Quoted from Academy's BBS:
"...Thanks for your contact Academy. But, regretably, it's just extended item from our previous version. We will just reproduce M1A1 serving Iraq war. Thanks!"
I interpret this as Academy will simply repackage their current rendition of the M1A1; most likely include the appropriate decals.
Regrettable, indeed.
Oh dear....oh man...oh jeez....I was hoping Academy would be retooling their Abrams to current standards shown in their 1/35 UH-60 helo kits and 1/32 F/A-18C. Even their recent armor offerings were very good...I love their M113A2 and M60A1 kits; have both of models and look forward to building them....why couldn't they do the same with their M1? <lament of an M1 Abrams addict>