Rheinmetall 30 mm FAPDS and FMPDS

the explosive warhead; the brittle tungsten alloy subprojectile helps teams destructively fragment once it has penetrated the thin metal plates encountered in air defence scenarios. The 30 mm Frangible Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot (FAPDS) is essentially similar but has a revised solid core subprojectile and is intended for use with all Mauser MK 30 (Mauser Model F) family cannon. The 30 mm FMPDS was developed by NWM De Kruithoorn of the Netherlands, now sublimated into Rheinmetall DeTec, for the Goalkeeper CIWS in service with the Royal Navy, the Royal Netherlands and United Arab Emirates navies. Rate of fire of the seven-barrel Goalkeeper CIWS is 4,200 rds/min. Three land-based versions of the Goalkeeper CIWS have been proposed: static; semi-mobile (containerised); and mobile (truck-mounted). Description The 30 × 173 mm FMPDS and FAPDS are both fixed rounds, featuring a high-density tungsten alloy penetrator subprojectile threaded into a light sabot assembly which falls away once the projectile assembly has left the gun muzzle. The projectile assembly is crimped into the aluminium cartridge case by a single 360º crimping ring. The aluminium cartridge case is necked and contains 156 g of PMC 9230 T high-energy propellant, loose packed in granular form. A percussion primer is utilised . The 30 mm FMPDS has a muzzle velocity of 1,150 m/s This, together with the flat trajectory, high density and low drag, provides the FMPDS subprojectile with good accuracy and the kinetic energy to pierce and destroy oncoming anti-ship missile warheads; the FMPDS projectile is also intended for use against both aircraft and naval targets. The time of flight to 1,000 m is approximately 0.94 second and about 2.07 seconds to 2,000 m. The 30 mm FAPDS has a muzzle velocity of 1,300 m/s; penetrator assembly weight is 202 g. Technical references retained in this configuration include 665 g, 368 g, 148 g, 610 g, 310 g.