The U.S. Army has begun the process that will eventually lead to building a new main battle tank (MBT) that will replace the venerable M1 Abrams, and take-on Russia's over-hyped T-14 Armata in a future European war.

Now deep into developing design concepts for the new U.S. supertank are geniuses at the Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). Army sources said work is being focused on new concept modeling, simulation and early design work.

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The goal of this huge expenditure of brain power is the development of a new generation MBT that's more mobile, lethal, and lighter than the M1.

The new tank is best described as a "Tracked Terminator" because its advanced electronic and computing systems will allow it to detect and destroy multiple targets at far longer distances.

It will also carry a high energy laser to shoot down aerial drones and incoming enemy artillery rounds. It will also mount an active protection system (APS) as a standard package. This new tank is expected to see service with the Army and Marines in the 2030s.

Its business end will be a lightweight 120 mm gun firing the new and more Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) ammunition that combines the capabilities of different rounds into a single 120 mm round. AMP will replace four tank rounds now in use.

The new tank will be a lot more advanced than the Abrams in terms of sensors; networking technology; force tracking systems; the ability to control aerial drones and vastly increased fire-power.

"We've used concept modeling. What are the limits of what you can do? What does a built from the ground up vehicle look like? We are assuming, if we are going to evolve it, it is because there is something we can't do in the current vehicle," said Maj. Gen. David Bassett, Program Executive Officer, Ground Combat Systems.

He said the next-generation tank will use advanced sensors and lightweight composite armor materials able to achieve equal or greater protection at much lighter weights.

"We will build in side and underbody protection from the ground up," said Gen. Bassett. 

The new tank will be preceded into service by the last iteration of the M1 Abrams: the M1A2 SEP V4. This version is designed to be more lethal; faster; better protected; equipped with new sensors and armed with upgraded, more effective weapons.

It will have an APS claimed to be effective against both high-velocity anti-tank rounds and anti-tank guided missiles.

TagsU.S. Army, M1-Abrams, Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, active protection system (, Maj. Gen. David Bassett, M1A2 SEP V4