120×570mm NATO tank ammunition | |
---|---|
Type | Tank gun ammunition |
Place of origin | Federal Republic of Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 1979–present |
Used by | Western Bloc and others |
Production history | |
Designed | early 1970s |
Specifications | |
Case type | Rimmed, bottleneck |
Bullet diameter | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
Base diameter | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
Rim diameter | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
Case length | 570 mm (22 in) |
Overall length | 984 mm (38.7 in) |
Rifling twist | none |
Primer type | electric |
120×570mm NATO tank ammunition (4.7 inch), also known as 120×570mmR, is a common, NATO-standard (STANAG 4385), tank gun semi-combustible cartridge used by 120mm smoothbore guns, superseding the earlier 105×617mmR cartridge used in NATO-standard rifled tank guns.
The 120×570 R cartridge was originally intended for the German Rh-120 smoothbore gun but an interoperability agreement signed between West Germany and France in April 1979, followed in September 1981 by a project to install the M256 120 mm smoothbore gun on future M1A1 Abrams tanks made it a NATO standard. [1] [2]
The 120×570mm are one-piece ammunition with semi-combustible cartridge cases. These incorporate a short, metallic stub case with an elastomeric sealing ring which allows the use of a normal sliding wedge type of breech and at the same time significantly reduces the weight of the rounds. Thus, a round of 120 mm Rheinmetall APFSDS ammunition has a mass of 19.8 kg, which is little more than the 18 kg mass of a typical 105 mm APFSDS round with the traditional metallic cartridge case. [3]
This section possibly contains unsourced
predictions, speculative material, or accounts of events that might not occur. Information must be
verifiable and based on
reliable published sources. (March 2022) |
There are different ways to measure APFSDS penetration value. NATO uses the 50% (This means that 50% of the shell had to go through the plate), while the Soviet/Russian standard is higher (80% had to go through).
Designation | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Cartridge length (mm) | Sub-projectile length (mm) | Penetrator dimension (⌀ mm × mm) | L/D ratio (sub-projectile / penetrator only) | Penetrator material & weight (kg) | Sub-projectile weight with sabot / without sabot (kg) | Weight, complete round (kg) | Propellant type & weight | Chamber pressure (MPa) | Muzzle velocity (m/s) | Velocity drop (m/s at m) | Perforation at normal and oblique incidences | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DM13 | Germany | Rheinmetall | 1979 | 888 mm | 457.7 mm | ⌀ 38-26 × 315 mm | 8:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.22 kg / 4.64 kg | 18.7 kg | 7.3 kg | 510 MPa | 1650 m/s [4] (L/44) | 75 m/s (at 1000 m) | NATO single heavy target at 68° at 2000 m | |
OFL 120 G1 | France | GIAT | 1981 | 977 mm | 541.5 mm | ⌀ 26 mm × 375 mm | 14.4:1 | 18 density DENAL DX 130 R tungsten alloy [5] | 6.2 kg / 3.78 kg | 18.75 kg [6] | 7.45 kg of B19T | 416 MPa | 1630 m/s (1981) 1650 m/s (upgraded, 1987) 1780 m/s [i] (all L/52) |
60 m/s (at 1000 m) | 420 mm at 1000 m, [7] defeat the NATO Single heavy target at 8000 m and the Triple heavy target at 7000 m or 8400 m | Use the same penetrator as the OFL 105 F1 105 mm APFSDS in a larger sabot. Upgraded with Israeli-style steel fins instead of aluminium in 1987. [8] |
DM23 | Germany | Rheinmetall | 1982 [9] | 884 mm | 457.7 mm | ⌀ 32 × 360 mm | 12:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.2 kg / 4.3 kg or 4.6 kg | 7.3 kg [9] | 1640 m/s [10] or 1650 m/s [4] (L/44) | 56 m/s (at 1000 m)
111 m/s (at 1000 m) |
420 mm at 2000 m | Produced under licence by Switzerland as Pfeil Pat 87 | ||
M829 | USA | Alliant Techsystems | 1984 | 935 mm [11] | 616 mm [12] | ⌀ 27 × 460 mm | 23:1 / 17:1 | Depleted uranium alloy, 3.94 kg [13] | 7.1 kg [14] / 4.27 kg | 18.7 kg [11] | 8.1 kg of JA-2 ( double-base) | 509 MPa | 1670 m/s [15] (L/44) | 62 m/s (at 1000 m)
123 m/s (at 2000 m) |
525 mm [16] to 540 mm at 2000 m (LoS 60°) [17] | Actual average diameter is around 24.2 mm, 27 mm is the maximum diameter of the buttress threads. |
DM33 | Germany | Rheinmetall | 1987 | ⌀ 28 [18] × 510 mm | 20:1 / 19:1 [18] | Tungsten alloy | 7.3 kg / 4.6 kg [19] | 19 kg [19] | 7.6 kg of 7-hole grain-type | 515 MPa [20] | 1650 m/s [4] (L/44) | 75 m/s (at 1000 m)
[18] 120 m/s (at 2000 m) |
480 mm at 2000 m | Produced under licence by Japan as JM33 and by Switzerland as Pfeil Pat 90 | ||
M829A1 | USA | Alliant Techsystems | 1988 | 984 mm [21] | 778 mm | ⌀ 21.6 × 680 [22] mm | 35:1 / 31:1 | Depleted Uranium alloy, 4.64 kg [13] | 8.165 kg / 4.88 kg | 20.9 kg [21] | 7.9 kg of JA-2 (double-base) | 560 MPa (5,600 bar) [23] or 569 MPa (5,690 bar) | 1575 m/s [23] (L/44) | 69 m/s (at 1000 m)
135 m/s (at 2000 m) |
650 mm [16] at 2000 m (LoS at 60°) | Nicknamed the " silver bullet" by US tank crews in Operation Desert Storm. |
KE-T | USA | Alliant Techsystems | 1988 | 983 mm [24] | 658 mm | Tungsten alloy | 7.16 kg / 4 kg | 18.7 kg [24] | 8.1 kg of JA-2 (double-base) | 510 MPa [23] | 1690 m/s [24] | Developed by Alliant Techsystems, NWM de Kruithoorn of the Netherlands for the penetrator and Chamberlain Manufacturing Company of the USA who provided the sabots, fins and projectile assembly facility. | ||||
M321 | Israel | Elbit Systems | 1989 | 936 mm [25] | Tungsten alloy [25] | approx. 20 kg [25] | approx. 8 kg of M26 (double-base) [26] | 1650 m/s (L/44) [25] | M321 penetrator was later re-used on the 105 mm M426 APFSDS in 1990. | |||||||
M1080 | Belgium | MECAR | early 1990s | 995 mm | 625 mm | Tungsten alloy | 7.2 kg / | 25 kg [27] | approx 8 kg | 1675 m/s [27] | >540 mm of RHA at 0° [28] | Features an advanced-design tungsten penetrator. In 1995, the firm began development of an enhanced version of the M1080 which became available in 1999. [29] | ||||
M322 | Israel | Elbit Systems | 1990s | 984 mm [30] | Tungsten alloy | 8 kg / 5.6 kg [31] | 20 kg [30] | 8 kg of NC-NG (double-base) [30] | 1705 m/s [30] (L/44) | 130 m/s (at 2000 m) | 658 mm at 70° at 2000 m [32] | Produced under licence by
Turkey as MOD 290.
