GD Wins Additional M-1 Abrams Upgrade Work

(Source: General Dynamics Land Systems; issued April 21, 2008)


STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. --- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded two contracts valued at $57 million for Abrams Tank Urban Survivability Kits (TUSK).

The first award, valued at $45 million, funds 2,832 Loader's Armor Gun Shields. The second award, valued at $12 million funds Loader's Thermal Weapon Sights and Counter-Sniper Anti-Materiel Mounts.

Lessons learned during combat operations in Iraq led the Army's project manager for the Heavy Brigade Combat Team and General Dynamics to create TUSK. The add-on kit for M1A1- and M1A2-series tanks enhances crew survivability in urban environments and consists of added armor protection, a mine safety seat, Abrams reactive armor tiles and a tank infantry phone.

The combination of an added gun shield and thermal weapon sight allows the tank's loader to engage targets from behind a transparent shield during limited visibility or at night. The counter-sniper anti-materiel mount enables the gunner to precisely engage with a .50 caliber machine gun while remaining under armor protection.

General Dynamics employees will perform the work primarily in Lima, Ohio. Work on the loader's armor gun shields is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2011, and work on the loader's thermal weapon sights and counter-sniper anti-materiel mount is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2009.

Rockwell Completes HUD Deliveries for M-1 Tank

(Source: Rockwell Collins; issued April 28, 2008)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa --- Rockwell Collins has completed delivery of the first 505 Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) for the Tank Urban Survivability Kit (TUSK) program. TUSK is part of an upgrade designed to provide the crews of the M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams tanks with enhanced survivability in urban environments.

As part of the TUSK upgrade program, Rockwell Collins is providing the HMD for the Loaders Thermal Weapon Sight (LTWS). The same proven HMD that was fielded for the Land Warrior (LW) and Mounted Warrior Soldier System (MWSS) program is being used as a remote viewer LTWS. This new capability allows the loader to identify and engage targets in day or night combat with the M240 machine gun from a position inside the tank and out of harm's way.

"We're proud to deliver this vital capability to soldiers in the field," said Bruce King, vice president and general manager of Surface Solutions for Rockwell Collins. "This upgrade builds on our reputation for developing solutions that enhance a soldier's situational awareness. With 7,000 Abrams tanks in the field, we feel there is a great opportunity to provide additional capability in the future and offer soldiers even more complete and up-to-date information to maximize their effectiveness and safety."

The LTWS is provided to General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) by the Raytheon Company. Rockwell Collins and Raytheon LTWS components are included in the GDLS LTWS Kit.

looks great

My Grandson is a Tanker, I'm so proud of him. He will be driving Abrams II. They are training for it now. He is a Pfc.LadyM59

$51 Million Awarded for Abrams Tank Work

(Source: General Dynamics Land Systems; issued May 2, 2008)


STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. --- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded two contracts worth $51 million for work on the Abrams main battle tank.

A $28 million contract was awarded April 25 for the purchase of long-lead materials to upgrade 63 M1A2 Systems Enhancement Package Version 1 Abrams tanks to the M1A2 Systems Enhancement Package Version Two (SEP V2) configuration. The most technologically advanced digital tank, the M1A2 SEP V2 includes improved displays, sights, auxiliary power and a tank-infantry phone. It also can accommodate future technology improvements to ensure compatibility with the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems.

Work will be performed in Anniston, Ala., Tallahassee, Fla., Lima, Ohio, Sterling Heights, Mich., and Scranton, Pa., by existing General Dynamics employees. Work is expected to be completed by Nov. 28, 2008.

A contract, valued at $23 million, has been awarded for the procurement of modification hardware for U.S. Army Abrams tanks. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2011.

GD Wins $116M for M1 Tank Reset

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued May 5, 2008)

General Dynamics Lands Systems Division, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Apr. 30, 3008, an $116,148,304 firm-fixed price contract for the conversion of the long lead material contract for the 204 RESET M1A1 program.

Work will be performed primarily in Lima, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Sept. 25, 2007.

TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich. is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006).

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---more details from GD---


GD Wins $116M for Abrams-Related Work

(Source: General Dynamics Land Systems; issued May 8, 2008)

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. --- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, was awarded a contract worth $116 million for the purchase of long-lead materials for work associated with the Abrams main battle tank.

The contract, awarded April 30, adds funds to the existing material contract for reset of 204 M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) main battle tanks. The reset process restores used equipment to combat-level capability. The reset tanks will feature improved technology to bolster crew situational awareness. The upgrades include second-generation Forward-Looking Infrared, Far Target Locate, a tank-infantry phone and driver's vision enhancement.

