WASHINGTON, June 23, 2026 — Northrop Grumman has secured a five-year U.S. Army contract valued at up to $884.9 million for the production and supply of the M1147 Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) 120mm tank round, supporting both U.S. military requirements and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers operating the M1 Abrams main battle tank.
The framework agreement, announced by the U.S. Department of Defense, allows orders to be placed through March 2031 and represents a key element of the Army’s armored force modernization efforts. The contract establishes a long-term production pipeline for the M1147, the newest primary ammunition round for the Abrams fleet.
Replacing Four Legacy Ammunition Types
The M1147 AMP round is designed to consolidate the capabilities of four existing Abrams ammunition types into a single programmable munition:
- M830 High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)
- M830A1 Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank (MPAT)
- M908 Obstacle Reduction
- M1028 Canister
By combining these functions into one round, the Army aims to simplify ammunition management, reduce logistical requirements, and decrease storage and transportation burdens for armored units. The approach also allows tank crews to carry a more versatile ammunition load while reducing the need to switch between multiple specialized rounds during combat operations.
Programmable Multi-Mode Fuze
A key feature of the M1147 is its programmable multi-mode fuze, which is integrated with the Abrams fire control system through an Ammunition Data Link. Prior to firing, crews can electronically select the desired detonation mode based on mission requirements.
The round offers three selectable modes:
- Point Detonation: Designed for immediate impact against light armored vehicles and standard battlefield targets.
- Point Detonation Delay: Allows the projectile to penetrate reinforced structures, including up to 20 centimeters of concrete, before detonation.
- Airburst: Optimized for engaging infantry formations, anti-tank guided missile teams, and targets concealed behind cover or terrain features.
The M1147 has an effective engagement range exceeding 2,000 meters and is intended to defeat a wide variety of battlefield threats, including light armored vehicles, bunkers, fortified positions, reinforced obstacles, and dismounted personnel.
Full-Rate Production Approved
The contract follows a major program milestone reached in December 2024, when the U.S. Army approved the M1147 for full-rate production. The decision marked the transition from low-rate initial production to sustained manufacturing, enabling larger procurement quantities to meet operational and stockpiling requirements.
The latest contract is structured as a hybrid agreement incorporating cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, and fixed-price with economic price adjustment provisions. Individual work locations and funding allocations will be determined through delivery orders issued by the Army Contracting Command in Newark, New Jersey, over the next five years.
Supporting Abrams Modernization
The M1147 is a central component of ongoing efforts to enhance the combat effectiveness of the Abrams main battle tank. By providing a single ammunition solution capable of addressing multiple target types, the round improves operational flexibility while helping streamline training and sustainment activities.
The capability is particularly relevant for modern combat environments where armored units may encounter a mix of infantry, anti-tank teams, fortified positions, and light armored vehicles during the same mission.
Industry Experience
Northrop Grumman has more than 45 years of experience in the development and production of large-caliber ammunition. According to the company, it has delivered more than five million tactical and training rounds to the U.S. military and allied forces worldwide.
Dave Fine, Vice President of Armament Systems at Northrop Grumman, said the M1147 provides greater efficiency and readiness for Abrams operators while increasing battlefield effectiveness.
“With its enhanced functionality, the M1147 AMP meets the Army’s needs for efficiency and readiness, while enhancing the lethality of the Abrams Main Battle Tank,” Fine said. “This capability enables unmatched mission flexibility by empowering forces to adapt instantly to any threat.”
Production under the new framework agreement will support both existing Abrams operators and future international customers, ensuring continued availability of the Army’s latest multi-purpose tank ammunition through the end of the decade.a
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