General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), a subsidiary of General Dynamics, has been awarded a $58,9 million modification to previously contract for 120mm tank training ammunition, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
“General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, St. Petersburg, Florida, was awarded a $58,911,077 modification (P00019) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0024 to procure 120mm M1002 new production cartridges and 120mm M865 recap cartridges,” said in a statement.
M865 kinetic energy and the M1002 multi-purpose tank training rounds specifically modeled for the 120mm M256 main gun on the Abrams M1A1 and M1A2 main battle tanks.
The M865 TPCSDS-T Kinetic Energy (KE) training round, in service with the United States Army’s main battle tank fleet, utilizes a unique cone stabilizer to limit the safety fan required for tank gunnery. With its matched exterior ballistics, the M865 provides a realistic training device displaying the accuracy and time-of-flight of the service round. The cone stabilizer provides a safety feature limiting the overall flight range to under 8 km, reducing the requirement for extreme range safety fans.
The 120mm M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer (TPMP-T) training round creates realistic training to the tactical M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multipurpose Tracer (HEAT-MP-T) round. The M1002 features a dummy air/ground switch, and is matched ballistically to the time-of-flight parameters of the M830A1, thus creating realistic training. The tailcone stabilizer provides a safety feature, which limits the overall flight range to under 8km, reducing the requirement for extreme-range safety fans.
Work will be performed in St. Petersburg, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 12, 2021.
Also noted that the contract was awarded by the US Army Contracting Command.
