M1A2 SEP V2

This page is about the American main battle tank M1A2 SEP V2. For other versions, see M1 Abrams (Family).

M1A2 SEP V2

M1A2 SEP

M1A2 SEP V2

M1A2 SEP

USA

VIII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
12.0	12.0	12.0

Class:

Medium tank

Research:410 000

Purchase:1 100 000

Show in game

Description

The combat operations of the early 2000s with Operation Iraqi Freedom showcased that the M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) still had rooms for improvements. Combat-oriented upgrades such as the Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK) I and II were first fitting to the M1A2 SEP. However, following the cancellation for the US Army Future Combat System program, it becomes clear the M1A2 Abrams will remain the workhorse of the US Army for the foreseeable future, and work began on the next upgrade for the M1A2 Abrams with SEP V2. SEP V2 incorporated many internal changes to the sights, computers and electronics, as well as a new auxillary power unit. The most notable exterior change was the addition of a CROWS (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station) to allow the commander to remotely operate the heavy machine gun atop the tank. The M1A2 SEP V2 was accepted into service for the US Army in 2008, equipping all Armor Brigade Combat Teams by 2013.

The Tank, Combat, Full Tracked, 120-mm Gun M1A2 SEP V2 was introduced in Update "Air Superiority". The primary differences on the M1A2 SEP V2 compared to the preceding M1A2 SEP is the elevated CROWS for the M2 Browning machine gun and the ARAT II explosive reactive armour that can be attached. The extra weight from these non-removable additions put the M1A2 SEP V2 at around 66 tons, reducing the tank’s overall mobility compared to M1A2 SEP. The only characteristic that went unchanged is the firepower, firing the same shells through the same M256 cannon. The biggest plus of the M1A2 SEP V2 is that player has the opportunity of being able to bring two M1A2 SEP into battle without having to use a backup, which can be an advantage for team composition in its own way.

General info

Survivability and armour

ERA

Effective action against the cumulative ammunition

Composite armour

Balanced protection against all types of ammunition

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

ESS

Creation of a smoke screen in the direction of movement of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull133 / 60 / 32

Turret139 / 120 / 13

Crew4 people

Visibility82 %

The M1A2 SEP V2 has excellent turret armor, capable of withstanding multiple hits to the turret cheeks. However, there is a slight vulnerability around the composite armor near the gun. This area is more easily penetrated, which could disable the gun and breech, and, if unfortunate enough could incapacitate the entire turret crew. Aside from this, the turret armor is highly effective.

Now, looking at the hull, it’s noticeably less protected compared to the turret. The only area of the hull with composite armor is the front lower plate. This makes the tank more vulnerable to shots aimed at the lower hull, where an enemy hit could immobilize the vehicle or, with a lucky strike, eliminate the entire crew.

The M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams has a four-person crew. The driver is seated in the hull at the front of the tank. In the turret, on the left side, you’ll find the gunner, with the commander positioned just above and behind the gunner. To the right of both the gunner and commander is the loader, responsible for managing the tank's ammunition.

Armour type:

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	___ mm	___ mm Top ___ mm Bottom	___ mm	___ - ___ mm
Turret	___ - ___ mm Turret front ___ mm Gun mantlet	___ - ___ mm	___ - ___ mm	___ - ___ mm
Cupola	___ mm	___ mm	___ mm	___ mm

The armor of the M1A2 SEP V2 shows how well the crew is protected in the turret, with strong defensive capabilities. However, there is a noticeable weak spot in the hull, particularly around the upper front plate.

Notes:

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB76 / 43 km/h

RB and SB69 / 39 km/h

Number of gears8 forward

4 back

Weight66.1 t

Engine power

AB2 898 hp

RB and SB1 519 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB43.8 hp/t

RB and SB23.0 hp/t

Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	76	43	66.1	2058	2,898	31.13	43.84
Realistic	69	39		1343	1,519	20.32	22.98

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB4 291 → 7 011

RB4 159 → 6 795

SB5 264 → 8 601

Total cost of modifications300 300

497 000

Talisman cost3 200

Crew training310 000

Experts1 100 000

Aces2 300

Research Aces1 350 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

160 / 200 / 210 %

256 / 256 / 256 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 310 Suspension Research: 18 000 Cost: 28 000 440 Brake System Research: 18 000 Cost: 28 000 440 Filters Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 480 Transmission Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 360 Engine Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 360	Improved Parts Research: 3 900 Cost: 20 000 310 Improved FPE Research: 5 400 Cost: 28 000 440 Crew Replenishment Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 480 ESS Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 360 Mine protection Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 360	Horizontal Drive Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 310 120mm_DM_HEAT_FS_ammo_pack Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 310 120mm_M908_HE_OR_ammo_pack Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 310 Adjustment of Fire Research: 18 000 Cost: 28 000 440 Elevation Mechanism Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 480 Laser rangefinder Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 480 Artillery Support Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 360 120mm_M829A_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 360 NVD Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 360

Armaments

Laser rangefinder

Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Night vision device

Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Thermal imager

Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Main armament

120 mm M256 cannon

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Ammunition42 rounds

First-order18 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

6.5 → 5.0 s

Vertical guidance-10° / 20°

Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: {{main|Name of the weapon}}. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.

