Rheinmetall: Three world records in indirect fire

Rheinmetall demonstrated its extensive long-range indirect fire capabilities during a test firing on November 6, 2019 at the Alkantpan test site in South Africa. The defense technology group showcased to international partners and customers how new technology can enhance the performance of existing systems worldwide, whether they comply with the NATO standard of the Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU) or not. The test firings achieved three new maximum ranges with different guns. A G6 howitzer with 52 barrel lengths achieved the longest shot with a conventional 155mm artillery shell, reaching over 76 kilometers. A PzH2000 self-propelled howitzer with 52 barrel lengths hit 67 kilometers. And a field howitzer with 39 barrel lengths reached around 54 kilometers. The table above shows the ranges achieved with the respective shells and charges.

Rheinmetall Weapon and Ammunition, the center of excellence for cannons within the Rheinmetall family, presented the PzH 2000 weapon system in action at the event. This 155mm weapon system is one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems in use over the past decade, capable of achieving high rates of fire in accordance with the JBMoU standard. The G6, developed and produced by Denel Land Systems, was used at the test firing in a new version to achieve greater ranges not compliant with JBMoU standards.

Modular enhancements to artillery ammunition were demonstrated using the renowned Assegai V-LAP shell. It demonstrated improved capabilities in propulsion and range when fired from guns with 39 and 52 barrel lengths. Rheinmetall Denel Munition's shells, in conjunction with Rheinmetall Weapon and Ammunition and Nitrochemie technologies, can exceed the range of any conventional 155mm artillery system currently in use.

The range of more than 76 km was achieved from a non-JBMoU-compliant gun system. This served as proof of the feasibility of a new howitzer with a range of 83 km. In close coordination with the German public client, Rheinmetall plans to develop and build such a new 155mm gun system with a significantly larger chamber capacity and longer barrel at 60 barrel lengths. This system will be able to fire both existing JBMoU-compliant ammunition and a new family of munitions. This new ammunition will be optimized for the stresses encountered, yet can also be fired from existing JBMoU-compliant gun systems. The target range of 83 kilometers is set, as a guidance fuse necessary for precision at these ranges costs around ten percent of the overall range. Thus, the effective range of 75 kilometers demanded by the German public client can be achieved.

Rheinmetall Norway rounded off the indirect fire portfolio with the 120mm mortar system Ragnarok and ammunition from RDM. This combination allows for high mobility and rapid rates of fire, especially from multi-purpose vehicles. The own troops can quickly evade counter fire as well.

The host of the event, the German-South African joint venture Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), welcomed participants from several NATO countries to the event on November 6 in the Northern Cape region. RDM Managing Director Jan-Patrick Helmsen stated: "Our goal is to be a partner to the soldiers. That is why we are committed to transparent and trustworthy collaboration. Tube artillery is both a defensive and offensive support weapon. It is more cost-effective and faster than rockets or air support, can be employed around the clock, and can engage any target within its range with highly precise indirect fire. However, in recent years, range has proven to be a limiting factor, leading to the need for extended ranges." Helmsen further explained that RDM has been working on extending ranges for some time: "We are known for the Assegai family and the V-LAP shell, the conventional artillery shell with the longest range. The combination of South African and German weapons and ammunition expertise has already increased range, effectiveness, and precision. Rheinmetall pursues a comprehensive system approach with regards to artillery," Helmsen added.

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