The US Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team has completed the switch to an upgraded variant of the Abrams main battle tank.
The transition was completed after the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank fired its last rounds on the final day of operator new equipment training.
According to 3rd Infantry Division Commander Ethan J. Diven, the brigade was blessed with equipment and resources to modernize its fleet of armored vehicles.
“The Spartan Brigade is grateful for the opportunity to be the first modernized brigade in the Army,” he said. “We are now focused on demonstrating our capabilities. We will be disciplined, aggressive, and lethal.”
Equipping the 2nd Armored Brigade with the newest Abrams variant is part of the army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model.
M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Tank
Developed by General Dynamics, the M1A2 SEPv3 (System Enhanced Package) is a modernized configuration of the Abrams main battle tank.
It features technological advancements such as improved armor, communications system, sustainment, and fuel efficiency.
The tank is fitted with an M256 120-millimeter smoothbore cannon, which can fire M829A4 advanced kinetic energy and advanced multi-purpose rounds.
The M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams also has an improved forward-looking infrared for more efficient target acquisition, identification, and engagement.