[32] Also known as CL-3143 ( Italy) and Slpprj 95 [33] ( Sweden) on the export market. | ||||
DM43A1 | France and Germany | Giat Industries and Rheinmetall | 1992 or 1996 | 978 mm | ⌀ 26 × 600 mm | 27:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.2 kg / 4 kg | 19.5 kg or 20 kg | 7.6 kg of L1 M (double-base) | 550 MPa or 560 MPa [34] | 1740 m/s [4] (L/44) | 100 m/s (at 2000 m) | 560 mm at 2000 m [35] | French-German development, never adopted by the Bundeswehr and used in the French Army under the OFL 120 F1 designation. | |
OFL 120 F1 | France and Germany | Giat Industries and Rheinmetall | 1992 or 1994 | 984 mm | ⌀ 26 × 600 mm | 27:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.3 kg / 4 kg | 19.6 kg | 8.3 kg | 580 MPa | 1790 m/s [36] (L/52) | 100 m/s (at 2000 m) | 560 mm at 2000 m [37] | Feature the same penetrator as the DM43 but use a French propellant, later redesignated as 120 OFLE F1A. Late production, upgraded models are known under the 120 OFLE F1B and 120 OFLE F1B+ designations. | |
M829A2 | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | 1994 | 780 mm | ⌀ 21.6 × 695 mm | 35:1 / 32:1 | Depleted Uranium alloy, 4.74 kg | 7.9 kg [38] / 4.92 kg | 8.7 kg of JA-2 (double-base) | 565 MPa [38] or 580 MPa | 1680 m/s [38] (L/44) | 60 m/s (at 1000 m) 120 m/s (at 2000 m) |
Improvements over M829A1 include a stepped tip and use of a new lightweight composite Sabot, which allowed for increased muzzle velocity. | |||
KE-W Terminator | USA | Olin Defense System Groups (Primex Technologies) General Dynamics Ordnanceand Tactical System (later) |
1996 | 980 mm [39] | 778 mm [40] | ⌀ 21.6 × 680 mm | 35:1 / 31:1 | C2 Tungsten alloy
4.32 kg or 4.37 kg |
8.2 kg [40] / 4.6 kg | 20.5 kg [39] | 7.91 kg of JA-2 (double-base) [40] | 496.6 MPa [40] | 1585 m/s [40] (L/44) | 60 m/s (at 1000 m) | in excess of 600 mm [41] | US Export version of M829A1, features a Tungsten alloy penetrator instead of depleted uranium. |
K276 | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 1996 [42] | 973 mm [43] | 703.6 mm [44] | 600 mm [43] | 25:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.35 kg [44] / | 19.7 kg [43] | K683 ( triple-base) [43] | 586 MPa [45] | 1700 m/s [44] (L/44) | >600 mm (LoS at 60° obliquity) at 2000 m [46] or 650 mm at 2000 m [47] | Penetrators are manufactured by Cyclic Heat-Treatment and Double-Cycle Sintering process. This causes a phenomenon similar to the self-sharpening effect of the depleted uranium penetrator. [48] [49] | |
OFL 120 F2 | France | Giat Industries | 1996 [50] | 984 mm | ⌀ 27 × 594 mm | 22:1 (penetrator) | Depleted Uranium alloy | 7.78 kg / 4.5 kg | 20.5 kg | 8.1 kg | 560 MPa | 1740 m/s [50] (L/52) | 640 mm at 2000 m [51] | Has superior penetration performance compared to the OFL 120 F1. [52] 60 000 rounds were made from 1996 to 2000. [53] | ||
12 cm Pz Kann Pfeil Pat 98 Lsp | Germany/ Switzerland | Rheinmetall DeTec/RUAG Ammotec | 1999 | 745 mm | 26:1 | WSM 4-1 tungsten alloy | 19 kg | 8.9 kg of L1 | 545 MPa [23] | 1640 m/s (L/44) | First iteration of the DM53 purchased by the Swiss Army. Fitted with a tracer. | |||||
DM53 | Germany | Rheinmetall | 2001 | 745 mm | ⌀ 26 × 685 mm [54][ unreliable source?] | 26:1 | WSM 4-1 tungsten alloy | 8.35 kg [23] / 5 kg | 21.4 kg | 8.9 kg of L1 (DM53) 8.45 kg of L15190 SCDB (DM53A1) [23] |
545 MPa [23] | 1670 m/s (L/44)
[4] 1720 m/s (L/55) [55] |
55 m/s (at 1000 m) 110 m/s (at 2000 m) |
Development in Germany continued after the Swiss purchase, the German DM53 round includes a minor geometric modification and the replacement of the tracer element with an incendiary cartridge to add behind-armour effect. The DM53A1 version differs from the DM53 by its SCDB propellant firstly introduced with the DM63. | ||
KE-W A1 | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | 1999 or 2000 | Tungsten alloy | / 4 kg | 8.4 kg of L1/M2400 (double-base) | 580 MPa [23] | 1740 m/s [23] (L/44) | 100 m/s (at 2000 m) | US export variant of the French-German DM43 | ||||||
M338 | Israel | Elbit Systems | 984 mm [30] | Tungsten alloy | 21 kg [30] | 8 kg of LOVA (double-base) [30] | 1680 m/s (L/44) [30] | 3rd generation Israeli APFSDS-T. [30] | ||||||||
M829A3 | USA | Alliant Techsystems (ATK), Armtech Defense, Aerojet GenCorp and Northrop Grumman | 2003 | 924 mm [56] | Main Rod
⌀ 25 x 670 mm Tip Section ⌀25 x 100 mm [57] |
37:1 / 31:1 | Depleted Uranium alloy Main Rod with Tungsten Alloy Tip Section [58] | 10 kg [56] / 7.2 kg | 8.1 kg [59] or 8.15 kg [56] of RPD-380 sticks | 566 MPa | 1555 m/s [56] [59] (L/44) | Features an improved penetrator using a special tip assembly to overcome newer types of heavy ERA. | ||||
KEW-A2 | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | 2003 | 780 mm | ⌀ 21.6 × 695 mm | 35:1 / 32:1 | Tungsten-nickel-iron alloy | 7.6 kg [38] | 8.6 kg of JA-2 (double-base) [23] | 580 MPa [23] | 1700 m/s [23] (L/44) | 660 mm at 2000 m | Export version of the M829A2 round, it features a tungsten penetrator | |||
DM63 | Germany | Rheinmetall | 2005 [60] | 745 mm | 26:1 | WSM 4-1 tungsten alloy | 8.35 kg [23] / 5 kg | 21 kg [61] | 8.45 kg of L15190 SCDB [23] | 545 MPa [23] | 1650 m/s (L/44) 1720 m/s (L/55) [61] |
55 m/s (at 1000 m) 110 m/s (at 2000 m) |
Based on the DM53, it features a Temperature Independent Propulsion System (TIPS) utilizing the SCDB technology. Those modifications improve the accuracy through a wide operational temperatures ensuring safe operation extreme climate zones, and minimizing the erosion of the barrel. The DM63A1 is a 2014 version of the DM63 designed to be compatible with all 120 mm smoothbore guns without modifications. | |||
K279 | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2008 | 998 mm [43] | 761.6 mm [44] | 27:1 | Tungsten alloy | 8.27 kg [44] / 5 kg | 21.3 kg [43] | 8.6 kg of L15190 (SCDB) [62] [63] | 1760 m/s [44] (L/55) | 120 m/s (at 2000 m) | >700 mm (LoS at 60° obliquity) at 2000 m [46] | The penetrator is manufactured of a composite material consisting of tungsten, nickel, iron, and molybdenum. [48] | ||
Type 10 | Japan | DAIKIN, CHUGOKU-KAYAKU | 2010 | ⌀ 24 mm × 630 mm[ citation needed] | 26:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.8 kg / 4.2 kg | 1780 m/s (L/44)[ citation needed] | A Japanese APFSDS round only dedicated to Type 10 MBT. Although this is a NATO-standard round, it can only be used with the Type 10 Cannon due to the increased load and resulting increased pressure when fired. [64] | |||||||
120 OFLE F2 | France | Nexter | 2013 | Depleted uranium alloy | Qualified in 2009, 3000 rounds ordered in 2010, 500 were to be delivered in 2013. [65] | |||||||||||
KET | USA | Orbital ATK | before 2015 | Tungsten alloy | 9.67 kg | 8.1 kg of RPD-380 or SCDB | 1562 m/s [66] | Not to be confused with the older KE-T from Alliant Techsystems, the KET features a lightweight composite sabot, consistent performance across full temperature range and improved defeat capability against heavy explosive reactive armor. | ||||||||
Pz-531 | Poland | WITU | 2015 | Tungsten alloy | 6.6 kg / | 8.2 kg | 490 MPa | 1650 m/s [67] (L/44) | ≥500 mm at 2000 m [68] | Features a segmented penetrator made of two rods. | ||||||
K279 Improved | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2016 | 998 mm [43] | 761.6 mm [44] | 27:1 | Tungsten alloy | 8.27 kg [44] / 5 kg | 21.3 kg [43] | 8.6 kg of 19-hole cylinder-type DNDA-57 (SCDB) [69] | 690 MPa [69] | 1800 m/s [ii] [69] (L/55) | 122 m/s (at 2000 m) | Produced with a new SCDB propellant based on Solventless powder coated with polyester developed by Poongsan Corporation. [70] [71] [72] | ||
