Thursday, April 23, 2020

German 120mm Tank Ammunition





This blogpost takes a look at the history and specifications of German 120mm tank ammunition.
It will include parts with speculative aspects, since as of today not all details about every round are declassifed or publicly available.
It also has to be noted that this website is partly modeled after Stefan Kotschs' publication about the same topic.
This article is primarily focused on the APFSDS munitions. Coverage of a HE ammunition will be added at a later stage. The order of the described 120mm rounds is chronological (DM13-DM73).


  • Nomenclature
  • APFSDS munitions
  • HE munitions (work in progress)
  • Sources


Nomenclature



To some people the name designations of german ammunition might be confusing, hence why i created this section.

The abbreviation prefix "DM" stands for "Deutsches Modell" (German Model) and is the prefix of every ammunition type in service with the Bundeswehr. There are other abbreviations like "DT" which means "Deutsches Truppenversuchsmodell" (German Trialmodel) or "DE" as in "Deutsches Entwicklungsmodell". These are used for ammunitions which are in a trial phase or in development.

For tank projectiles the number gives clarification about the series and the type of ammunition used. An example for is the number 3: All Ammunitions which have a 3 at the end of their number designation are Kinetic Energy (AP, APDS, APFSDS) munitions.
It has to be noted that every caliber has its own series, which means that there is a DM13 round for both 105mm guns and 120mm guns.

If there is an upgrade or change to a round, a suffix is added. For example: DM53 -> DM53 A1.
The "A" stands for " Ausführung (Version) and the number represents the specific upgrade.


Explanatory example


DM13


120mm DM13 APFSDS-T

The 120mm DM13 was the first indigenous APFSDS development in Germany.
Like all of its successors it was supplied and designed by Rheinmetall. It was introduced in 1979 alongside the Leopard 2.
DM13 together with the DM12 shell were the standard loadout for Leopard 2s.
It relies on two WHA (Tungsten Heavy Alloy) cores which are screwed together.
Those cores had a combined length of about 450mm.

DM13 blueprint ("Kern" = Core)
  • Weight data: 
    • Cartridge: 18.7kg
    • Propellant: 7.3kg
    • Projectile: 7.2kg
    • Projectile (without sabot): 4.6kg
    • Tungsten cores: 3.0kg
    • Primer: 0.5kg
    • Casing: 3.6kg
  • Projectile Length: 460mm
  • Projectile Diameter: 38mm
  • Muzzle Velocity: 1650m/s (Rh120  L/44)
  • Chamber pressure: 5100 bar
  • Penetration: 220mm at 2km and 60° 

DM23


Soon after the introduction of DM13 the round was already deemed outdated, so DM23 was designed.
It was fielded in 1983, during the second delivery batch of the Leopard 2. DM23 featured a longer and thinner penetrator, which also received a ballistic cap.
The cartridge and the propellant were also modified and optimized.


120mm DM23 APFSDS-T


  • Weight data:
    • Cartridge: 19kg
    • Projectile: 7.2kg
    • Penetrator: 4.6kg
    • Tungsten core: 4.3kg
  • Projectile Length: 485mm
  • Core Length: 360mm
  • Projectile Diameter: 32mm
  • Muzzle Velocity: 1650m/s (Rh120  L/44)
  • Penetration: 240mm at 2km and 60°


DM33


The DM33 round was introduced in 1987 and perhaps is the most widely used 120mm tank round in the world.
Compared to its predecessor DM33 features a further elongated and thinner penetrator.
It also received a break-off tip to improve performance against complex targets.
However it was not able to deal with the best soviet tanks of its time, due to its inability to reliably defeat Kontakt-5 ERA, which was demonstrated in the Swedish tank trials in the early 90ies.
The propellant was once again modified, making it more consistent under different temperature conditions.

