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Description
So, I did this same tank a few years back.

Since then a lot of stuff has changed. For one thing, my idea of a hypothetical future Abrams variant and what it would comprise. This was driven by plenty of stuff, most impactful being the rollout of M1A2 SEPv3 and the testing of Trophy on the Abrams. Plus, I got a better idea of what works and what doesn't, yadda, yadda.

So I go back. The ETC gun is replaced by the old standby of the M256. It's set up, like the SEPv3, to work with an ammunition datalink. The tank, which I'm calling a "SEPv4" for lack of a better name, has a Meggitt Defense Compact Autoloader, which doesn't change the crew complement, due to it fitting in the existing space of the turret, and provides the tank with a consistent 12 round per minute rate of fire, as opposed to the decaying fire rate afforded by a human loader, who, no matter how fast he/she starts out, will eventually fatigue from the stress of combat and the exertion of flipping 120mm shells across the turret.

Additionally, Trophy is fitted. This is kind of a given, considering that was the big news in the armor community recently.

I also have fitted the hull portion of the TUSK II ERA kit, with a slight difference (here's where I delve into my own brain and its house of horrors instead of using stuff that already exists) being that instead of the ARAT ERA blocks being fitted to an unarmored steel skirt, they're fitted to the composite armored skirts worn by non-TUSK Abrams.

Two things make this feasible. First, material advancements, accounting for the tank's 2020's time frame, allowing it to retain the protection afforded by the SEPv3's apparently improved armor package, while dropping the weight down to that of a SEPv2. Second, serious mobility enhancements, in the form of an improved suspension and a 3000hp turbine derived from the T901-GE-900 jet turbine. Yes that's right, no more using a 40 year old engine design. We FADEC now. The new engine lets the tank handle the weight of a full Chobham/Burlington armor package AND TUSK kit at once, plus gives it power to spare to run things like MUM-T systems, the Trophy, a laser-based APS if it is so fitted, the crew's Playstation 4, a sick sound system, etc. (I was joking with those last two). Using the T901 also gives it the advantage of sharing an engine with Army rotary wing assets, thus increasing the supply of spare parts available in a combat zone and in general.

Anyway, OFMC M1A2 SEPv4 Abrams fitted with mine clearing blade and TUSK II ERA during operations in Verusa circa 2024.

M1A2 property General Dynamics Land Systems
Trophy APS property Rafael and Leonardo DRS
Playstation 4 property Sony
The owners of all the properties mentioned herein and I maintain our respective rights.

Description
So, I did this same tank a few years back.

Since then a lot of stuff has changed. For one thing, my idea of a hypothetical future Abrams variant and what it would comprise. This was driven by plenty of stuff, most impactful being the rollout of M1A2 SEPv3 and the testing of Trophy on the Abrams. Plus, I got a better idea of what works and what doesn't, yadda, yadda.

So I go back. The ETC gun is replaced by the old standby of the M256. It's set up, like the SEPv3, to work with an ammunition datalink. The tank, which I'm calling a "SEPv4" for lack of a better name, has a Meggitt Defense Compact Autoloader, which doesn't change the crew complement, due to it fitting in the existing space of the turret, and provides the tank with a consistent 12 round per minute rate of fire, as opposed to the decaying fire rate afforded by a human loader, who, no matter how fast he/she starts out, will eventually fatigue from the stress of combat and the exertion of flipping 120mm shells across the turret.

Additionally, Trophy is fitted. This is kind of a given, considering that was the big news in the armor community recently.

I also have fitted the hull portion of the TUSK II ERA kit, with a slight difference (here's where I delve into my own brain and its house of horrors instead of using stuff that already exists) being that instead of the ARAT ERA blocks being fitted to an unarmored steel skirt, they're fitted to the composite armored skirts worn by non-TUSK Abrams.

Two things make this feasible. First, material advancements, accounting for the tank's 2020's time frame, allowing it to retain the protection afforded by the SEPv3's apparently improved armor package, while dropping the weight down to that of a SEPv2. Second, serious mobility enhancements, in the form of an improved suspension and a 3000hp turbine derived from the T901-GE-900 jet turbine. Yes that's right, no more using a 40 year old engine design. We FADEC now. The new engine lets the tank handle the weight of a full Chobham/Burlington armor package AND TUSK kit at once, plus gives it power to spare to run things like MUM-T systems, the Trophy, a laser-based APS if it is so fitted, the crew's Playstation 4, a sick sound system, etc. (I was joking with those last two). Using the T901 also gives it the advantage of sharing an engine with Army rotary wing assets, thus increasing the supply of spare parts available in a combat zone and in general.

Anyway, OFMC M1A2 SEPv4 Abrams fitted with mine clearing blade and TUSK II ERA during operations in Verusa circa 2024.

M1A2 property General Dynamics Land Systems
Trophy APS property Rafael and Leonardo DRS
Playstation 4 property Sony
The owners of all the properties mentioned herein and I maintain our respective rights.