XM1111 Mid-Range Munition
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=MRM-CE
|image=
|caption=Two competing concepts
|origin=
|type=Dual use, B-LOS and LOS tank fired munition
|used_by=
|manufacturer=Raytheon Missile Systems
|unit_cost=unknown
|propellant=
|production_date=
|service=Cancelled
|engine=none required
|engine_power=
|weight=unknown
|length=unknown
|height=
|diameter={{convert|120|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|wingspan=none
|speed=approx. {{convert|900|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} (at launch) {{convert|1650|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} (with full acceleration)
|vehicle_range=12.1 km (7.5 mi)
|ceiling=
|altitude=N/A
|filling= Shaped charge or kinetic energy penetrator
|guidance=Semi-active laser and uncooled imaging infrared (IIR) homing seeker
|detonation=none
|launch_platform=M1 Abrams, Leopard 2
}}
The XM1111 Mid-Range Munition (MRM) is a 120 mm precision guided munition developed for the Rheinmetall Rh-120 120mm gun (named 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 (BLOS) 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 high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) 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 covered system design and development.
The Mid-Range Munition was cancelled in 2009 along with Future Combat Systems.{{cite news |author= |date=July 11, 2011 |url=http://www.soldiergeek.com/milblog/2011/7/11/atk-awarded-contract-to-develop-abrams-advanced-kinetic-ener.html |title=ATK awarded contract to develop Abrams Advanced Kinetic Energy Ammo |website=Soldiergeek.com |url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109025524/http://www.soldiergeek.com/milblog/2011/7/11/atk-awarded-contract-to-develop-abrams-advanced-kinetic-ener.html |archive-date=November 9, 2011}}
MRM-KE
The Mid-Range Munition-Kinetic Energy (MRM-KE) was an implementation of the MRM under development by Alliant Techsystems, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and HR Textron.[http://atk.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=728 ATK Forms 'Team MRM' to Compete for the U.S. Army's XM1111 Mid-Range Munition Program - ATK PR]
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 target.
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 were cancelled.[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/x-rod.htm X-ROD - Global Security][http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/term.htm XM1007 Tank Extended Range Munition (TERM) - Global Security]
=Timeline=
- April 2004: Successful test firing of the system.[http://www.spacedaily.com/news/missiles-04l.html ATK'S MRM-KE Autonomously Searched, Guided And Hit Tank]
- May 2006: Successful high Mach flight maneuver test at Yuma Proving Ground.[http://www.deagel.com/news2/atk-achieves-success-in-mrm-ke-test_ns000249dp.aspx ATK Achieves Success in MRM-KE Test - Deagel]
- July 2007: ATK Forms "Team MRM" to compete for the U.S. Army's XM1111 Mid-Range Munition Program.
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.
The MRM-CE uses a dual-mode MMW, imaging infrared (IIR) autonomous seeker or SAL is used to acquire and guide towards the target with high accuracy. 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=
- Warhead: Shaped charge HEAT.
- Guidance: Dual-mode MMW – imaging infrared homing or semi-active laser guidance.[http://www.defense-update.com/products/digits/120MRM.htm MRM KE / CE 120mm - Defense Update]
=Program status=
- September 2006: A U.S. M1 Abrams tank fired an MRM-CE round which hit a moving T-72 tank at a range of {{convert|8.6|km|mi}}.[http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htarm/articles/20060929.aspx M-1 Gets 8,600 Meter Kill - Strategy Page]
- March 2007: Successful test firing using dual-mode seeker fusion.
- December 2007: Raytheon Wins Army XM-1111 Development Contract.
See also
- List of gun-launched missiles
- M982 Excalibur, 155 mm extended range guided artillery shell
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/300718/More+ammo+for+US+Army.htm More ammo for US Army - The Engineer Online]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061209090510/http://deagel.com/pandora/mid-range-munition_mn00033001.aspx MRM - Deagel]
- [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/mrm.htm MRM - Global Security]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071007081858/http://www.raytheon.com/feature/pgp/ Missile Systems - Precision Guided Projectiles - Raytheon]
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