The U.S. Army is preparing to field-test its next-generation M1E3 Abrams tank by the end of 2026, marking a key milestone in the service’s effort to accelerate modernization of its armored forces.
Speaking at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual meeting in Washington, D.C., General Dynamics executive vice president for Global Operations, Danny Deep, said a “pre-prototype” vehicle would be sent to soldiers for evaluation within the next year.
“We’re going to have it fielded in the next 12 months for soldiers to touch it, see what they like, see what they don’t like,” Deep said. “Then in short order after that, we’re going to start delivering this capability in the next two to three years, as opposed to the next 10.”
Deep later told Military Times that the vehicle would be assigned to a small unit for testing, though details on which unit would receive it have not been finalized.The M1E3 is intended to replace the long-serving M1 Abrams, which entered service in the early 1990s. Earlier this year, Army officials announced plans to field the new platform within 30 months, significantly shortening the traditional development timeline.
Deep said that modular design, open architecture, and digital engineering have helped speed up the M1E3’s development process. The tank’s design aims to be lighter and more efficient, incorporating improved power generation and a new drivetrain while retaining proven features of the M1, such as its 120mm smoothbore cannon.
According to Deep, the program’s use of commercially available components has been a major factor in reducing production time.
“The 90% solution is a much better answer than an ideal 100% solution that is so long from now that it isn’t going to be relevant when you get it anyway,” he said. “Everybody believes speed wins, not just on the battlefield, but in how you get capability out to the soldier.”
Col. Ryan Howell, acting deputy program executive officer for Ground Combat Systems, said the Army is also exploring the use of off-the-shelf diesel engines, such as Caterpillar powerplants, to improve maintainability and reduce costs.
“I can go from an engine that costs upwards of $1 million per unit with limited availability, to something that’s commercially available — that a chief warrant officer can take to the nearest Cat dealership and get fixed for less than ten grand,” Howell said.
If the testing phase proceeds on schedule, full deliveries could begin within two to three years, significantly ahead of earlier projections.