M829A4 | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems and Alliant Techsystems | 2016 | depleted uranium alloy | SCDB granules, 19-perforated stick of DEGN | 1650 m/s [73] (L/44) | The M829A4 subprojectile has comparable characteristics to its predecessor, the M829A3, in length, weight, and center of
gravity. [74] The visible difference between the two cartridges is the Ammunition Data Link (ADL) interface rings on the base of the M829A4. | |||||||||
AKE-T | USA | 2021 | Main rod
⌀ 25 x 670 mm Tip section ⌀25 x >100 mm [57] |
Tungsten alloy Main rod with a Steel Tip Section | Consist of the in-service M829A4 and the new Advanced Kinetic Energy - Tungsten round replacing the A4's depleted uranium penetrator [75] | |||||||||||
KE-W A4 | USA/ Germany | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and Rheinmetall | c. 2022 | Tungsten alloy | temperature insensitive propellant | Visually identical to the German DM63 120 mm APFSDS. | ||||||||||
SHARD Mk. 1 | France | Nexter Munitions | qualified in late 2023 | 984 mm | Plansee D10 tungsten alloy [76] and another tungsten alloy | 22 kg | EURENCO low-erosion double base propellant | 520 MPa | 1720 m/s
[77] (L/52) 1734 m/s (L/55) [78] |
SHARD stands for Solution for Hardenered ARmour Defeat. It is said to have 15% performance increase over current APFSDS ammunition. Barrel wear is reduced by 25%. | ||||||
SHARD Mk. 2 | France | Nexter Munitions | Plansee D10 tungsten alloy and another tungsten alloy | >520 MPa | >1720 m/s (L/52) | The SHARD Mk. 2 will use a more energetic propellant than the double-base propellant featured on the Mk. 1. [79] | ||||||||||
DM73 | Germany | Rheinmetall | late 2023 | 745 mm | ⌀ 26 × 685 mm [54][ unreliable source?] | 26:1 | WSM 4-1 tungsten alloy | 8.35 kg / 5 kg | 21 kg [61] | SCDB | 1780 m/s (L/55) [61] | The DM73 reuse the same penetrator of the DM63 [80] but achieves an 8% [81] uplift in performance regarding the combat range [82] through the use of a more powerful propellant. The DM73 requires the high-pressure L55A1 gun and cannot be used in either L44 and L55 gun systems. | ||||
KE2020Neo | Germany | Rheinmetall | serial production foreseen for 2025 | tungsten alloy | The KE2020Neo forecasted increase in performances should reach 20% compared to current APFSDS ammunition thanks to the use of a lighter sabot and a more energetic propellant, the latter is allowed by the raised chamber pressures of the improved Rh-120 L55A1 gun. [83] |
Designation | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Cartridge length (mm) | Weight, complete round (kg) | Projectile weight (kg) | Explosive filling (kg) | Fuzing | Propellant type & weight | Muzzle velocity (m/s) | Perforation at normal and oblique incidences | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DM12 MZ | Germany | 1979 | 23.2 kg | 13.5 kg | 1.62 kg | 1140 m/s | not in produce | |||||
DM12A1 MZ | Germany | Rheinmetall DeTec | 23.2 kg | 14.1 kg | 1.627.2 kg | 5.57.2 kg | 1140 m/s | 480 mm or 220 mm at 60° at all ranges [84] | DM12 fitted with a fragmentation sleeve. Produced under licence by the
US as M830 with exception of the fuze and the explosive. Produced under licence by Japan as JM12A1. | |||
OCC 120 G1 | France | Nexter Munitions | 1981 | 28.5 kg | 14.2 kg | 5.7 kg of B19T | 1050 or 1080 m/s | Defeat the Triple heavy NATO target | significant anti-personnel effects | |||
OECC 120 F1 | France | Nexter Munitions | early 1990s | 983 mm | 24.3 kg | 14.4 kg | Comp-B | Single-base | 1100 m/s | 450 mm [51] Defeat the Single heavy and Triple heavy NATO targets [85] | improved anti-personnel effects over the OCC 120 G1 | |
M830 HEAT-MP-T | USA | General Dynamics | 1985 | 981 mm | 24.2 kg | 13.5 kg | 1.662 kg of Comp-B | M764 | 5.4 or 5.5 kg of DIGL-RP ( Double-base) | 1140 m/s | not in produce. technology transfer from the German DM12A1 except for the M764 fuze, double safety, and propellant containment bag. [86] | |
M830A1 HEAT-MP-T (a.k.a. MPAT) | USA | Alliant Techsystems (ATK) | 1994 | 981 mm | 24.68 kg | 11.4 kg | Comp-B | M774 | 7.1 kg of 19 Perf JA-2 (Double-base) | 1410 m/s | 20% performance increase against bunkers and a 30% performance increase against light armored vehicles. [87] | 80 mm sub-caliber warhead fitted with a multifunction fuzing system with airburst capability [87] |
M325 HEAT-MP-T | Israel | Elbit Systems | late 1980s | 984 mm [30] | 25 kg [30] | 15 kg | 1.8 kg of Comp-B [30] | PIBD (electric) [30] | 5.6 kg of M26 (Double-base) or M30 ( Triple-base) [30] | 1078 m/s (L/44) [30] | 1st generation Israeli HEAT-MP-T and qualified in
Leopard 2,
Ariete,
K1A1/A2,
M60A3 and other MBTs.
[30] Also known as CL-3105 on the export market. | |
K277 HEAT-MP-T | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 1996 | 989 mm | 24.5 kg | 14.31 kg | Comp-B | M509A2 | K682 (Triple-base) | 1130 m/s (L/44) | 600 mm [47] | 1st generation South Korean HEAT-MP-T developed for K1A1 |
K280 HEAT-MP-T | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2008 | 998 mm | 23 kg | 11.38 kg | 2.1 kg of Comp-B | K595 | K684 (Double-base) | 1400 m/s (L/55) | It is a 2nd generation South Korean HEAT-MP-T developed for K2 Black Panther and has a built-in radio proximity fuze that explodes within 7 meters to counter low-flying aircraft such as helicopters. [88] | |
MOD 310 HEAT-MP-T | Turkey | MKE | 2018 | 984 mm [89] | 25 kg [89] | 1.76 kg of Comp-B [89] | CEP-2 (Double-base) [89] | 925 m/s [89] | 400 mm at 34° at 200 m [89] | Modified based on Israeli M325 HEAT-MP-T but fitted with a new multi-function fuze and filled with CEP-2 propellant for the low vulnerability ammunition developed by IMI Systems. [89] [90] |
Designation | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Cartridge length (mm) | Weight, complete round (kg) | Projectile weight (kg) | Propellant type & weight | Muzzle velocity | Explosive filling (kg) | Fuzing | Effects | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Slsgr 95 [31] | Sweden | 1995 | 977 mm | 25 kg | 17.5 kg | 3.4 kg M-30 | 736 m/s | 2.7 kg
Composition B |
ÖFHKSAR M/95 | Rebuilt 120 mm mortar round | ||
M908 HE-OR-T | USA | General Dynamics-OTS | 2003 | 983 mm | 22.7 kg | 11.4 kg | 7.1 kg 19 Perf Hex JA-2 ( Double-base) | 1400 m/s | 3.2 kg [91] Composition A3 Type II [92] | Base detonating, delay fuze | did as well as, if not better than, the 15.8 kg 165 mm HEP warhead at reducing obstacles [93] | Converted M830A1 HEAT-MP-T with a steel nosecone and a delay fuze, used to destroy concrete obstacles. |
IM HE-T | Norway | Nammo | 26.7 kg | 15.9 kg | 1030 m/s | 3.2 kg IM (Insensitive Munition) explosive | Dual-mode: Superquick and delay [94] | Produced under license by GD-OTS Canada [95] | ||||
OE 120 F1 | France | Nexter | 2005 | 25.5 kg | 15.5 kg | 1050 m/s | PD fuze | |||||
DM11 HE temp | Germany | Rheinmetall | 2009 | 29 kg | 19 kg | 5.5 kg | 950 m/s (L/44) or 1100 m/s (L/55) | 2.17 kg HE with 600 tungsten balls [96] | 3 modes: PD, PDwD and AB | 80 m cone-shaped fragmentation pattern | In service with the US Marine Corps under the Mk. 324 designation [97] | |
120 EXPL F1 | France | Nexter | 2011 | 27 kg | 16.8 kg | 1000 m/s | 3 kg HE-frag | programmable | ||||
M339 HE-MP-T | Israel | Elbit Systems | 984 mm [30] | 27 kg [30] | 17 kg [30] | 4.5 kg of NC- NG (Double-base) [30] | 900 m/s (L/44) [30] | 2.3 kg of CLX663 [30] | 3 modes: PDD, PD and AB [30] | capable of penetrating 200 mm double reinforced concrete walls [30] | ||
