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Weapons and Systems upgrades were introduced for the
familiar VBL displayed here with the new KBP Kvartet turret,
mounting four Kornet anti-tank missile and associated
electro-optical equipment. Other upgrades on the site included the
British Warrior which was introduced with a new
40mm turret,
utilizing the new CTI-40mm case telescopic gun turret.
Among the highlights at Eurosatory were weapons systems and
ammunition designed for light vehicles, primarily new wheeled
armored gun systems, current and future combat systems. Among the
weapons designed for such platforms are lightweight guns, displayed
by Rheinmetall (120mm derivative) and IMI's 105mm Low recoil gun.
The 120mm version is already installed on the CV90 platform, while
IMI's gun is proposed for applications similar to the US Striker
Brigade's AGS. Advanced tank munitions were on display for both
calibers. Rheinmetall showed its
M53/63, General Dynamics displayed
the KEW-A1/A2 and ATK's presented its
M-829A3. IMI also displayed KE
ammunition but did not divulge new information about its
characteristics. Other
multi-purpose
munitions were also on display. Generally, the new models use longer, heavier
penetrating rods made of tungsten or depleted uranium, lighter
sabots made composite materials and advanced propellant, which
maintain stable characteristics through a wide temperature range. To
enable the tank to engage targets beyond its visual range, several
types of guided munitions are considered. The most mature are
Russian guided missiles, such as the 9M119M designed for 125mm guns,
demonstrated here by KBP and the Israeli
Lahat, available for 105
and 120mm guns, displayed by IAI. Diehl is also developing a version
of the SPEAR gun-fired missile. All three are using shaped charges
to defeat the target. A different approach, utilizing kinetic energy
by projectile guidance and acceleration at the terminal phase, is
under development at ATK. The debate on what weather HE
or multi-purpose
ammunition should augment the KE rounds demonstrate a shift from the
pure anti-armor role of tanks, to a re balanced employment of tanks,
against soft or armored targets, bunkers or buildings, on the
ground, or in the air. Typical solutions are calling for
replacements for the
M830 HEAT round, with more versatile projectile
composed of dual-purpose explosive or shaped charge, fitted with
fragmenting case, equipped with delay/percussion/time fuse, for
penetration, impact, airburst (against unprotected infantry or
helicopters) effects. ATK
M-830A1 HEAT-MP-T is one such example,
while Rheinmetall is using another approach, with its new
120mm HE.
A more radical departure from HEAT is IMI's APAM which also have the
capability to engage dispersed soft targets. General Dynamics
displayed the XM1028 a 120mm canister cartridge, designed for close
range engagement of soft targets such as infantry and unprotected
RPG threats. Ammunition safety measures, including a complete fire
resistant ammunition stowage developed by Orlite for Israeli tanks,
including Merkava and improved M60s. |
