General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has been contracted to upgrade the US Army’s M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks (MBT) to the M1A2 system enhancement package version 3 (SEPv3) configuration.
Under the $714m delivery order, the company will modernise an additional 174 M1A1 Abrams MBTs.
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The order increases the total M1A2 SEPv3 tanks ordered by the army last year to 274, which represents more than three brigades of tanks.
In December 2017, the US Department of Defense awarded a $2.62bn fixed-price-incentive contract to GDLS for the upgrade of up to 786 M1A1 configured Abrams MBTs to newly configured M1A2 SEPv3.
General Dynamics Land Systems US Market vice-president and general manager Don Kotchman said: “We’re proud to help the army provide world-class combat capability to Armored Brigade Combat Teams.
“This delivery order, along with our previous orders, means our production line will be rolling at a steady rate through 2021.”
Work on the contract will be carried out at the company’s locations in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Tallahassee, Florida, in the US.
The company will also perform work on this delivery order at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio, which is the ‘only operational tank plant’ in the US.
The newly configured M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams MBTs feature technological advancements in communications, reliability, sustainment and fuel efficiency, including upgraded armour.
Designed as an advanced digital tank, the M1A2 SEP V2 features enhanced colour displays, a remote-operated weapon station, and a thermal management system. It is equipped with a tank-infantry phone to provide increased situational awareness for commanders and crew members.
Manufactured by GDLS, the M1A2 Abrams tank is designed to engage enemy forces using enhanced firepower and manoeuvrability.
