Rheinmetall receives US military orders
Rheinmetall has been selected to supply advanced infantry and screening smoke munitions to the US armed forces. The company’s subsidiary, American Rheinmetall Munitions (ARM), has received three five year framework contracts worth a total of $127.8 million for M1110 40 x 46mm day/night training cartridges and 66mm vehicle-launched screening smoke grenades.
The M1110 is a 40 x 46mm low-velocity (LV) cartridge designed to enable infantry forces to conduct live fire training at night. The projectile of the M1110 contains two distinct marking agents which together are able to mark the impact point of the fired projectile with a signature that is visible at day and at night, either with the naked eye or night vision devices, eliminating the need for high explosive rounds in order to observe the impact point.
The 40mm ammunition will be produced at the ARM plant in Camden, Arkansas, with the first deliveries scheduled to take place in 2015.
The Rheinmetall 66mm vehicle-launched grenade produces a visible and infrared smokescreen that protects combat vehicles from observation and subsequent targeting by laser illuminators, targeting devices and rangefinders. It uses a proprietary composition of red phosphorus (RP) to provide effective and long-lasting screening effects in both the visual and infrared bands; and to render sensor-guided weapons – particularly anti-tank guided missiles –less effective.
Two framework contracts were placed for the 66mm smoke grenade. For the first award, the US Marine Corps will be ordering additional quantities of the MK 1 MOD 0 version of the 66mm grenade, which is already qualified and in-service with the marines. The second contract was awarded by the Department of the Navy, and will encompass work on a new version of the MK 1 66mm grenade specifically designed to be deployed and function over water, in order to screen small boats operating in ‘brown water’ and littoral environments.
More from Land Warfare
-
![NATO and Europe step up UGV efforts]()
NATO and Europe step up UGV efforts
The effort to develop uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) is heating up with research efforts and exercises improving the speed of the process and the war in Ukraine is working as a proving ground for rapid development and fielding.
-
![Ireland’s Reamda develops new version of Riddler UGV]()
Ireland’s Reamda develops new version of Riddler UGV
The company's Riddler uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) is designed to be small and light to allow easy deployment and the ability to access smaller areas such as bus or train aisles.
-
![Spain to invest billions of dollars on howitzers and other vehicles as it looks to select new tanks]()
Spain to invest billions of dollars on howitzers and other vehicles as it looks to select new tanks
The Spanish Government has outlined plans to purchase communications and cybersecurity capabilities but most notably amphibious combat vehicles, self-propelled howitzers (SPHs), bridge-laying vehicles and an effort to replace its tanks from 2040.
-
![What does Germany’s new tank joint venture mean for MGCS?]()
What does Germany’s new tank joint venture mean for MGCS?
Germany is Europe’s leading country for tank manufacture and until this month was committed to the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) which included tanks and other vehicles. Earlier this month, Germany and other European countries set up the Main ARmoured Tank of Europe (MARTE) project casting a shadow over the MGCS.
-
![CAVS rolls on as Denmark orders 129 vehicles]()
CAVS rolls on as Denmark orders 129 vehicles
Denmark signed the Technical Arrangement for the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) in April this year. The order means the country will receive its first vehicle this year.