RH31 HE SQ | Germany | Rheinmetall | 2012 | impact function with or without delay | low-cost variant of the DM11, the cartridge can be fired with no need for modifying existing systems. [98] | |||||||
Pz-511 | Poland | 2015 | 28.65 kg [99] | 19 kg | 5.7 kg | 950 m/s | 2.3 kg of TNT | |||||
120 mm HE M3M | France | Nexter | 2016 | 945 mm | 28 kg | 18 kg | 1050 m/s | LOVA (Double-base) | 3 modes: SQ, AB and delay [100] | |||
MOD 300 HE-T | Turkey | MKE | 2018 | 984 mm [101] | 27.5 kg [101] | CEP-2 (Double-base) [101] | 870 m/s (L/44) [101] | 4.24 kg of TNT [101] | MOD 305 [101] | Modified based on Israeli M339 HE-MP-T | ||
M1147 AMP | USA | Northrop Grumman | still in development | approx. 2.3 kg of PAX-3 [102] with embedded tungsten fragments |
Designation | Type | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Cartridge length (mm) | Weight, complete round (kg) | Projectile weight (kg) | Propellant type & weight | Muzzle velocity | Filling | Fuzing | Effects | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M1028 | canister | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | 22.9 kg | 15.9 kg | 1410 m/s | 1100 tungsten balls | no | 500 m effective range | Produced under license by Nexter as OEFC 120 F1 and Nammo as 120 mm IM Canister. | |||
M337 STUN | less-than-lethal ammunition | Israel | Elbit Systems | 814 mm [30] | 13.5 kg [30] | 3.5 kg [30] | 6 kg of M30 ( Triple-base) [30] | plastic flakes [30] | no | creates a flash, bang and blast effect and also disperses plastic flakes in the vicinity of the tank [30] |
Designation | Type | Guidance | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Weight, complete round (kg) | Weight (kg) | Warhead | Muzzle velocity | Cruise speed | Maximum range | Effects | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LAHAT | GLATGM | semi-active laser-guided | Israel | IAI | 1992-1999 | 16 kg | 13 kg | tandem HEAT | 300 m/s | 280 m/s | 6000 m (8000 m in indirect fire) | not in service | |
XM943 STAFF | beyond line of sight, top-attack smart munition | inertial + millimeter wave radar | USA | Alliant Techsystems | 1990-1998 | downward-firing EFP | program was terminated in FY 98 with final close-out in FY00 | ||||||
POLYNEGE | beyond line of sight, top-attack smart munition | Fire-and-forget | France | Nexter Systems | early 2000s | 28 kg | 20 kg | hollow charge / downward-firing EFP | 600 to 700 m/s | up to 8000 m | not in service | ||
KSTAM-I | beyond line of sight, top-attack smart munition | Terminal guidance | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2004 | tandem HEAT | 750 m/s | from 2500 m to 5000 m | not in service | ||||
KSTAM-II | beyond line of sight, top-attack smart munition | Fire-and-forget | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2005 | 21.5 kg | 9.03 kg | downward-firing EFP | from 2000 m to 8000 m | Developed for the K2 Black Panther's CN08 120 mm gun | |||
Falarick | GLATGM | semi-automatic by laser beam | Belgium and Ukraine | CMI Defence and Luch | 2013 | 28 kg | tandem HEAT | 300 m/s | beyond 5000 m | 700 mm RHA behind ERA | spin-off version of the Konus GLATGM, proposed on the export market | ||
TANOK | beyond line of sight, smart munition | semi-active laser seeker | Turkey | Roketsan | 2019 (design) [103] | 11 kg | tandem HEAT | from 1000 m to 6000 m | It features two attack modes : direct and top attack. Use a "soft launch" engine. |
Designation | Type | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Weight, complete round (kg) | Length, complete round (mm) | Propellant type & weight | Muzzle velocity | Filler type & weight | Fuzing | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M865 | TPCSDS-T | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | 2002 | 17.2 kg | 881 mm | M14 | 1700 m/s | Projectiles with aluminum sabot | ||
K282 | TP-T (HEAT) | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2004 | 24.5 kg | 989 mm | K682 ( Triple-base) | 1130 m/s (L/44) | K611 (Electric) | Practice HEAT round developed to replace K277 HEAT-MP-T. | |
K287 | ARTP-T (HEAT) | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2013 | 22.9 kg | 980 mm | KM30 ( Double-base) | 1130 m/s (L/44) | Fe powder sintered | K604 (Electric) | Anti-
ricochet practice round developed to minimize accidental damage caused by the ricochet. The round is in service in Poland. |
DM38 | TPCSDS-T | Germany | Rheinmetall | 1690 m/s | not in produce | ||||||
DM48 | TPCSDS-T | Germany | Rheinmetall | 17.5 kg | not in produce | ||||||
DM88 | TPCSDS-T | Germany | Rheinmetall | 21 kg | 1720 m/s (L/44) 1790 m/s (L/55) |
||||||
DM98 | TP-T (HE) | Germany | Rheinmetall | 21 kg | 1140 m/s (L/44) 1185 m/s (L/55) |
||||||
M324 | TPCSDS-T | Israel | Elbit Systems | 18.3 kg [30] | 925 mm [30] | 7.8 kg of NC- NG (Double-base) [30] | 1730 m/s (L/44) [30] | Steel [30] | M45112 (Electric) | Produced under licence by Turkey as MOD 291 [104] | |
M326 | TP-T (HEAT) | Israel | Elbit Systems | 25 kg [30] | 984 mm [30] | 5.6 kg of M26 (double-base) or M30 (triple-base) [30] | 1078 m/s (L/44) [30] | Inert [30] | Practice HEAT round developed to replace M325 HEAT-MP-T. [30] | ||
M340 | TP-T (HE-MP) | Israel | Elbit Systems | 27 kg [30] | 984 mm [30] | 4.5 kg of NC-NG (Double-base) [30] | 900 m/s (L/44) [30] | Inert [30] | Practice HE round developed to replace M339 HE-MP-T. [30] | ||
120 mm IM TP-T | TP-T | Norway | Nammo | 26.7 kg | 1030 m/s | Qualified in Leopard 2 and M1. The round is in service in several countries. | |||||
120 mm KE-TP | KE-TP | Norway | Nammo | 18.3 kg | 1700 m/s | Qualified in Leopard 2 and M1. The round is in service in several countries. | |||||
PZ-521 | HE-TP | Poland | Mesko | 19 kg | 980 mm | L-2 | 950 m/s | 488 g of gunpowder | C-88 | Qualified in Leopard 2. The round is in service in Poland. Self-detonation after 4–5 km. [105] | |
PZ-541 | APFSDS-T-TP | Poland | Mesko | 4.8 kg | 980 mm | 1715 m/s | Qualified in Leopard 2. The round is in service in Poland. 1.9 kg penetrator with a diameter of ⌀68mm [106] | ||||
MOD 292 | TP-T (HEAT) | Turkey | MKE | 22 kg (L/44) 22.2 kg (L/55) [107] |
933.5 mm [107] | NC-NG (Double-base) [107] | High pressure practice round developed based on Israeli M322 (MOD 290) APFSDS-T. [107] | ||||
MOD 301 | TP-T (HE) | Turkey | MKE | 27.5 kg [108] | 984 mm [108] | CEP-2 (Double-base) [108] | 870 m/s [108] | 4.2 kg of sorel cement [108] | MOD 305 [108] | Practice HE round modified based on MOD 300 HE-T. [108] |
{{
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120×570mm NATO tank ammunition | |
---|---|
Type | Tank gun ammunition |
Place of origin | Federal Republic of Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 1979–present |
Used by | Western Bloc and others |
Production history | |
Designed | early 1970s |
Specifications | |
Case type | Rimmed, bottleneck |
Bullet diameter | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
Base diameter | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
Rim diameter | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
Case length | 570 mm (22 in) |
Overall length | 984 mm (38.7 in) |
Rifling twist | none |
Primer type | electric |
120×570mm NATO tank ammunition (4.7 inch), also known as 120×570mmR, is a common, NATO-standard (STANAG 4385), tank gun semi-combustible cartridge used by 120mm smoothbore guns, superseding the earlier 105×617mmR cartridge used in NATO-standard rifled tank guns.
