SubscribeThe M1A2 from General Dynamics Land Systems
Program name:
M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP)
Program Description:
The Army’s vision is to equip 18 Brigade Combat Teams with M1A2 SEP tanks including one Regiment of 129 M1A2 SEP tanks for a total of 1319 tanks. The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment is scheduled to be the next unit to receive 129 M1A2 SEP tanks in 2006 and 2007.
The next step in the Army’s plan is to procure additional M1A2 SEP (Retrofit) tanks for the 1st Armored Division. There are 60 additional M1A2 SEP tanks on contract and planned for hand-off to the 1AD in 2008.
The Army will continue its Abrams tank fleet modularity plan by procuring additional M1A2 SEP Retrofit tanks and ensuring the best value by uninterrupted production.
The 1st Armored Division is currently equipped with M1A1 tanks, but requires the most modern tank available, especially as it restructures for modularity into smaller, more modular brigades per direction of the Army Chief of Staff.
The Army is planning to continue to procure SEP Retrofits until18 Brigade Combat Teams are equipped. The objective is to be completed by 2013.
Product Description:
The purpose of the M1A2 SEP is to maximize the fighting ability of the tank on today’s battlefield while preparing the platform for tomorrow’s challenges. The SEP tank is state of the art with 2nd Generation FLIR sights, digital command and control system, , crew displays and Thermal Management System (TMS).
The TMS improves the tank crew’s ability to fight and survive on the battlefield. The restoration of system growth capacity through insertion of upgraded processors, increased memory, and improved durability will ensure the tank’s ability to maintain its combat edge.
This will be accomplished through the insertion of affordable, preplanned technology improvements. Provisions have also been made for an alternate energy source to extend the time the tank can be operated without the main engine running.
A description of these enhanced capabilities follows:
- The U.S. Army’s Second-Generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) detector provides the M1A2 SEP tank with significantly greater target detection, recognition, and identification ranges over the baseline M1A2 system. A Block 1 version of the FLIR will be used in the 129 3rd ACR tanks and beyond, further extending the range and employing later technology.
- The Command and Control System integrates the U.S. Army's Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) software allowing the tank to communicate with other Force XXI digital platforms. The fully embedded system has advantages over applique systems in automatic far-target vehicle location and has the potential to include vehicle information and status such as fuel level and vehicle health.
- The Commander’s Display Unit is the tank commander’s primary interface to vehicle vetronics, Second Generation FLIR system and the Command and Control system. This unit provides both a color Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AMLCD) and a monochrome, high-resolution electro-luminescent display for concurrently displaying thermal sight images and color maps.
- The Thermal Management System (TMS) maintains a 95 to 100 degree F crew environment in an ambient temperature of 125 degrees F. The cooled compartment improves electronics durability and improves crew performance by reducing heat-related fatigue.
- Central to the M1A2 SEP tank design is its upgraded core vetronics system, which forms the backbone for future fighting ability improvements. Under SEP, the vetronics core was updated to include improved processors, increased reliability, and increased memory capacity.
- The latest M1A2 SEP tanks include six additional batteries which will allow the tank to maintain a continuous surveillance mode for an extended period of time without running the main engine, greatly reducing fuel consumption and main engine hours.
- The Tank Urban Survivability Kits (TUSK)program was initiated to provide additional survivability and lethality for soldiers using tanks in urban conflicts like Operation Iraqi Freedom. Future M1A2 SEP tanks are expected to include these capabilities through a combination of installation during production and kit application in the field.
Customer(s):
The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command.
Contract value:
3rd ACR M1A2 SEP Retrofit$280 M
SEP 60 M1A2 SEP Retrofit$140M
SEP 120 M1A2 SEP Retrofit$275M
Anticipated retrofit tank price per unit is $4.9M. Total GDLS share is $2.3M per unit.
Vehicle Deliveries (DD250 at JSMC):
129 M1A2 SEP tanks for the 3rd ACR February 2005 through December 2006
60 M1A2 SEP tanks for the 1st AD January 2007 through October 2007
Key dates:
SEP 60 AwardJune 2005
3rd ACR M1A2 SEP Retrofit CompleteDecember 2006
SEP 120 AwardJune 2006
First SEP 60 Delivery January 2007
First SEP 120 DeliveryNovember 2007
Prime contractor:
General Dynamics Land Systems
Challenges:
- Extend retrofit of M1A2 SEPs to convert all M1A2 tanks to the latest SEP configuration
- Continue the path towards 18 HBCTs by initiating an upgrade program for converting M1/M1A1 vehicles to the latest M1A2 SEP configuration
- Implement the Abrams Integrated Manufacturing (AIM) Program for M1A2 SEP vehicles
