STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Research on integrating multiple system improvements for Abram tanks into a single upgrade has been contracted by the U.S. Army.
General Dynamics Land Systems said the eight-year contract is worth $395 million overall, with $80 million of that amount covering the first year. No production work is involved.
The Engineering Change Proposal 1 program for the M1A2SEPv2 baseline Abrams is to prepare the tank to accept additional Army-directed system requirements beginning in 2017 without affecting its current performance.
"This award shows the Army's long-term commitment to improving the Abrams tank's capabilities for the warfighter, while ensuring that platforms are able to integrate planned and future upgrades," said Donald Kotchman, vice president for Heavy Brigade Combat Teams at General Dynamics Land Systems. "This effort will maintain Abrams' position as the leading main battle tank in the world."
ECP1 will re-engineer and miniaturize the tank's internal electronic systems, creating a Line Replaceable Module-based electronics architecture with increased electrical capacity.
In addition to improved power generation, distribution and management capability, other ECP1 upgrades will allow for advanced counter-IED equipment.
