ATK has received a $77 million, three-year contract to develop and qualify the M829E4 120mm advanced kinetic energy (AKE) tactical tank round for the US Army. At the completion of this contract, ATK will have completed the second phase of the engineering manufacture design (EMD) work required to qualify for the new round for use with the Army’s M1A2 SEP Abrams main battle tank. Upon qualification, the round will enter full-rate production.

“During our 30 years of programme experience partnering with the Army, we have type classified 10 of the 12 120mm tactical and training rounds for the Abrams tank. This experience makes ATK uniquely qualified to develop this next generation capability for the Army,” said Bruce DeWitt, Vice President and General Manager for ATK Advanced Weapons Division. “ATK provided the 120mm ammunition that helped ‘upgun’ the Abrams from a 105mm to a 120mm main gun and we look forward to working with the Army to maintain the Abrams’ standing as the world’s dominant tank.”

The M829E4 is the Army’s fifth generation, 120mm kinetic energy cartridge. The round is being developed to provide the Abrams M1A2 SEP (system enhancement package) with heavy armour defeat capabilities that allow the tank crew to engage and destroy threat main battle tanks protected with advanced, explosive reactive armour at extended ranges as well as in military operations in urban terrain (MOUT), mountain, and nontraditional battlefields. The round will allow for the use of fewer rounds and allow for faster enemy engagements—factors that will ultimately increase crew and platform survivability.