America’s New Abrams-X Tank Needs to Chill Out

Earlier this month General Dynamics released footage of their brand new US Army Abrams X prototype that promises to completely change armored fighting doctrine.
We’re now seeing many of the seemingly failed ideas from the scrapped Future Combat Systems program are actually getting resurrected. For instance the General Dynamics Abrams X prototype footage reveals that it’s using the XM360 lightweight 120mm cannon with a ported muzzle break that was originally designed for the FCS program in 2005. It only weighs 4,100 lbs, nearly half the weight of the old 6800 lbs M256 cannon. Benet Labs developed the cannon at their location in Watervliet Arsenal in upstate New York. See I don’t just mispronounce foreign towns.

Benet Labs is the US Army's primary design, development, engineering and production facility for large caliber armament systems since 1887 when the arsenal was founded.
Task & Purpose is a military news and culture oriented channel. We want to foster discussion about the defense industry.

#TANK #ARMOR #VEHICLE

[Glitch_Online]

Most "Failed" weapons programs are not actually failures, they can be thought of as Test Beds / Proof of Concept

[tonyf]

As a former tanker. The new helmet like the air force have is gonna be the biggest improvement for the crew outstanding

[seanmarshall]

This is a consistent theme with military programs. The military puts out a request for a new weapons system that is highly advanced and ahead of its time. The defense industry manages to put together a functional (but not exactly combat ready) system in response. The military takes a look at it, sees that it’s doable, but the technology of the day just isn’t quite good enough to bring the system to combat readiness. They shelve the project only to revisit it a decade later to see that technology has advanced enough that not only can the system be combat ready, but is now much cheaper and easier to produce. It’s basically the military’s way of pushing the envelope one project at a time.

[benmccleland]

Biggest question remaining is survivability. In the first Persian Gulf, Abrams crews reported being hit multiple times by enemy armor units while retaining their combat abilities.

[njgrplr]

Since this new tank can communicate with the F-35 and other air assets, that means it can receive targeting data from the air. That ability, coupled with the tank's smart and precision ammunition, will be one heck of an advantage.

[holy]

The hybrid system's fuel savings are pretty useful when you consider the logistics behind keeping a tank operational, that can be seen in Ukraine where otherwise fine tanks are being abandoned due to running out of gas.

[Vonwick-gaming]

It's good to see some of the good FCS tech reach maturity and make it on platform. It was a frustrating experience when testing FCS concepts, doctrine and prototype analogs in simulation back at Fort Knox.

[graetestfanever]

A silent tank sounds like a nightmare for enemies in night time operations, both on the offensive and defensive side.

[XDSDDLord]

Military R&D is rarely wasted. Even when it doesn't produce a product, it provides technical and scientific knowledge. You hit the nail on the head about the Future Combat System. It wasn't really failed. They came up with a concept they thought would be great, did a lot of research to see if and how it could be done, and then realized that the technology doesn't exist yet, but it will in the future. I will bet you money that there were people whose jobs were to keep on top of novel technologies, keep referencing the old designs, and submit a report when they thought it had become viable.

[andrewreynolds]

Something to remember: this is currently a proposal by General Dynamics. The army has not yet had any involvement. The specifications shown will probably not be the final specifications if it goes into final design and then service.

However, I think this is potentially a better route for the army than running another high-dollar design competition. A relatively incremental improvement, to an extent, I think would be a better, less risky method of development than “complete revolution” competitions with absolutely cutting edge technology.

[vectorsfinal]

They should have named the engine the ACME - the Advanced Combat Modular Engine. Both Wile E Coyote and Spare Parts Army approved.

[Wintercide]

Imagine getting sniped over, under, and around cover by a tank 5 miles away. Got to love the human ingenuity and propensity for killing each other.

[p.turgor]

One more great feature was not mentioned. Untill communication is not jammed (which is not easy) tank could be supported by additional remote crew (e.g. overseas). It gives commander more eyes to see, analise situation, quick react to multiple threat, and even drive tank when actual crew sleeps.

[reliablethreat]

As a former 19K, it brings a tear to my eye to see that the Army hasn't given up on our main battle tank! Here's to all the future generations of tankers to come! "Death before dismount"!!!

[seasonedoilburnerrepair]

Out of all the advances this tank showcases, I'm most impressed with the GPH improvements. Imagine sending 1000 of these tanks into battle and only needing a mere fraction of the tankers needing to follow for refueling. That alone is formidable and can be the deciding factor in future tank battles.

[robertwalther]

I love it! The only thing I worry about is the possibility of the external cameras being damaged by incoming fire, rendering the capabilities of the tank unusable.

[mortified]

Looking at developments on both sides of the Atlantic, it seems a bit more certain now that after 40 years of iterating on the products of the late cold war we've finally reached a technological crescendo whose full exploitation requires not just fresh tank designs, but a whole new paradigm of what a tank is, how it operates, and how it fits into the larger force.

[differenttan]

Real time intelligence sharing between platforms and the ability to select the correct weapons system is game changing. Being able to remote operate for really risky objectives is the icing on the cake.

[pbinnj]

I’m impressed about the contrast between your playful humility and your well researched and excellent presentation skills. As for the tank, the concepts seem promising though I think coordination among the tank’s capabilities will take time to master.

[CanadianJuiceBox]

being able to virtually see outside of the vehicle in any direction is a HUGE plus in my opinion. you can catch any movement without needing to be exposed, or it being known that you're actively looking for movement. it also is able to make the tank look like it's in standby, when it really isn't. that paired with being able to stay in auxilary for several hours without the engine on would be massive for defending positions.

I'm not sure I understand the slogan of "they'll never hear us coming" though, unless it has the capability to travel under electricity only as well, it'll either be a really slow moving electric vehicle, or wont be able to travel very far distances on electricity alone.