The US Army has awarded a new contract, worth $193m, to Leonardo DRS for the delivery of active protection systems for its new M1A2 Abrams tanks in order to support immediate operational requirements of the service. Under the deal, the company will deliver the Trophy active protection systems developed by Israel-based partner Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Leonardo DRS will also be committed to providing the US Army with countermeasures and maintenance kits. Leonardo DRS Land Systems Division vice-president and general manager Aaron Hankins said: “Leonardo DRS is proud to be a part of this important effort to bring life-saving technology to our warfighters, and we are actively investing to ensure Trophy provides a solid, American-made foundation for the army’s coming Vehicle Protection Suite programme.”