- The legendary Abrams tank is getting a hybrid version.
- Designed by the US Army and built by Roche, the M1E3 Abrams diesel hybrid tank is lighter and more efficient.
- It can be quickly deployed in any part of the world and can also be easily maintained.
The Abrams tank is widely considered the best of its kind, but it’s been getting a bit old, so the United States Army is trying to breathe new life into the old war machine.
This is the M1E3 Abrams tank, a modern tank that uses the latest and greatest technology, which includes – powerfully – a hybrid powertrain. The first prototype of the hybrid Abrams debuted at the Detroit auto show last week, with US Army officials claiming some impressive efficiency gains and a significant weight reduction compared to the outgoing M1 Abrams.
But first, let me address the elephant in the room. Gone was the 1,500 hp Honeywell turboprop, replaced by a Caterpillar C13D diesel engine that was easily serviceable everywhere in the world. If something went wrong with the old Abrams engine, it had to be shipped to a large military base to be serviced, but the Caterpillar engine in the M1E3, which produces 690 horsepower in stock form, is widely used in industrial and heavy machinery around the world, so replacement parts are easy to find.
The Allison transmission is also out of the picture, as the Army is pursuing a SAPA hybrid transmission that integrates an electric motor unit. It can use the combustion engine and electric motor at the same time or separately, allowing the three-man crew to sit silently in reasonable areas while also running everything.
This was stated by Alex Miller, Chief Technology Officer of the US Army Fast lane truck The M1E3 Abrams is about 20% to 30% lighter than the previous model. This, combined with the hybrid powertrain, results in a dramatic improvement in fuel efficiency of up to 50%. A classic Abrams can weigh more than 80 tons when fully loaded, while a hybrid M1E3 will weigh no more than 60 tons — at least, that’s what the Army is targeting.
The new Abrams is also more tech-heavy than ever before. Its systems run on a custom-designed software architecture that enables the Army to integrate the latest and greatest systems. This includes microphones that can pick up drones from afar, and a 360-degree camera system.
Photo by: US Army
The tank is designed to be driven with a wheel with multiple buttons, which can be mapped just like on a PlayStation controller, depending on the accessories installed on the vehicle.
It’s all very cool, but it’s worth noting that the M1E3 is still in the prototype stage. Miller said the Army is still researching what type of high-voltage batteries it can integrate, and that it is looking at traditional lithium-ion chemistry and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. The prototype moves and can shoot, but it has not yet gone through the certification process, which is expected to begin this month.
The Marine Corps is also looking to replace its fleet of older Oshkosh MTVRs with new ones, Hybrid trucks are more efficient. The trucks made by Oshkosh entered service in 2001, but two companies, Mack and ND Defense, are working on creating a modern replacement.
Photo: Fast Lane Truck via YouTube
