NEWTOWN, Conn. -- On August 8, 2022, the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime (Warren, MI) awarded General Dynamics Land Systems Inc. (Sterling Heights, MI) a maximum $99,861,434 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/definite-quantity contract (SPRDL1-22-D-0050) for M1 Abrams tank sight units with containers. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Alabama, with a Dec. 31, 2029, delivery completion date. Using military service is the U.S. Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2022 through 2027 Army working capital funds.
Serial production of new M1 Abrams main battle tanks remains dormant. For the U.S. Army, the center of gravity for the M1 Abrams program continues to be the maintenance, reset and upgrade of existing tanks.
The M1A2 SEP program has progressed far beyond its original objective. The M1A2 SEPv2 is the current standard. The Army rolled out the M1A2 SEPv3 (M1A2C) initial production vehicles in October 2017. The M1A2 SEPv4 (M1A2D) is currently in development.
The U.S. Army maintains an Army Acquisition Objective of 2,101 Abrams tanks upgraded to the M1A2 SEPv3 (M1A2C) configuration.
By definition, the maintenance, reset, and upgrade programs for the M1 Abrams have no direct impact on the international market for main battle tanks in terms of new production. However, based on its proven combat record, the M1 Abrams – like the proverbial 800-pound gorilla – still sits anywhere it wants, occupying what effectively remains a unique position on the international market for main battle tanks.