155 mm extended range full-bore illuminating

Lightweight Towed Howitzer; M46/84 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ). Self-propelled 155 mm howitzers: TAMSE VCA 155; NORINCO PLZ45 Self-propelled Gun-Howitzer; Giat Industries CAESAR 155/52; PzH 2000 ; Rheinmetall M109A3G and M44T ; Majnoon ( Iraq ); Soltam Rascal and Slammer; Otobreda Palmaria and M109L ; K9 Thunder ( South Korea ); ZTS ZUZANA ( Slovakia ); LIW G6; XT-69 ( Taiwan ); AS90 and Braveheart ; M109A4, M109A5 and M109A6 Paladin; XM2001/XM2002 Crusader AFAS. Development The 155 mm ERFB Illuminating projectiles are variants of the 155 mm ERFB Cargo projectile but contain a single parachute-suspended flare body, the output of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. For example, `European' 155 mm Illuminating projectiles produced by Eurometaal NV are claimed to produce 2 Mcd while South African projectiles produce a nominal 1 Mcd. During 1996, India placed a contract with Denel of South Africa for a total of 50,000 rounds of 155 mm ERFB ammunition. The contract was worth approximately Rs840 million (US$24.1 million) and included 5,000 Illuminating rounds at a reported price of US$800-900 each. Description While the outline of the 155 mm ERFB Illuminating projectile is the same as the 155 mm HE ERFB, the Illuminating projectile is manufactured in three parts. The main body is manufactured in two halves, with the aluminium forward section threading into the main forged steel body without disturbing the constant outline of the streamlined ogive. On the 155 mm ERFB Illuminating the base unit is a steel drag reduction boat tail component with a cavity. The 155 mm ERFB-BB Illuminating projectile base is closed by a Base Bleed (BB) unit. The hollow interior of the projectile body contains the flare body, the main parachute compressed into a light metal liner and a drogue parachute. These are all contained in a cylindrical light metal sleeve to assist smooth ejection. The nose of the projectile is normally occupied by a lifting plug but this is replaced by an MT, MTSQ or electronic fuze before firing. As the fuze functions it ignites an expulsion charge beneath the fuze body. As the expulsion charge detonates it also produces `spit back' through the hollow interior of the upper ogive and ignites a small pellet on an adaptor, part of an assembly screwed over the base of the flare body to form a top cover for the outer light metal sleeve. The pellet in its turn initiates a pyrotechnic delay, this burns as the internal pressures created by the expulsion charge push the contents downwards on the baseplate or base bleed unit to force it from the body. As the light metal sleeve and its contents emerge from the base, the drogue parachute deploys to ensure the rest of the sleeve assembly and its contents are pulled clear of the projectile body while at the same time providing an initial anti-spin and orientation function. After a short delay the pyrotechnic train reaches a black powder igniter pad, which detonates to initiate the magnesium-based flare composition and ejects the flare body and the main parachute from the sleeve assembly. The main parachute deploys and suspends the flare body as it starts to burn creating a wide area of illumination for a minimum of 90 seconds. South African 155 mm ERFB projectiles may be converted in the field, to remove boat tails from ERFB projectiles and fit base bleed units to produce ERFB-BB projectiles. The process is carried out using a projectile clamping table. The same table can also be used to remove damaged obturators and fit new ones. The table can be folded flat and weighs 25 kg. To take full advantage of the range potential of 155 mm ERFB and ERFB-BB Illuminating projectiles they are usually fired with high-energy charges, typically the NATO M3A1 (zones 3, 4 and 5), M4A2 (zones 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7), M119A1 (zone 8), M203 (zone 9) or the M11 (zone 10), the latter being restricted to 45 calibre or longer barrels. The propelling system for the LIW 155 mm G5 and G6 gun-howitzers originally involved a three-charge cloth bag system. This has been replaced by a modular system, developed by