Article Posted on : - Dec 16, 2009

A US Army M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank patrol through Baghdad, Iraq. A File Photo. Image Credit: US Army.

MICHIGAN (BNS): US Army has awarded $ 14 million contract to General Dynamics Land Systems for the procurement of tank production materials.

According to General Dynamics Land Systems, US Army Tank and Automotive Command will purchase long-lead materials for its 140 M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks (MBT) for military purposes in Iraq.

The enhancements in the US Army's M1A1 Abrams MBTs include an infrared thermal sight (FLIR), Tank Urban Survivability Kit (TUSK) improvements and driver's vision enhancer thermal viewer. To improve the performance of the MBT pulse-jet filter cleaning systems will be added and also engines developed through US Army's Total Integrated Engine Revitalization (TIGER) programme will be installed.

M1A1 Abrams MBT is a well armed, heavily armoured, and highly mobile tank designed for modern armoured ground warfare. It is the most important MBT of the US Army and Marine Corps.

General Dynamics Land Systems is involved in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.