Name: Cartridge, 106 mm: HEP-T M346A1
Availability: InStock

Item Type

Item State

Type

Action

Guidance

Caliber

Weights complete round

Weights projectile

Weights explosive

propellant 3.58 kg

Length

Muzzle velocity

Max range

Latin America and the Caribbean

Brazil

Western Asia

Iraq

Western Europe

France

<h2>Armament</h2><p>M40A1 , M40A1C and M40A2 cannon.</p><h2>Development</h2><p>The 106 mm HEP-T M346A1 was developed for use with the 106 mm (actual calibre 105 mm) M40 series of recoilless (RCL) rifles during the early 1950s. Since its service debut during the mid-1950s, the 106 mm M40 series of recoilless rifles has been widely adopted and licence-produced. There is no sign of it passing from favour with many armed forces, although it is no longer in the US inventory. It is even making something of a come-back since its anti-armour projectiles are especially effective against composite armours. The HEP-T M346A1 is one of the `base' rounds used with the 106 mm M40 series as it is intended for use against armour, the main function of the M40 series. It is only marginally less effective than a conventional HE projectile as an anti-personnel weapon.</p><h2>Description</h2><p>The 106 mm HEP-T M346A1 is a fixed round, with the projectile rigidly secured to the perforated steel cartridge case by a crimping groove. The projectile has two indexing buttons 180º apart on the forward bourrelet and a pre-engraved drive band encircles the projectile just forward of the base. The HEP-T projectile is a thin-walled steel shell with a short curved ogive and a flat base. The base is fitted with a BD M91A2 fuze and an integral tracer which burns for the initial part of the trajectory. The shell filling is 3.5 kg of Composition A-3 (RDX/Wax 91/9). As the projectile impacts with a target the thin steel walls of the shell rupture, allowing the explosive filling to spread in a `plaster' over the target surface before the delayed action BD fuze functions. The resultant pressure and detonation waves are then transmitted through the target armour to create internal spalling and other destructive effects. The M94B1 perforated steel cartridge case has an M57 percussion primer press fitted into the base and contains a 3.58 kg charge of M26 propellant in a rayon and plastic liner. The flash from the primer also ignites the tracer in the base of the projectile. Maximum range of the HEP-T M346A1 is 6,870 m and muzzle velocity 498 m/s. An inert drill round used to simulate the HEP-T M346A1 is known as the Cartridge, 106 mm: Dummy, M368. It does not contain explosive and cannot be fired. A subcalibre training device used for short-range target practice with the M40 recoilless rifle series was developed as the Rifle, Caliber 0.30, Subcaliber: M9 . As this device, which resembled an M94B1-type perforated cartridge case but with a centrally mounted 0.30 machine gun barrel along the centre, fires the obsolete 0.30 rifle cartridge it has largely fallen from use. A more modern device is the Portuguese INDEP subcalibre adaptor which again uses a rifle calibre barrel in a 106 mm recoilless rifle cartridge case, but is chambered to accept a standard NATO 7.62 mm ball or tracer cartridge. It may be taken as an example of several other similar devices. The INDEP adaptor weighs 8.5 kg and is 665 mm long. Giat Industries also produces a subcalibre training round known as the 106 SR NR541 practice system. Originally produced by PRB SA of Belgium, this device fires a 7.62 mm tracer bullet with a muzzle velocity of 515 m/s. Weight of this subcalibre device is 16 kg.</p><h2>Authorised fuzes</h2><p>BD M91A2 Equivalent rounds BRAZIL</p><p>BD</p><p>BRAZIL</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>ENGEQUÍMICA</p><p>Type: 106R HESH CTG MD1</p><p>Description: Standard US specifications</p><p>FRANCE</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>Giat Industries</p><p>Type: HESH-T NR 601</p><p>Description: Originally produced in Belgium by PRB and equivalent to the M346A2. Also known as</p><p>the FSN 1315 C651. Standard US specifications</p><p>IRAQ</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>State factories</p><p>Type: 106 mm HESH</p><p>Description: Exact model not determined. May no longer be in production</p>

The 106 mm HEP-T M346A1 is a fixed round, with the projectile rigidly secured to the perforated steel cartridge case by a crimping groove. The projectile has two indexing buttons 180º apart on the forward bourrelet and a pre-engraved drive band encircles the projectile just forward of the base. The HEP-T projectile is a thin-walled steel shell with a short curved ogive and a flat base. The base is fitted with a BD M91A2 fuze and an integral tracer which burns for the initial part of the trajectory. The shell filling is 3.5 kg of Composition A-3 (RDX/Wax 91/9). As the projectile impacts with a target the thin steel walls of the shell rupture, allowing the explosive filling to spread in a 'plaster' over the target surface before the delayed action BD fuze functions. The resultant pressure and detonation waves are then transmitted through the target armour to create internal spalling and other destructive effects. The M94B1 perforated steel cartridge case has an M57 percussion primer press fitted into the base and contains a 3.58 kg charge of M26 propellant in a rayon and plastic liner. The flash from the primer also ignites the tracer in the base of the projectile. Maximum range of the HEP-T M346A1 is 6,870 m and muzzle velocity 498 m/s.

An inert drill round used to simulate the HEP-T M346A1 is known as the Cartridge, 106 mm: Dummy, M368. It does not contain explosive and cannot be fired. A subcalibre training device used for short-range target practice with the M40 recoilless rifle series was developed as the Rifle, Caliber 0.30, Subcaliber: M9. As this device, which resembled an M94B1-type perforated cartridge case but with a centrally mounted 0.30 machine gun barrel along the centre, fires the obsolete 0.30 rifle cartridge it has largely fallen from use. A more modern device is the Portuguese INDEP subcalibre adaptor which again uses a rifle calibre barrel in a 106 mm recoilless rifle cartridge case, but is chambered to accept a standard NATO 7.62 mm ball or tracer cartridge. It may be taken as an example of several other similar devices. The INDEP adaptor weighs 8.5 kg and is 665 mm long. Giat Industries also produces a subcalibre training round known as the 106 SR NR541 practice system.

Cartridge, 106 mm: HEP-T M346A1

Cartridge, 106 mm: HEP-T M346A1

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