IMI's 120mm Multi-Purpose Tank Round Enters Operational Testing
14 June 2010
IMI has completed the development of a 120mm version of IMI's High Explosive Multi-Purpose Tracer (HE-MP) M339 Tank Round and has entered low rate initial production, delivering limited series of several hundred rounds, are scheduled to be used for operational testing (OT).
Following the test, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are planning to field the new multipurpose rounds, equipping armored brigades operating Merkava Mk4 and Mk3, later this year. Both types of tanks are armed with 120mm smooth bore guns. The IDF has already been operating the 105mm version, since 2006.
Equipping the Merkava with the new ammunition is part of the IDF Ground Forces Command effort to improve the operability of its armored vehicles in asymmetric warfare and, specifically, countering anti-tank threats at extended range. As part of this trend, the IDF has also decided to equip the Merkava APC, 'Namer', with the IMI’s Iron-Fist Active Protection System (APS).
The 120mm M339 offers unique solution for a multi-purpose tank round, as it enables the tank to engage soft targets from extended range; typical targets include dismounted, anti-tank teams hiding in bunkers, or behind defilade, or low-flying helicopters. M339 has a programmable, multifunctional fuze with three modes of operation: delayed, super-quick and air burst, effectively engaging hostiles, hiding behind walls or defilade.
Alternatively, M339 could activate all sub-munitions together, perforating a concrete wall, or an armored vehicle, to explode inside the target. Unlike the 105mm version of the M339 which requires manual fuze setting, the 120mm uses electronic setting, thus enabling the crew to use M339 as the primary round (loaded and ready-to-fire), rapidly responding to a wider range of threats encountered on the modern, asymmetric battlefield.
About IMI:
Israel Military Industries (IMI) is a diversified, high-technology company specializing in the development, manufacturing and deployment of a wide range of state-of-the-art combat-ready solutions. The company's is located in Ramat Hasharon, Israel. More information about IMI can be found at www.imi-israel.com
For more information contact:
Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI)
P.O.B. 1044 Ramat Hasharon 47100 Israel
Tel: 972-3-5486122 Fax: 972-3-5485365
Web Site: www.imi-israel.com
E-mail: dschirding@imi-israel.com
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