STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Aug. 6 /EMWNews/ -- The U.S. Army

TACOM Lifecycle Management Command awarded General Dynamics Land Systems

$614 million on August 1 to upgrade 235 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks to

the M1A2 Systems Enhancement Package (SEP) Version Two (V2) configuration.

General Dynamics Land Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:

GD).



    The most technologically advanced digital tank, the M1A2 SEP V2

includes improved color displays, day and night thermal sights, auxiliary

power and a tank-infantry phone. It can also accommodate future technology

improvements for compatibility with the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems.



    The order was made under a multi-year contract awarded in February 2008

which authorized the modernization of 435 M1A1 tanks that have been in the

Army's inventory for more than 20 years. An additional 180 tanks remain to

be upgraded through the program, which will complete the conversion of all

tanks in the Army's active component to the M1A2 SEP V2 configuration.



    Work will be performed in Anniston, Ala.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Sterling

Heights, Mich.; Lima, Ohio; and Scranton, Penn.



    General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs

approximately 84,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2008 revenues of

approximately $29.5 billion. The company is a market leader in business

aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions;

shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.

More information about the company is available on the Internet at

http://www.generaldynamics.com.