General Dynamics Land Systems to provide power electronics boxes for M1 tank vetronics
WARREN, Mich., 23 Aug. 2016.Vetronicspower electronics experts at General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in Sterling Heights, Mich., will provide spare electrical distribution boxes for the U.S. Army M1 Abrams main battle tank under terms of a $14.6 million contract announced Monday.
Officials of the Defense Logistics Land and Maritime in Warren, Mich., are awarding a sole-source contract to General Dynamics because the company is the only responsible source for these electrical components. General Dynamics manufactures the M1 tank.
A distribution box is a component of an electrical supply system that divides an electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits, while providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit.
Modern versions of the M1 tank have digitally controlled electrical systems run on a power bus in the combat vehicle's hull. The tank needs a sophisticated electrical-distribution system to provide controlled power to a wide variety of sensors, displays, and fire-control systems.
Among the Abrams's electrical systems is an under armor auxiliary power unit (UAAPU) that enables the tank's crew to run key electronics without running the engine, such as during silent surveillance missions.
Related: Army finalizes $395 million contract to General Dynamics to upgrade M1A2 tank vetronics
The UAAPU consists of a turbine engine, a generator, and a hydraulic pump. The generator can produce as much as 6 Kilowatts of electrical power at 214 Amps, 28 volts DC, and the hydraulic pump can deliver 10 Kilowatts of hydraulic power.
The UAAPU can operate all electronic and hydraulic components used during mounted surveillance operations and charge the tank's main batteries.
This one-year contract has a one-year option. General Dynamics will do the work in Michigan and Florida, and should be finished by December 2017. For more information contact General Dynamics Land Systems online at www.gdls.com, or the Army Contracting Command at www.acc.army.mil.
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John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