The 120×570 R cartridge was originally intended for the German Rh-120 smoothbore gun but an interoperability agreement signed between West Germany and France in April 1979, followed in September 1981 by a project to install the M256 120 mm smoothbore gun on future M1A1 Abrams tanks made it a NATO standard. [1] [2]
The 120×570mm are one-piece ammunition with semi-combustible cartridge cases. These incorporate a short, metallic stub case with an elastomeric sealing ring which allows the use of a normal sliding wedge type of breech and at the same time significantly reduces the weight of the rounds. Thus, a round of 120 mm Rheinmetall APFSDS ammunition has a mass of 19.8 kg, which is little more than the 18 kg mass of a typical 105 mm APFSDS round with the traditional metallic cartridge case. [3]
This section possibly contains unsourced
predictions, speculative material, or accounts of events that might not occur. Information must be
verifiable and based on
reliable published sources. (March 2022) |
There are different ways to measure APFSDS penetration value. NATO uses the 50% (This means that 50% of the shell had to go through the plate), while the Soviet/Russian standard is higher (80% had to go through).
Designation | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Cartridge length (mm) | Sub-projectile length (mm) | Penetrator dimension (⌀ mm × mm) | L/D ratio (sub-projectile / penetrator only) | Penetrator material & weight (kg) | Sub-projectile weight with sabot / without sabot (kg) | Weight, complete round (kg) | Propellant type & weight | Chamber pressure (MPa) | Muzzle velocity (m/s) | Velocity drop (m/s at m) | Perforation at normal and oblique incidences | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DM13 | Germany | Rheinmetall | 1979 | 888 mm | 457.7 mm | ⌀ 38-26 × 315 mm | 8:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.22 kg / 4.64 kg | 18.7 kg | 7.3 kg | 510 MPa | 1650 m/s [4] (L/44) | 75 m/s (at 1000 m) | NATO single heavy target at 68° at 2000 m | |
OFL 120 G1 | France | GIAT | 1981 | 977 mm | 541.5 mm | ⌀ 26 mm × 375 mm | 14.4:1 | 18 density DENAL DX 130 R tungsten alloy [5] | 6.2 kg / 3.78 kg | 18.75 kg [6] | 7.45 kg of B19T | 416 MPa | 1630 m/s (1981) 1650 m/s (upgraded, 1987) 1780 m/s [i] (all L/52) |
60 m/s (at 1000 m) | 420 mm at 1000 m, [7] defeat the NATO Single heavy target at 8000 m and the Triple heavy target at 7000 m or 8400 m | Use the same penetrator as the OFL 105 F1 105 mm APFSDS in a larger sabot. Upgraded with Israeli-style steel fins instead of aluminium in 1987. [8] |
DM23 | Germany | Rheinmetall | 1982 [9] | 884 mm | 457.7 mm | ⌀ 32 × 360 mm | 12:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.2 kg / 4.3 kg or 4.6 kg | 7.3 kg [9] | 1640 m/s [10] or 1650 m/s [4] (L/44) | 56 m/s (at 1000 m)
111 m/s (at 1000 m) |
420 mm at 2000 m | Produced under licence by Switzerland as Pfeil Pat 87 | ||
M829 | USA | Alliant Techsystems | 1984 | 935 mm [11] | 616 mm [12] | ⌀ 27 × 460 mm | 23:1 / 17:1 | Depleted uranium alloy, 3.94 kg [13] | 7.1 kg [14] / 4.27 kg | 18.7 kg [11] | 8.1 kg of JA-2 ( double-base) | 509 MPa | 1670 m/s [15] (L/44) | 62 m/s (at 1000 m)
123 m/s (at 2000 m) |
525 mm [16] to 540 mm at 2000 m (LoS 60°) [17] | Actual average diameter is around 24.2 mm, 27 mm is the maximum diameter of the buttress threads. |
DM33 | Germany | Rheinmetall | 1987 | ⌀ 28 [18] × 510 mm | 20:1 / 19:1 [18] | Tungsten alloy | 7.3 kg / 4.6 kg [19] | 19 kg [19] | 7.6 kg of 7-hole grain-type | 515 MPa [20] | 1650 m/s [4] (L/44) | 75 m/s (at 1000 m)
[18] 120 m/s (at 2000 m) |
480 mm at 2000 m | Produced under licence by Japan as JM33 and by Switzerland as Pfeil Pat 90 | ||
M829A1 | USA | Alliant Techsystems | 1988 | 984 mm [21] | 778 mm | ⌀ 21.6 × 680 [22] mm | 35:1 / 31:1 | Depleted Uranium alloy, 4.64 kg [13] | 8.165 kg / 4.88 kg | 20.9 kg [21] | 7.9 kg of JA-2 (double-base) | 560 MPa (5,600 bar) [23] or 569 MPa (5,690 bar) | 1575 m/s [23] (L/44) | 69 m/s (at 1000 m)
135 m/s (at 2000 m) |
650 mm [16] at 2000 m (LoS at 60°) | Nicknamed the " silver bullet" by US tank crews in Operation Desert Storm. |
KE-T | USA | Alliant Techsystems | 1988 | 983 mm [24] | 658 mm | Tungsten alloy | 7.16 kg / 4 kg | 18.7 kg [24] | 8.1 kg of JA-2 (double-base) | 510 MPa [23] | 1690 m/s [24] | Developed by Alliant Techsystems, NWM de Kruithoorn of the Netherlands for the penetrator and Chamberlain Manufacturing Company of the USA who provided the sabots, fins and projectile assembly facility. | ||||
M321 | Israel | Elbit Systems | 1989 | 936 mm [25] | Tungsten alloy [25] | approx. 20 kg [25] | approx. 8 kg of M26 (double-base) [26] | 1650 m/s (L/44) [25] | M321 penetrator was later re-used on the 105 mm M426 APFSDS in 1990. | |||||||
M1080 | Belgium | MECAR | early 1990s | 995 mm | 625 mm | Tungsten alloy | 7.2 kg / | 25 kg [27] | approx 8 kg | 1675 m/s [27] | >540 mm of RHA at 0° [28] | Features an advanced-design tungsten penetrator. In 1995, the firm began development of an enhanced version of the M1080 which became available in 1999. [29] | ||||
M322 | Israel | Elbit Systems | 1990s | 984 mm [30] | Tungsten alloy | 8 kg / 5.6 kg [31] | 20 kg [30] | 8 kg of NC-NG (double-base) [30] | 1705 m/s [30] (L/44) | 130 m/s (at 2000 m) | 658 mm at 70° at 2000 m [32] | Produced under licence by
Turkey as MOD 290.
