Tank and Medium Caliber Ammunition

Abstract

The Tank and Medium Caliber Ammunition Program Element (PE) encompasses a comprehensive program to develop, rapidly transition to production, and field advanced weapons and munitions for small, medium and large caliber munitions, tank ammunition, mortar ammunition, cannon artillery ammunition, and close combat system items. These projects will ensure continued battlefield overmatch and lethality of U.S. maneuver forces against the full range of modern battlefield threats. To achieve this, the Tank and Medium Caliber Ammunition Program will identify and develop promising technologies through competitive development and streamlined acquisition procedures. Project 694, Medium Caliber Ammunition: Develop 30x113mm self-destructing airburst munitions and qualify 30x113mm linked ammunition for ground vehicles. Increase precision and lethality capability to defeat personnel and materiel targets as well as support the Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON CC-0558) to counter the rapidly evolving threat of Unmanned Aerial Systems. This effort will qualify the links for use with existing M788 and M789 ammunition and develop self-destructing and airburst capable munitions fired from the Lightweight 30x113mm Link Fed Chain Gun. There is no funding requested in FY 2020. Project BQ4, 155mm Artillery Propulsion XM654: The XM654E2 Supercharge is a unitary top-zone 155mm propelling charge optimized and required for use with 58-caliber XM907E2 Extended Range Cannon with Slide-block breech for use with the XM1299 Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) Self-propelled Howitzer (SPH). It will achieve lethality overmatch at ranges of approximately 70km from XM907E2 Extended Range Cannon with developmental extended range projectiles, and will increase range with legacy projectiles by thirty percent. The XM654E2 Supercharge is composed of combustible cases with integral metal Stub Case utilizing existing electrically initiated Tank Primer and advanced artillery propellant. Knowledge points will determine compatibility with automated ammunition handling systems. FY 2020 funds will support design risk reduction and prototype maturation towards Engineering Manufacturing and Development (EMD) to support ERCA SPH Increment 2 to support of the Army's modernization priorities in support of the National Defense Strategy. Project EB8, OWL for Small Caliber: The One Way Luminescence (OWL) project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62mm and 5.56mm Families of Ammunition Capabilities Development Documents (CDD) and .50 caliber munitions CDD. Current small caliber ammunition tracer rounds are a pyrotechnic tracer mix which allows enemy forces to see the trace round and track its trajectory back to the shooter. The OWL project's objective is to develop and field a full day/night tracer round to replace the current pyrotechnic cartridges with trace cartridges that are only visible to the shooter and soldiers in close proximity, increasing soldier survivability. 7.62mm and 5.56mm are the immediate focus followed by a similar development strategy for .50 caliber cartridges. FY 2020 funding supports continued testing and evaluation of the 5.56mm OWL prototype solutions in order to mature the Technology Readiness Level (TRL). Project EB9, Aviation Airborne Expandable Countermeasures: This project supports the advanced development activities and technology demonstrations of the Aviation Airborne Expendable Countermeasure (AAECM). These advanced decoys are necessary to address emerging threats and capabilities deficiencies in Army aircraft protection and the safety of its aircrews against advanced Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) and shoulder launched Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM) systems. These efforts will evaluate integrated technologies and countermeasure prototype systems in realistic operating test environments. Prototypes will help expedite technology transition from the laboratory to operational use by demonstrating component and subsystem maturity prior to integration into major and complex Army aircraft platforms. These expendable countermeasures systems are an essential part of survivability equipment for Army aircraft. Army RDT&E efforts are coordinated with the PEO Aviation and its platform program managers and with PM Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) to address emerging Joint Urgent Operational Need Statement (JUONS) CC-0558 Counter - Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS). Continue to develop and prepare documentation for Milestone A decision for the Radar Guided decoy. This decoy is designed to defeat specific threat types. Details of their operation is classified. Conduct initial developmental/operational testing on XM215 and RF Countermeasures (CM). Project EC2, The Advanced Armor-Piercing (ADVAP) project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62mm and 5.56mm Family of Ammunition Capabilities Development Documents (CDD) and the Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team (SL CFT) Initial Capability Document (ICD) which outlines the requirements for new ammunition to support the