The improvements increase the M1A1's fighting capability by providing soldiers with an electronic graphic of the battlefield with icons for friendly and enemy forces, and a tank commander's thermal sight for the .50 caliber machine gun.

The work on the tank will be performed by existing General Dynamics employees in Eynon, Penn.; Lima, Ohio; Sterling Heights, Mich.; and Tallahassee, Fla. The project is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sgt_Schlappy,

there was nothing wrong with the first version. i like the reactive armor but i dont think it will stop efp's. can the .50 cal fire independent of the 240?

<---I have my own fanboi club!!!



GD Wins $613M Order for Abrams Upgrades

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued Aug. 5, 2008)

General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on August 1, 2008, a $613,532,017.90 Firm Fixed Price, contract for Award Program Year One increment 2 of multi-year contract for Abrams M1A2 system enhancement program Version 2 upgrade vehicles.

Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio and across the continental United States and is expected to be completed by October 31, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on October 5, 2007, and one bid was received.

TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006).

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GD Details $614M Contract for Abrams Upgrades

(Source: General Dynamics Land Systems; issued August 6, 2008)

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. --- The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command awarded General Dynamics Land Systems $614 million on August 1 to upgrade 235 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks to the M1A2 Systems Enhancement Package (SEP) Version Two (V2) configuration. General Dynamics Land Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics.

The most technologically advanced digital tank, the M1A2 SEP V2 includes improved color displays, day and night thermal sights, auxiliary power and a tank-infantry phone. It can also accommodate future technology improvements for compatibility with the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems.

The order was made under a multi-year contract awarded in February 2008 which authorized the modernization of 435 M1A1 tanks that have been in the Army's inventory for more than 20 years. An additional 180 tanks remain to be upgraded through the program, which will complete the conversion of all tanks in the Army's active component to the M1A2 SEP V2 configuration.

Work will be performed in Anniston, Ala.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; Lima, Ohio; and Scranton, Penn.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sgt_Schlappy,

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
GD Wins $116M for M1 Tank Reset


The contract, awarded April 30, adds funds to the existing material contract for reset of 204 M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) main battle tanks. The reset process restores used equipment to combat-level capability. The reset tanks will feature improved technology to bolster crew situational awareness. The upgrades include second-generation Forward-Looking Infrared, Far Target Locate, a tank-infantry phone and driver's vision enhancement.

My ARNG unit is heading to Shelby next week for AT to train on this version. We deployed. in 05' with the same ole m1a1 heavy and continued to train with them up until this may. bout time we get some new toys.

also,,, forget about that .50 on top the gun tube in the picture. That must be an A2 cause the A1 .50 does fire from the inside. And the extra 3x sight on the A1 .50 is useful. The remote weapons station for TC would be nice. I never understood why the A2 .50 was changed. Ive never been in an A2. Can u fire it buttoned up?

quote:

Originally posted by MikeOC1:
also,,, forget about that .50 on top the gun tube in the picture. That must be an A2 cause the A1 .50 does fire from the inside. And the extra 3x sight on the A1 .50 is useful. The remote weapons station for TC would be nice. I never understood why the A2 .50 was changed. Ive never been in an A2. Can u fire it buttoned up?

when i was on the a2 it was fired from the outside on a flex mount unless something changed NO it can not be fired from the inside.

That Remote Weapons Station (RWS) for the M2 looks almost exactly like the RWS set up on a Stryker. The RWS on a Stryker is fired from inside. I wonder if they could mount a Mk19 like they do on the RWS of certain Strykers???..
Personally a Mk19 is better than an M2 in many ways. Maybe split the Tank Platoon with two tanks mounting Mk19s and the other two mounting M2s????....

quote:

Originally posted by MikeOC1:
also,,, forget about that .50 on top the gun tube in the picture. That must be an A2 cause the A1 .50 does fire from the inside. And the extra 3x sight on the A1 .50 is useful. The remote weapons station for TC would be nice. I never understood why the A2 .50 was changed. Ive never been in an A2. Can u fire it buttoned up?

No. It's a flex mount because the commander's digital display takes up most of the space where the cupola sights and controls are in an M1/M1A1.

quote:

Originally posted by IC2SS19Z50C5:
That Remote Weapons Station (RWS) for the M2 looks almost exactly like the RWS set up on a Stryker. The RWS on a Stryker is fired from inside. I wonder if they could mount a Mk19 like they do on the RWS of certain Strykers???..
Personally a Mk19 is better than an M2 in many ways. Maybe split the Tank Platoon with two tanks mounting Mk19s and the other two mounting M2s????....

Well if you're going to have .50 cal mounted Israeli fashion you might as well. It's not like the TC can accurately engage with his M2 while the gunner is engaging something else with the coax anyway.