[32] Also known as CL-3143 ( Italy) and Slpprj 95 [33] ( Sweden) on the export market. | ||||
DM43A1 | France and Germany | Giat Industries and Rheinmetall | 1992 or 1996 | 978 mm | ⌀ 26 × 600 mm | 27:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.2 kg / 4 kg | 19.5 kg or 20 kg | 7.6 kg of L1 M (double-base) | 550 MPa or 560 MPa [34] | 1740 m/s [4] (L/44) | 100 m/s (at 2000 m) | 560 mm at 2000 m [35] | French-German development, never adopted by the Bundeswehr and used in the French Army under the OFL 120 F1 designation. | |
OFL 120 F1 | France and Germany | Giat Industries and Rheinmetall | 1992 or 1994 | 984 mm | ⌀ 26 × 600 mm | 27:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.3 kg / 4 kg | 19.6 kg | 8.3 kg | 580 MPa | 1790 m/s [36] (L/52) | 100 m/s (at 2000 m) | 560 mm at 2000 m [37] | Feature the same penetrator as the DM43 but use a French propellant, later redesignated as 120 OFLE F1A. Late production, upgraded models are known under the 120 OFLE F1B and 120 OFLE F1B+ designations. | |
M829A2 | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | 1994 | 780 mm | ⌀ 21.6 × 695 mm | 35:1 / 32:1 | Depleted Uranium alloy, 4.74 kg | 7.9 kg [38] / 4.92 kg | 8.7 kg of JA-2 (double-base) | 565 MPa [38] or 580 MPa | 1680 m/s [38] (L/44) | 60 m/s (at 1000 m) 120 m/s (at 2000 m) |
Improvements over M829A1 include a stepped tip and use of a new lightweight composite Sabot, which allowed for increased muzzle velocity. | |||
KE-W Terminator | USA | Olin Defense System Groups (Primex Technologies) General Dynamics Ordnanceand Tactical System (later) |
1996 | 980 mm [39] | 778 mm [40] | ⌀ 21.6 × 680 mm | 35:1 / 31:1 | C2 Tungsten alloy
4.32 kg or 4.37 kg |
8.2 kg [40] / 4.6 kg | 20.5 kg [39] | 7.91 kg of JA-2 (double-base) [40] | 496.6 MPa [40] | 1585 m/s [40] (L/44) | 60 m/s (at 1000 m) | in excess of 600 mm [41] | US Export version of M829A1, features a Tungsten alloy penetrator instead of depleted uranium. |
K276 | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 1996 [42] | 973 mm [43] | 703.6 mm [44] | 600 mm [43] | 25:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.35 kg [44] / | 19.7 kg [43] | K683 ( triple-base) [43] | 586 MPa [45] | 1700 m/s [44] (L/44) | >600 mm (LoS at 60° obliquity) at 2000 m [46] or 650 mm at 2000 m [47] | Penetrators are manufactured by Cyclic Heat-Treatment and Double-Cycle Sintering process. This causes a phenomenon similar to the self-sharpening effect of the depleted uranium penetrator. [48] [49] | |
OFL 120 F2 | France | Giat Industries | 1996 [50] | 984 mm | ⌀ 27 × 594 mm | 22:1 (penetrator) | Depleted Uranium alloy | 7.78 kg / 4.5 kg | 20.5 kg | 8.1 kg | 560 MPa | 1740 m/s [50] (L/52) | 640 mm at 2000 m [51] | Has superior penetration performance compared to the OFL 120 F1. [52] 60 000 rounds were made from 1996 to 2000. [53] | ||
12 cm Pz Kann Pfeil Pat 98 Lsp | Germany/ Switzerland | Rheinmetall DeTec/RUAG Ammotec | 1999 | 745 mm | 26:1 | WSM 4-1 tungsten alloy | 19 kg | 8.9 kg of L1 | 545 MPa [23] | 1640 m/s (L/44) | First iteration of the DM53 purchased by the Swiss Army. Fitted with a tracer. | |||||
DM53 | Germany | Rheinmetall | 2001 | 745 mm | ⌀ 26 × 685 mm [54][ unreliable source?] | 26:1 | WSM 4-1 tungsten alloy | 8.35 kg [23] / 5 kg | 21.4 kg | 8.9 kg of L1 (DM53) 8.45 kg of L15190 SCDB (DM53A1) [23] |
545 MPa [23] | 1670 m/s (L/44)
[4] 1720 m/s (L/55) [55] |
55 m/s (at 1000 m) 110 m/s (at 2000 m) |
Development in Germany continued after the Swiss purchase, the German DM53 round includes a minor geometric modification and the replacement of the tracer element with an incendiary cartridge to add behind-armour effect. The DM53A1 version differs from the DM53 by its SCDB propellant firstly introduced with the DM63. | ||
KE-W A1 | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | 1999 or 2000 | Tungsten alloy | / 4 kg | 8.4 kg of L1/M2400 (double-base) | 580 MPa [23] | 1740 m/s [23] (L/44) | 100 m/s (at 2000 m) | US export variant of the French-German DM43 | ||||||
M338 | Israel | Elbit Systems | 984 mm [30] | Tungsten alloy | 21 kg [30] | 8 kg of LOVA (double-base) [30] | 1680 m/s (L/44) [30] | 3rd generation Israeli APFSDS-T. [30] | ||||||||
M829A3 | USA | Alliant Techsystems (ATK), Armtech Defense, Aerojet GenCorp and Northrop Grumman | 2003 | 924 mm [56] | Main Rod
⌀ 25 x 670 mm Tip Section ⌀25 x 100 mm [57] |
37:1 / 31:1 | Depleted Uranium alloy Main Rod with Tungsten Alloy Tip Section [58] | 10 kg [56] / 7.2 kg | 8.1 kg [59] or 8.15 kg [56] of RPD-380 sticks | 566 MPa | 1555 m/s [56] [59] (L/44) | Features an improved penetrator using a special tip assembly to overcome newer types of heavy ERA. | ||||
KEW-A2 | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | 2003 | 780 mm | ⌀ 21.6 × 695 mm | 35:1 / 32:1 | Tungsten-nickel-iron alloy | 7.6 kg [38] | 8.6 kg of JA-2 (double-base) [23] | 580 MPa [23] | 1700 m/s [23] (L/44) | 660 mm at 2000 m | Export version of the M829A2 round, it features a tungsten penetrator | |||
DM63 | Germany | Rheinmetall | 2005 [60] | 745 mm | 26:1 | WSM 4-1 tungsten alloy | 8.35 kg [23] / 5 kg | 21 kg [61] | 8.45 kg of L15190 SCDB [23] | 545 MPa [23] | 1650 m/s (L/44) 1720 m/s (L/55) [61] |
55 m/s (at 1000 m) 110 m/s (at 2000 m) |
Based on the DM53, it features a Temperature Independent Propulsion System (TIPS) utilizing the SCDB technology. Those modifications improve the accuracy through a wide operational temperatures ensuring safe operation extreme climate zones, and minimizing the erosion of the barrel. The DM63A1 is a 2014 version of the DM63 designed to be compatible with all 120 mm smoothbore guns without modifications. | |||
K279 | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2008 | 998 mm [43] | 761.6 mm [44] | 27:1 | Tungsten alloy | 8.27 kg [44] / 5 kg | 21.3 kg [43] | 8.6 kg of L15190 (SCDB) [62] [63] | 1760 m/s [44] (L/55) | 120 m/s (at 2000 m) | >700 mm (LoS at 60° obliquity) at 2000 m [46] | The penetrator is manufactured of a composite material consisting of tungsten, nickel, iron, and molybdenum. [48] | ||
Type 10 | Japan | DAIKIN, CHUGOKU-KAYAKU | 2010 | ⌀ 24 mm × 630 mm[ citation needed] | 26:1 | Tungsten alloy | 7.8 kg / 4.2 kg | 1780 m/s (L/44)[ citation needed] | A Japanese APFSDS round only dedicated to Type 10 MBT. Although this is a NATO-standard round, it can only be used with the Type 10 Cannon due to the increased load and resulting increased pressure when fired. [64] | |||||||
120 OFLE F2 | France | Nexter | 2013 | Depleted uranium alloy | Qualified in 2009, 3000 rounds ordered in 2010, 500 were to be delivered in 2013. [65] | |||||||||||
KET | USA | Orbital ATK | before 2015 | Tungsten alloy | 9.67 kg | 8.1 kg of RPD-380 or SCDB | 1562 m/s [66] | Not to be confused with the older KE-T from Alliant Techsystems, the KET features a lightweight composite sabot, consistent performance across full temperature range and improved defeat capability against heavy explosive reactive armor. | ||||||||
Pz-531 | Poland | WITU | 2015 | Tungsten alloy | 6.6 kg / | 8.2 kg | 490 MPa | 1650 m/s [67] (L/44) | ≥500 mm at 2000 m [68] | Features a segmented penetrator made of two rods. | ||||||
