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
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![UK agrees parallel development and production process for British Army Challenger 3]()
UK agrees parallel development and production process for British Army Challenger 3
In a bid to accelerate delivery of the British Army’s Challenger 3 main battle tank, which has just carried out its first crewed firings with the latest Rheinmetall 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun, the UK has opted for an unconventional approach.
-
![Romania intensifies search for more tanks and could look beyond Abrams]()
Romania intensifies search for more tanks and could look beyond Abrams
Since signing a contract to purchase 54 M1A2 Abrams tanks last year, Romania has been looking into options to buy more tanks, but it could cast the net wider than Abrams with funding considerations potentially set to shape the outcome.
-
![Indian Army’s new battle blueprint takes shape]()
Indian Army’s new battle blueprint takes shape
The Indian Army’s modernisation plans reflect the lessons learned from ongoing conflicts and threats as it continues its push for indigenous capabilities.
-
![Portugal set to join Boxer team as it progresses its army transformation]()
Portugal set to join Boxer team as it progresses its army transformation
The Portuguese Army is undergoing an overhaul of its platforms with the latest move towards Boxer 8x8 vehicles marking a major step in reforming and modernising its brigades.
-
![Oshkosh reboots British Army vehicle bid and displays JLTV with new weapons]()
Oshkosh reboots British Army vehicle bid and displays JLTV with new weapons
The British Army’s light protected mobility (LPM) requirement, part of the Land Mobility Programme, has taken on a new focus with the medium requirement bumped off to be replaced by heavy. The LPM may now need to fill some of the gap between light and heavy.
-
![Netherlands to get step change in air defence capability with FFG ACSV selection]()
Netherlands to get step change in air defence capability with FFG ACSV selection
FFG’s tracked Armoured Combat Support Vehicle will form the backbone of the Netherlands’ new low-level air defences, Shephard has learned, with scope for further fleet expansion beyond the initial order.
