M256 smoothbore gun, which is capable of firing a variety of different types of rounds, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds. The second armament includes on 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, which is mounted on the right of the main gun, and one remotely operated weapon station mounted on the roof of the turret armed with one 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The tank is also equipped with smoke grenade launchers mounted on each side of the turret, which are used to create a smoke screen to obscure the tank's movement and hide it from the enemy.
The M1A2 SEP V4 includes new equipment and upgrades to existing systems. Some of the new equipment includes:
- Improved situational awareness and networking capabilities through the installation of a new digital battlefield management system.
- Integration of third generation (3GEN) FLIR the cornerstone technology that will provide tank crews the ability to identify enemy targets farther than ever before. The 3GEN FLIR will be an upgrade to both sights and will be common with other combat platforms.
- An upgraded power generation system, which includes the installation of an auxiliary power unit (APU) and a new power distribution system.
- Increased armor protection, including the installation of enhanced armor packages on the hull and turret.
- Improved fire control and targeting systems, including the integration of a new third-generation thermal imaging system and a new laser rangefinder.
- An upgraded driver's display and control system, which includes a new color display and improved controls for the driver.
- A new air conditioning system to improve crew comfort in extreme temperatures.
