The United States Army has updated its military doctrine and will begin training the crews of Abrams tanks to combat drones in war scenarios.
Previously focused on anti-tank missions and infantry support, the armored vehicles will now also have the role of neutralizing unmanned aerial threats, reflecting an adaptation to new combat dynamics.
According to the new manual, upon identifying a drone nearby, crews should respond immediately using all available weapons, including machine guns and the main 120 mm cannon. The latter will be loaded with M1028 ammunition, which scatters shrapnel over a wide area, increasing the chance of hitting small aerial targets.
Although the idea of employing tanks against aerial targets is not new—the Abrams already uses M830A1 rounds with proximity fuzes—the change marks an official expansion of this role. The measure comes amid the development of the new M1E3 Abrams model, which promises a more comprehensive modernization of the combat vehicle.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @USArmy | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
