Heavy Armor at AUSA 2007

A version of the US Army TUSK upgrade kit for the M-1A2 was on display at AUSA 2007. This version is fitted with two Remote Weapon Stations and a second coax machine gun, mounted over the main 120mm gun.

To further improve the tank's performance in asymmetric warfare GD ATP introduced two types of ammunition for the main gun – the M-1028 Canister round and a high explosive round, coproduced with Nammo.

The M-1028 Canister round is providing effective anti-personnel capability for the Abrams tank. This ammunition is uniquely effective at very short range, as it discharges massive blast of tungsten ball fragments at the muzzle exit, effective up to a range of 500 meters.

The canister round weighs 50.5 pounds (22.9 kg) which is about half the weight of the Flechette that uses small darts, effective at a longer range. Another round being introduced for the 120mm cannon is the 120mm high explosive (IM-HE-T), improving the tank's performance in direct fire support.

This cartridge weighs 25 kg, and packs over twice the explosive weight, compared to standard High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) rounds. The projectile weighs 16 kg and contains 3.2 kg of Insensitive-Munition (IM) type high explosive contained in a fragmenting shell body, triggered by a Point Detonating (PD) or delay fuse, ensuring target penetration. ATP is offering this round based on its cooperation with Nammo.

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