120 mm M256					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	42	-10°/+20°	±180°	Two-plane	38.1	52.7	64.0	70.8	75.3	6.50	5.75	5.30	5.00
Realistic					23.8	28.0	34.0	37.6	40.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
M830	HEATFS	480	480	480	480	480	480
M829	APFSDS	491	488	481	473	464	454
M830A1	HEAT MP	350	350	350	350	350	350
M829A2	APFSDS	629	627	619	610	601	590
M908	HE-OR	300	300	300	300	300	300

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
M830	HEATFS	1,140	13.1	0.05	0.1	2.36	65°	72°	77°
M829	APFSDS	1,670	4.27	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°
M829A2	APFSDS	1,680	4.92	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°
M908	HE-OR	1,410	11.4	0.4	5	1.99	65°	72°	77°

Proximity-fused shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Arming distance (m)	Trigger radius (m)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
									0%	50%	100%
M830A1	HEAT MP	1,410	11.4	0.05	0.1	400	10	1.99	65°	72°	77°

Ammo racks

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
42	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Ammunition1 000 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate575 shots/min

Vertical guidance-9° / 65°

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition200 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate575 shots/min

Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
	___ (___)	___	__°	__°

7.62 mm M240
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
	___ (___)	___	__°	__°

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Proximity-fused rounds
• Decent armour
• Amazing reload time (with an ace crew)
• Amazing APFSDS round
• A lot of secondary armaments
• Has ERA
• Amazing thermal
• Commanders sights

Cons:

• Heavy weight
• Large size
• Decently sized weak spots
• ERA cannot be removed
• ERA not as effective compared to other tanks
• No spall liner

History

As the M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement Package) tank came in to become the new standard US Army tank for the turn of the millennia, focus on developing the M1A2 Abrams declined as priority went into the development of the Future Combat System (FCS) that was expected to start replacing the Abrams in 2015. Instead, development steps during the early 2000s were moreso reactionary to the insurgency warfare in Iraq after the US invasion in 2003. Such modifications included IED jammers, bustle rack extensions, armored gun shields for the machine guns, and Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK).

However, as FCS continued to have development problem and would eventually be cancelled in 2009, the US Army realized that the M1A2 SEP would be the main battle tank for the army a little while longer than expected. As such, in 2006, the US Army contracted General Dynamics Land System (GDLS) to begin developing the next SEP version, simply designated “SEP V2”. SEP V2 was primarily an improvement to internal components, adapting the gun controls to accept the latest ammunitions, new processing and memory improvements for the computers, new color displays, new operating system, refurbished engines, new transmission, and a battery-powered auxiliary power unit. For external components, the most prominent change was the implementation of a M153A1E1 CROWS-LP (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station-Low Profile) that allowed the commander to fire the machine gun from within the tank’s protection. In February 2008, the M1A2 SEP V2 was accepted into service and GDLS would be awarded a contract to upgrade 435 M1A1 Abrams into M1A2 SEP V2 standards, which was fulfilled by January 2017. The M1A2 SEP V2 remained the primary workhorse of the US Army. It also served as the basis of tests for the hard-kill active protection systems, such as Raytheon’s Quick Kill APS system, the Rafael Trophy system, and a new Modular APS program. In September 2017, the US Army provided a contract for 261 Trophy systems to be implemented onto M1A2 SEP V2 tanks, and in July 2022 GDLS was contracted to procure and provide Trophy for M1A2 SEP V2 tanks and onwards.

Work already began on improving the M1A2 SEP V2 further down the service life and in June 2011, a new set of improvements in the form of Engineering Change Proposals (ECP) was set. The improvements called for new power generation and monitoring capabilities, utilization of Line-Replaceable Modules maintenance scheme, IED jammers, an ammunition data link for smart munition usage, auxiliary power unit, and armor upgrades. These ECP were folded into M1A2 SEP V3, of which GLDS was contracted in September 2012 to develop, with the first M1A2 SEP V3 begin deliveries in October 2017.

A further development of the M1A2 Abrams started in 2022 as the M1A2 SEP V4 with the first prototype arriving at Fort Hood for the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Brigade Combat Team in 1st Cavalry Division. The SEP V4 was supposed to introduce a new commander and gunner primary sight, both with new laser range finders, thermal imagers, and video cameras; a new meteorological sensor to collect weather data, new communication and data sharing systems, and an upgrade to the ammunition data link for the upcoming XM1147 Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) round. However, SEP V4 was officially cancelled in September 2023 as the US Army announced a change in focus in improving the Abrams combat capability for the future with the development of the M1E3 variant.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the M1A2 SEP V2 from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Givens, Ashley. 2017. "Army rolls out latest version of iconic Abrams Main Battle Tank". US Army. Last modified October 09, 2017. Website (Archive).
• Green, Michael. 2015. Images of War: M1 Abrams Tank Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives. South Yorkshire, UK: Pen & Sword Military.
• Trevithick, Joseph. 2022. "". The War Zone. Last modified October 06, 2022. Website (Archive).
• US Army Public Affairs. 2023. "Army Announces Plans for M1E3 Abrams Tank modernization". US Army. Last modified September 06, 2023. Website (Archive)
• US Department of Defense. 2022. "Contracts For July 7, 2022". US Department of Defense. Last modified July 07, 2022. Website (Archive).
• Zaloga, Steven J. 2019. M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1993-2018. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing.