During a ceremony at the
Joint Systems Manufacturing Center - Lima, General Dynamics Land Systems, a
business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), today delivered the first five
of 59 M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) tanks to the Commonwealth of
Australia. Awarded in November 2005, this foreign military sales contract is
valued at $70 million. The M1A1 AIM tanks will replace the Australian Land
Forces' aging Leopard main battle tanks.
The Abrams M1A1 AIM tanks are survivable and affordable vehicles with
excellent potential for network-centric warfare that will provide Australian
Forces with increased connectivity, mobility and firepower. Additionally, the
M1A1 AIM provides a cost-efficient armor solution as it incurs low operational
and support costs, and reports high operational readiness rates. Under this
contract, M1A1 Abrams tanks from the U.S. Army inventory are completely
disassembled, overhauled and refurbished to like-new "zero-kilometer, zero-
hour" condition.
General Dynamics Land Systems Senior Vice President for Production,
Delivery and Support Richard O. Gillette told ceremony attendees the process
for the Australian tanks began last year when 59 M1A1 Abrams were inducted
into General Dynamics Land Systems' partner facility, the Anniston Army Depot.
"There, the vehicles were stripped of their component parts," Gillette said.
"The process comes full circle here at Lima, where upgrades and technology
enhancements are completed. Today's ceremony celebrates the first major
deliveries under Australia's Foreign Military Sales program with the United
States. This is a major achievement."
Brigadier Damian Roche, the Australian Army Military Attache to the United
States, represented the Commonwealth of Australia. General Dynamics Land
Systems and Australian vehicle crews participated in a symbolic vehicle log
book presentation to signify the transfer of the tank from the contractor to
the Australian government. Additionally, General Dynamics Land Systems, U.S.
Army Foreign Military Sales program managers and Roche signed the first
vehicle's official certificate of acceptance.
The Australian M1A1 AIM tank has a cruising range of up to 480 kilometers,
the ability to reach speeds of 66 kph on-road (41 mph) and up to 48 kph off-
road (30 mph), while carrying four crewmen and ammunition. The primary weapon
is a 120mm smooth-bore cannon; it is also equipped with a 50-caliber machine
gun for the tank commander and two additional 7.62mm machine guns. The Abrams
can fire an advanced kinetic energy tungsten penetrator round against vehicles
and a multipurpose round for infantry support.
The Abrams' survivability is enhanced through its nuclear, biological and
chemical protection system, crew compartmentalization from munitions and
armored blow-off panels, which allow stowed munitions to vent to the
atmosphere if detonated.
The 59 M1A1 AIM tanks will be shipped to Australian Land Forces in two
increments: June and December 2006. The tanks are part of a large worldwide
fleet with known, stable operating costs, and are expected to be in service
beyond 2020.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs
approximately 72,200 people worldwide and had 2005 revenue of $21.2 billion.
The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and
technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions;
shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information can
be found online at
http://www.generaldynamics.com