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The defence prime has been contracted to develop longer-range charging technology for 155mm artillery cannons.
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American Rheinmetall Munitions has been tapped to prototype an artillery extended range charge (ERC) for firing munitions out of an L58 length 155mm artillery cannon.
The ERC capability is tipped to increase ranges achieved from the US Army 155mm munitions by approximately 10 per cent over any other currently deployed artillery propellant.
The extended range can reportedly be achieved over the entirety of the operational temperature profile including in ambient scenarios.
The contracted work followed a research and development (R&D) process with the US Army for L39 and L52 versions of the 155mm ERC.
“American Rheinmetall Munitions continues to bring innovative technologies into the hands of our US Joint Force,” American Rheinmetall Munitions CEO John Somich said.
“Together with our Rheinmetall affiliates at Nitrochemie, we will introduce a propellant technology that is unlike any other in existence in the US today, providing US Army soldiers a decisive edge in deterring and defeating adversaries.”
This latest program builds on decades of work from American Rheinmetall on the production and supply of high-performance practice and direct-fire service ammunition for American military and law enforcement.
The global Rheinmetall business is also supporting artillery ammunition projects in other parts of the world.
The company’s South African subsidiary, Rheinmetall Denel Munition, recently secured a multi-million-dollar contract from an undisclosed NATO country for the supply of 155mm ammunition from its Assegai product line.
The contract, valued in the “upper-two-digit, million-euro range”, involves delivery over the next two years.
Deliverables include fuses, different projectile types such as high-explosive service rounds, and Assegai artillery propelling charges.
According to Rheinmetall, Assegai artillery ammunition can be fired from any NATO STANAG-compatible artillery system, including the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer.
[Related: Rheinmetall lands NATO artillery ammunition deal ]
