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American defence prime Northrop Grumman Corporation has officially ended production of depleted uranium-capable tank ammunition.
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The company has confirmed it will no longer produce the 120mm cartridge ammunition with depleted uranium warheads after completing the M829A4 production contract for the Abrams M1A2 System Enhancement program.
The move is part of the company’s strategic realignment towards advanced ammunition technologies and modern battlefield solutions such as air-burst, proximity and guided munitions.
“Our cessation of depleted uranium ammunition production aligns with our forward-looking approach,” said Northrop Grumman media relations manager Jarrod Krull.
“We are adapting to the changing landscape of warfare, concentrating on advanced munitions that enhance precision and counter emerging threats.
“Currently, we are not producing ammunition that contains depleted uranium warheads. The M829A4’s depleted uranium penetrator was provided through L3Harris/Aerojet under contract from the US Army.”
Depleted Uranium munitions have previously been used to counter third-generation explosive reactive armour on armoured vehicles due to their self-sharpening and pyrophoric nature.
“The successful completion of M829A4 marks a milestone, but our focus extends beyond,” said Dave Fine, Northrop Grumman armament systems vice-president and general manager.
“We are actively working on the M1147 120mm Advanced Multi-Purpose cartridge, a ‘smart round’ set to replace multiple existing rounds.”
Late last year, the US Army announced plans to build a “more survivable, lighter tank” under a new M1E3 Abrams main battle tank modernisation program.
The US will develop the new M1E3 Abrams full-tracked, low-profile, land-combat assault weapon for future battlefield threats of 2040 and beyond, while closing out current development of the M1A2 System Enhancement Package version four.
Initial operational capability is expected in the early 2030s and the vehicle is anticipated to have increased lethality, survivability, and ability to defeat longer-range threats.
The US Army will continue production of the M1A2 SEPv3 at a reduced rate until production transitions to the M1E3 Abrams and M1E3 could include features developed for the M1A2 SEPv4, currently under development. These would include modular open systems architecture standards, faster technology upgrades, and systems requiring fewer resources.
It’s hoped the modernisation will enhance the efficacy and manoeuvrability of armoured brigade combat teams internationally with increased operational and tactical mobility.
The M1 Abrams originally entered service in the 1980s and saw combat during Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf War in 1991. M1 Abrams export variants are used by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Taiwan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Poland, and Iraq, with Romania and Ukraine also declaring ongoing plans to acquire the tank.
