LONG ISLAND, N.Y., 16 July 2007. General Dynamics Land Systems selected GE Aviation to supply electronic power systems technology on the U.S. Army's M1A2 Abrams main battle tank. The two-year contract is worth more than $7 million, with GE providing three upgraded power supplies per tank.

"The M1A2 system delivers maximum power in a package that weighs less and is more compact than its predecessors, while providing the rugged reliability critical to field operations," says Dr. John Ferrie, president of Systems for GE Aviation.

The compact, modular power supply utilizes the latest technology to eliminate all internal wiring, leading to higher field reliability and lower production costs for the MIA2 tank. The system is being designed and manufactured at GE's facility in Long Island, New York. Deliveries will begin this year.

This work is performed through the Systems division of GE Aviation, formerly Smiths Aerospace.

The Army is upgrading approximately 1,000 older M1 tanks to the M1A2 configuration. The upgrades include significantly reduced ballistic vulnerability; adding dual, redundant harness components and data buses; and distributing electrical power systems so that all of the tank's power controls are not in one place.