- M1A2 ABRAMS TANK AND LOGISTICS PARTNERSHIP ARE TRAINING
CENTER SUCCESSES -

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. - M1A2 Abrams tanks have completed their first training rotation with the 1st Cavalry Division at the National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irwin, California.

"The M1A2 tank performed well during the exercise," said Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Abrams, Commander of the 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment (1-8 Cav.), the M1A2 tank battalion in the exercise. "The Commander's Independent Thermal Sight provided superior sighting capabilities during night operations and digital command and control, although limited to the battalion, provided a quick reference for the battalion's situational awareness." The 1-8 Cav., the first M1A2 tank battalion ever at NTC, provided decisive combat power for the brigade throughout the highly successful training rotation.

Helping to support the M1A2s during the rotation, an innovative program for M1A2 Abrams unique parts called "Team Abrams Partnership (TAP) Forward," which provides the U.S. Army depot supply and technical support, was also introduced at the NTC.

The agreement between the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, PM Abrams, and General Dynamics Land Systems allowed the M1A2 tank to operate in an M1A1 support environment.

TAP allows the M1A2 tanks to operate in an M1A1 environment with no additional cost to the unit or the supporting agencies by managing its spare parts assets.

The 1st Cavalry Division's supply managers estimated that TAP saved the division nearly $1 million during the exercise. Turnaround time for repairs in the program was less than six hours and helped the 1st Cavalry Division maintain operational readiness rates over 92 percent.

General Dynamics Land Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD). General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 43,000 people worldwide and has annualized sales of approximately $10 billion. The company has leading market positions in shipbuilding and marine systems, land and amphibious combat systems, information systems, and business aviation.

More information about General Dynamics Land Systems can be found on the Internet at http://www.gdls.com/.

###

LS-00-11