UTC To Supply Generator Subsystem For Abrams Tank Upgrade

UTC Aerospace has been selected by General Dynamics to design and develop the Generator Subsystem for the Abrams ECP1 modernization upgrade.

The generator subsystem includes both the electric generator and CAN-bus-enabled digital controller.  Prototype systems will be delivered to GDLS in the second half of 2014 for installation and qualification field testing on the Abrams.

The Abrams M1 main battle tank provides unprecedented mobility, survivability, and firepower for the warfighter.  To enhance its future combat superiority, the US Army awarded the Abrams ECP1 engineering development contract to GDLS in September 2012 to implement and integrate a group of system improvements into a single upgrade program for the M1A2SEPv2 baseline tank. 

The objective of the effort is to prepare the Abrams tank to accept additional Army-directed requirements in the future without impacting current vehicle performance.  The generator subsystem, to be built by the company's Space Systems business, located in Rockford, Ill., will enable GDLS to regain critical Space, Weight, Power and Cooling (SWaP-C) margin on the Abrams main battle tank, now slated to be an active component of the Army's fleet through 2050.

The UTC Aerospace Systems generator subsystem will be capable of delivering up to 28 kW of output power at 28VDC to meet the current and future electric power needs of the Abrams M1 with power regulation provided by a compact digital controller.  Global Embedded Technologies, a small business Army contractor located in Farmington Hills, Mich., was selected by UTC Aerospace Systems to develop and furnish the digital controller.