The first award, valued at $151 million, funds Abrams Tank Systems Technical Support (STS) work.
General Dynamics will conduct engineering studies on Abrams tanks to identify improvements and replace obsolete parts to maintain the tanks at high operational readiness rates. Work will be performed by existing General Dynamics personnel in Sterling Heights, Mich., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2011.The second award, for $8.1 million, adds funds to the existing material contract for the 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. To date $29 million of long-lead material has been ordered under this contract. Work will be done by current General Dynamics employees in Lima, Ohio, Scranton, Penn., and Tallahassee, Fla. Reset of the 204 Abrams tanks will be finished by December 2009. |
