The real combat effectiveness of an automatic cannon of an armored combat vehicle in a number of situations can be increased by using the so-called. projectiles with a programmable fuse capable of providing an air blast at a given moment in time. Due to this, the maximum possible number of fragments will hit the target with the simultaneous maximum impact of the shock wave. A typical representative of modern air blasted projectiles is the American product Mk 310 PABM-T from Orbital ATK / Northrop Grumman. It has already entered service in several countries, and has also become the basis for new ammunition with similar capabilities.
According to known data, the American company Orbital ATK (by now a part of the Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems organization) took up the topic of programmable fuses almost at the end of the nineties, and soon presented the first projects of this kind. Since the end of the last decade, the most active work has been carried out on the subject of artillery ammunition with air detonation. The result of these works was the emergence and subsequent adoption of the Mk 310 projectile into service by the United States and other countries. Then, several other products of a similar purpose were developed on its basis.
Artillery round Mk 310 PABM-T. Photo Northrop Grumman / northropgrumman.com
The Mk 310 PABM-T (Programmable Airburst Munition with Tracer) projectile is intended for the existing 30 mm Mk 44 Bushmaster II and XM813 automatic cannons created by Orbital ATK. Also, the possibility of using this projectile when creating promising weapons is not excluded. The unitary shot with the Mk 310 projectile is no different from the existing shots of the 30x173 mm type, however, for its use, the gun needs some new devices.
The Mk 310 PABM-T round has a total length of 290 mm, of which 173 mm falls on an aluminum sleeve. The projectile is slightly shorter than the sleeve. The mass of the shot as a whole is 713 g, the projectile is 424 g. The propellant charge is made in the form of 140 g of gunpowder. The projectile has a traditional shape for such ammunition, but differs in the presence of a tail tube-tracer body. A bottle-type sleeve with a non-protruding rim is used. In the bottom of the sleeve is an M36A2-type capsule, which is triggered by an impact.
Orbital ATK / Northrop Grumman ammunition family, fuse-unified (top left). Photo Btvt.info
The projectile itself with a programmable fuse is a 30-mm product of a traditional type, but at the same time it has an unusual design. The pointed and rounded head of the projectile is formed by a ballistic cap. Behind it is the main body with an explosive charge, which occupies about half of the total length of the projectile. On the inside there are notches on the body that facilitate its division into striking elements when detonated. The mass of the explosive in the projectile was not specified.
The rear of the Mk 310 projectile is reserved for the placement of special systems that give it special capabilities. Inside the cylindrical body with transverse grooves, the electronics unit and the battery are sequentially placed. Under the cylindrical side wall of the electronics unit, the engineers placed a receiving induction coil designed to receive data from the fire control system. On the demonstration shells, the section of the hull, under which the coil is located, was indicated by a red stripe.
At the bottom of the battery housing there is a tube with a tracer charge that is ignited when fired. The developer indicates that the minimum tracer runtime is 2 seconds. In practice, however, the charge burned up to 5-6 seconds, as a result of which, in later documents, the minimum burning time was increased. One way or another, the tracer provides firing throughout the entire range of the projectile's operating range and compatible weapons.
Cannon-mounted fuse programmer. Photo Btvt.info
When used with the Mk 44 Bushmaster II cannon, the Mk 310 PABM-T projectile shows performance on par with other ammunition. The propellant charge creates a pressure in the bore of 423 MPa and accelerates the projectile to 970 m / s. Effective range of fire - at least 3 km. From the point of view of accuracy and accuracy, the projectile with programmable detonation does not differ from other ammunition of the 30x173 mm type.
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The main feature of the Mk 310 PABM-T product is its fuse, built on the basis of electronic components. Orbital ATK specialists have previously developed a universal programmable fuse suitable for use in various artillery ammunition. Products of a number of basic classes are offered, from grenades for 25-mm grenade launchers to unitary rounds of 50 mm caliber. In all cases, the same fuse is used.
Depending on the type of ammunition, the fuse can be placed in the head, central or bottom of the projectile. Its cylindrical body with a diameter of 25 mm can be part of the shell of the projectile or be inside the latter. In the case of 30-mm ammunition, the universal fuse is placed inside the main body, behind the warhead.
Experienced XM1296 armored personnel carrier with a combat module compatible with Mk 310 rounds. Photo by Globalsecurity.org
The principle of operation of the universal fuse from Orbital ATK is quite simple; the same ideas are applied in other promising ammunition projects. During preparation for a shot, just before the projectile is fed into the barrel, a special programmer through the receiving coil enters data into the fuse electronics, namely the range at which the main charge should be detonated. Under the action of the rifling of the barrel, the projectile rotates around the longitudinal axis when fired and in flight. Its electronics counts the number of revolutions, and after a given number of revolutions, it detonates.
However, the manufacturer does not exclude the possibility of other use of projectiles with programmable fuses. A universal fuse can also be triggered on contact with a target or with a specified delay after a collision with it. Thus, the Mk 310 projectile or unified ammunition can solve different fire missions, replacing traditional systems without new capabilities.
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In terms of dimensions and internal ballistics, the promising Mk 310 PABM-T projectile is no different from other 30x173 mm rounds. At the same time, for its full use, the automatic cannon needs some modifications. For the full use of programmable fuses, a whole range of electronic devices is offered, designed for installation on armored combat vehicles with compatible weapons.
