Rheinmetall secures German ammo deal
Rheinmetall has entered into a framework agreement with the German Bundeswehr for ammunition, with an order placed for 5,000 rounds of DM11 120mm tank ammunition, the company announced on 18 July.
The gross value of the order is around $52 million. Delivery will take place in 2017 and 2018.
The time-delay 120mm x 570 HE Temp DM11 round is programmed after loading. This means that the fuse programming can be altered at any time. The programming kit can be retrofitted into any main battle tank with a 120mm smoothbore gun and a modern fire control unit.
The ammunition can be used in three different fuse modes such as the Impact Fuse Mode/Point Detonation wherein the warhead denotes upon impact with the target, resulting in a large breach. Another mode is the Point Detonation with Delay where the warhead detonates once it has penetrated the target interior; and the Air Burst/AB Mode enables the warhead to detonate ahead and above the designated target at ranges of up to 5,000m.
Rheinmetall expects the framework agreement to include further procurement orders by the Bundeswehr for ammunition of every type and calibre.
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