The U.S. Marine Corps‘ M1A1 Abrams tanks are set to receive new main gun tracking and thermal sights upgrades in an effort to increase their lethality during combat, the Marine Corps Times reported Friday.
Mike Kreiner, M1A1 project officer for the Marine Corps systems command, told Jeff Schogol that the upgrades will be installed on 400 Abrams tanks between October to December 2017.
The new gun tracking function is designed to allow commanders to track a moving target with the .50 caliber machine gun and with a button, position the main gun to the target as well.
The tank’s day and thermal sights will be upgraded with a color camera, color display, and a longer range of sight, Kreiner added.
