Name: Rheinmetall DeTec 120 mm APFSDS-T-TP (LKL)
Availability: InStock

Item Type

Item State

Type

Action

Guidance

Caliber

Weights complete round

Weights projectile assembly

Weights long rod with tailcone

Weights propellant

Weights stub base

Length, complete round

Diameter long rod

Diameter tailcone

Muzzle velocity

Chamber pressure

Western Europe

Netherlands

<h2>Armament</h2><p>Rheinmetall 120 mm Smoothbore Guns used on the Leopard 2 and Leopard L1A1A1 (prototype); Japanese Type 90; South Korean K1A1 . M256 Cannon used on M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams MBTs. This round can also be fired from the Otobreda 120 mm Smoothbore Gun, the Swiss 120 mm Compact Gun, the Giat Industries 120 mm Smoothbore Guns G1 and F1, and the Israel Military Industries ( IMI ) MG251 120 mm Smoothbore Gun.</p><h2>Development</h2><p>The 120 mm APFSDS-T-TP (LKL) DM 38 is one of two Rheinmetall DeTec training rounds produced at Ratingen. It uses a similar aerodynamic principle (the other being the 105 mm equivalent - see separate entry) permitting realistic firing training on ranges with relatively short safety traces. The principles involved in the short-range factor were already developed when they came to be applied to the Rheinmetall DeTec 120 mm tank gun ammunition family. The latest form of this round is the DM 48 which is understood to differ from the DM 38 only in production details. This round is used as the training munition for the Rheinmetall DeTec 120 mm APFSDS-T DM 33. It is also produced in the USA by Alliant Techsystems (ATK) for the US Army as the 120 mm M865 TPCSDS-T - see following entry.</p><h2>Description</h2><p>The 120 mm APFSDS-TP-T (LKL) DM 38 round is fixed, with the projectile assembly secured to the Combustible Cartridge Case (CCC) by a case adaptor ring. The CCC has a steel cartridge case base with a silicone rubber sealing ring around the top. A DM 72A2 electrical primer is secured to the cartridge case base and extends some two-thirds of the way up the centre of the CCC. The DM 38 is handled, loaded and fired in exactly the same manner as a conventional round. The projectile assembly consists of a steel rod with a pierced tailcone used for in-flight stabilisation. The tailcone also acts as the range reduction component, depending on an established aerodynamic principle referred to as the Lochkegelleitwerk (pierced tailcone), or LKL. The tailcone also houses an extremely bright tracer. For the LKL principle to operate, the nine holes in the tailcone are accurately machined to a size where, at high velocities, they are aerodynamically open and air can pass through without significant hindrance. As the projectile velocity reduces with range the holes aerodynamically close at a certain velocity. This leads to an increase in drag and the projectile becomes unstable to the point where it will tumble and fall to the ground at a maximum range of about 7,500 m. This aerodynamic change takes place after the projectile has travelled about 2,000 m. Up to that point the LKL projectile follows the same ballistic trajectory and is as accurate as a normal operational projectile. The result is that range safety traces can be reduced to as little as 8,000 m in place of the 30,000 m plus required for firing ranges where operational APFSDS rounds are fired. The steel LKL projectile is carried in a discarding sabot assembly secured in a normal CCC. The CCC contains approximately 8.2 kg (±0.3 kg) of granular nitrocellulose, multiperforated (19-hole) propellant in a containment bag which prevents spillage in the event of a rupture of the combustible case walls. Although described as combustible, case ignition does leave the steel base stub intact for ejection from the gun after firing. Muzzle velocity is 1,700 m/s.</p><h2>Authorised fuzes</h2><p>None involved Equivalent rounds NETHERLANDS</p><p>NETHERLANDS</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>Eurometaal NV</p><p>Type: KE-Practice</p><p>Description: Licence production of Rheinmetall LKL round. Specifications as text</p>

The Rheinmetall DeTec 120 mm APFSDS-T-TP (LKL) is an armament Rheinmetall 120 mm Smoothbore Guns used on the Leopard 2 and Leopard L1A1A1 (prototype); Japanese Type 90; South Korean K1A1. M256 Cannon used on M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams MBTs.

This round can also be fired from the Otobreda 120 mm Smoothbore Gun, the Swiss 120 mm Compact Gun, the Giat Industries 120 mm Smoothbore Guns G1 and F1, and the Israel Military Industries ( IMI ) MG251 120 mm Smoothbore Gun. Technical references retained in this configuration include TPCSDS-T, APFSDS-TP-T, 105 mm, 72A, 8.2 kg, ±0.3 kg.

Rheinmetall DeTec 120 mm APFSDS-T-TP (LKL)

Rheinmetall DeTec 120 mm APFSDS-T-TP (LKL)

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