DM11 - fresh ammunition for the Leopard

Rheinmetall has received a framework contract for ammunition from the Bundeswehr. As an entry into the contract, the Koblenz Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) has ordered 5000 rounds of DM11 combat ammunition. The first individual order now placed has a gross value of around 45 million euros (net 38 million euros). Delivery will take place in 2017 and 2018.
The framework contract provides the basis for further Bundeswehr procurement of ammunition of various types and calibers. In the short term, the order of 120mm practice ammunition is foreseeable. In the medium term, the framework contract offers Rheinmetall the opportunity to achieve an order volume in the triple-digit million euro range.DM11 is a versatile 120mm cartridge that has already been proven in use by the US Armed Forces. Rheinmetall is globally known for its 120mm ammunition as well as smoothbore weapon systems, which are used in combat tanks like the Leopard 2 or M1A1 Abrams. These include weapons like the L44 and L55 tank guns as well as kinetic, multi-purpose, and practice ammunition. Furthermore, the German systems house is a specialist in tank upgrade programs. Rheinmetall is also a globally leading provider of middle-caliber ammunition with a wide product range.

With Rheinmetall's programmable multi-purpose ammunition 120 mm x 570 HE Temp. DM11, which has already been introduced to the Bundeswehr and has now been ordered again, the cartridge programming takes place in the loaded condition. This allows for the programming of the detonator at any time. The required system modifications (programming kit) can be easily retrofitted to all tank platforms with a 120mm smoothbore cannon and a modern fire control computer.

The ammunition can be used in three different detonator modes, making it the most modern and powerful HE ammunition worldwide:

- Impact detonation (Impact Fuze Mode/Point Detonation, PD); where the warhead detonates in the target medium to create larger breaches;

- Delayed impact (Point Detonation with Delay, PDwD), in this mode the warhead detonates after penetrating through cover;

- programmable air burst point (Air Burst/AB Mode); in this mode, the warhead detonates - at a range of up to 5,000 meters - in front of and above the target being aimed at, to combat area targets.
The US Marine Corps already uses the DM11 under the name "Multi Purpose (MP) DM11" mainly to combat unarmored and semi-hard targets in asymmetric conflicts. The first series delivery to the Bundeswehr took place in 2014. Other Leopard 2 user countries also received DM11 cartridges as part of initial combat ammunition equipment.

Rheinmetall Defence on the Internet: http://rheinmetall-defence.com

Target hit by DM11.