General Dynamics To Upgrade M1A1 Abrams Tanks

General Dynamics Land Systems will upgrade the US Army’s M1A1 Abrams tanks to the M1A2 Systems Enhancement Package (SEP) V2 configuration, the company yesterday.

The $49.7 million in funding is part of a multi-year contract awarded in 2008 to upgrade 435 M1A1 tanks that were in the army's inventory for over 20 years. With this new contract, General Dynamics is continuing the conversion of the tanks in the army's active component to the M1A2 SEP V2 configuration.

The M1A2 SEP V2 configuration includes day and night thermal sights, improved colour displays, commander remote operated weapon station II, a tank-infantry phone and a thermal management system.

Production is expected to be completed by January 2017.