Raytheon To Provide Replacement Parts To US Army's Abrams Tanks, Bradley Vehicles

Raytheon has won a more than $24-million Defense Logistics Agency contract to provide extra spare and replacement parts for the US Army’s Abrams M1A1 Main Battle Tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles.

Raytheon Company of McKinney, Texas has been awarded the contract for Abrams and Bradley fighting vehicle parts, US department of defense announced Wednesday.

The Bradley and the Abrams have served as the main ground combat platforms for the US Army since the 1980s and are expected to remain operational into the 2030s, according to published reports.

The M1 Abrams is an American third-generation main battle tank. Highly mobile, designed for modern armored ground warfare, the M1 is well armed and heavily armored.

Notable features include the use of a multifuel turbine engine, the adoption of sophisticated composite armor, and separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment for crew safety.

Weighing nearly 68 short tons (almost 62 metric tons), it is one of the heaviest main battle tanks in service.

The M1 Abrams entered U.S. service in 1980, replacing the M60 tank. The M1 remains the principal main battle tank of the United States Army and Marine Corps, and the armies of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Iraq.

The Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) is an American fighting vehicle platform manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments, formerly United Defense.

The Bradley is designed to transport infantry or scouts with armor protection, while providing covering fire to suppress enemy troops and armored vehicles. There are several Bradley variants, including the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle and the M3 Bradley cavalry fighting vehicle.