120mm JM33 APFSDS-T

  • Weight data:
    • Xray of DM33
    • Cartridge: 19kg
    • Projectile: 7.3kg
    • Tungsten core: 4.3kg
  • Projectile Length: ~640mm
  • Projectile Diameter: 25mm
  • Muzzle Velocity: 1650m/s (Rh120  L/44)
  • Penetration: At least 470mm at 2km and 0°



DM43


DM43 was a subsequent development of the LKE-I program, meant to replace the DM33 ammunition. Its' introduction was scheduled for 1992, but it never saw use in the German Army, since its follow-up study, LKE II was already close to being concluded. A slightly modified version of DM43 is in use with the French Army known as OFL 120 F1. Its design aspects follow the previous trend of a longer and thinner Tungsten penetrator. The penetrator has been optimized to defeat armor arrays at steep angles.

120mm DM43 APFSDS-T
  • Weight data:
    • Cartridge: 19.5kg
    • Projectile: 7.2kg
    • Propellant: 7.5kg
  • Projectile Length: ~655mm
  • Projectile Diameter: ~20-21mm (Probably jacketed)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 1740m/s (GIAT 120mm  L/52)
  • Penetration: 560-600mm at 2km and 0° (unconfirmed)


DM53 / DM63


After the results of the Swedish tank trials and other tests in the 90ies it became obvious that there had to be an improvement anti tank munitions in Germany. Since the LKE I projectile DM43 failed to deliver a large enough improvement compared to DM33, the German Army opted to use DM53 immediately.
The ammunition was first fielded and certified by the Swiss Army in 1998 as Pfeil Pat 98 Lsp.
The DM53 APFSDS is the first design from Germany that is able to reliably defeat tanks equipped with Heavy ERA (like Kontakt-5).
Its muzzle energy is 15% higher compared to its predecessors when fired out of an L/44 gun, when using an elongated L/55 gun the value increases to 30%.


120mm DM53 APFSDS-T



In 2005 Rheinmetall first supplied the upgraded DM63 munition to the Bundeswehr. Its metrics are similar to the ones of its predecessor, but it features a thermal independent propellant system (TIPS) which normalizes gun tube pressure and allows for safer operations in extreme climate.

Slide from Rheinmetall NITROCHEMIE Presentation (2007)

  • Weight data:
    • Cartridge: 21.5kg
    • Projectile: 8.5kg
  • Projectile Length: 745mm
  • Projectile Diameter: ~20mm
  • Muzzle Velocity: 1670m/s (Rh120 L/44) or 1760m/s (Rh120 L/55)
  • Penetration: 650-760mm at 2km and 0°


DM73


The DM73 project, also known as KE2020 was in development since at least 2016.
It is a response to current armor developments seen on modern vehicles, which are equipped with new Heavy ERA packages.

Part of a slide on a Rheinmetall Presentation (2016)

The upgrades to the round will include new propellant materials and a new long-rod tungsten penetrator, giving it a 20% performance increase together with the L/55A1 cannon compared to their predecessors.
According to Rheinmetall the munition will be qualified in 2020.


Sources


Web Sources

Literature

  1. Munitionsmerkblatt 1315-9213-1, 1-5 (1979).
  2. Schweizer Soldat: ACHTUNG PANZER. 09, 12-13 (2016).
  3. Data Sheets for Guns, Howitzers, and Mortars, Interoperable Ammunition, 36-37 (1986).
  4. Odermatt W., ASMZ : Sicherheit Schweiz: Die Hauptmunition der Kampfpanzer. 10, 20-22 (1995).

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Sunday, April 19, 2020

Puma IFV



The Puma is one of two infantry fighting vehicles of the Bundeswehr, scheduled to retire its predecessor, the Marder. This article will document the main design aspects of the Puma.
  • History and Service in the Bundeswehr
  • Propulsion & Drivetrain
  • Protection
  • Armaments
  • Fire Control System & Electronics
  • Sources

Development History


The orgins of the Puma program can be traced back to the underfunded days of the post-Coldwar era.
In 1996 the BWB (Bundeswehr procurement agency) - now renamed BAAINBw - called for a new standard armored platform, designed to replace the Leopard 2, the Gepard, and the Marder.

