'Latest and greatest' Abrams variant tests visiting force on Exercise Diamondback
The US Army's 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, better known as the Blackhorse Regiment, is the resident enemy on America's largest training area.
And the unit now boasts some deadly firepower in the form of the M1A2 SEPv3 - the "latest and greatest" version of the Abrams main battle tank.
The 16 tanks are used by Blackhorse in its role as the opposing force, taking on visiting troops to the vast training area in the Mojave Desert.
But these vehicles could also be in combat should the unit be deployed on a real-world mission.
In their enemy role, the tanks have been treated to "Vismod", meaning they have been visually modified to look like enemy armour.
This means they wear special paint schemes and additional bits of hardware to change their appearance.
This makes the Blackhorse Regiment all the more dangerous.
Units training in the Mojave Desert, including 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, also known as the Welsh Cavalry, have to deal with the most capable tank on the battlefield dressed up as the enemy.
Forces News joined First Lieutenant Fernando Rivera and Staff Sergeant Anthony Serio to take a look at the M1A2 SEPv3.
The crewmen were not allowed to go into too much detail, but SEPv3 (System Enhanced Package) offers better protection and a greater degree of survivability, while also being more lethal than earlier versions of the M1.
"It has four weapons systems on it," 1Lt Rivera told Forces News.
SSgt Serio explained: "A 120mm main gun - a smoothbore canon - and it has a coaxial machine gun in line with the main gun.
"It has an M2 Browning .50 calibre machine gun - that machine gun has been in service for coming up 90 years at this point - as well as the loader, it has another 7.62 calibre machine gun."
'Smoothest ride you'll ever see'
But 1Lt Rivera cautioned: "On inside space [it] isn't so great. It's not too cluttered in there, but not everyone gets privacy in there.
"Probably the tightest spot is for gunner, he's pretty squished in there, but if you've got a hell of a gunner you'll hit that spot every time and he's your main man in there.
"That's his tank, it’s not TC's [tank commander's] - I'd say it's his."
The tank also offers improved communications systems, while boosting reliability and fuel efficiency.
1Lt Rivera added: "It's the smoothest ride you'll ever see - the entire gun is stabilised as well as the suspension - makes it ride like a Cadillac. You're cruising along and you have no clue you're hitting bumps or anything."
The Blackhorse Regiment is a worthy opponent for the Welsh Cavalry and you can watch them in action and see our full report on Exercise Diamondback below or on our YouTube channel.
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