Advanced 130-mm tank gun from Rheinmetall AG
It should be noted about the development of promising 130-mm tank guns became known in February of this year, and the work started even earlier. A few months ago, some working materials of Rheinmetall AG concerning the development of tank weapons leaked to free access. On the published presentation slides, it was pointed out that the existing fleet of tanks could be updated in two stages, implying the use of different means and objectives corresponding to the current state of affairs.
The first stage, designated as “modernization”, implies further improvement of existing systems. It was proposed to create a new version of the existing 120-mm tank gun and ammunition for it. By increasing the pressure in the barrel bore, it is proposed to increase the overall effectiveness of the gun by 20%. Additional means of increasing the parameters of the tank in this case should be a new fire control system and other equipment.
The second stage of the update was called the New caliber. As is clear from the name, in this project it was proposed to create a tank gun of increased caliber. By increasing the caliber from the existing 120 to the prospective 130 mm, according to the project requirements, the overall effectiveness of the implement can be increased by 50%. In addition, it was noted that the marketing phase of the project should start in 2016 year. Other dates for the implementation of the new project were not specified.
As one of the main prerequisites for the development of advanced high-caliber guns indicated the emergence of new Russian armored vehicles. As far as is known, the new Russian tank and infantry fighting vehicle built on the basis of the Armata platform differ from other vehicles in a higher level of protection. As a result, to combat such armored vehicles is required weapon with relevant characteristics. The answer to such challenges and should be a new 130-mm gun.
Interestingly, the slide from the presentation of Rheinmetall AG, published by foreign media, dated 2015 year. Thus, by the time of its wide publication, the development of new projects could begin, including high-powered tools.
As it became known a few days ago, at the beginning of this year, the company-developer completed the design work, and then proceeded to manufacture the first tool of a new type. The assembly of an experienced product was completed in May. Shortly after the assembly was completed, a new type of weapon was sent to France to participate in the Eurosatory 2016 exhibition as one of the elements of the exposition of Rheinmetall AG. After the exhibition, scheduled for June 17, is completed, the prototype instrument will set off again and be taken to the test site.
The purpose of the new project 130-mm guns is to improve the combat qualities of the upgraded and promising tanks due to the growth of the main parameters of the gun. The existing 120 caliber mm gun used on a number of modern tanks of several countries was used as a reference when developing a new project. In addition, the published information suggests that the new tool is largely a development of the existing sample, the design of which uses a significant number of innovations associated with an increase in caliber.
"Reference" gun has a caliber 120 mm and is equipped with a barrel length 55 caliber. In the new project, it was decided not only to increase the caliber, but also to change the proportions of the main units. Thus, the length of the trunk, envisaged by the new project, has been reduced to 51 caliber (6,63 m). Nevertheless, despite a slight decrease in the length of the barrel, the gun must show higher characteristics.
The instrument retains the overall architecture of the predecessor. The design of the product is divided into the barrel, breech, recoil devices and a number of other units. At the same time, the design of individual units was modified in connection with an increase in caliber and an increase in the overall dimensions of the ammunition. The principles of work, however, remained the same.
The gun of the new type gets a smooth barrel length 55 calibers. The barrel receives an ejector for the release of powder gases and is equipped with a heat shield. Muzzle brake is not provided. The barrel gets a large size chamber, corresponding to the size of the new ammunition. The length of this part of the trunk is increased by about one and a half times. The barrel should be chrome-plated to increase the resource to the desired values. The new barrel has a mass at the level of 1400 kg. For comparison, the 120-mm gun barrel weighed less than 1350 kg.
The tool retains the general structure of the breech and its devices. In particular, a vertical shutter has been preserved, which loops below the bore for loading. The 130-mm system is proposed to be equipped with hydropneumatic recoil devices similar to those used previously. Two hydraulic recoil brakes and one hydropneumatic knurler are applied. At the same time, the design of recoil devices was strengthened in order to ensure operability under increased loads.
A curious feature of the new project is the approximate preservation of the dimensions and weight of the gun and its installation, despite the increase in caliber and characteristics. The overall weight of the gun mount is reportedly 3 t, the system length is on the order of 7 m. For comparison, the 120-mm gun had a total length of 6,6 m and weight over 3,3 t. Apparently, these features of the project are due to the desire of its authors to preserve the size of the new weapon at the level of the existing parameters, which will significantly simplify the modernization of modern tanks and the development of promising machines.
The development of two types of ammunition for use with the 130-mm gun has been announced. Proposed armor-piercing substandard and high-explosive fragmentation projectiles. When creating a new ammunition used some developments on existing products of similar purpose. At the same time, certain measures were taken to improve performance. Due to the wide use of existing developments, it was decided, as before, to use unitary projectiles.
The barrel and breech of the gun. Also projectiles caliber 120 and 130 mm. Photo Bmpd.livejournal.com
To defeat tanks and other armored vehicles, the new 130-mm gun must use an armored-pierced feathered sub-caliber projectile. This product receives a tungsten core responsible for breaking through the reservation. In addition, the proposed use of partially burning cartridges. A new type of armor-piercing projectile must be equipped with a propellant charge based on new powders. The latter feature of the project should lead to an additional increase in the speed and muzzle energy of the projectile, increasing its fighting qualities.
The second new ammunition for promising guns - high-explosive fragmentation projectile with programmable detonation. It is reported that such a projectile is developed on the basis of the existing DM11, intended for use with 120-mm cannons Rheinmetall AG. Probably, the 130-mm high-explosive fragmentation projectile will be equipped with a programmable fuse with a data cable placed inside the sleeve. Such equipment will allow the tank fire control system to establish the exact time of the explosion of the projectile, which will allow to hit a specific target at a given distance from the combat vehicle.
