General Dynamics,
STERLING HEIGHTS: General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded two contracts valued at $57 million for Abrams Tank Urban Survivability Kits (TUSK).
The first award, valued at $45 million, funds 2,832 Loader's Armor Gun Shields. The second award, valued at $12 million funds Loader's Thermal Weapon Sights and Counter-Sniper Anti-Materiel Mounts.
Lessons learned during combat operations in Iraq led the Army's project manager for the Heavy Brigade Combat Team and General Dynamics to create TUSK. The add-on kit for M1A1- and M1A2-series tanks enhances crew survivability in urban environments and consists of added armor protection, a mine safety seat, Abrams reactive armor tiles and a tank infantry phone.
The combination of an added gun shield and thermal weapon sight allows the tank's loader to engage targets from behind a transparent shield during limited visibility or at night. The counter-sniper anti-materiel mount enables the gunner to precisely engage with a .50 caliber machine gun while remaining under armor protection.
General Dynamics employees will perform the work primarily in Lima, Ohio. Work on the loader's armor gun shields is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2011, and work on the loader's thermal weapon sights and counter-sniper anti-materiel mount is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2009.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 83,500 people worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2 billion. The company has leading market positions in mission critical information systems and technologies, land and amphibious combat systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation.
