US-based General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has won a $198 million contract from The US Army Tank and Automotive Command to build 140 M1A1 Situational Awareness (SA) tanks for Iraq.

The SA enhancements to the M1A1 for Iraq include a second-generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR) thermal sight, a driver's vision-enhancer thermal viewer and Tank Urban Survivability Kit (TUSK) improvements, which provide better crew protection in urban warfare environments, the company said in a statement.

In addition, engines developed through the Army's Total Integrated Engine Revitalization (TIGER) program will be installed and pulse-jet filter cleaning systems added to improve performance while reducing maintenance requirements and costs.

The work will be performed in Lima, Ohio; Scranton; Anniston and Tallahassee. The completion date for the contract is May 31, 2011, the statement added.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.-TradeArabia News Service