Out of those requirements came the NGP  (New Armored Platform) concept, which was pursued until 1998, when budget cuts ultimately killed the project. 
The small remaining funds were allocated to the new NeSpz  (New IFV) concept which had been researched until 2002.

One of the main requirements was the option of air transport for the, at the time, new missions like ISAF in Afghanistan.
After the conclusion of the tactical concept the German Ministry of Defence first favored producing a modified CV90 under license, but the german conglomerate PSM (Rheinmetall & KMW holding) offered a contract with a batch of 400 vehicles of their Panther IFV. This was in July 2002.

A few name changes (Panther, Igel, Puma) and 4 years later the first pre-production models were presented in 2006. 
Further budget cuts and problems like an unreliable gun stabilisation system delayed the next batch until 2009.

Trial Puma next to a Marder 1A3 (2007)

In the period of 2009 until 2015 the vehicle could have already been put in serial production - But there were many changes and improvements in basically all aspects of the vehicle (protection, mobility, firepower and electronics). 
The changes included the integration of MUSS, explosive reactive armor, and an improved BMS.
The engineers kept improving the vehicle until 2015, when the first serial production Puma was handed over to the German Army.

Lieutenant General Korff receiving the symbolic
 key for the Puma (June 2015, DPA)



Future Outlook


In April 2020 almost all Pumas of the first batch (350 vehicles) have been delivered. 
The MoD has secured funds for a second batch of 210 vehicles. 
These are projected to start after the completion of the first batch. 
All vehicles delivered during or after the Summer of 2020 will come in the Puma S1 configuration with MELLS (SPIKE LR2), upgraded radios, new monitors, and cameras. 
S1 configuration upgrades
A further development to a S2 configuration will be designed in the coming years. 
It will include the integration of a hardkill active protection system and the TSWA close range defense system.
This upgrade doesn't have apriority, as other vehicles within the Bundeswehr completely lack active protection systems.

Propulsion and Drivetrain

Engine being installed

MTU MT 892 Ka-501



The MT 892 Ka-501 is a modern engine made by MTU Friedrichshafen in Germany. 
It was developed as part of the NeSpz program to power the new IFVs. The development started in 2002 and was concluded in 2006, being one of the first parts of the Puma ready for mass production.

Its compact dimensions and light dry weight of 980kg were the perfect fit for the Puma IFV. 
This gives it a 25hp/t power to weight ratio at a full combat load.

There is a proposed upgrade, increasing its power to 1340hp. 
An upgraded version of the engine called the MT 892 Xa-500 was proposed. This version was meant to increase the power to 1.340 hp from the original 1.100 hp. The upgrade was never realized as the existing solution already met the design requirements.




Engine performance






Renk HSWL 256

Renk HSWL 256

The Renk HSWL 256 automatic transmission was specifically developed for the Puma IFV and the british AJAX scout vehicle. 
It has 6 forward and 6 reverse gears. 
The dry weight of the transmission is 1700kg. The complete powerpack with fluids weighs in at a 3.5 tons. 
The tranmission has additional features like oil pre-heating and a digital sensor package which allows quick and comprehensive diagnostics of the powerpack.
This makes ascertaining problems in field conditions quick and easy.







Track & Suspension System


The Puma uses a decoupled running gear with a hydropneumatic suspension. This allows vehicle to maintain a constant 450mm of ground clearance, regardless of the weight distribution.

The DLT 464D composite track is supplied by Diehl. It weighs 40% less for a given length than the Leopard 1s track, while offering the same performance on- and off-road.

These features contribute to the comparatively low noise of 95 decibels inside the vehicle at its top speed of 70km/h, which increases crew comfort.

Comparison of noise level
About the KMW solution








Protection
The Puma is often described as one of the best protected IFVs on the planet. When judged by weight the only vehicles which would be comparable are the T-15 Armata and the Namer IFV. 
3D render of the Puma armor

Base Armor of the Puma


In the airportable "A" configuration of  31.5t  the Puma is resistant to medium caliber munitions (STANAG 4569 Level 4) and 30mm armor piercing rounds from the frontal Arc.

