In 2022, during the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference, General Dynamics Land Systems revealed what it hopes it will be the main battle tank of the future—the AbramsX. 

During the unveiling ceremony, General Dynamics only presented a technology demonstrator of the AbramsX that showed some new systems and sensors. 

But first things first, what is the AbramsX main battle tank?

What capabilities does it promise to bring to the U.S. Army that the current fleet doesn’t have? And does the Army really need the AbramsX?

The AbramsX: A Tank for the Future 

To begin with, the Abrams X is a technology demonstrator that General Dynamics used to show what is possible in future main battle tanks in terms of weight reduction, sensory capabilities, weapon systems, and technology. Right now, it is not a new tank per se. But its technology and features could be used in part in future tanks, such as the M1A3 Abrams under development, or in whole to create a new version of the Abrams. 

When it comes to capabilities, the Abrams X promises a lot. One of its most important features is its weight reduction. The Abrams X has a reported weight of approximately 59 tons. That is more than ten tons less than the current weight of the M1A2 Abrams, which weighs 71 tons in operational conditions. Less weight can translate into better performance on the battlefield. A future Abrams tank that weighs around 59 tons will be faster and require less fuel to operate, thus increasing its operational range. The first Abrams tank, the M1 Abrams, had a weight of around 60 tons, and the Army will likely seek to return that weight range in the future. 

Some other features the Abrams X demonstrated are a hybrid electric diesel engine, enhanced armor protection to fend off loitering munitions and suicide drones, an unmanned turret that could reduce the crew requirement from the current four to three, thus replacing the loader (the Abrams tank currently needs a commander, driver, gunner, and loader). Given the advances in technology, the Abrams X would also likely use artificial intelligence and cyber sensors to increase the capabilities and the armored vehicles ability to survive on the modern battlefield. 

So, does the Army need the Abrams X? There is no clear answer. The Army hasn’t decided what to do with the Abrams X. It is currently working on the M1A3 Abrams after it scuttled the System Enhancement Package (SEP) version 4 for the M1A2 Abrams. 

The newest Abrams tank will likely have some features included in the Abrams X technology demonstrator, but the exact features are not known. The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are also providing the Army and General Dynamics with valuable data on the role of main battle tanks in modern conflicts. 

The Army’s next tank will be the M1A3, and it will likely remain in service for a good amount of time. 

About the Author

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense and national security journalist specializing in special operations. A Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), he holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University, an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He is pursuing a J.D. at Boston College Law School. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.