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.
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.
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| Explanatory example |
DM13
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| 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.
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.
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| 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.
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.
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| 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.
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.
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| 120mm JM33 APFSDS-T |
- Weight data:
- 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°
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| Xray of DM33 |
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.
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| 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%.
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.
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%.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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.
It is a response to current armor developments seen on modern vehicles, which are equipped with new Heavy ERA packages.
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| 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
- http://www.kotsch88.de/m_120_mm.htm
- https://weblio.hs.llnwd.net/e7/img/dict/kkgnj/apfsds.jpg
- http://btvt.info/3attackdefensemobility/duplet.htm
- https://cloud.mail.ru/public/579x/2Z1Bqxm2m
- https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/de/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/weapons_and_ammunition/direct_fire/large_calibre/index.php
- https://www.edrmagazine.eu/countering-the-t-14
- https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/de/rheinmetall_defence/public_relations/themen_im_fokus/vjtf/index.php
- https://www.janes.com/images/assets/618/75618/Gearing_up_European_armies_bolster_the_lethality_and_survivability_of_their_AFV_fleets.pdf
Literature
- Munitionsmerkblatt 1315-9213-1, 1-5 (1979).
- Schweizer Soldat: ACHTUNG PANZER. 09, 12-13 (2016).
- Data Sheets for Guns, Howitzers, and Mortars, Interoperable Ammunition, 36-37 (1986).
- Odermatt W., ASMZ : Sicherheit Schweiz: Die Hauptmunition der Kampfpanzer. 10, 20-22 (1995).