The combat "C"configuration (43t) raises protection levels up to the STANAG 4569 Level 6 on the side and also gives better protection for the turret.

There were plans for a "B" configuration for train transport as well, but since the "C" configuration met the required STANAG regulations for train loading the "B" concept was made redundant.

The vehicle meets STANAG 4569 Level 4A mine protection levels.
The vehicle is tested the vehicle against a 10kg antitank mine to comply


Front Armor Documentation



Space for AMAP-B/SC Composite











(Note that the uppermost part of the cavity is used for electronics of the powerpack)

Stand-off NERA array at high obliquity













Puma UFP armor scheme (Credits: Piotr Zbies)













The Puma uses AMAP-B and AMAP-SC armor technology to protect against RPGs and 30mm APFSDS munitions. This is armor was originally developed by Ingenieurbüro Deisenroth (IBD) which also made the armor package of the Strv 122.

The highly sloped NERA Glacis armor of the Puma most likely consists of a multi layer array of titanium and aluminium, with a layer of elastic compositions inbetween, rather than conventional rubber like on older NERA designs.

In 1993 IBD Deisenroth had managed to develop a sandwitched NERA array which reduced the penetration of a warhead with 950mm RHA penetration to a mere 20mm.
It is likely that a similar approach was used on the Puma armor, suggested by the given images and the protection requirements.


Excerpt of a PEP article from 1993


3D Xray render of shaped charge impact
on NERA sandwich


The exact composition and materials are not disclosed, but there is some older footage available on the basic composition.








Weight efficiency of protection solutions
at Eurosatory 2014



As seen in the video, the main component of the armor are ceramics (made with a special hardening process with "nano materials") which have a significantly higher weight efficiency than convential steel (RHA).









Puma with and without
side armor

Side Armor Documentation


The side Armor of the production model Puma is comprised of High Hardened Steel (HHS), AMAP and CLARA ERA (outwards).

This protection level ("C" configuration) is enough to be on the frontal protection level, since CLARA on its own can resist 30mm APFSDS. The ERA, together with the AMAP base armor should be able to stop even the most modern shoulder launched threats.




A glimpse on the performance of AMAP armor was given in an image film by the manufacturer,
where a protection test rig was trialed against a RPG-7VLT.


Test against tandem warhead with 550mm penetration


The test was successful, the jet did not manage to penetrate the array.




MUSS - Multifunctional Self-Protection System


The MUSS softkill active protection system is a latest generation APS developed by Hensoldt.
MUSS components
The sensor heads which can detect laser / IR guided second and third generation ATGMs are distributed all over the turret, providing 360° coverage. 

 The countermeasures include a laser warning receiver, the Jammer Pod which is installed on the top of the turret and the IR smoke dischargers. The sensors and countermeasures are connected by the individual electronic units.

 When the system detects a target, the gathered data gets distributed to the countermeasure systems, and immediately sending a warning to the crew of the vehicle. 

 The second countermeasure is the jamming process which works against wire-guided missiles.

 The third option is the discharging of the turnable smoke dispensers which can create a smoke screen within less then a second to disturb missiles which rely on an IR and optical seekers. 

 The system as a whole is passive and can not be visually tracked nor be detected in the thermal spectrum. It can track and fight multiple threats at the same time. It is also very light, weighing about 100kg.

CLARA - Composite Lightweight Adaptable Reactive Armor

Older version of CLARA stopping a PG7V
 at WTD 91 Meppen in 2006

The Pumas' upper hull sides are protected by CLARA explosive reactive armor made by Dynamit Nobel Defence, providing protection against advanced hollow charge munitions.
According to Rolf Hilmes the older and lighter version managed to reduce penetration of the RPG-7V to less than 10mm.
The newer and heaver module is said to be able to stop 30mm munition. The exact HEAT protection is unknown.

The production model Puma uses one row of CLARA, but it has been seen with a 2 row configuration in earlier versions as well.




