Frag Out! Magazine
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Country: Name: Range: Explosives (quantity) Explosives (type) TNT Equivalent Safety of use Poland RAK-HE 10 800 m 3.2 kg Insensitive K-43 3.2 kg Very high USSR/Russia 3ОФ49 8 850 m 4.9 kg A-IX-2 (RDX) 5.7 kg Low USSR/Russia 3ОФ50 12 800 m (RAP) 3.5 kg A-IX-2 (RDX) 4.14 kg Low USSR ОФ-843 7 100 m 2.6 kg TNT 2.6 kg Medium Sweden SAAB Thor 8 000 m 3.4 kg PBX N-110 4.42 k Low France TDA ARMAMENTS 120 HE 8 200 m 4.2 kg RDX 4.95 kg Low USA M934A1 7 200 m 3.0 kg Insensitive IMX-101 3.0 kg Very high mm artillery and shortage of guided rounds in this caliber is compen- sated by numerous MLRS systems (with the 300 mm 9A52 systems leading the way here). Lower rate of fire is also a problem that the Rus- sians have solved. They simply operate more guns at the brigade level, as their quantity is 30 to 50% higher. Ammunition Ammunition is also a matter that shall not be overlooked. It is an element that is often disregarded; however it has a major role to play in shaping the effectiveness of the given weapons system. Simplifying the matter (but not following the conventional perception), the ammu- nition may be divided into "normal" (HE/HE-FRAG rounds) and "special purpose" rounds. The latter group includes the DPICM, laser-guided rounds or rounds that feature an internal guidance system that allows for self-aiming. There is a myriad of HE rounds available on the market, with a number of differences among them. Depending on the purpose of the rounds, whether they shall be used with smooth-bore or rifled barrels and the specific system, the rounds/ mortar bombs differ in shape, dimensions, the quantity of explosives, use of extra pre-fragmented layer of the shell, insensitive explosives or explosives of higher power, fuse type and so on. The whole matter can be divided into several criteria, on the basis of which comparison may be drawn. The areas of comparison include range of the given system, quantity and type of the explosives and safety of use. The table below acts as an attempt to draw a comparison as such, between some dif- ferent designs: One should also stress the fact that range of the mortar rounds is very much dependent on the velocity at which they are propelled out of the barrel. This shows that the RAK ammunition is advantageous. The same applies to the Russian mortar projectiles designed for the long-barrel rifled 2A51 and 2A60 mortars with long, rifled barrels. How- ever, base bleed or rocket assisted projectiles are the primary means to reach targets at longer distances. The latter solution makes it possible to hit targets at up to 13 km for the 120 mm rifled barrel mortars. How- ever, the ammunition is far less accurate here. From that point of view, one should appreciate the domestically-made RAK ammunition (non- RAP) that offers the longer range and accuracy that is quite decent. The rounds can be placed, at the longest range, within a square area of 140×140 m with CEP smaller than 50 m. These results are some- what identical to the ones for the rifled mortars at a distance of 7 to 8 km. Another controversial matter is related to safety of storing and carrying and using ammunition, when juxtaposed against the firepower it offers. This is conditioned by the explosives and by the fusing. The oldest mortar shells were using TNT, then RDX took over (a mix of TNT, hexogen and aluminum with calcium chloride). Since the 1980s HMX became common. Starting from 1991 CL-20, offering 14% more ener- gy than HMX, became available. New warhead explosives have been created quite quickly, for warhead use purposes – LX-14 and LX-19. There is one disadvantage associated with this substance, namely – its price. 1 kilogram costs around US$1,500. However, that's not the end of changes. In 2005 RUAG has tested PBXW-11 warheads using cast octogen with aluminum powder and the aforesaid LX-14 explosive. CL- 20-derived explosives have also been adopted by the US military. The above greatly improved the firepower. RDX mixes are 18% to 19% more powerful than TNT, meanwhile HMX and PBX are more than 30% more VEHICLES