The U.S. Army Europe has begun deploying new M1A2 Abrams Sep V2 fitted with the Trophy APS (Active Protection System) and Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT) to Germany as part of the final phase of training linked to DEFENDER-Europe 20, July 14 – August 22. U.S. Army Europe reported that the equipment, to include approximately 55 Abrams main battle tanks, was originally moved from Army Prepositioned Stock sites in Germany and Belgium to Bergen-Hohne Training Area, Germany, in February as part of the original DEFENDER-Europe 20 exercise. DEFENDER-Europe 20 was designed as a deployment exercise to build strategic readiness in support of the U.S. National Defense Strategy and NATO deterrence objectives.
Abrams M1A2 SEPV2 (System Enhanced Package) is a modernised configuration of the Abrams main battle tank (MBT) in service with the U.S. Army. The M1A2 SEP V2 has improved microprocessors, color flat panel displays, improved memory capacity, better Soldiermachine interface, and a new open operating system designed to run the Common Operating Environment (COE) software. M1A2 SEPV2 Has upgraded 3rd generation depleted uranium armor components with graphite coating, improved displays, sights, power, and a tank-infantry phone. It represents the most technologically advanced Abrams tank and can accommodate future technology improvements to ensure compatibility with the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems.
As part of the training, the unit will also mount the Trophy system on U.S. Army Deploys M1A2 Abrams Sep V2 Tanks fitted with Trophy APS to Germany tanks. In 2019 Leonardo DRS, Inc. and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. of Israel (Rafael) announced that the partners have delivered on time the first Trophy Active Protection Systems (APS) to defend the U.S. Army’s Abrams main battle tanks against a variety of anti-armor threats. U.S. Army soldiers in Europe are adding Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT) to their M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks in the form of explosive reactive armor. The explosive-filled packages could help the tanks stand up to increasingly advanced tanks and anti-tank munitions
Trophy (Windbreaker) is a military active protection system that is designed to detect and defeat rocket propelled grenades, recoilless rifles and anti-tank guided missiles, and tank HEAT rounds. A small number of explosively formed projectiles destroy incoming threats before they hit the vehicle. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systewms Ltd. of Israel and currently fielding over 1,000 systems to all major Israeli ground combat platforms. On December 2018, U.S. Soldiers assigned to Company D, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, tested the Trophy Active Protection System mounted on M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams main battle tank tanks at Fort Bliss in the United States.
