General Dynamics awarded $46m for 120mm tank cartridges
The US Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill., has awarded General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, a $46 million contract for the manufacture and delivery of 120mm M865 TPCSDS-T and M1002 TPMP-T tank cartridges.
The M865 Target Practice, Cone Stablilized, Discarding Sabot-Tracer (TPCSDS-T) cartridge is used in the 120mm smooth bore M256 cannon of Army and Marine Corps Abrams main battle tanks. The M865 practice cartridge is designed to simulate the performance characteristics of live ammunition at reduced maximum ranges to allow practice firings on short-range training areas.
The M1002 Target Practice Multi-Purpose Tracer (TPMP-T) training cartridge provides matched exterior ballistics and time-of-flight parameters to the M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose Tracer (HEAT-MP-T) tactical cartridge when fired from the Abrams tank.
"The M865 and M1002 provide realistic, cost-effective training without the use of high-explosive ammunition," said Dr. Dean Bartles, vice president and general manager of large-caliber, "General Dynamics has a long legacy in producing tank ammunition and we are extremely pleased to provide continuing support to the armored forces with this high performance training ammunition."
Work will be performed in Middletown, Iowa. Work is expected to be complete by October 31, 2012.
Source: General Dynamics
More from Land Warfare
-
![Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles]()
Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
-
![Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options]()
Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.
-
![Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions]()
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
![Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs]()
Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs
The Leopard is becoming the tank of choice in central and eastern Europe as Croatia joins Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Hungary in ordering the platform. Lithuania and Croatia have also signed for CAESAR howitzers.
-
![Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)]()
Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)
A new system-of-systems concept will unlock digital integration of sensors and weapons for Light Forces, allowing them to shape the battlefield environment on their own terms and upgrade legacy platforms.
