Overview
- The Army plans to place four early M1E3 prototypes with operational units in 2026 for soldier-driven testing and iterative updates.
- Program priorities include an active protection system to counter missiles, RPGs, and armed drones, along with enhanced sensors and a remotely operated weapon station.
- The design centers on a fully digital, open architecture intended to speed integration of new hardware and software over the tank’s life cycle.
- Engineers are exploring an autoloader that could reduce the crew to three, and the show vehicle demonstrates a commercial game-style driving controller.
- The Roush Defense–built demonstrator highlights a planned move from the legacy turbine to a commercial diesel/hybrid powertrain with reduced weight, with General Dynamics Land Systems targeted for production later in the decade.