rapid prototyping/development of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) under Section 804 Authority. New ADVAP ammunition is designed to provide overmatch capability to defeat advanced light armored threats within typical machine gun engagement ranges. The nomenclature for the 7.62mm ADVAP is XM1158. The Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) ammunition has a similar objective to the 7.62mm ADVAP which is to defeat hard targets. The NGSW ammunition is split into two initial variants, the General Purpose (GP) and the Special Purpose (SP). The nomenclature for the GP ammunition is XM1186 and the nomenclature for the SP ammunition is XM1184. The overall objective of the ADVAP project is to develop and Full Materiel Release (FMR) both 7.62mm XM1158 cartridge for the M240 machine gun and ADVAP ammunition in calibers below 7.62mm. FY 2020 funding supports continuing rapid prototyping/development of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) Special Purpose (SP) projectile, building prototypes and maturing prototypes to provide to the weapon system contractors for performance evaluation, conducting a Critical Design Review (CDR), and conducting prototype testing. FY 2020 funding also supports conducting a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the SP projectile and performing activities to increase prototype capacity to support planned weapon system testing. Project EC3, Ammunition Logistics Prototyping: This Project supports the future force by improving the distribution, management, reliability and survivability of ammunition through the advanced development, integration, and demonstration of logistics system enablers. These enablers will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ammunition operations, to include retrograde, while reducing the logistics footprint on the battlefield. Technology areas addressed include handling, distribution, and management (strategic and tactical), prognostics, diagnostics, and asset visibility, explosives safety, and adaptive and environmentally friendly packaging and palletization. The efficient deployment and sustainment of reliable ammunition is vital to success on the battlefield. This Project enhances the operational effectiveness of the ammunition logistics system to ensure the distribution of reliable ammunition to the warfighter. FY 2020 funding will be used to complete verification testing and an operational demonstration for the environmental health monitoring system. FY 2020 funding will also be used to continue verification testing of a type two prototype next generation temperature/humidity sensor with batch interrogation and historical data retention capabilities, which will be used for assessing munitions reliability. Project EL7, Reduced Range Ammunition: The small caliber Reduced Range Ammunition (RRA) project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62mm and .50 caliber Capabilities Development Documents (CDD). The overall objective of Reduced Range Ammunition is to provide training ammunition suitable for use on military installations with Surface Danger Zone (SDZ) restrictions. The relatively long maximum range of the 7.62mm and .50 caliber service ammunition poses challenges on training ranges in range restricted areas. Reduce Range Ammunition will mitigate a training gap on installations by providing a materiel solution that meets training needs while shortening and condensing the surface danger zone. This will allow soldiers to train with 7.62mm and .50 caliber weapons on restricted ranges. The Reduced Range Ammunition cartridge design will be compatible with all Army 7.62mm and .50 caliber weapons but specifically optimized to work in the M240 and M2 Machine Guns. There is no funding requested in FY 2020. Project EL8, Lightweight Cartridge Case for Small Caliber: The Lightweight Small Caliber Ammunition (LSCA) Project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62mm Capabilities Development Documents (CDD). The goal of the LSCA Project is to reduce the total Soldier load through reduction in ammunition weight. The Lightweight Small Caliber Ammunition Project will develop and field 7.62mm lightweight small caliber ammunition cartridges that will provide the same capabilities as the M80A1 and M62A1 cartridges. The Lightweight Small Caliber Ammunition cartridge will be designed to be compatible with all Army 7.62mm weapon systems, but optimized to work in the M240 Machine Gun. No funding requested in FY 2020. Project EU3, .50 Caliber All-Purpose Tactical Cartridge (APTC): The All-Purpose Tactical Cartridge (APTC) project is a critical technology development in response to the .50 caliber Munitions Capabilities Development Documents (CDD). The overall objective of All-Purpose Tactical Cartridge is to deliver a single round that replaces and improves current legacy .50 caliber ammunition. The All-Purpose Tactical Cartridge will be compatible with all Army .50 caliber weapons but specifically optimized to work in the M2 Machine Guns. FY 2020 funding supports Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR) in preparation for a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, conducting a Materiel Development