XM1111 Mid-Range Munition

MRM-CE
Type Dual use, B-LOS and LOS tank fired munition
Service history
In service Cancelled
Production history
Manufacturer Raytheon Missile Systems
Unit cost unknown
Specifications
Weight unknown
Length unknown
Diameter 120mm
Warhead Shaped Charge or Kinetic energy penetrator
Detonation
mechanism
 none
Engine none required
Wingspan none
Operational
range
 12.1 km (7.5 mi)
Flight altitude N/A
Speed approx. 1700m/s (at launch)
Guidance
system
 Semi-active laser and uncooled IIR seeker
Launch
platform
 M1 Abrams, Leopard 2

The XM1111 Mid-Range Munition (MRM) was a 120 mm precision guided munition developed for the Rheinmetall 120mm Gun (known as the "M256" in the US military) used by several Western tanks. It was also intended to fulfill a requirement for Future Combat Systems (canceled) for a long-range, Beyond Line of Sight tank munition.

The U.S. Army awarded two contracts in a competition to validate the requirement, one for a kinetic energy penetrator round (MRM-KE) and one for a chemical energy warhead round (MRM-CE).

In December 2007, Raytheon's CE-based concept was awarded the system-design-and-development contract to develop the round. Valued at $232.3 million, the 63-month contract covers system design and development.

The Mid-Range Munition was cancelled in 2009 along with Future Combat Systems.[1]

MRM-KE

The MRM-KE (Mid-Range Munition-Kinetic Energy) was an implementation of the MRM under development by Alliant Techsystems, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and HR Textron.[2]

The missile/projectile was designed to be used as a high-velocity penetrator for line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight shots. In line of sight, it would operate using laser guidance or a millimeter wave seeker. In BLOS, the shell would be fired in a ballistic arc, and would seek out its own targets.

The missile used a kinetic energy penetrator to penetrate enemy armor. This effect was improved by a rocket motor that sped the munition up. It steered with impulse thrusters.

MRM-KE used technology developed as part of the X-Rod and XM1007 Tank Extended Range Munition (TERM) programs, both of which have been cancelled. [3][4]

Timeline

MRM-CE

The missile/projectile was to be a high-velocity multiple-mission projectile for line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight shots. In line of sight, it would operate using laser guidance or an uncooled imaging infrared seeker (IIR). In BLOS, the shell would be fired in a ballistic arc, and would glide to seek out its own targets. The BLOS mission could be autonomous or use FO directed target designation.

Mid-Range Munition incorporated proven technology using a dual-mode seeker suite comprising an imaging infrared sensor and a digital semi-active laser seeker. The dual-mode seeker was developed and successfully demonstrated during a two-year, Army-managed science and technology program. MRM-CE refined seeker technology developed as part of the XM1007 Tank Extended Range Munition (TERM) program.

For a beyond-line-of-sight mission, the chemical energy warhead was a better solution; with proven lethality against the primary target of threat armor, and better effects against the secondary targets of buildings, fortifications, and light armor than a less versatile kinetic energy penetrator.

Specifications

Program status

References

  1. ↑ MRM cancelled - Soldiergeek.com, July 11, 2011 Archived November 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. 1 2 ATK Forms 'Team MRM' to Compete for the U.S. Army's XM1111 Mid-Range Munition Program - ATK PR
  3. ↑ X-ROD - Global Security
  4. ↑ XM1007 Tank Extended Range Munition (TERM) - Global Security
  5. ↑ ATK'S MRM-KE Autonomously Searched, Guided And Hit Tank
  6. ↑ ATK Achieves Success in MRM-KE Test - Deagel
  7. 1 2 MRM KE / CE 120mm - Defense Update
  8. ↑ M-1 Gets 8,600 Meter Kill - Strategy Page
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