That works! - Agent 90 for the KSK

When someone knocks on a house visit, they expect to be let in. The question doesn't arise with the "EFFECTIVE 90 cartridge DM11, explosive." When that comes into play, it's not clear what should be opened. And if the homeowner wanted to take cover, after the effect of the new weapon, they would also end up on the ground. So, it's no wonder that the German Bundeswehr has decided to procure this universal key for its special forces - KSK and KSM: On the premises of the Siegen-based company Dynamit Nobel Defence (DND), the first of these hand weapons with a fire control visor was officially handed over to the Bundeswehr at a handover event on September 21, 2017. The development of this completely new generation of heavy hand weapon systems took 12 years.

Small but powerful: EFFECTIVE 90

Shoulder artillery for soldiers in action is a necessary weapon. Today's conflicts - ranging from asymmetric confrontations to hybrid warfare - often employ minimal heavy equipment. Special forces must therefore have equipment that can be used in all of these scenarios. However, the overall armament of the armed forces is influenced by the different threat spectra, which must meet this military challenge. What works for special forces is also suitable for regular heavy infantry weaponry: it must be 1. long-range capable, 2. adjustable in effect, and 3. usable against a broad target spectrum. Small but powerful. With a hard punch.

The hand weapon family EFFECTIVE 90 developed by the company DND with the cartridge DM11 and the fire control visor was developed for the special tasks of the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) of the Bundeswehr. Therefore, the special features of this weapon system lie in the high range of 1,200 meters and the triple adjustable warhead, which is capable of detonating upon impact with and without delay, as well as in the air. This flexibility allows the user to engage vehicles and positions directly or even behind cover, as well as targets in the area.Additionally, this weapon, weighing only 8.9 kilograms - known on the international market as RGW 90 LRMP (Long Range Multi-Purpose) - has a fire control computer with target optics and a targeting system that allows for a high probability of a first hit at these long distances against moving and stationary targets.

The long-range hand weapon of this EFFECTIVE-90 variant with a fire control visor and a programmable and multifunctional warhead is much lighter than a current guided missile. It is operated by a single soldier and, equipped with the modern engine developed for it, can easily achieve ranges of 1,200 meters or more. The projectile is propelled throughout the entire flight, making it very resistant to crosswinds.

These new technical features of the weapon system make it possible to effectively bridge the gap between the combat range of a guided missile and a handheld gun system. This allows special forces to engage targets at a relatively great distance. This was previously only possible with one of the much more expensive guided missiles, whose warhead is optimized for a very narrow target spectrum. By being able to rely on a programmable warhead, the soldier has a weapon system at their disposal that can be even better adapted to their military mission. It is also a weapon system that can be fired by the soldier even from enclosed spaces. This closes a capability gap for the infantryman of the Bundeswehr in the area of direct and indirect fire.

RGW 90 Long Range Multi-Purpose

As the basis for the development of the EFFECTIVE 90mm (now RGW 90 LRMP) direct and indirect fire special forces (SpezKr)‹, DND drew on the already in series production and in use hand weapon type "RGW 90 ASM" (Anti-Structure-Ammunition). Seen here in the video:

The length of one meter, the caliber 90mm, the firing device, and the recoilless Davis cannon principle were adopted to continue to be able to fire the weapon system from enclosed spaces. In addition to the combat range of 1,200 meters and the total weight of 8.6kg, a compact design for easier portability was also aimed for. More information on the RGW 90.

The single-shot, non-reloadable RGW 90 LRMP should be able to affect different targets, and therefore, it should also have a programmable warhead. In addition, a powerful and universally usable optical device with a fire control computer should be located on the weapon. This sight device required for the hand weapon was developed by the southern German company HENSOLDT. With the help of this device, the possibility of a high probability of a first hit over all combat distances for the soldier should be achieved. More information on the HENSOLDT fire control visor.

The LRMP Warhead

The military advantages of the programmable warhead are manifold. This is especially true against the backdrop of the broad spectrum in which the RGW 90 LRMP can be employed.
The newly developed multifunctional warhead is optimized for use against military field positions, shelters, masonry, lightly armored vehicles, boats, airplanes, and for use within buildings. These different targets require a powerful and robust warhead. Therefore, depending on the type of target hit, it acts as a fragmentation or blast warhead or as a High Explosive Squash Head (HESH). The warhead can also be detonated above a target in the air. 3,500 heavy metal balls leave a lasting impression.

With the help of the fragmentation warhead, 1.5mm thick steel plates can be penetrated upon explosion. The fragments also work against coverings reinforced with sandbags or wood. Moreover, the warhead ensures a high fragmentation effect with an air burst over an area of 16 meters wide and 8 meters deep, which can prove to be very effective, for example, when engaging stationary airplanes/helicopters on an airfield, attacking speedboats at sea, or combatting helicopters hovering in the air. More information on the EFFECTIVE 90.

Other Warheads

The EFFECTIVE-90 family also has other warhead charges. For example, a warhead containing infrared-blocking camouflage smoke - through Smoke Cartridge (DM15). This smoke can conceal own forces from enemy forces, interrupt sightlines over a longer period, or be used to deceive the enemy. By utilizing the maximum combat range of 1,200m, a shooter is able to generate a smoke curtain with a width of approximately 25m over a duration of one minute on the battlefield using the DM15. The smoke curtain builds up in a few seconds. In addition, aside from a classic illuminating ammunition, there is also an infrared illuminating ammunition available that illuminates the battlefield for an extended period. This light spectrum can be made visible with the help of an infrared goggle or optronic night vision systems. Commando troops can thus "discreetly illuminate" a section of the battlefield for the enemy, to identify and potentially engage them. The cartridges Illuminating Infrared (DM16) and Illuminating Visual (DM26) both serve for long-range battlefield illumination in the visible and invisible spectrum and can be effective up to a distance of 1,700m. After the release of an illuminating body, a small parachute brings the illuminant to the ground at a low descent rate within a minute. During this process, it burns out and illuminates a radius of several hundred meters.

The Training Cartridge (DM18) is used for the realistic training of shooters with significantly reduced safety areas. The impact or detonation of the warhead is represented by a flashbang in conjunction with a red visual effect. Under realistic conditions, live firing training is thus made possible.

Future of the new weapon system

The weapon system RGW 90 LRMP is the logical and technical continuation of the family concept of the new RGW-90 family from DND, which is offered with different warheads. Whereas the RGW-90 hand weapons previously built by DND were mainly designed for urban and armored targets, the RGW 90 LRMP can engage a completely different spectrum of targets that was previously not covered by the infantryman in this breadth. According to the company, the Bundeswehr has so far received 1,700 EFFECTIVE 90s and around 200 fire control visors from the company HENSOLDT. Additionally, the Bundeswehr is procuring 900 more smoke, light, and training projectiles of the EFFECTIVE 90. Other NATO nations are also very interested in the DND development, as stated by DND Managing Director Michael Humbek during the handover.

DYNAMIT NOBEL DEFENCE on the Internet: http://dn-defence.com