Abrams to get SA upgrade
General Dynamics Land Systems has been awarded a contract from the US Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command to refurbish and upgrade 150 M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks to the M1A1 SA (situational awareness) configuration, the company announced on 30 September.
The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract is valued at $358 million. The refurbish and upgraded units will be sold to Morocco.
Under the programme, the main battle tanks are completely disassembled and repaired to bring them a new, zero-mile like condition. These refurbished tanks will have lower cost of support and operations and will have higher operational readiness rates.
With an aim to strengthen the crew’s situational awareness, M1A1s are configured with armour upgrades and additional mission-critical technologies.
The deliveries will start in January 2017 and are expected to be completed in February 2018.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Ireland plans for radar capability in 2026]()
Ireland plans for radar capability in 2026
The Irish Government has previously outlined ambitious plans, the furthest reach of these being the possible purchase of fighter aircraft to provide a capability the country’s defence force currently doesn’t have. A more advanced procurement effort for a primary radar is being fast tracked.
-
![US Army LTAMDS enters production phase]()
US Army LTAMDS enters production phase
LTAMDS was approved in multiple flight trials and assessments.
-
![Company formed to lead Franco-German main battle tank replacement]()
Company formed to lead Franco-German main battle tank replacement
Launched at the initiative of the French and German governments, the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) project aims to replace the German Leopard 2 and French Leclerc main battle tanks with a multi-platform ground combat system by 2040.