Single ERA block
The development history of CLARA dates back to a requirement of the German Army to introduce a low fragmentation reactive armor.

This was an answer to the vehicle losses in the early ISAF campaigns, where german troops had to rely on badly protected vehicles during patrol missions.

Basic first generation ERA types (e.g. Kontakt-1 or Blazer ERA) with simple metal flyer plates were rejected and deemed unsafe for surrounding infantry.

This led to the first concepts of CLARA which was accepted by the German Army for the Fennek scout car, despite it never being fielded.
Back then a single ERA block weighed only 20kg, which was necessary to be able to fit it onto the light weight Fennek Scout vehicle.

In 2013 the German Army reassessed the Pumas armor protection, and came to the conclusion that there still was a lot of potential in upgrading its armor. This led to the proposal of an altered, and heavier version of the ERA package, now weighing 40kg per block.

It has potential usage for usage on other platforms and was already tested on vehicles like the Leopard 2 or the Boxer.






Armaments

Main Gun


The main armament of the Puma IFV is the dual feed 30mm Mauser Mk30-2 ABM cannon produced by Rheinmetall Waffe Munition (RMW).


Mk30-2 with dual feed

The barrel is rifled and chromed to enhance its service life.  Its small dimensions (3300mm) and low weight of 173kg with a low recoil force of 18kN allows mounting on very small turrets. The nominal rate of fire of the gun is certified at 700 rounds per minute. With the standard munitions the suggested combat range is 3000-4000m. The ammunition capacity on the Puma is 400 rounds.

The main ammunitions (produced by Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec) are the APFSDS-T and ABM / KETF rounds.


30mm x 173 ABM

The ABM munition has a programmable fuze which is programmed at the muzzle programming unit. Depending on the mode the warhead can be adjusted to a wide or narrow dispersion of the 162 tungsten subprojectiles (1.2g) to form a lethal cone capable of fighting infantry formations, light fortifications, light vehicles and airborne targets.

30mm x 173 APFSDS-T

 The APFSDS-T is designed to fight light / medium armored vehicles relying on a 235g Tungsten penetrator fired at muzzle velocity of approximately 1400m/s. These metrics give it a NATO certified penetration performance of 53mm against a 60° angled RHA plate at 1000m distance which would translate to a rough 90-100mm against a vertical target.

Coaxial Machine Gun


Currently the Puma uses the 5.56mm MG4 as its coaxial machine gun with 1000 readyrounds and a further 1000 rounds as reserve. 
The MG is recommended to be used at ranges up to 1500m. 
Munitions in use are the standard BW 5.56mm x 45 bullets: DM11 and DM21 Tracer rounds.

Modified MG5
There are plans to replace the current solution with the7.62mm MG5 since the the MG4's penetration was deemed to be insufficient. This upgrade will be made in the upcoming S1 or S2 configuration of the vehicle.





MELLS / SPIKE LR ATGM




The Puma S1 model also fields 2 MELLS (Spike LR) ATGMs in an external module mounted to the turret which are fired under armor by the gunner.

 The missile operates in a F&F (Fire and Forget) mode and attacks the target via top attack. It also has the so called "lock-on after launch" feature. 
The missile homes in on its target via an Infrared seeker or electro optical guidance (CCD). 

 It detonates its 130mm tandem warhead upon impact with penetration being greater than 1000mm of rolled homogenous steel.

 The ATGM has a range of up to 5.5km and is also used on the latest Marder IFVs.

Fire Control System & Electronics


EOTS II

Gunner's sight (EOTS II)


 The stabilized EOTS II sight uses the Attica 3rd Generation Thermal Imager, a CCD daylight camera with digital zoom and a laser rangefinder. 

 The system has a distinct operation mode where automated target tracking is possible. 
The display has a resolution of 1280x1024 with a FOV of up to 26°. 
The elevation range is -15° to +75° enabling the Puma to track and destroy airborne threats.


