The M1A2 is among the latest and most capable modifications of the American Abrams MBT, featuring notable improvements in protection as well as other areas. Soon, the highly anticipated M1A2 will also make its way to War Thunder as part of update 1.93, becoming the new crowning jewel of the American ground forces tree!

M1A2, main battle tank, USA, VII rank.

Pros

• Improved protection
• More potent and versatile ammunition
• Thermal imaging view is available for the driver as well as the gunner
• Slightly greater ammunition capacity

Cons

• Slightly decreased mobility due to weight increase
• Hull protection borrowed from the previous modification

In War Thunder, the M1A2 will be the new top performer of the American ground forces tree, following its introduction to the game as part of the upcoming update 1.93. While its outside appearance doesn’t stray far from its direct predecessor, the M1A2 nonetheless holds some notable upgrades underneath all that steel plating that very much differentiates it from the M1A1.

For starters, the most notable improvement lies within the M1A2’s armor protection. Unlike the M1A1, the M1A2 features composite armor with second generation depleted uranium components which substantially bolsters resistance against all ammunition types. In other words, or numbers rather, this improved protection will be most noticeable at the M1A2’s turret cheeks, which can absorb around 600mm to 900mm of penetration from kinetic and chemical munition types respectively.

However, while this upgrade certainly makes the M1A2 a tougher nut to crack, it also makes it quite a bit heavier and thus negatively impacts its overall mobility as a result. Due to the fact that the M1A2 retains its 1,500 hp gas turbine engine from previous modifications while its mass increases to nearly 62 metric tons, the end result is a slightly lower power-to-weight ratio which translates into slower acceleration. Despite the weight increase however, the top speed remains identical to that of the M1A1 - 42.25 mph (68 km/h).

A few further nifty little upgrades that the M1A2 brings with it are several new ammunition types and an independent commander’s panoramic sight with thermal vision. As far as the former is concerned, the M1A2 will receive access to the new M830A1 HEAT-MP-T round. Although this shell offers less penetrating power at first glance, it makes up for this by having a proximity fused warhead, allowing it to be used as a very powerful anti-air round which will no doubt prove its usefulness against airborne threats, such as helicopters in particular, at top tier battles.

As already mentioned, among the other improvements made to the Abrams with the A2 version is the addition of an independent commander’s panoramic sight with thermal vision. This handy little piece of kit will allow commanders of the M1A2 to take full advantage of thermal imaging technology - added to the game with the previous update - not only when using the gunner’s sight, but also when scanning for targets in binoculars view.

Major update 1.93 devblogs: