Name: Projectile, 155 mm: HE, DP, Improved Conventional
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Payload ; 24

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<h2>Armament</h2><p>M1A1 Cannon for M114/M114A1 Towed Howitzer; M1A2 Cannon for M114A2 Towed Howitzer; M199 Cannon for M198 Towed Howitzer; M126/M126A1 Cannon for M109 Self-propelled Howitzer; M185 Cannon for M109A1 to M109A4 series of self-propelled howitzers; M284 Cannon for M109A5 and M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers; XM777 Lightweight Towed Howitzer. The Projectile, 155 mm: HE, DP, Improved Conventional Munition, M483A1 can also be fired from the following artillery weapons: NORICUM GH N-45 Gun-Howitzer; CITEFA CALA 30/2; Patria Vammas M-83 and 155 GH 52 howitzers; Giat Industries TR and 155/52 guns and M114F Howitzer; Field Howitzer FH-70 ; Soltam Model 839P and 845P towed howitzers, M-71 Gun-Howitzer , M-68 Gun-Howitzer, M-46 Field Gun, and M114S Howitzer; Hadid 155 mm Howitzer HM41 ( Iran ); Otobreda 155/39 TM Howitzer; KH179 Howitzer ( South Korea ); RDM M139 and M139/39 howitzers; STK FH-88 and FH-2000 Gun-Howitzers; LIW G5; SITECSA 155/45 ST 012 Gun-Howitzer; SANTA BARBARA SB 155/39 and 155/52 APU SBT-1 Howitzers, M114 155/45 and M114 155/39 conversions; Bofors FH-77B Howitzer; Bison Fortress Gun (Switzerland); T65 Howitzer and Extended Range Gun ( Taiwan ); 155 mm/52-calibre Howitzer ( Turkey ); M46/84 Gun and M65 Howitzer (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ). The Projectile, 155 mm: HE, DP, Improved Conventional Munition, M483A1 can also be fired from the self-propelled artillery weapons: TAMSE VCA ( Argentina ); PZL45 ( PRC ); Giat Industries GCT and CAESAR 155/52; PzH 2000 (Germany); M44T (Germany); Soltam Rascal, Slammer and L33; Hadid 155 mm Self-propelled Cannon HM44 Thunder 2 ( Iran ); Otobreda Palmaria and M109L ; Type 75 ( Japan ); K9 Thunder( South Korea ); ZTS ZUZANA ( Slovakia ); LIW G6; SFAW M109 Upgrade (Switzerland); XT-69 ( Taiwan ); SP2000 ( Turkey ); AS90 and Braveheart (UK); UD 155 mm/52-calibre International Howitzer (USA).</p><h2>Development</h2><p>Design studies for a Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM - often referred to as a `Cargo' round), to expand the range of munitions available for the US Army's 155 mm artillery systems began in the late 1960s. The first type classified result, the 155 mm DPICM M483, was soon replaced by the 155 mm DPICM M483A1 which differs only in detail. The 155 mm DPICM M483A1 contains 88 submunition dual-purpose grenades and the nature of this payload means that the projectile contents cannot withstand the high g</p><h2>Description</h2><p>The 155 mm DPICM M483A1 projectile is a separate loading munition consisting of a 1340 or 4190 forged steel alloy body assembly lined internally with glass fibre, an expulsion charge assembly, a pusher plate, 88 individual submunitions (the grenades) and an aluminium ogive, a short hollow boat tailed aluminium base plug. A MTSQ M577 or ET M742 fuze is threaded into the nose fuze well although projectiles are stored, transported and handled using an energy absorbing threaded lifting plug screwed into the fuze well. A metal drive band and plastic obturating band are located close to the base of the projectile; both are protected by a plastic grommet which is removed before loading. In operation, the fuze functions at the selected time during the projectile's trajectory and initiates a 58 g expulsion charge of M10 propellant located at the base of the fuze well. The resultant increase in internal pressure against the pressure plate and the contents forces the base plug to shear and the shell contents are ejected. Centrifugal forces disperse the entire grenade load radially from the projectile line of flight. The grenades are of two types, the M42 and M46 . The 155 mm DPICM M483A1 carries 88 of them, 64 M42 grenades arranged in the eight layers closest to the projectile nose, and 24 M46 grenades in the three layers closest to the base. Both grenades are basically identical, although the wall of the M46 is heavier and thicker to carry the setback loads imposed on the bottom layers when fired. Serrations are embossed into the inner wall of the M42 grenades to enhance fragmentation; M46 grenades are not embossed. The grenades are unarmed while inside the projectile and are armed mechanically by spin after ejection. While in flight they are stabilised and orientated for impact by the deployment of a nylon ribbon streamer which also creates spin to arm the grenade. The grenades detonate on impact under the control of an integral M223 or M337A1 graze fuze mechanically initiating an M55 detonator. Each grenade contains 30.5 g of Composition A5 formed into a shaped charge with a 60º cone angle which is directed downwards to produce an anti-armour jet capable of penetrating approximately 70 mm of homogeneous armour plate. Fragmentation of the grenade body produces anti-personnel effects, as well providing a fixed standoff distance of 19 mm. Both grenades are 82.55 mm long. The M42 weighs 208 g and the M46 213 g. The lethality ratio of the 155 mm DPICM M483A1 compared to the 155 mm HE M107 projectile (filled with Composition B) is stated to be as high as 6.54:1. The 155 mm DPICM M483A1 can also be fired in a fire registration mode. In this mode the expulsion charge is replaced by a spotting charge. When the fuze functions the spotting charge causes all 88 grenades to detonate, causing the projectile to fragment in the same manner as a conventional HE shell and provide an airburst marker for fire registration. The 155 mm DPICM M483A1 can be fired using the M3A1/M4A2 bagged charge system, normally from Charge 3 upwards, or the M119 series of unitary bagged charges. The M203 Charge 8S cannot be utilised with the 155 mm DPICM M483A1. The Propelling Charge M3A1 is a green bag charge using 2.495 kg of M1 propellant divided into a base charge and four increments for firing as Charges 1 to 5. It has an M2 flash reducer pad (weighing 28.3 g) assembled in front of the base charge with similar pads assembled in front of increments 