A fifth-generation 120mm advanced kinetic energy tank round from Orbital ATK is entering production after passing U.S. Army First Article Acceptance Testing.

The production contract from the U.S. Army Maneuver Ammunition Systems is for one year, with options for two follow-on production years and is worth $80 million.

Orbital ATK said fulfill Army inventory requirements for the ammunition is expected to be fulfilled with an additional five-year production contract.

"During our more than 30 years of large caliber ammunition program experience with the Army, we have now partnered with the U.S. Army to type classify 11 of the 13, 120mm tactical and training rounds for the Abrams tank," said Dan Olson, vice president and general manager for Orbital ATK's Armament Systems division of the Defense Systems Group. "From initially providing the 120mm ammunition that 'upgunned' the Abrams from a 105mm to a 120mm main gun platform until today, our company has made it a business priority to partner with the Army to maintain the Abrams' standing as the world's dominant tank."

The M829E4 is an armor-piercing, fin-stabilized, discarding- sabot with tracer cartridge. It features a penetrator capable of defeating all current armor protection suites as well as future armor protection concepts.

The cartridge incorporates a long-rod penetrator and an exclusive composite sabot to enable efficient transfer of energy to maximize the rod's penetrating power.