Rheinmetall Waffe Munition - Large Calibre Weapon Systems and Ammunition

The large calibre unit of Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH (RWM) holds a leading position worldwide in the development and production of large calibre weapon systems and ammunition for main battle tanks and tubed artillery main. These include for example the armament of the Leopard 2 battle tank and the highly advanced PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer. In the ammunition sector SMArt sensor-fused artillery munition has been developed as the most advanced ammunition. Furthermore, the range includes insensitive explosive shells, flares and smoke grenades as well as practise projectiles and cargo ammunition with base bleed.

WEAPON SYSTEMS

The L55 120mm smoothbore weapon, for example, makes a decisive contribution to the Leopard 2 battle tank's effectiveness. This weapon system is compatible with all current battle tank types in service with NATO and can be integrated into various systems without significant modifications.

The 2000 self-propelled howitzer, the world's most advanced artillery system, is equipped with the L52 weapon system. This effective, accurate and reliable gun with high firing rates increases the range of the 2000 SP howitzer up to 40km while revolutionising the artillery system's firing technology.

AMMUNITION

The kinetic energy tank ammunition with a tungsten rod penetrator enhances performance further.

The 155mm DM 702 SMArt® projectile is an intelligent, autonomous, fire-and-forget artillery round which features outstanding cost-effectiveness. SMArt is a sensor fused ammunition for any 155mm calibre artillery systems, the first of its kind to be fielded anywhere. Sensor fused projectiles are designed to take out hard targets deep in the enemy rear. These target searching rounds significantly boost the accuracy of cannon artillery, and enable artillery units to effectively engage armoured targets, whether light or heavy, moving or stationary, camouflaged or uncamouflaged, regardless of the weather or environmental conditions.

RWM's product range includes:

• 120mm smoothbore tank main armament being accompanied by KE, insensitive HE and practise ammunition with combustible cases
• 105mm tank main armament and ammunition, currently being developed in an international co-operative programme
• 155-1 field howitzer (FH70)
• M 109 A3 G with L39 gun
• 155mm family of ammunition, including insensitive HE, illumination and smoke shells, as well as bomblet projectiles and the SMArt sensor fuse round
• 155mm L52 main armament of the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer
• 120mm mortar and mortar ammunition
• Practise, illumination, smoke and signal ammunition

UNTERLUESS TEST CENTRE

For R&D purposes, a 50km² testing site is available. At this large, privately owned proving ground in Germany, systems and components are subjected to extensive tests. Military engineering checks are carried out at all stages of the product development process on behalf of national and international customers. Here RWM tests a wide variety of weapon systems, ammunition, components, missiles, ballistics and explosive substances for which state-of-the-art measuring and testing systems are available. This equipment is also accessible for civilian customers.

SERVICES

RWM's product range is rounded off by a wide variety of services. These include ammunition recycling, life cycle services, logistic support and trainings for the handling and maintenance of military equipment.

COMPANY

The companies comprising RHEINMETALL's Weapon Munition (RWM) division - Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, RWM Schweiz AG (the former Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec AG), Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Arges GmbH and the Nitrochemie group - offer a diverse range of products in the units: Large Calibre, Medium Calibre, Propellants and Protection Systems / Pyrotechnics. The new Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH was formed by the step-by-step merger of Rheinmetall W&M GmbH, Mauser-Werke Oberndorf Waffensysteme GmbH, BUCK Neue Technologien GmbH, Pyrotechnik Silberhütte GmbH and the NICO group.

See also:
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH - Medium Calibre Weapon Systems and Ammunition
Nitrochemie / Rheinmetall Weapon Munition - Artillery and Mortar Charge Systems, Propulsion Systems and Components
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH - Protection Systems and Pyrotechnics
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Arges GmbH - Hand Grenades, 40mm Low Velocity Grenades and 40mm High Velocity Grenades
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH - Naval Weapon and Protection Systems
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH - Air Weapon and Protection Systems