4 and 5. The increment bags are tied together by four cloth straps and a clean-burning igniter charge in a red cloth bag is sewn to the rear of the base charge. The complete charge is 406 mm long. The Propelling Charge M3 is similar to the M3A1 , but lacks the M2 flash reducer pads and an 85 g charge of black powder is used in the igniter pad. It should be noted that Charge 1 cannot normally be used with the longer barrelled weapons. The Propelling Charge M4A2 is a white bag charge using 5.897 kg of M1 propellant divided into a base charge and four increments for firing as Charges 3 to 7. The increments are tied together by four cloth straps. A 96.4 g clean-burning igniter charge in a red cloth bag is sewn to the rear of the base section and an M2 flash reducer pad is assembled in front of the base charge. The complete charge is 533 mm long. The Propelling Charge M4A1 is similar to the M4A2 but does not contain the M2 flash reducer pad (although this can be added if required) and the base igniter contains black powder. The M3 and M4 series of charges used with the 155 mm DPICM M483A1 are fired using the M82 primer. The M2 flash reducer pad used with these charges is a 101.6 mm square red cotton cloth bag containing black powder and potassium sulphate or potassium nitrate. The Propelling Charge M119 is a single white bag charge in a laced jacket fired as Charge 8. It has an igniter bag sewn on to the base and a flash reducer pad is located on the front of the bag; the forward end also contains lead foil as a decoppering agent. The M119 contains approximately 8.62 kg of cool-burning M6 propellant with a central igniter consisting of a moulded nitrocellulose tube containing benite strands. The Propelling Charge M119A1 has some design improvements over the M119 including a modified ring-shaped flash reducer. The Propelling Charge M119A2 uses a red charge bag and does not have a laced jacket. It is provided with an igniter protector cap and tie strap which must be removed before firing; the circular red cloth igniter pad weighs 113 g. The M119A2 zone 7 is equivalent to the M119/M119A1 zone 8 charge. There are four 113 g potassium sulphate flash reducer increments located in side pockets. The M119A2 is 660 mm long. The M119A2 is produced by Eurometaal NV as the No 13. Ballistic performance achieved when firing the 155 mm DPICM M483A1 from the 155 mm M126 Cannon used on the M109 Self-propelled Howitzer is as follows: Charge 3 ( M3A1 green bag) - MV 253.9 m/s - range 5,590 m Charge 4 ( M3A1 green bag) - MV 293.5 m/s - range 7,080 m Charge 5 ( M3A1 green bag) - MV 349.5 m/s - range 9,050 m Charge 3 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 334.2 m/s - range 6,490 m Charge 4 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 310.1 m/s - range 7,720 m Charge 5 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 363.5 m/s - range 9,420 m Charge 6 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 445 m/s - range 11,730 m Charge 7 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 535.2 m/s - range 14,320 m. When fired from the 155 mm M185 Cannon used on the M109A1 to M109A4 series of self-propelled howitzers, the 155 mm DPICM M483A1 provides the following results: Charge 3 ( M3A1 green bag) - MV 263 m/s - range  5,940 m Charge 4 ( M3A1 green bag) - MV 304.1 m/s - range 7,500 m Charge 5 ( M3A1 green bag) - MV 358.3 m/s - range 9,300 m Charge 3 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 297.5 m/s - range 7,230 m Charge 4 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 337 m/s - range  8,630 m Charge 5 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 386 m/s - range 10,080 m Charge 6 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 460 m/s - range 12,150 m Charge 7 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 546.5 m/s - range 14,650 m Charge 8 ( M119/M119A1 ) - MV 650 m/s - range 17,740 m. When fired from the 155 mm M199 Cannon used on the M198 Towed Howitzer, the 155 mm DPICM M483A1 provides the following results: Charge 3 ( M3A1 green bag) - MV 261.9 m/s - range 5,852 m Charge 4 ( M3A1 green bag) - MV 303.6 m/s - range 7,450 m Charge 5 ( M3A1 green bag) - MV 358.1 m/s - range 9,167 m Charge 3 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 285.2 m/s - range 7,230 m Charge 4 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 326.5 m/s - range 8,630 m Charge 5 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 381.3 m/s - range 10,080 m Charge 6 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 460.7 m/s - range 12,150 m Charge 7 (M4A2 white bag) - MV 546.2 m/s - range 14,650 m Charge 8 ( M119/M119A1 ) - MV 655.8 m/s - range 17,740 m Charge 8 (M119A2) - MV 660 m/s - range 17,740 m. It is anticipated that future US 155 mm propellant charge systems will involve the employment of the M231/XM232 Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS). Other nations are adopting similar modular charge systems.</p><h2>Authorised fuzes</h2><p>MTSQ M577; ET M742 Equivalent projectiles NETHERLANDS</p><p>NETHERLANDS</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>Eurometaal NV</p><p>Type: 155 mm M483A1 Cargo</p><p>Description: Standard US specifications</p><p>PAKISTAN</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>Pakistan Ordnance Factories</p><p>Type: 155 mm M483A1 ICM</p><p>Description: Standard US specifications</p><p>TURKEY</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu ( MKEK )</p><p>Type: 155 mm M483A1 Cargo</p><p>Description: Standard US specifications. See under Development</p><p>UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>Lockheed Martin Milan Army Ammunition Plant</p><p>Type: 155 mm DPICM M483A1</p><p>Description: Standard specifications. Available as required</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>Morton Thiokol Inc</p><p>Type: 155 mm DPICM M483A1</p><p>Description: Standard specifications</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>General Dynamics, Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS)</p><p>Type: 155 mm DPICM M483A1</p><p>Description: Standard specifications. Available as required</p>

