The XM1111 Mid-Range Munition (MRM) is a 120 mm precision guided munition developed for the Rheinmetall Rh-120 120mm gun (named the M256 in the US military) used by several Western tanks. It was also intended to fulfill a requirement for Future Combat Systems (canceled) for a long-range, beyond line of sight (BLOS) tank munition.
| MRM-CE | |
|---|---|
| Type | Dual use, B-LOS and LOS tank fired munition |
| Service history | |
| In service | Cancelled |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon Missile Systems |
| Unit cost | unknown |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | unknown |
| Length | unknown |
| Diameter | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Wingspan | none |
| Warhead | Shaped charge or kinetic energy penetrator |
Detonation mechanism | none |
| Engine | none required |
Operational range | 12.1 km (7.5 mi) |
| Flight altitude | N/A |
| Maximum speed | approx. 900 m/s (3,000 ft/s) (at launch) 1,650 m/s (5,400 ft/s) (with full acceleration) |
Guidance system | Semi-active laser and uncooled imaging infrared (IIR) homing seeker |
Launch platform | M1 Abrams, Leopard 2 |
The U.S. Army awarded two contracts in a competition to validate the requirement, one for a kinetic energy penetrator round (MRM-KE) and one for a chemical energy high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead round (MRM-CE).
In December 2007, Raytheon's CE-based concept was awarded the system-design-and-development contract to develop the round. Valued at $232.3 million, the 63-month contract covered system design and development.
The Mid-Range Munition was cancelled in 2009 along with Future Combat Systems.[1]
MRM-KE
editThe Mid-Range Munition-Kinetic Energy (MRM-KE) was an implementation of the MRM under development by Alliant Techsystems, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and HR Textron.[2]
The missile–projectile was designed to be used as a high-velocity penetrator for line of sight and beyond line of sight shots. In line of sight, it would operate using laser guidance or a millimeter wave seeker. In BLOS, the shell would be fired in a ballistic arc, and would seek out its own target.
The missile used a kinetic energy penetrator to penetrate enemy armor. This effect was improved by a rocket motor that sped the munition up. It steered with impulse thrusters.
MRM-KE used technology developed as part of the X-Rod and XM1007 Tank Extended Range Munition (TERM) programs, both of which were cancelled.[3][4]
Timeline
edit- April 2004: Successful test firing of the system.[5]
- May 2006: Successful high Mach flight maneuver test at Yuma Proving Ground.[6]
- July 2007: ATK Forms "Team MRM" to compete for the U.S. Army's XM1111 Mid-Range Munition Program.[2]
MRM-CE
editThe missile–projectile was to be a high-velocity multiple-mission projectile for line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight shots. In line of sight, it would operate using laser guidance or an uncooled imaging infrared seeker (IIR). In BLOS, the shell would be fired in a ballistic arc, and would glide to seek out its own targets. The BLOS mission could be autonomous or use FO directed target designation.
The MRM-CE uses a dual-mode MMW, imaging infrared (IIR) autonomous seeker or SAL is used to acquire and guide towards the target with high accuracy. The dual-mode seeker was developed and successfully demonstrated during a two-year, Army-managed science and technology program. MRM-CE refined seeker technology developed as part of the XM1007 Tank Extended Range Munition (TERM) program.
For a beyond-line-of-sight mission, the chemical energy warhead was a better solution; with proven lethality against the primary target of threat armor, and better effects against the secondary targets of buildings, fortifications, and light armor than a less versatile kinetic energy penetrator.
Specifications
edit- Warhead: Shaped charge HEAT.
- Guidance: Dual-mode MMW – imaging infrared homing or semi-active laser guidance.[7]
Program status
editSee also
edit- List of gun-launched missiles
- M982 Excalibur, 155 mm extended range guided artillery shell
References
edit- ^ "ATK awarded contract to develop Abrams Advanced Kinetic Energy Ammo". Soldiergeek.com. July 11, 2011. Archived from the original on November 9, 2011.
- ^ a b ATK Forms 'Team MRM' to Compete for the U.S. Army's XM1111 Mid-Range Munition Program - ATK PR
- ^ X-ROD - Global Security
- ^ XM1007 Tank Extended Range Munition (TERM) - Global Security
- ^ ATK'S MRM-KE Autonomously Searched, Guided And Hit Tank
- ^ ATK Achieves Success in MRM-KE Test - Deagel
- ^ a b MRM KE / CE 120mm - Defense Update
- ^ M-1 Gets 8,600 Meter Kill - Strategy Page