Peri RTWL


Commander's sight (PERI RTWL-B)


The primary optic for the commander is the PERI RTWL.
It is similar to the PERI R17A3 used on the Leopard 2 MBT.
They both have the ATTICA Thermal Imager with high identification ranges.

Attica M-ER
The sight also features an Autofocus function, a digital zoom and the LDR 38 laser rangefinder also found on the EOTS II sight. 
All of the sensor input is shown on a 1280x1024 display.
Both the gunner and commander can access each other's sensor input.






Locations of the Cameras


Other Situational Awareness Systems


The Puma relies on a 360° camera system, using over 11 external cameras giving allround vision to its crew. 
The cameras used are similar to the SPECTUS system seen on other vehicles as well.








TacNet BMS

Portable version of TacNet

Like most modern AFVs the Puma also features a BMS, supplied by Rheinmetall.
The system displays friendly units and allows marking OPFORs and mission goals.
The procurement was part of the larger scale D-LBO program, which aims to make every (digital) communications systems within the german army compatible with the others.










SEM 80/90 & SOTAS IP

SOTAS IP and SEM 80/90
SEM 80/90 is the (rather old) analogue radio used on many german vehicles. 
Its range of 17km is insufficent for modern combat scenarios, on top of that it is questionable whether it can resist jamming attacks of newer systems.
It will be replaced by a new SDR (software defined radio) from Rohde & Schwarz.


The digital battlefield communication system SOTAS IP is supplied by Thales.
It enables the IFV to communicate with dismounted units.
dismounts have access to a BMS which can send back information to the IFV. 
This has already seen service in Afghanistan, used on the Boxer APC.






Sources


Web Sources:
  1. https://www.vffwts.de/artikel/40-jahre-schuetzenpanzer-marder.html
  2. https://mtu-online-shop.com/print/3232171_MTU_Def_spec_10V890.pdf
  3. https://www.renk-ag.com/de/produkte-service/produkte/fahrzeuggetriebe/hswl-256/
  4. http://psm-spz.de/fileadmin/data/Datenblatt_Antrieb_Laufw.pdf
  5. http://www.psm-spz.de/home.html
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8RPqJvZX9g
  7. https://topwar.ru/uploads/posts/2014-10/1412502710_eurosatory-2014-ibd-nanotech_2.jpg
  8. https://www.hensoldt.net/fileadmin/HENSOLDT_2019/Products/Optronics/Vehicle_Optronics/0746_17_MUSS_brochure_E_intranet.pdf
  9. https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/de/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/weapons_and_ammunition/direct_fire/medium_calibre/index.php
  10. https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/de/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/weapons_and_ammunition/direct_fire/mittelkalibermunition/index.php
  11. http://www.angelopodesta.com/documenti/30mm_x_173_APFSDS-T_PMC_287.pdf
  12. https://www.eurospike.com/
  13. https://www.hensoldt.net/products/optronics/#c12320
  14. https://www.hensoldt.net/fileadmin/HENSOLDT_2019/Products/Optronics/Sensor_Components/0714_SL_0817-9_LDM_Product_Family_EN_LoRes.pdf
  15. https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/de/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/c4i_systems/command_and_control_system_tacnet/index.php

Literature:
  1. Newsletter Verteidigung, Special GTK Boxer. 39, 20-21 (2009).
  2. Hilmes, Rolf. Kampfpanzer heute und morgen: Konzepte - Systeme - Technologien, 90-91 (2007).
  3. Maclaurin, Bruce. High Speed Off-Road Vehicles: Suspensions, Tracks, Wheels and Dynamics, 44-45 (2018).
  4. Thoma, K & Vinckier, D. & Kiermeir, J. & Deisenroth, U. & Fucke, W. Shaped Charge Jet Interaction with Highly Effective Passive Systems. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics. 18, 275 - 281 (1993).
  5. Demark, R., Groddeck, M. & Ruetz, G. Die neue Dieselmotoren-Baureihe 890 von MTU. MTZ Motortech, 80–86 (2006).


Credits:



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