The Projectile, 155 mm: HE, DP, Improved Conventional is an armament M1A1 Cannon for M114/M114A1 Towed Howitzer; M1A2 Cannon for M114A2 Towed Howitzer; M199 Cannon for M198 Towed Howitzer; M126/M126A1 Cannon for M109 Self-propelled Howitzer; M185 Cannon for M109A1 to M109A4 series of self-propelled howitzers; M284 Cannon for M109A5 and M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers; XM777 Lightweight Towed Howitzer. The Projectile, 155 mm: HE, DP, Improved Conventional Munition, M483A1 can also be fired from the following artillery weapons: NORICUM GH N-45 Gun-Howitzer; CITEFA CALA 30/2; Patria Vammas M-83 and 155 GH 52 howitzers; Giat Industries TR and 155/52 guns and M114F Howitzer; Field Howitzer FH-70 ; Soltam Model 839P and 845P towed howitzers, M-71 Gun-Howitzer , M-68 Gun-Howitzer, M-46 Field Gun, and M114S Howitzer; Hadid 155 mm Howitzer HM41 ( Iran ); Otobreda 155/39 TM Howitzer; KH179 Howitzer ( South Korea ); RDM M139 and M139/39 howitzers; STK FH-88 and FH-2000 Gun-Howitzers; LIW G5; SITECSA 155/45 ST 012 Gun-Howitzer; SANTA BARBARA SB 155/39 and 155/52 APU SBT-1 Howitzers, M114 155/45 and M114 155/39 conversions; Bofors FH-77B Howitzer; Bison Fortress Gun (Switzerland); T65 Howitzer and Extended Range Gun ( Taiwan ); 155 mm/52-calibre Howitzer ( Turkey ); M46/84 Gun and M65 Howitzer (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ).

The Projectile, 155 mm: HE, DP, Improved Conventional Munition, M483A1 can also be fired from the self-propelled artillery weapons: TAMSE VCA ( Argentina ); PZL45 ( PRC ); Giat Industries GCT and CAESAR 155/52; PzH 2000 (Germany); M44T (Germany); Soltam Rascal, Slammer and L33; Hadid 155 mm Self-propelled Cannon HM44 Thunder 2 ( Iran ); Otobreda Palmaria and M109L ; Type 75 ( Japan ); K9 Thunder( South Korea ); ZTS ZUZANA ( Slovakia ); LIW G6; SFAW M109 Upgrade (Switzerland); XT-69 ( Taiwan ); SP2000 ( Turkey ); AS90 and Braveheart (UK); UD 155 mm/52-calibre International Howitzer (USA). Technical references retained in this configuration include M3A1/M4A2, M119/M119A1, M231/XM232, GD-OTS, 58 g, 42 g, 46 g, 337A, 1 g, 30.5 g, 70 mm, 19 mm, 82.55 mm, 208 g, 213 g, 88 g, 2.495 kg, 28.3 g, 406 mm, 85 g, 5.897 kg, 96.4 g, 533 mm, 101.6 mm, 8.62 kg, 119A, 113 g, 660 mm.

Projectile, 155 mm: HE, DP, Improved Conventional

Projectile, 155 mm: HE, DP, Improved Conventional

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