K279 Improved | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2016 | 998 mm [43] | 761.6 mm [44] | 27:1 | Tungsten alloy | 8.27 kg [44] / 5 kg | 21.3 kg [43] | 8.6 kg of 19-hole cylinder-type DNDA-57 (SCDB) [69] | 690 MPa [69] | 1800 m/s [ii] [69] (L/55) | 122 m/s (at 2000 m) | Produced with a new SCDB propellant based on Solventless powder coated with polyester developed by Poongsan Corporation. [70] [71] [72] | ||
M829A4 | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems and Alliant Techsystems | 2016 | depleted uranium alloy | SCDB granules, 19-perforated stick of DEGN | 1650 m/s [73] (L/44) | The M829A4 subprojectile has comparable characteristics to its predecessor, the M829A3, in length, weight, and center of
gravity. [74] The visible difference between the two cartridges is the Ammunition Data Link (ADL) interface rings on the base of the M829A4. | |||||||||
AKE-T | USA | 2021 | Main rod
⌀ 25 x 670 mm Tip section ⌀25 x >100 mm [57] |
Tungsten alloy Main rod with a Steel Tip Section | Consist of the in-service M829A4 and the new Advanced Kinetic Energy - Tungsten round replacing the A4's depleted uranium penetrator [75] | |||||||||||
KE-W A4 | USA/ Germany | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and Rheinmetall | c. 2022 | Tungsten alloy | temperature insensitive propellant | Visually identical to the German DM63 120 mm APFSDS. | ||||||||||
SHARD Mk. 1 | France | Nexter Munitions | qualified in late 2023 | 984 mm | Plansee D10 tungsten alloy [76] and another tungsten alloy | 22 kg | EURENCO low-erosion double base propellant | 520 MPa | 1720 m/s
[77] (L/52) 1734 m/s (L/55) [78] |
SHARD stands for Solution for Hardenered ARmour Defeat. It is said to have 15% performance increase over current APFSDS ammunition. Barrel wear is reduced by 25%. | ||||||
SHARD Mk. 2 | France | Nexter Munitions | Plansee D10 tungsten alloy and another tungsten alloy | >520 MPa | >1720 m/s (L/52) | The SHARD Mk. 2 will use a more energetic propellant than the double-base propellant featured on the Mk. 1. [79] | ||||||||||
DM73 | Germany | Rheinmetall | late 2023 | 745 mm | ⌀ 26 × 685 mm [54][ unreliable source?] | 26:1 | WSM 4-1 tungsten alloy | 8.35 kg / 5 kg | 21 kg [61] | SCDB | 1780 m/s (L/55) [61] | The DM73 reuse the same penetrator of the DM63 [80] but achieves an 8% [81] uplift in performance regarding the combat range [82] through the use of a more powerful propellant. The DM73 requires the high-pressure L55A1 gun and cannot be used in either L44 and L55 gun systems. | ||||
KE2020Neo | Germany | Rheinmetall | serial production foreseen for 2025 | tungsten alloy | The KE2020Neo forecasted increase in performances should reach 20% compared to current APFSDS ammunition thanks to the use of a lighter sabot and a more energetic propellant, the latter is allowed by the raised chamber pressures of the improved Rh-120 L55A1 gun. [83] |
Designation | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Cartridge length (mm) | Weight, complete round (kg) | Projectile weight (kg) | Explosive filling (kg) | Fuzing | Propellant type & weight | Muzzle velocity (m/s) | Perforation at normal and oblique incidences | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DM12 MZ | Germany | 1979 | 23.2 kg | 13.5 kg | 1.62 kg | 1140 m/s | not in produce | |||||
DM12A1 MZ | Germany | Rheinmetall DeTec | 23.2 kg | 14.1 kg | 1.627.2 kg | 5.57.2 kg | 1140 m/s | 480 mm or 220 mm at 60° at all ranges [84] | DM12 fitted with a fragmentation sleeve. Produced under licence by the
US as M830 with exception of the fuze and the explosive. Produced under licence by Japan as JM12A1. | |||
OCC 120 G1 | France | Nexter Munitions | 1981 | 28.5 kg | 14.2 kg | 5.7 kg of B19T | 1050 or 1080 m/s | Defeat the Triple heavy NATO target | significant anti-personnel effects | |||
OECC 120 F1 | France | Nexter Munitions | early 1990s | 983 mm | 24.3 kg | 14.4 kg | Comp-B | Single-base | 1100 m/s | 450 mm [51] Defeat the Single heavy and Triple heavy NATO targets [85] | improved anti-personnel effects over the OCC 120 G1 | |
M830 HEAT-MP-T | USA | General Dynamics | 1985 | 981 mm | 24.2 kg | 13.5 kg | 1.662 kg of Comp-B | M764 | 5.4 or 5.5 kg of DIGL-RP ( Double-base) | 1140 m/s | not in produce. technology transfer from the German DM12A1 except for the M764 fuze, double safety, and propellant containment bag. [86] | |
M830A1 HEAT-MP-T (a.k.a. MPAT) | USA | Alliant Techsystems (ATK) | 1994 | 981 mm | 24.68 kg | 11.4 kg | Comp-B | M774 | 7.1 kg of 19 Perf JA-2 (Double-base) | 1410 m/s | 20% performance increase against bunkers and a 30% performance increase against light armored vehicles. [87] | 80 mm sub-caliber warhead fitted with a multifunction fuzing system with airburst capability [87] |
M325 HEAT-MP-T | Israel | Elbit Systems | late 1980s | 984 mm [30] | 25 kg [30] | 15 kg | 1.8 kg of Comp-B [30] | PIBD (electric) [30] | 5.6 kg of M26 (Double-base) or M30 ( Triple-base) [30] | 1078 m/s (L/44) [30] | 1st generation Israeli HEAT-MP-T and qualified in
Leopard 2,
Ariete,
K1A1/A2,
M60A3 and other MBTs.
[30] Also known as CL-3105 on the export market. | |
K277 HEAT-MP-T | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 1996 | 989 mm | 24.5 kg | 14.31 kg | Comp-B | M509A2 | K682 (Triple-base) | 1130 m/s (L/44) | 600 mm [47] | 1st generation South Korean HEAT-MP-T developed for K1A1 |
K280 HEAT-MP-T | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2008 | 998 mm | 23 kg | 11.38 kg | 2.1 kg of Comp-B | K595 | K684 (Double-base) | 1400 m/s (L/55) | It is a 2nd generation South Korean HEAT-MP-T developed for K2 Black Panther and has a built-in radio proximity fuze that explodes within 7 meters to counter low-flying aircraft such as helicopters. [88] | |
MOD 310 HEAT-MP-T | Turkey | MKE | 2018 | 984 mm [89] | 25 kg [89] | 1.76 kg of Comp-B [89] | CEP-2 (Double-base) [89] | 925 m/s [89] | 400 mm at 34° at 200 m [89] | Modified based on Israeli M325 HEAT-MP-T but fitted with a new multi-function fuze and filled with CEP-2 propellant for the low vulnerability ammunition developed by IMI Systems. [89] [90] |
Designation | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Cartridge length (mm) | Weight, complete round (kg) | Projectile weight (kg) | Propellant type & weight | Muzzle velocity | Explosive filling (kg) | Fuzing | Effects | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Slsgr 95 [31] | Sweden | 1995 | 977 mm | 25 kg | 17.5 kg | 3.4 kg M-30 | 736 m/s | 2.7 kg
Composition B |
ÖFHKSAR M/95 | Rebuilt 120 mm mortar round | ||
M908 HE-OR-T | USA | General Dynamics-OTS | 2003 | 983 mm | 22.7 kg | 11.4 kg | 7.1 kg 19 Perf Hex JA-2 ( Double-base) | 1400 m/s | 3.2 kg [91] Composition A3 Type II [92] | Base detonating, delay fuze | did as well as, if not better than, the 15.8 kg 165 mm HEP warhead at reducing obstacles [93] | Converted M830A1 HEAT-MP-T with a steel nosecone and a delay fuze, used to destroy concrete obstacles. |
IM HE-T | Norway | Nammo | 26.7 kg | 15.9 kg | 1030 m/s | 3.2 kg IM (Insensitive Munition) explosive | Dual-mode: Superquick and delay [94] | Produced under license by GD-OTS Canada [95] | ||||
OE 120 F1 | France | Nexter | 2005 | 25.5 kg | 15.5 kg | 1050 m/s | PD fuze | |||||
