ATK has been awarded a three-year contract to develop and qualify the M829E4 fifth-generation 120mm advanced kinetic energy (AKE) tactical tank rounds for the US Army.

The $77m contract, the second phase of the engineering manufacture design (EMD) work, will qualify the new round for use with the US Army Abrams M1A2 system enhancement package (SEP) main battle tank.

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ATK Advanced Weapons Division vice-president and general manager Bruce DeWitt said that the 120mm ammunition helped ‘upgun’ the Abrams from a 105mm to a 120mm main gun.

The M829E4 120mm kinetic energy cartridge has been designed to provide the Abrams M1A2 SEP with heavy armour defeat capabilities to engage and destroy threats at extended ranges.

The tank is also used in military operations in urban terrain (MOUT), mountain and non-traditional battlefields to provide increased crew and platform survivability.

The round will enter full-rate production only after successful qualification.

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