General Dynamics Land Systems has been awarded two contracts from the US Army for Abrams main battle tank upgrades.
The company, a business unit of General Dynamics, provides design, engineering, technology, production and full life-cycle support for land combat vehicles around the globe.
General Dynamics Land Systems will design, develop and integrate multiple engineering changes into the Abrams M1A2 System Enhancement Package Version 3 (SEPv3), creating a SEPv4 and further modernising the tanks.
Abrams main battle tanks are produced at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Ohio.
The first contract is for SEPv4 upgrades and has an initial value of $311 million. It includes enhancements to the Commander’s Primary Sight (formerly known as the Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer), an improved Gunner’s Primary Sight and enhancements to sensors, lethality and survivability. General Dynamics Land Systems will deliver seven prototype M1A2 SEPv4 tanks to the Army.
The second award was a $270 million contract from the US Army Tank Automotive Command to produce 45 Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tanks.
The first pilot vehicles, which feature technological advancements in communications, reliability, sustainment and fuel efficiency and upgraded armour, are expected to roll off the production line in fall 2017.
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