DM11 HE temp | Germany | Rheinmetall | 2009 | 29 kg | 19 kg | 5.5 kg | 950 m/s (L/44) or 1100 m/s (L/55) | 2.17 kg HE with 600 tungsten balls [96] | 3 modes: PD, PDwD and AB | 80 m cone-shaped fragmentation pattern | In service with the US Marine Corps under the Mk. 324 designation [97] | |
120 EXPL F1 | France | Nexter | 2011 | 27 kg | 16.8 kg | 1000 m/s | 3 kg HE-frag | programmable | ||||
M339 HE-MP-T | Israel | Elbit Systems | 984 mm [30] | 27 kg [30] | 17 kg [30] | 4.5 kg of NC- NG (Double-base) [30] | 900 m/s (L/44) [30] | 2.3 kg of CLX663 [30] | 3 modes: PDD, PD and AB [30] | capable of penetrating 200 mm double reinforced concrete walls [30] | ||
RH31 HE SQ | Germany | Rheinmetall | 2012 | impact function with or without delay | low-cost variant of the DM11, the cartridge can be fired with no need for modifying existing systems. [98] | |||||||
Pz-511 | Poland | 2015 | 28.65 kg [99] | 19 kg | 5.7 kg | 950 m/s | 2.3 kg of TNT | |||||
120 mm HE M3M | France | Nexter | 2016 | 945 mm | 28 kg | 18 kg | 1050 m/s | LOVA (Double-base) | 3 modes: SQ, AB and delay [100] | |||
MOD 300 HE-T | Turkey | MKE | 2018 | 984 mm [101] | 27.5 kg [101] | CEP-2 (Double-base) [101] | 870 m/s (L/44) [101] | 4.24 kg of TNT [101] | MOD 305 [101] | Modified based on Israeli M339 HE-MP-T | ||
M1147 AMP | USA | Northrop Grumman | still in development | approx. 2.3 kg of PAX-3 [102] with embedded tungsten fragments |
Designation | Type | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Cartridge length (mm) | Weight, complete round (kg) | Projectile weight (kg) | Propellant type & weight | Muzzle velocity | Filling | Fuzing | Effects | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M1028 | canister | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | 22.9 kg | 15.9 kg | 1410 m/s | 1100 tungsten balls | no | 500 m effective range | Produced under license by Nexter as OEFC 120 F1 and Nammo as 120 mm IM Canister. | |||
M337 STUN | less-than-lethal ammunition | Israel | Elbit Systems | 814 mm [30] | 13.5 kg [30] | 3.5 kg [30] | 6 kg of M30 ( Triple-base) [30] | plastic flakes [30] | no | creates a flash, bang and blast effect and also disperses plastic flakes in the vicinity of the tank [30] |
Designation | Type | Guidance | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Weight, complete round (kg) | Weight (kg) | Warhead | Muzzle velocity | Cruise speed | Maximum range | Effects | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LAHAT | GLATGM | semi-active laser-guided | Israel | IAI | 1992-1999 | 16 kg | 13 kg | tandem HEAT | 300 m/s | 280 m/s | 6000 m (8000 m in indirect fire) | not in service | |
XM943 STAFF | beyond line of sight, top-attack smart munition | inertial + millimeter wave radar | USA | Alliant Techsystems | 1990-1998 | downward-firing EFP | program was terminated in FY 98 with final close-out in FY00 | ||||||
POLYNEGE | beyond line of sight, top-attack smart munition | Fire-and-forget | France | Nexter Systems | early 2000s | 28 kg | 20 kg | hollow charge / downward-firing EFP | 600 to 700 m/s | up to 8000 m | not in service | ||
KSTAM-I | beyond line of sight, top-attack smart munition | Terminal guidance | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2004 | tandem HEAT | 750 m/s | from 2500 m to 5000 m | not in service | ||||
KSTAM-II | beyond line of sight, top-attack smart munition | Fire-and-forget | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2005 | 21.5 kg | 9.03 kg | downward-firing EFP | from 2000 m to 8000 m | Developed for the K2 Black Panther's CN08 120 mm gun | |||
Falarick | GLATGM | semi-automatic by laser beam | Belgium and Ukraine | CMI Defence and Luch | 2013 | 28 kg | tandem HEAT | 300 m/s | beyond 5000 m | 700 mm RHA behind ERA | spin-off version of the Konus GLATGM, proposed on the export market | ||
TANOK | beyond line of sight, smart munition | semi-active laser seeker | Turkey | Roketsan | 2019 (design) [103] | 11 kg | tandem HEAT | from 1000 m to 6000 m | It features two attack modes : direct and top attack. Use a "soft launch" engine. |
Designation | Type | Origin | Designer & producer | Year | Weight, complete round (kg) | Length, complete round (mm) | Propellant type & weight | Muzzle velocity | Filler type & weight | Fuzing | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M865 | TPCSDS-T | USA | General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | 2002 | 17.2 kg | 881 mm | M14 | 1700 m/s | Projectiles with aluminum sabot | ||
K282 | TP-T (HEAT) | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2004 | 24.5 kg | 989 mm | K682 ( Triple-base) | 1130 m/s (L/44) | K611 (Electric) | Practice HEAT round developed to replace K277 HEAT-MP-T. | |
K287 | ARTP-T (HEAT) | South Korea | Poongsan Corporation | 2013 | 22.9 kg | 980 mm | KM30 ( Double-base) | 1130 m/s (L/44) | Fe powder sintered | K604 (Electric) | Anti-
ricochet practice round developed to minimize accidental damage caused by the ricochet. The round is in service in Poland. |
DM38 | TPCSDS-T | Germany | Rheinmetall | 1690 m/s | not in produce | ||||||
DM48 | TPCSDS-T | Germany | Rheinmetall | 17.5 kg | not in produce | ||||||
DM88 | TPCSDS-T | Germany | Rheinmetall | 21 kg | 1720 m/s (L/44) 1790 m/s (L/55) |
||||||
DM98 | TP-T (HE) | Germany | Rheinmetall | 21 kg | 1140 m/s (L/44) 1185 m/s (L/55) |
||||||
M324 | TPCSDS-T | Israel | Elbit Systems | 18.3 kg [30] | 925 mm [30] | 7.8 kg of NC- NG (Double-base) [30] | 1730 m/s (L/44) [30] | Steel [30] | M45112 (Electric) | Produced under licence by Turkey as MOD 291 [104] | |
M326 | TP-T (HEAT) | Israel | Elbit Systems | 25 kg [30] | 984 mm [30] | 5.6 kg of M26 (double-base) or M30 (triple-base) [30] | 1078 m/s (L/44) [30] | Inert [30] | Practice HEAT round developed to replace M325 HEAT-MP-T. [30] | ||
M340 | TP-T (HE-MP) | Israel | Elbit Systems | 27 kg [30] | 984 mm [30] | 4.5 kg of NC-NG (Double-base) [30] | 900 m/s (L/44) [30] | Inert [30] | Practice HE round developed to replace M339 HE-MP-T. [30] | ||
120 mm IM TP-T | TP-T | Norway | Nammo | 26.7 kg | 1030 m/s | Qualified in Leopard 2 and M1. The round is in service in several countries. | |||||
120 mm KE-TP | KE-TP | Norway | Nammo | 18.3 kg | 1700 m/s | Qualified in Leopard 2 and M1. The round is in service in several countries. | |||||
PZ-521 | HE-TP | Poland | Mesko | 19 kg | 980 mm | L-2 | 950 m/s | 488 g of gunpowder | C-88 | Qualified in Leopard 2. The round is in service in Poland. Self-detonation after 4–5 km. [105] | |
PZ-541 | APFSDS-T-TP | Poland | Mesko | 4.8 kg | 980 mm | 1715 m/s | Qualified in Leopard 2. The round is in service in Poland. 1.9 kg penetrator with a diameter of ⌀68mm [106] | ||||
MOD 292 | TP-T (HEAT) | Turkey | MKE | 22 kg (L/44) 22.2 kg (L/55) [107] |
933.5 mm [107] | NC-NG (Double-base) [107] | High pressure practice round developed based on Israeli M322 (MOD 290) APFSDS-T. [107] | ||||
MOD 301 | TP-T (HE) | Turkey | MKE | 27.5 kg [108] | 984 mm [108] | CEP-2 (Double-base) [108] | 870 m/s [108] | 4.2 kg of sorel cement [108] | MOD 305 [108] | Practice HE round modified based on MOD 300 HE-T. [108] |
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