Decision (MDD), and conducting Design Verification Tests. Project FA5, The Assured Precision Weapons and Munitions (APWM) -FA5 Project is focused on advanced risk mitigation, technology integration, prototyping, and product support to identify, evaluate, mature, test, and demonstrate various assured precision prototype technologies in weapon and munitions components and subsystems within a complex system of systems environment. The Assured Precision Weapons and Munitions Project reinforces the National Defense Strategy's major lines of effort through technology development and prototyping that increase lethality and ensure future combat overmatch success of the Joint Force against peer/near-peer adversaries as well as improving program performance and affordability for multiple weapons and munitions Programs of Record (PoRs) via Joint Lethality Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) and Army M-Code GPS coordinated efforts. The Assured Precision Weapons and Munitions Project directly supports Army Modernization Priorities in support of the National Defense Strategy. Funding will support engagement by Weapons and Munitions PNT experts in the development, evaluation, and technology delivery activities of the Air Force's M-Code GPS and Army's Assured PNT programs. Funding will also enable component and subsystem architecture input essential for precision weapons and munitions operating in a system of-systems environment, Army M-Code GPS technology integration and evaluation, and maturation of alternative positioning, navigation and timing related technologies to enable informed Assured PNT related program of record milestone and Army cross-functional modernization decisions. Project FG1, Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munitions (C-DAEM): The Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munitions (C-DAEM) Project is a two increment approach to provide U.S. ground forces with the capability to engage area personnel through armored targets, while denying threat forces full operational freedom within the targeted area. An Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) was completed in January 2018. The purpose of the C-DAEM AoA was to inform acquisition and investment decisions by the Army regarding replacement of the current stockpile of 155mm Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) with Department of Defense policy compliant munitions and address anti-armor and extended range capability requirements identified in the C-DAEM Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). The Army validated a two increment solution for C-DAEM. Increment I will destroy infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, and tanks. Increment II will destroy personnel, materiel, air defense artillery and rocket launchers. Increment I and II will be developed simultaneously. FY 2020 resources will fund the competitive demonstrations for Increment I, as well as early detailed design testing supporting the qualification of Increment II to support the Army's modernization priorities in support of the National Defense Strategy. Project XT5, 30mm Anti-Personnel and Counter UAS: Lightweight 30x113mm (LW30) Airburst is a new capability identified as a Warfighter requirement in the Capability Production Document (CPD), AH-64E Helicopter, Increment 1, Version 6. The LW30 airburst cartridge improves the ability of the Warfighter to effectively engage anti-personnel/materiel targets due to increased lethality. Airburst capability provides the user with a much higher probability of achieving a first burst kill against enemy personnel targets in the open. The LW30 will retain its dual purpose warhead, allowing it to continue to defeat light armored threats through point detonation. The cartridge provides increased lethal effects against personnel and soft-skin vehicular targets increasing Soldier Survivability on the ground during troops in contact engagements and decreases the required number of rounds to reach the desired lethal effects. There is no funding requested in FY 2020.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2020
Source ID
0603639A_4_2040_PB_2020
Change Summary Explanation
FY 2020 increase of $20.674 million to support the Army's modernization priorities in support of the National Defense Strategy. FY 2018 Congressional increase of $8.000 million to Project 694, Medium Caliber Ammunition. FY 2018 Congressional increase of $2.450 million to Project EB9, Aviation Airborne Expandable Countermeasures. FY 2018 Congressional decrease of $10.000 million to Project EU1, Enhanced Lethality Cannon Munitions.
Service Agency Name
Army

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Ammunition
  • Ammunition Testing
  • Artillery Ammunition
  • Explosives
  • Fire Control Systems
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Howitzers
  • Munitions
  • Munitions Testing
  • Ordnance Laboratories
  • Precision-Guided Munitions
  • Projectiles
  • Propelling Charges
  • Scatterable Mines
  • Software Prototyping
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Munitions and Ordnance Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Space

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