On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the first two photographs partially revealing the first of four pre-prototype vehicles of the next-generation M1E3 tank for the U.S. Army appeared on social media. The vehicle’s official debut will take place at the Detroit Auto Show 2026, scheduled for January 14–25.
Photos: US Army
The first media reports stating that General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) had delivered the first M1E3 pre-prototype to the U.S. Army appeared on December 7, 2025. Later, official confirmation from the Army regarding acceptance of the vehicle was published in the trade magazine Defense Daily on December 12. The U.S. Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Randy George, reported that the first delivery was completed on an accelerated schedule and that three additional pre-prototypes would be delivered in 2026, while the tank’s official debut would take place at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show 2026.
The contract for the preliminary design of the M1E3 Abrams tank between the U.S. Department of Defense and GDLS was disclosed on May 31, 2024, while plans for work on the vehicle were revealed on September 6, 2023, when the M1A2 SEPv4 modernization package was canceled (the prototype designated PV05 SEPv4 was transferred to the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection museum at Fort Benning).
An Instagram post stated that the vehicles were built by Roush, headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, acting as a subcontractor on the contract, and were described as technology demonstrators featuring advanced software integration, improved mobility, and unmatched effectiveness. The start of initial testing in early 2026 was also announced.
The published photographs only partially show the M1E3. The first image reveals part of the front of the hull and turret, while the second shows another view of the front, but from a perspective looking forward along the side. It is also possible that both photographs depict the rear of the tank with the turret facing backward, but this cannot be determined conclusively at this time.
It can inferred that the front of the turret closely resembles solutions used in the M1 Abrams family, but it appears to have a slightly lower profile (on the left side, one can notice an unspecified sensor that is absent on older vehicles). The mounted gun is most likely still the 120 mm M256 smoothbore cannon (in previous years, a new 120 mm XM360/XM360E1 gun was proposed, as used on the AbramsX demonstrator from 2022). Since AbramsX has already been mentioned, both photographs confirm that the M1E3 is not that vehicle, contrary to circulating rumors.
According to earlier information, the U.S. Army hopes that the M1E3, already as the M1A3, will enter service together with the new M30 infantry fighting vehicle, which will be developed under the XM30 MICV (Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle) program, previously known as OMFV (Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle), around 2029/2030. Earlier, around 2028/2029, the winner of the program—American Rheinmetall Vehicles or General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) (with Rheinmetall and GDLS competing in the later phase for a successor to the Bradley IFV)—is expected to be selected.
The U.S. Army plans to reduce the weight of the M1E3 to below 60 metric tons. By comparison, the aforementioned M1A2 SEPv4 prototype weighs more than 72 metric tons, versus 66.8 metric tons combat weight for the M1A2 SEPv3 variant. The tank is to feature a hybrid propulsion system to achieve both reduced fuel consumption (a 40% reduction is expected) and the desired quiet operation and silent mobility to better avoid detection, while also providing high off-road top speed. The M1E3 will also be equipped with an integrated active protection system.
The M1E3 is expected to receive improved fire-control, communications, and sensor capabilities, with an emphasis on modularity and an open systems architecture, enabling future modifications and upgrades to be implemented more quickly than with current generations of Abrams tanks.
🚨 The Army unveils the M1E3 early prototype! Built with speed, lessons learned & tech for Soldiers. Testing starts early 2026. #ArmyInnovation 💥 pic.twitter.com/Qm9JFugQ7R
— U.S. Army – Speed to Delivery (@USArmyFast) January 6, 2026
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