Orbital ATK to develop a new 120mm tank ammo 40910153

Defence & Security News - (Orbital ATK)
 
Orbital ATK to develop a new 120mm tank ammo
Orbital ATK has been awarded a contract for the first phase of development for a next generation 120mm tank ammo. The new ammunition will provide M1 Abrams crews with an Advanced Multi-Purpose, XM1147 High Explosive Multi-Purpose with Tracer cartridge. Thus, they will have a multi-purpose round that will replace four existing ones, giving greater flexibility with a smaller logistical burden.
     
Orbital ATK to develop a new 120mm tank ammo
A US Army GDLS M1A4 Abrams tank during an exercise in Germany (Source: US Army)
     

MP provides bunker and light-armor defeat, obstacle reduction and dismount engagement. Additionally, the round provides tank crews with an added capability to breach reinforced walls, and engage anti-tank crews and dismounts at ranges up to 2,000 meters.

“Our ammunition innovations like advanced kinetic energy penetrators and airbursting munitions are providing combat overmatch for our warfighters – which is our company’s mission,” said Dan Olson, Vice President and General Manager for Orbital ATK’s Armament Systems division of the Defense Systems Group. “Our ability to innovate comes from a long history of creating new capabilities for existing systems through our expertise in fuzing, warheads and platform integration.”

Earlier this year, Orbital ATK and the U.S. Army completed qualification for the M829E4, creating the Army's fifth generation, 120mm kinetic energy round that features a penetrator capable of defeating all modern armor protection suites as well as future armor protection concepts.

Orbital ATK has successfully type-classified 11 of the 13 current 120mm tactical and training rounds for the Abrams tank during more than 30 years of experience partnering with the U.S. Army to provide the warfighter with advanced ammunition types.

Since 1980, Orbital ATK has delivered more than 4 million rounds of 120mm tactical and training tank ammunition to the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and allied militaries. Through its proven, system-level contracting approach that reduces risk to the customer, Orbital ATK has delivered a constant supply of consistently reliable and affordable 120mm ammunition.

Orbital ATK’s Defense Systems Group is an industry leader in providing innovative and affordable precision and strike weapons, advanced propulsion and hypersonics, missile components across air-, sea- and land-based systems, ammunition and related energetic products.