M984 120 mm Extended Range DPICM Mortar Cartridge
The M984 120 mm Extended Range DPICM Mortar Cartridge [ERMC / ER-DPICM] effort is demonstrating a generically configured 120 mm extended range mortar cartridge which can deliver a variety of payloads, including cost-effective anti-materiel / antipersonnel sub-munitions, enhanced screening and multi-spectral smoke, white and IR illumination, countermeasures, sensors, and other potential non-lethal munitions to ranges 50% greater than currently obtained (7.2 km). Extended range capability (12km) is provided by the use of a high-performance, advanced, post-launch tractor type rocket assist propulsion unit. The application of a tractor rocket motor in lieu of a conventional rear tandem motor minimizes potentially deleterious aeroballistic destabilizing effects of rocket motor gas effluent acting on the rear stabilizing fins, and permits optimal locating of a multifunctional electronic fuzing assembly. The embedded, multi-functional electronic fuze provides for effective, reliable rocket motor ignition and reproducible payload expulsion replication. The cartridge structure utilizes high strength, lightweight composite materials which permits maximum utilization of available volume for payload. The predicted effectiveness has been derived from XM80 arena and pit fragmentation testing in conjunction with subsequent aeroballistic and effectiveness analyses. The predicted precision for the XM984 is 1% in range, a value comparable to that currently attained. Since area coverage (pattern) can be readily varied by appropriate fuze settings, little effect on effect anti-personnel/anti-materiel effectiveness is anticipated. The physical configuration of the projectile capitalizes on previous technology based efforts including 155 mm HICAP and XM982 projectiles.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m984.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Saturday, September 12, 1998 6:35:55 AM