Cartridge, 105 mm: HEAT-T M456 series

of the projectile body. The spike assembly for the M456A2 is produced by the AAI Corporation. At one time there was a programme to replace the M456 series with a new 105 mm HEAT-MP-T round known as the XM815. The projectile involved used folding fins and a PIBD XM763 fuze system. This programme was subsequently cancelled. Description All rounds in the 105 mm HEAT-T M456 series are fixed, with the projectile assemblies rigidly secured to the brass or steel cartridge cases by a series of crimping indentations. The projectiles are steel bodied and all have plastic obturators and seals. The front of the projectile is occupied by a threaded standoff spike assembly (weight 2.13 kg) with an impact switch assembly at the tip. The sensor switch assembly is connected internally to an M509A1 base detonating fuze. As the assembly impacts on a target, a piezoelectric element generates a voltage enabling the fuze to function and ignite 970 g of Composition B formed into a shaped charge behind a conical copper liner. The rear of the projectile is connected to a fin and boom assembly; the fin is threaded to receive a replaceable M13 tracer which burns for a minimum of 2.5 seconds after firing. The M148A1B1 cartridge case contains a nominal 5.5 kg of loosely packed M30 triple-base propellant. An M83 electrical primer is fitted to the base, connected to a flash tube extending almost to the tail of the projectile assembly. Before loading, the primer is normally protected by a metal clip over the base of the cartridge case. A barrel wear reducing titanium dioxide liner is assembled to the interior wall of the M456E1 cartridge case; this is not present on the M456. The M456A1 and M456A2 liner is covered by a high-temperature wax topped with a mylar barrier. The muzzle velocity for all the rounds in the 105 mm HEAT-T M456 series is 1,173.5 m/s. Maximum possible range is 8,975 m, although maximum combat ranges are limited to a maximum of 1,500 m. It has been estimated that the M456A2 warhead can penetrate up to 432 mm of armour or 175 mm set at an angle of 60º. At operational ranges it can penetrate a NATO single heavy target. On detonation, viable anti-personnel fragments are scattered over a radius of at least 15 m. The training round for the 105 mm HEAT-T M456 series is the Cartridge, 105 mm: TP-T, M490. This has the same ballistic characteristics, weight and dimensions as the 105 mm M456 series but the steel-bodied, inert projectile assembly contains only 38 g of Composition A5 ignited by a PIBD M549 fuze for target marking purposes; there is an M13 tracer in the fin assembly. The standoff spike is solid aluminium. Cartridge cases may be of the M148A1 or M148A1B1 pattern. A complete M490 round weighs 20.4 kg and length is 990.6 mm. Maximum range is 8,207 m. The TP-T M490 is produced in the USA by General Dynamics, Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) and Lockheed Martin. Also intended for the training role is the Cartridge, 105 mm: TP-T M490A1. This differs from the M490 in several respects, not the least of which is that the M490A1 projectile lacks a tail and boom assembly. The projectile is all-steel and contains an M13 tracer in the projectile base. The cartridge case may be of the M14A or M14B type, containing M14 propellant ignited by an M80A electrical primer. The complete round is 1.164 m long and weighs 20.78 kg. Authorised fuzes PIBD M509A1 or M509A2 Equivalent rounds BELGIUM BELGIUM Manufacturer MECAR SA Type: HEAT-MP-T M1061 Description: Enhanced equivalent to M456A2. Round weight 22 kg and round length 995 mm. Explosive used is 970 g of Composition B acting on a copper liner. Muzzle velocity 1,173 m/s. Stated to have performance characteristics of M456A2 but fitted with an electronic PIBD fuze with a graze function and two independent in-bore safeties. Sales have been made to an unspecified Middle East nation. A training version, the M490A1 HEAT-TP-T, is also available EGYPT Manufacturer Heliopolis Company for Chemical Industries Type: HEAT-T M456A1 Description: Standard US specifications. TP-T M490 also produced FRANCE Manufacturer Giat Industries Type: HEAT-T NR 132/M456 Description: Originally produced by PRB of Belgium but now available from Giat Industries. Equivalent to M456A1. Available with either brass or steel cartridge cases. Specifications provided show some changes from the US original. Round weight is 21.8 kg with projectile weight 9.8 kg. Propellant weight is 5.2 kg of M30 . Round length is 999 mm. HEAT-TP-T M490 also produced GERMANY Manufacturer Rheinmetall DeTec Type: HEAT-MP-T Description: Generally similar to M456 series. Round weight is 21.7 kg and projectile weight 10.3 kg. Muzzle velocity is 1,174 m/s and chamber pressure 3,700 bar. Round length is 1,174 mm. A HEAT-Prac is available GREECE Manufacturer Hellenic Arms Industry (EBO) Type: HEAT-T M456A1 Description: Standard US specifications IRAN Manufacturer Defence Industries Organisation, Ammunition Group Type: HEAT-T Description: Appears to be based on M456 series with explosive warhead weighing 1.1 kg but otherwise standard specifications ISRAEL Manufacturer Israel Military Industries ( IMI ) Type: I-HEAT-T M152/3 Description: See separate entry ITALY Manufacturer Simmel Difesa SpA Type: HEAT-T Description: Specifications as for M456A1. TP-T also produced KOREA, SOUTH Manufacturer Daewoo Corporation Type: HEAT-T M456A1 Description: Standard US specifications Manufacturer Korea Explosives Company Type: HEAT-T M456A1 Description: Standard US specifications Manufacturer Poongsan Corporation Type: HEAT-T M456A1 Description: Standard US specifications. Also produced is TP-T M490 SPAIN Manufacturer Barreiros Hermanos Internacional SA Type: HEAT or HEAT-T M456 Description: Available with or without tracer. Otherwise standard US specifications UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Manufacturer General Dynamics, Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) Type: HEAT M456A2 Description: Standard specifications. Also produced is TP-T M490