Meggitt PLC, a leading international company specializing in high performance components and sub-systems for the aerospace, defense and selected energy markets, has received a $22 million contract to provide Thermal Management Systems (TMS) to General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, for the Abrams program. Supplied by Meggitt Defense Systems, Inc. (MDSI), Irvine, California, the TMS provides active cooling for the Abrams’ upgraded electronics and crew.
Meggitt Defense Systems Thermal Management System (TMS) designed for the Abrams M1A2 SEP tank removes excess heat produced by modern electronic equipment employed in today’s ground combat systems. The Thermal Management System ensures that combat performance is not degraded due to heat stress. The modular design was developed to maximize the flexibility of the thermal management system, and to limit intrusion into the fighting compartment.
A Vapor Compression System Unit (VCSU), which houses the hydraulically driven refrigeration equipment, is mounted in an armored container located in the left corner of the turret bustle rack. The VCSU connects to the Air Handling Unit (AHU) by armor-protected tubes that deliver cooled propylene glycol and water. The AHU in turn provides cooling via a bulk air discharge into the crew compartment. Designed for the M1A2 SEP tank, the Thermal Management System is readily adapted to other ground combat systems.
This contract is the second half of the Abrams ARC1 contract that MDSI was awarded last year for a similar number of TMS. MDSI has produced over 2,520 Thermal Management Systems for the Abrams Program prior to this award. Meggitt also supplies the Auxiliary Cooling and Power System (ACPS) to General Dynamics’ Abrams and LAV programs in Michigan and London, Ontario.