SOMCHEM , involving combustible cases with a built-in charge retaining device. The system may be used with ERFB and (above the basic Charge 2) ERFB-BB projectiles and all NATO 155 mm projectiles. The lowest charge for the Denel modular charge system is the Charge Propelling 155 mm Modular Charge 1 M51 . The combustible container for this charge is red and contains single-base granular propellant. The igniter is a combination of 20 g G12 gunpowder and 40 g CBI. The charge weighs approximately 2.3 kg, is 211 mm long and the diameter is 164 mm. The next charge is the Charge Propelling 155 mm Modular Charge 2 M52 . The combustible case is blue and houses triple-base propellant cords. The diameter at the front of the case is reduced to allow it to friction fit into the rear of a Charge 2 increment (see below). The igniter is a combination of 20 g G12 gunpowder and 40 g CBI. The charge weighs approximately 5.6 kg, is 373 mm long and has a diameter of 164 mm. This modular system continues with the Charge Propelling 155 mm Modular Increment M52 . One or two of these increments can be added to the normal Charge 2. Charge 2 plus one increment can be used with boat tailed ERFB and all NATO 155 mm projectiles. Charge 2 plus two increments can be used with ERFB, ERFB-BB and all NATO 155 mm projectiles. Each increment is contained in a green combustible case which consists of triple-base propellant cords. The igniter contains 60 g of G12 gunpowder. The charge weighs approximately 4 kg, is 289 mm long and has a diameter of 164 mm. The top charge of the modular system is the Charge Propelling 155 mm Modular Charge 3 M53 . The charge is contained in a purple (jacaranda) combustible case containing triple base tubular propellant. The igniter contains G12 gunpowder. The charge weighs approximately 17.1 kg, is 930 mm long and has a diameter of 164 mm. All charges are ignited by the Tube Percussion M82 containing 1.4 to 1.5 g of gunpowder. The tube is 49.37 mm long with a diameter over the rim of 15.24 mm. With this system the following ballistic performances can be achieved using a 45 calibre barrel: Charge 1 - MV 350 ±5 m/s - max range 9,100 m Charge 2 - MV 483 ±5 m/s - max range 13,400 m Charge 2 + 1 increment - MV 645 ±5 m/s - max range 19,000 m Charge 2 + 2 increments - MV 795 ±5 m/s - max range 25,400 m Charge 2 + 2 increments + BB - MV 789 ±5 m/s - max range 31,000 m Charge 3, standard shell - MV 897 ±5 m/s - max range 30,200 m Charge 3 + BB - MV 895 ±5 m/s - max range 39,000 m. This modular charge system has now been replaced by one involving up to six M62A1 combustible modular charges all with the same content and meeting the NATO Joint Ballistics MoU. The charges are produced by SOMCHEM and can be used with ordnance up to 52 calibres long. Other similar modular charge systems could be employed. A typical range for the 155 mm ERFB Illuminating projectile when fired from 45 calibre barrels is 30,000 m and a typical 155 mm ERFB-BB Illuminating projectile can reach 39,000 m. Authorised fuzes MTSQ M577 series Electronic NINA, ZELAR, Fuchs M8611 and so on Equivalent projectiles CHINA , PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC CHINA Manufacturer China North Industries (NORINCO) Type: 155 mm ERFB-BB Illuminating Description: Provides more than 1.3 Mcd for 80 seconds (yellow light). Maximum range 24,000 m and muzzle velocity 792 m/s (Zone 9). Projectile is 960 mm long and weight 45.8 kg. Fitted with MTSQ M577 fuze. A variant, which may be a later development, produces 1.15 Mcd for approximately 75 seconds while descending at a velocity of around 4.5 m/s; this version weighs 46.23 kg NETHERLANDS Manufacturer Eurometaal NV Type: 155 mm ERFB and ERFB-BB Illuminating Description: Specifications as text. Available for production. Propelling charge No 16 also produced SOUTH AFRICA Manufacturer Denel (Pty) Limited ( SWARTKLIP ) Type: Shell 155 mm Illuminating BE M1 Description: Specifications as text. Produced for LIW 155 mm G5 and G6 artillery systems and marketed by Denel SWITZERLAND Manufacturer NORICUM Type: SEN-155 mm Illuminating Description: Marketed by T & T Technology Trading Limited. Produces 2 Mcd for 90 seconds. Weight 48.5 kg and length 957 mm