Re: Accuracy values for the main guns - MBT\'s.
This is something that I pulled out: I says they have developed a 105mm smoothbore with simular stats as the early 120mm in Leopard 2 (L44).
And this was 4 years ago, so think about that...
10/23/2001
Mobile gun system: Rheinmetall 105mm smooth bore gun for the US Army's Brigade Combat Team
In response to the US Army's requirement for a mobile gun system to equip its Brigade Combat Teams (BCT), Germany's Rheinmetall W&M GmbH is offering a 105mm smooth bore gun system whose performance is equivalent to larger caliber systems, but features a clear advantage for the LAV III class vehicle in terms of weight and size, thus resulting in greater flexibility and better mobility.
Rheinmetall W&M is a subsidiary of Rheinmetall DeTec AG, one of Europe's leading defense systems suppliers of ground forces equipment. W&M is a world leader in large caliber weapons systems and ammunition.
In cooperation and in close consultation with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and Alliant Techsystems (ATK), Rheinmetall W&M believes there is an excellent chance of supplying an improved 105mm armament for the mobile gun system under a pre-planned upgrade effort for the Brigade Combat Team. GDLS, teamed with GM of Canada, is now manufacturing the ten LAV III (Light Armored Vehicle) variants for the US Army and is directly responsible for the MGS.
Rheinmetall set its sights on an anticipated block upgrade, called P3I for pre-planned product improvement, of the mobile gun system, which can be fielded in the 2004 time frame. Overall plans call for fielding over 2,000 LAV III of which about more than 200 will be MGS variants.
The Army planning calls for the MGS to be primarily an infantry support vehicle with a limited anti-tank mission. One key performance requirement is to breach a reinforced concrete wall so that foot soldiers can have direct access through fortifications or to a building. The existing M68A1 rifled cannon, a derivative of the L7, will be on first production MGS vehicles. Follow on fielding to selected brigades are expected to require a tank-defeating role beyond the T-62 main battle tank.
With a view to an army-sponsored pre-planned product improvement (P3I) project, Rheinmetall W&M is offering its 105mm smooth bore gun for the MGS. Currently such an upgrade package can be delivered starting in 2004.
In terms of performance, the Rheinmetall high-pressure smooth bore gun offers the lethality equal to first generation 120mm smooth bore guns fielded in the Leopard 2 (L44) and M1A1 (M256) Abrams. It exceeds a desired goal of defeating the T-72 main battle tank. In terms of gas pressure, the Rheinmetall gun is capable of firing ammunition with pressures of about 1,000 bar higher than in comparable rifled barrels. This results in a significantly higher velocity, range and enhancement to penetration power or lethality.
The smooth bore gun encompasses a growth potential well beyond the 105mm conventional powder/ rifled gun limits. By increasing the volume of the chamber, for example, the maximum range and lethality can be dramatically extended. Along this projected growth path, designers anticipated that next generation propulsion means, such as electro-thermal chemical (ETC), could be inexpensively retrofitted to lightweight platforms. Thus viewed in an evolutionary sense, the 105mm smooth bore gun is seen as fulfilling a vital role for the MGS and a firepower "bridge" to the combat system of the future.
The US Army's chief of Staff, GEN. Eric Shinseki, experienced the power and accuracy of the 105mm smooth bore gun first-hand when he visited the Rheinmetall proving grounds at Unterlüß last December. He was impressed when the gun caught his attention while on display at AUSA 2000. Rheinmetall is encouraged by the continued US Army interest in the potential of the 105mm smooth bore gun to enhance the mobile gun system in the future.
Rheinmetall's long-established experience in large caliber weapon systems, especially smooth bore technology, enables it to draw upon an existing design when maturing the 105mm. Flowing into the design are state-of-the-art enhancements derived from the company's L44 and L55 120mm and the L52 155mm cannons - representing the latest in tactical, technical and manufacturing knowledge.
The decisive performance of the Nato standard 120mm L44 tank cannon on the Leopard 2 is acknowledged worldwide. With a longer barreled 120mm L55 tank gun and accompanying advanced ammunition, Rheinmetall W&M is again on the way to establishing a new higher standard in main battle tank direct fire performance. Likewise, it is Rheinmetall's 155mm L52 cannon that advances the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer to the forefront as the most powerful artillery system ever fielded.
The large caliber cannon leadership role enjoyed by Rheinmetall W&M, together with a century of experience, enables the company to attain the high level of direct fire lethality encompassed in the 105mm direct fire regime. A buildup of technical know-how assembled, especially over the last 15 years in Nato advanced tank armament programs, makes possible a flow down from 120mm and 140mm smooth bore guns to generate a performance not achieved before in a 105mm tank cannon.
The application of advanced ultra-hard gun steel employed in the L55 gun on Leopard 2 enables the 105mm smooth bore to withstand the stresses accompanying use of superior performance and high-pressure fourth generation kinetic energy ammunition. Ultra modern technologies are employed in the manufacture of critical elements, such as the lightweight aluminum cradle and a new advanced method of chrome plating and laser hardening of the barrel, both of which are critical to attain gun tube straightness and aid in wear reduction.
A special feature of the modern Rheinmetall 105mm smooth bore gun is its ability to fire existing Nato stockpiled fin-stabilized rifled ammunition by a modification to the driving band. This feature was shown to the US Army chief of staff in the live fire demonstration firing the DM128 CSDS-T originally type classified and used in the L7 and acquired for US forces in Germany using the M68A1 gun on the M1 Abrams.
The Rheinmetall tradition of excellence in large caliber weapons dates back to 1898 when the company produced their first barrels for artillery pieces. Today, building on a strong foundation of technical excellence, Rheinmetall W&M is first among the world's most innovative and efficient suppliers of ground force equipment. Apart from outstanding competence as a supplier of defense systems, the company is a highly experienced leader in international cooperation, typified by its long standing successful partnership with Alliant Techsystems (ATK).
Innovative ammunition solutions such as the MTLS modular propelling charge system and the SMArt 155 sensor fuzed munition are a few examples of Rheinmetall leading the way to the future in land combat products.
For further information, please contact:
Rheinmetall DeTec AG
Press and Information
Oliver Hoffmann
Phone: +49 211 473-4748
Fax: +49 211 473-4157
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