General Dynamics LandcSystems has finally unveiled a concept design for the AbramsX main battle tank (MBT) that will update the original MBT Abrams design developed during the cold war 50 years ago. The AbramsX is still an MBT with a 120MM main gun but now without the evacuator bore which is replaced by an air hole on the muzzle.
The design of the main gun turret is also completely different from the front which is replacing the original boxed turret. At first glance the AbramsX turret is similar to the one used on South Korea's MBT K2 Black Panther and Japan's Type 10.
AbramsX requires only three crew instead of four because the task of loading ammunition into the cannon is replaced by an autoloader system. The entire turret is now also uninhabited by any crew with them sitting inside the body of the tank. On the outside there are various electro-optical systems for battlefield monitoring systems, a 360-degree camera for the driver, a target-finding camera and a camera for the tank commander.
The AbramsX hybrid engine is said to save fuel consumption by up to 50%. It also allows the AbramsX to operate silently when entering enemy territory. On the roof of the turret can also be seen a 30mm cannon that is controlled using a remote control device. No active defense system can be seen on the visible prototype but it is certainly used as it was shown on the M1A2 SEPv3 launched earlier this year.
The Abrams modernization program has long been needed after the weaknesses of the cold war-era MBT were exposed on the modern battlefield filled with ATGM systems and the need to fight in urban areas. The new generation models MBT Challenger 3 and KF51 Panther which are the same generation as Abrams have been launched before but with less drastic changes.