[img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/cedd2b69d9d38dbdb5efbc359acdda91ac0c01aa.jpg[/img] [i]The M1A2 SEP is the first of a series of upgrade packages developed for the American Abrams MBT in the late 1990s. Coming to War Thunder as part of the next major update “Fire and Ice”, veteran U.S. tankers may look forward to the arrival of one of the most advanced iterations of the Abrams MBT also featuring the TUSK field kit! [/i] Briefly: An advanced modification of the M1 Abrams tank, featuring improved firepower and protection. [h2]M1A2 SEP, main battle tank, USA, Rank VII[/h2] Features: [list] [*] Improved thermal imaging [*] TUSK add-on armor kit [/list] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/39558fd716ffddc8f52c4ed537e31fd8d3f6efe7.jpg[/img] In War Thunder, the M1A2 SEP TUSK will be the new crown jewel awaiting veteran tankers at the top of the American ground forces tree in the next major update “Fire and Ice”. Bringing with it a slew of improvements, predominantly in the area of protection, this new Abrams modification will noticeably augment the platform’s fighting capabilities and will be a ‘must-have’ for fans of modern ground vehicles! Although simply being a further development of the M1A2 Abrams, the SEP upgrade package provides the vehicle with several handy improvements, including an improved thermal vision. However, what likely already stood out to tankers on the pictures provided in this devblog, is the ‘TUSK’ kit fitted to the vehicle. So let’s get into more details on this then, shall we? [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/0022bf23d3a1096f8d8ba6b4ade9c35396e7bd94.jpg[/img] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/e9c5bde0e486f181551f5b9c8d3eee4db618483b.jpg[/img] The TUSK kit significantly improves the M1A2’s protection in urban fighting environments. While originally designed to improve protection and survivability against infantry threats in close quarter fighting, this doesn’t mean that the kit is useless in vehicle combat! Namely, the TUSK kit provides the M1A2 with ERA blocks on the sides of the hull. As a result, the M1A2 SEP is more likely to survive an ATGM or HEAT-FS strike with only minor sustained damage. However, due to the increased weight that comes with the installation of the TUSK kit, the M1A2 SEP’s power-to-weight ratio decreased accordingly. As a result, commanders should expect the vehicle to respond a bit slower to movement commands compared to previous modifications. On the other hand, this won’t impede the vehicle’s mobility to such a great extent. Lastly, the M1A2 SEP still retains its classic M256 120mm smoothbore cannon as its primary armament, known to tankers from previous modifications. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/2bc50d54d7057f0103618b5dc43cb7db4b11eae2.jpg[/img] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/642d2d945cbef72079b6e3b29dc41ec440694adf.jpg[/img] The M1A2 SEP TUSK will soon be arriving at the top of the American ground forces tree as part of the next major War Thunder update “Fire and Ice”. In the meantime, be sure to keep an eye out on the news for more sneak-peeks into what the upcoming update has in store for you. Until then, happy hunting tankers!