MRM-CE
TypeDual use, B-LOS and LOS tank fired munition
Service history
In serviceCancelled
Production history
ManufacturerRaytheon Missile Systems
Unit costunknown
Specifications
Massunknown
Lengthunknown
Diameter120 mm (4.7 in)
Wingspannone
WarheadShaped charge or kinetic energy penetrator
Detonation
mechanism
none
Enginenone required
Operational
range
12.1 km (7.5 mi)
Flight altitudeN/A
Maximum speed approx. 1,700 m/s (5,600 ft/s) (at launch)
Guidance
system
Semi-active laser and uncooled imaging infrared (IIR) homing seeker
Launch
platform
M1 Abrams, Leopard 2

The XM1111 Mid-Range Munition (MRM) is a 120 mm precision guided munition developed for the Rheinmetall Rh-120 120mm gun (named the M256 in the US military) used by several Western tanks. It was also intended to fulfill a requirement for Future Combat Systems (canceled) for a long-range, beyond line of sight (BLOS) tank munition.

The U.S. Army awarded two contracts in a competition to validate the requirement, one for a kinetic energy penetrator round (MRM-KE) and one for a chemical energy high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead round (MRM-CE).

In December 2007, Raytheon's CE-based concept was awarded the system-design-and-development contract to develop the round. Valued at $232.3 million, the 63-month contract covered system design and development.

The Mid-Range Munition was cancelled in 2009 along with Future Combat Systems.[1]

MRM-KE

The Mid-Range Munition-Kinetic Energy (MRM-KE) was an implementation of the MRM under development by Alliant Techsystems, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and HR Textron.[2]

The missile–projectile was designed to be used as a high-velocity penetrator for line of sight and beyond line of sight shots. In line of sight, it would operate using laser guidance or a millimeter wave seeker. In BLOS, the shell would be fired in a ballistic arc, and would seek out its own target.

The missile used a kinetic energy penetrator to penetrate enemy armor. This effect was improved by a rocket motor that sped the munition up. It steered with impulse thrusters.

MRM-KE used technology developed as part of the X-Rod and XM1007 Tank Extended Range Munition (TERM) programs, both of which were cancelled.[3][4]

Timeline

  • April 2004: Successful test firing of the system.[5]
  • May 2006: Successful high Mach flight maneuver test at Yuma Proving Ground.[6]
  • July 2007: ATK Forms "Team MRM" to compete for the U.S. Army's XM1111 Mid-Range Munition Program.[2]

MRM-CE

The missile–projectile was to be a high-velocity multiple-mission projectile for line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight shots. In line of sight, it would operate using laser guidance or an uncooled imaging infrared seeker (IIR). In BLOS, the shell would be fired in a ballistic arc, and would glide to seek out its own targets. The BLOS mission could be autonomous or use FO directed target designation.

The MRM-CE uses a dual-mode MMW, imaging infrared (IIR) autonomous seeker or SAL is used to acquire and guide towards the target with high accuracy. The dual-mode seeker was developed and successfully demonstrated during a two-year, Army-managed science and technology program. MRM-CE refined seeker technology developed as part of the XM1007 Tank Extended Range Munition (TERM) program.

For a beyond-line-of-sight mission, the chemical energy warhead was a better solution; with proven lethality against the primary target of threat armor, and better effects against the secondary targets of buildings, fortifications, and light armor than a less versatile kinetic energy penetrator.

Specifications

Program status

  • September 2006: A U.S. M1 Abrams tank fired an MRM-CE round which hit a moving T-72 tank at a range of 8.6 kilometres (5.3 mi).[8]
  • March 2007: Successful test firing using dual-mode seeker fusion.[7]
  • December 2007: Raytheon Wins Army XM-1111 Development Contract.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "ATK awarded contract to develop Abrams Advanced Kinetic Energy Ammo". Soldiergeek.com. July 11, 2011. Archived from the original on November 9, 2011.
  2. 1 2 ATK Forms 'Team MRM' to Compete for the U.S. Army's XM1111 Mid-Range Munition Program - ATK PR
  3. ↑ X-ROD - Global Security
  4. ↑ XM1007 Tank Extended Range Munition (TERM) - Global Security
  5. ↑ ATK'S MRM-KE Autonomously Searched, Guided And Hit Tank
  6. ↑ ATK Achieves Success in MRM-KE Test - Deagel
  7. 1 2 MRM KE / CE 120mm - Defense Update
  8. ↑ M-1 Gets 8,600 Meter Kill - Strategy Page
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