General Dynamics wins Abrams upgrade award

General Dynamics Land Systems has announced that it has been awarded a $31 million contract by the US Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command to begin the upgrade of a number of Abrams tanks. The award will see General Dynamics Land Systems upgrade 24 M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and 22 M1A2 System Enhance Package (SEP) Version One (V1) tanks to the M1A2 SEP V2 configuration.

The M1A2 SEP V2 is one of the most technologically advanced digital tanks available. It includes improved colour displays, day and night thermal sights, auxiliary power and a tank-infantry phone. The configuration is a digitally connected tank with a state-of-the-art electronic backbone, powerful computers and an open architecture designed to accept future technologies without the need for significant re-design. According to General Dynamics, the SEP enhancements make the Abrams the most survivable tank in the world and enable it to fight as part of the Joint Force network for decades to come.

The company said that the order authorises the modernisation of tanks that have been in the US Army's inventory for up to 20 years. Work will be performed in Anniston, Ala.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; Lima, Ohio; and Scranton, Penn., and is scheduled to be completed by 30 November, 2014.