Canada trials SRM-encased artillery shells
The Canadian Army's research and development arm is trialling artillery shells encased in structural reactive materials (SRM) rather than conventional steel.
The new shells are being trialled to assess their potential to increase the power of artillery munitions while reducing collateral damage. The results of initial trials conducted at the Defence Research and Development Canada’s (DRDC) Suffield Research Centre in Alberta in fall 2017 are positive, but research of up to five more years is still required.
SRM reacts itself and with the air – burning and increasing the explosive power and blast pressure within the lethal radius of the munition. It also produces smaller fragments that have more deceleration than with steel, travel less distance and cause less damage outside the intended blast area.
The rounds function similarly to thermobaric weapons, which use combustible liquids or aerosols, but with one key difference.Fan Zhang, lead scientist at the Suffield Research Centre, said: 'Solid SRM can be used for munition shells owing to its high mechanical strength, with its fragments having a similar effect of combustion and spreading out but in a solid state and with only one fuse, one explosion.
'So it very much simplifies the whole process, while giving significantly higher energy output than current explosive yields.'
Making the blast power adjustable is also one of the DRDC’s objectives.
The most recent trials saw separate elements of the Canadian armed forces collaborate. The army assessed the viability of SRM in an artillery context, and the Royal Canadian Air Force researchers tested it in the form of 500lbs air-dropped bombs.
Maj Travis Maxwell, with the army’s Directorate of Land Resources, said: 'The Canadian Army needs artillery ammunition to exploit technological advancements that improve precision, limit collateral damage and concentrate effects so that commanders have options appropriate for a wide spectrum of tactical problems.'
More from Land Warfare
-
![Norway orders improved NASAMS technology as more countries sign up]()
Norway orders improved NASAMS technology as more countries sign up
The country’s air defence batteries will be equipped with new command posts, wheeled communication nodes and radios. The system itself is in service with more than 14 countries with 13 systems in Ukraine.
-
![Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet]()
Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet
Ukraine’s quest to replace soldiers with robots is hitting technical snags. Shephard spoke with industry leaders about difficulties in the field and what solutions are in the pipeline.
-
![DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret]()
DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret
The partnership between Croatia’s DOK-ING and Slovenia’s Valhalla Turrets reflects an effort to combine ground robots and with improved capabilities and new roles and follows Rheinmetall presenting its Ox with Dispatch charging docks from Valinor.
-
![British Army vehicle programme may be shifting gears again]()
British Army vehicle programme may be shifting gears again
The UK’s effort to replace thousands of vehicles across a dozen base vehicle types has had a troubled history and statements from the UK’s Defence Minster Luke Pollard indicate change may be on the way.
-
![EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward]()
EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward
EOS Defence Systems officially launched its Slinger anti-drone system in 2023. The system features a remote weapon station, visual sensors and a Northrop Grumman 30mm cannon with specially designed ammunition, combined with EOS’s stabilisation and pointing technology.