Most of the body of such a projectile should be occupied by an explosive charge. An interesting feature of the DM11 product is the use of a one-piece metal body capable of splitting into fragments during an explosion, as well as a head compartment with striking elements in the form of tungsten balls. When an explosive is exploded, the projectile is capable of creating a dense field of ready-made fragments, directed forward. In addition, a certain number of fragments are scattered to the side of the longitudinal axis of the munition.
The growth of the bore gauge allows you to significantly increase the size of the propellant charge, which should accordingly affect the general characteristics of the gun. It is argued that the new 130-mm gun in overall effectiveness should be approximately one and a half times as large as the existing 120-mm system (barrel length 55 caliber). This allows you to appropriately improve the fighting qualities of the upgraded and advanced armored vehicles.
According to the company-developer, in the near future, after the end of the Eurosatory 2016 exhibition, a prototype of a 130 mm caliber gun should go to the test site. There it is planned to begin full-fledged tests of the prototype with shooting with the use of different ammunition at various targets. Performing such work will pave the way for the next phases of the project.
DM11 projectile scheme. Figure Andrei-bt.Livejournal.com
Tests of 130-mm tank guns have not yet begun, but the timing of the implementation of certain phases of the project has been roughly determined. Thus, it is planned to bring the instrument to mass production by the middle of the next decade. Approximately in 2025, the first serial guns of the new model can be rolled off the Rheinmetall AG conveyor.
There is information about the plans of the developer regarding the use of advanced weapons on armored vehicles. According to current plans, the first carrier of the 130-mm gun can be a new modification of the main battle tank Leopard 2. Due to significant changes in the design of the gun in comparison with the existing weapons, it was decided to develop a new turret, in which the 130-mm system will be mounted. To simplify the manufacture of towers and the modernization of tanks, the new tower will be unified by the diameter of the shoulder strap with the existing product, which will make it possible to dispense with serious modifications of the body of the armored vehicle.
Another carrier 130-mm gun can become a promising main tank, planned to jointly develop the efforts of German and French enterprises. This combat vehicle could be developed over the next decade with the adoption of the 2030 of the year. For obvious reasons, the details of this project are unknown. There are only a few estimates and assumptions, among which there are data on the possible use of tools of increased power caliber 130 mm.
The new project of tank guns from the company Rheinmetall AG is of great interest. Previously, specialists from several countries have already attempted to create a new tank gun of increased caliber, but so far none of these projects have reached mass production and operation in the military. For one reason or another, all new designs of tank guns of the 140 caliber or 152 mm have not progressed further to the ground tests, and some have not even left the design work stage.
Having started the “marketing phase” of its project, the German company announced the characteristics of the gun and the approximate completion dates. Mass production will be prepared by the middle of the next decade. At the same time, the gun will be able to become a weapon of the modernized tank Leopard 2, and in the future its use on advanced combat vehicles is not excluded. Nevertheless, it should be noted that at the moment these are only plans that can be executed or remain unfulfilled.
From a technical point of view, the new project is of great interest. By changing a number of important parameters of the existing gun while maintaining its general scheme, it is claimed that it was possible to achieve a significant increase in the basic characteristics. With these innovations, a tangible improvement in the fighting qualities of the gun and the tank as a whole is achieved.
At the same time, the new project raises some questions. In addition, the preservation of some of the features of the basic 120-mm gun, which caused certain claims, may again lead to some unpleasant consequences. First of all, there are problems with the selected ammunition and type of loading. The Rheinmetall 120 mm cannon uses several types of unitary projectiles that are not compact and lightweight, which leads to corresponding problems.
Of all the existing tank carriers 120-mm guns of German development, only the Japanese "Type 90" is equipped with an automatic loader. In the crew of other tanks there is a loader who has to work with long and heavy ammunition. As can be seen in the existing images, the new 130-mm projectiles receive an elongated sleeve, which leads to an increase in the size and weight of the product. As a result, the maintenance of a new gun by the crew can turn into an even more difficult task. Thus, the development of a new tower or a new tank as a whole will require the creation of new systems, which can be a very difficult task.
In the context of the characteristics of ammunition for 130-mm guns should be noted the expected increased efficiency of high-explosive fragmentation projectile. Increasing the size of the projectile allows you to increase both the weight of the charge of the warhead and the number of damaging elements. In combination with the possibility of undermining at a given point in time, this will lead to a significant increase in combat qualities, as well as seriously expand the range of combat missions solved by the tank.
In its current form, the new project of Rheinmetall AG is of great interest from a technical and tactical point of view. A promising tool, like other new developments, is not without some flaws, and also leaves some reasons for complaints. Nevertheless, a prototype of the gun is already ready, which will be put to the test in the near future. According to the results of inspections in the conditions of the landfill, the project will be finalized. Several such cycles will allow the developer to improve the project and bring it to mass production, or to determine the futility of the instrument.
Thus, by the middle of the next decade, a new weapon for main tanks with enhanced characteristics may appear on the international arms market. Moreover, some possible carriers of such weapons have already been selected. The company Rheinmetall AG, showing the finished sample 130-mm tank gun, showed that it intends to claim leadership in the field of weapons for armored vehicles, and also wants to get the relevant sector of the market, which is not occupied by competitors. What will be the response of competing organizations, including Russian developers of armored vehicles and weapons for it, time will tell.
On the materials of the sites:
http://janes.com/
https://rg.ru/
http://defence.ru/
http://alternathistory.com/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
Information