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GDLS gets $280M for Trophy active protection systems for US Army’s new SEPv3 tanks

Abrams with Trophy APS
US Army photo of an Abrams tank equipped with the Trophy APS on the side of the turret

The US Army has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $280 million contract for the purchase of Trophy active protection systems (APS) kits for its Abrams main battle tanks.

GDLS is the prime contractor responsible for the delivery of new M1A2 SEPv2 and M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, while the Trophy system is being delivered by Leonardo DRS and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

According to a Pentagon contract announcement, the systems that will provide protection against rockets and missiles while simultaneously locating and reporting the origin of the hostile fire for immediate response are to be delivered by July 2027.

The July 7 contract follows the completion of the first Trophy APS rollout on US Army and Marine Corps tanks in early 2021.

Developed by Rafael in response to successful anti-armor attacks and the ongoing proliferation of those threats, the system is designed to protect soldiers’ lives against increasing anti-armor threats.

Trophy is a hard-kill protection system and uses sensor data to determine interception points, initiate countermeasures and neutralize the missile.

A joint team of government and industry from both the US and Israel worked together to adapt and integrate Trophy for the Abrams variants.

In addition to the US Army, the Trophy is in active service with the Israeli Army and will also be used by Germany, on the Leopard 2 tanks.