General Dynamics' Michigan facilities were awarded a $12.6 million deal for technical maintenance work on the M1 Abrams main battle tank. Officials say the maintenance work is part of an effort to prolong the operational life of the Abrams tank fleet.

"This award funds engineering studies on the Abrams main battle tank to identify improvements and replace obsolete parts to maintain the vehicle at high operational readiness rates," the release said.

Officials say the Tank Systems Technical Support contract will be completed before January 2012.