The army has unveiled a prototype of the new Abrams M1E3 tank at the Detroit Auto Show, and people are (slightly) freaking out. Nicholas Moran explains why the freakout is unwarranted, as many features won’t be in the final version, but there are some interesting nuggets of actual design decision
The tank is now public. Comments and observations to follow. pic.twitter.com/lSns8CP17b
— The Chieftain (@Chieftain_armor) January 14, 2026
Ok. Some initial observations. Obviously lots of media will be coming through over the next two days, with their own topics and thoughts. My own video will come soon.
1) Don't get hung up about anything above the hull roof. In fact, don't get hung up about everything below the… pic.twitter.com/PHBfzw7xRD
— The Chieftain (@Chieftain_armor) January 14, 2026
Ok. Some initial observations. Obviously lots of media will be coming through over the next two days, with their own topics and thoughts. My own video will come soon.
1) Don’t get hung up about anything above the hull roof. In fact, don’t get hung up about everything below the hull roof either. As suspected, this is a test vehicle which is focused on crew operation. They just needed something to do the turret job, which is why they grabbed an A1 turret and modified it to fit the needs of the crew test program (including autoloader). A bespoke turret is being made with everything incorporated from the beginning instead of added on like the current tank, but that gets integrated after they know for sure what they need from testing. This vehicle has the turbine engine, other test vehicles are running the automotive trials on the Cat. Eventually everything will be put together, but that time is not now.
2) As the RWS is above the hull roof, again, don’t get hung up on it. They needed an RWS for testing, that’s the one they grabbed. When they brought it to the show, the RWS had an empty rack, it could carry a Javelin, so they put a Javelin on it. The purpose is not to show that the thing can carry or is intended to carry a Javelin specifically, nobody here thinks there is any merit to using space/height/weight for things which things which don’t have to be on the tank for the tank to do tank things. They have been very focused on the design on the tank’s requirements as a tank. Instead the purpose was to demonstrate “the RWS will be modular and able to be reconfigured as required”. For similar reasons, don’t get too caught up on the Mk19, secondary armament mix and location has not been finalized. RWS’ll shoot down drones though.
3) Power capacity for a coffee maker (110v plug socket) has been provided. (It actually has other uses officially, but you know someone will hook up a Keurig)
4) Confirmed 3 man crew. In theory they expect a hatch up top for admin moves, maintenance access etc, (this vehicle does have one) and a cramped manual backup position if things get desperate.
5) Tank can shoot and move with one crewman. It’s not ideal, but it’ll work. Again, I can’t overstate how important the software you can’t see is. Fully configurable crew stations, combat assistance and upgradeability is inherent. When it comes time to let the tank do everything on its own, there will be an app for that.
6) No more broken torsion bars.
7) Whilst I understand why it’s a static and closed display, it is, granted, a bit underwhelming to look at in photographs. The interesting stuff is under the hood and the tank on display is a great talking point for the folks here who are very excited about the end design, we could have talked for hours. The engineers will geek out more than the tank nerds, this really is a massive step in capability. The promise this vehicle shows to keep M1’s position as “apex predator on the battlefield” is definite, even if those who want to see the final, low profile, 60 ton vehicle right now are disappointed. It takes time to brew perfection.
More from Global Defense News:
The U.S. Army unveiled the first prototype of the future M1E3 Abrams tank at the Detroit Auto Show, allowing the public to see the future of the Abrams tank, but also likely to attract new recruits. The U.S. Army explained that this is an early demonstrator, meant to test ideas, crew layout, controls, and systems, rather than a finalized tank. Four early prototypes are planned, and they are expected to be used by operational units to see how the new features work in practice, as the serial production is targeted for the end of the decade. Roush Defense in Warren, Michigan, built this prototype, while General Dynamics Land Systems will handle full production planning. The overall direction focuses on digital systems, open architecture, and the ability to adapt to future threats through 2040 and beyond.