Shot from a cannon Mk 44. Photo by Northrop Grumman
A new unit is integrated into the standard fire control system, which is responsible for generating data for the fuse. He must receive all the necessary data from other components of the FCS and determine the number of revolutions of the projectile corresponding to the given range. For direct data transmission to the fuse, a special electromagnetic programmer is offered. This device is mounted directly on the gun, in the ammunition supply path. After the installation of these devices, the armored vehicle can use all the advantages of air-blasted shells.
According to known data, the complex in the form of a 30-mm automatic cannon, an MSA and an Mk 310 projectile is capable of solving a number of combat missions with the choice of the optimal operating mode. Thus, the detonation of a projectile on contact with a target allows you to attack various objects, including buildings and equipment. The detonation of a projectile with a slowdown is intended to deal with protected combat vehicles or fortified buildings. Air blast allows you to destroy manpower and other targets behind cover.
Shot, view from a different angle. The body of the tracer is clearly visible. Northrop Grumman Photos
Of particular interest is another mode based on air detonation. It provides for firing a burst with different fuse settings, due to which several shells, being at a certain distance from each other, explode simultaneously. This mode of operation of the OMS is intended for firing at enemy positions from the flank, for attacking convoys along their direction of movement, etc.
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Tests and refinement of the promising Mk 310 projectile of the first Mod 0 modification have been carried out since the end of the 2000s and ended at the beginning of this decade. Then some interesting news came in. The PABM-T product was completely satisfied with the American military, and therefore it was put into service. A program was also launched to modernize existing armored combat vehicles with 30-mm automatic cannons. Within its framework, it was planned to equip the army's armored vehicles with new devices that ensure the use of programmable fuses.
Shooting at the range. Northrop Grumman Photos
Later, in mid-2014, it became known about the first export contract for the supply of Mk 310 shells and auxiliary equipment. The first overseas customer for these Orbital ATK products was the Belgian army. She planned to modernize her wheeled infantry fighting vehicles MOWAG Piranha IIIC: this technique carries a two-man turret with a 30-mm Mk 44 cannon. The appearance of new devices and shells should have a positive effect on the combat capabilities of the BMP.
In the future, new messages appeared about, at least, negotiations regarding the future supply of shells and the necessary equipment. The Mk 310 PABM-T rounds have attracted the interest of the foreign military and are now enjoying some popularity in the international market. Several factors contribute to this success. Not the least role is played by the proliferation of Bushmaster II cannons, as well as the absence of the need for their radical alteration to use new shells. In fact, the customer can get new combat capabilities with limited spending.
Wanting to maintain its place in the market, Northrop Grumman offers customers a new XM813 gun, created on the basis of the Mk 44 and also capable of using Mk 310 projectiles.
The shelling of conventional manpower in the trench. A shell burst is visible, followed by smoke from previous explosions. Northrop Grumman Photos
As part of the Bushmaster family, new 40 mm cannons are being developed, some of which have maximum unification with the 30 mm samples. Moreover, it provides for a quick restructuring of a 30 mm cannon into a 40-mm gun and vice versa by replacing just a few units. Taking into account such ways of developing artillery, Orbital ATK / Northrop Grumman has developed a new round, so far known as the Super 40 PABM.
The Super 40 product (40x180 mm) is a unitary round with a larger caliber projectile equipped with a universal programmable fuse. The increase in caliber should affect all basic characteristics and give advantages over 30-mm ammunition. The Super 40 project has already reached the testing stage. In addition, the development company has already demonstrated new shells and guns in action.
The shelling of the trenches: the moment the shell detonates. Northrop Grumman Photos
In early 2017, a scientific and practical conference was held on the development of the Bushmaster cannon family. This event was attended by a Stryker armored personnel carrier with a Kongsberg MCT-30 combat module equipped with an Mk 44 cannon. After demo firing with 30-mm projectiles with a demonstration of all the possibilities, the cannon was rebuilt for a 40 mm caliber, which took about an hour. Then the armored personnel carrier fired 40-mm shells, including Super 40.
As far as we know, the new projectile of increased caliber has not yet coped with all the necessary tests and is not yet ready to enter service. However, the tests are coming to an end, and in the near future the command may decide to put the projectile into service.
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One of the main ways of developing small-caliber artillery at the present time is the creation of new projectiles with programmable fuses, which provide the possibility of detonation at a given point of the trajectory. Such shells are being developed in different countries, and some samples of this kind have already been put into service. Typical representatives of this class are the Mk 310 and Super 40 of American design.
In terms of the main features, principles of operation and capabilities, products from Orbital ATK / Northrop Grumman differ little from other projectiles with programmable fuses. At the same time, the American project has an important feature, which, with the right approach, can become an advantage. The Mk 310 and Super 40 products, as well as a number of other ammunition, use a unified programmable fuse that is compatible with the universal programmer. All this makes it possible to simplify the mass production of various types of ammunition, and at the same time to reduce the cost of serial products.
The Mk 310 PABM-T projectile can be considered very successful, as evidenced by the contracts for the supply of ammunition and updated guns to a number of armies. However, the development of projectiles with programmable fuses continues, and new models appear on the market. In this regard, in the very near future, the development of Orbital ATK / Northrop Grumman will have to face serious competition. Whether it will be able to maintain its place in the market and cope with competitors will become clear later.
