Allison Transmission has been awarded a $97 million contract to support the U.S. Army’s Abrams Main Battle Tank programme. With a legacy of engineering excellence and battlefield-proven reliability, Allison’s X1100™ cross-drive transmission has powered the Abrams platform since its inception, delivering unmatched performance for nearly five decades.
“Allison has been an integral part of the Abrams program from the beginning,” said Dana Pittard, Vice President for Defense Programs, Allison Transmission. “From its 1970s origins to today’s advanced variants, our transmissions have enabled the Abrams to manoeuvre with precision and resilience in the world’s most demanding environments, when failure is not an option.”
Allison’s X1100 cross-drive was engineered to meet the Army’s ambitious mobility and survivability goals with follow-on enhancement and changes to meet the battlefield requirements. Designed for heavy tracked combat vehicles in the 45,000 to 63,500 kg range, it can accept either a diesel or turbine engine rated up to 1,120 kW (1,500 hp). Combining steering, braking and gear shifting into a single compact unit was revolutionary at the time, enabling seamless power transfer and high-torque capacity under extreme conditions.
With fully electronic controls for use with modern engines, a torque converter with automatic lock-up clutch for smooth and efficient starts and stops, and full power hydrostatic steering, the X1100 Series offers unmatched reliability and durability.
Today the X1100 continues to fulfill the Army’s evolving operational needs, including its renewed emphasis on maintainability, modularity and lifecycle readiness. Since the start of the Abrams program, Allison has enabled transmission repair activity at the Army’s Anniston depot by providing enhanced access to diagnostics, components and service protocols under the Army’s recent right to repair initiative. Qualification of select Allison service channel members to support cross drive products further reinforces Allison’s commitment to supporting the Army’s need for continuity of service, operational resilience and mission readiness around the globe.
Outside of North America, major current programmes specifying the X1100 include AHS Krab self-propelled howitzer from HSW in Poland and the Firtina II in Turkey.
Allison’s defence portfolio continues to evolve with recent investments in electric hybrid propulsion enabling silent mobility, digital diagnostics and modular drivetrain systems. These innovations align with the Army’s goals for reduced logistical footprints, enhanced fuel efficiency and future-ready vehicle architectures.
Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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