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New trends in tank ammunition also reflect the shift
from full scale high intensity wars to low intensity, asymmetric
conflicts. More range, higher precision and controlled lethality are
the guidelines of new developments of tank munitions. Several new
products shown at Eurosatory 2006 already indicated these changes.
ATK displayed the
Mid-Range Munition (MRM), a precision guided KE round, combining
precision guidance with the lethality of KE warhead. MRM-KE is
designed for 105mm and 120mm cartridges and comprises an
interchangeable sensor component using multi-mode seeker. Another
version of MRM – equipped with a shaped charge warhead, is developed
by Raytheon. The company performed its first successful test of the
new projectile in June 2006, fired at a moving tank at a range of 8700
meters. The MRM program is considered a key component of the Army's
FCS (Future Combat Systems) vehicles and a potential spin-out to M1A2
Abrams SEP.
In France, GIAT is developing a similar program called Polynege,
designed for platforms equipped with the smoothbore 120mm gun.
Polynege will engage targets beyond line- of- sight or under
non-line-of-sight conditions. Polynege can strike a target at range
between 2500 to 8000 meters. It will be able to defeat heavy armor as
well as light/unarmored and infrastructure targets. Components of the
weapon and its aerodynamic profile have already been tested in wind
tunnel.
 IAI/MBT completed the development of a laser guided 105/120mm rocket
propelled tank round (called
Lahat). This weapon is considered for optional retrofit for
current Merkava, Leopard and Indian Arjoon tanks. |