The turret seen on the prototype looks familiar at first glance, but is heavily modified compared with earlier Abrams tanks. It is based on an older M1A1 turret shell, but it no longer has crew hatches, periscopes, or elements of the legacy fire control layout, confirming that the M1A3 Abrams will possess an unmanned turret, with all crew members located in the hull. The main gun remains externally consistent with the 120mm M256 smoothbore gun used on current Abrams tanks, with no visible change in size or layout. At the rear of the turret, a new bustle has been added, possibly to house an automatic loader for 120mm ammunition, reducing the crew from four to three. An additional opening to the left of the gun mantlet is visible and has been associated with a new primary sight or sensor location, though its specific role has not been clarified.
On top of the turret, the M1E3 prototype carries an EOS R400 Mk2 remotely operated weapon station (RWS), clearly visible in available pictures. In the configuration shown, this RWS combines a 40mm Mk19 automatic grenade launcher, a 7.62mm machine gun, and a launcher holding an FGM-148 Javelin missile, presented as an example of what the R400 could carry. The R400 Mk2 is also paired with the EchoGuard radar for counter-drone detection and tracking, as well as close-range defense. U.S. Army representatives explained that this installation is modular and can be changed, depending on needs. In terms of optics, the AbramsX demonstrator employed the Safran PASEO panoramic sight as part of its sensor suite, while the M1E3 pre-prototype prefers the Leonardo S3 stabilized optoelectronic sight for commander and targeting functions.
The hull of the displayed prototype shows more pronounced structural changes than the turret, particularly at the front. The upper frontal glacis appears to be reinforced, and features two forward hatches instead of the single driver hatch used on older Abrams tanks. This matches the idea of a three-person crew seated entirely in the hull, consistent with the removal of the loader position from the turret. Cameras, lighting elements, and sensors are distributed across the hull and turret to create a full external view for the crew, replacing direct vision blocks. The arrangement of the hatches suggests that internal space has been reorganized, likely side-by-side for at least part of the crew, to improve crew protection and awareness. Some components traditionally placed near the driver, such as fuel tanks, may have been moved, though this cannot be confirmed from the outside.
Inside the M1E3, the focus is on reducing workload and making the tank easier to operate. The driver controls shown at the Detroit Auto Show 2025 use a Fanatec gaming controller as the primary control device, probably the Fanatec Formula V2, a commercially available gamepad selected for its adaptability and ease of use. The U.S. Army stated that this approach significantly reduces the time required to train a new driver, adapting to a global trend where military careers are less attractive to young people. Crew stations are described as fully digital and configurable, meaning displays and controls can be adjusted through the software interface. The prototype is also described as being able to move and fire with only one crew member on board, which shows the level of automation being considered by the U.S. Army as part of its new strategy, even if this mode is not intended for normal operations. Electrical power inside the M1E3 supports computers, sensors, and other onboard equipment, and we can assume that it carries batteries, given that the U.S. Army has confirmed in the past that the future M1A3 Abrams will be hybrid.
From a mobility perspective, the prototype shows a mix of old and new elements, although it is not clear what will remain on the future M1A3 Abrams. The displayed tank prototype is said to keep the traditional Abrams turbine engine, confirming that it is not representative of the final hybrid propulsion solution. At the same time, the Army has confirmed its intention to transition to a commercial diesel engine with a new transmission to improve fuel efficiency and maintenance. The suspension system visible on the M1E3 might be new, as the tank appears to sit lower, suggesting an adjustable ground clearance, maybe through the use of a hydropneumatic system instead of the traditional torsion bars, reminding the Abrams Suspension Technology Demonstrator (STD). Commentary associated with available pictures mentions a transversely mounted powerpack concept and an ACT1075LP transmission paired with a Caterpillar CAT inline diesel engine as part of ongoing automotive trials.
This is all in line with what we previously knew of army designs for the new tank.
The Detroit Auto Show prototype is like a Marvel teaser trailer for a superhero flick that’s just started filming: Beyond a few key points, very little real information is conveyed. Still, there are a few nuggets of solid intel to be gleaned.
The Detroit Auto Show prototype is less a revelation of new trends than a confirmation the project is heading in the direction already outlined.