EVALUATION OF A NEW SUPER-PROPELLING CHARGE, XM119 FOR PROJECTILE, HE, M107 TO PROVIDE EXTENDED RANGE IN 155MM HOWITZER, SELF-PROPELLED, M109(T196E1)

摘要

The estimated production schedule for the recently standardized M470 155mm projectile lagged that of the weapon by 18-24 months. To expedite the supply of ammunition, an investigation was initiated to determine whether the readily available standard M107 projectile could be used to satisfy the 18,000-meter maximum range requirement for the M109 weapon.nA new super-charge (XM119) was developed to propel the M107 projectile to the desired range. A total of about 300 rounds have been fired to date using this ammunition. Tests were conducted at Aberdeen Proving Ground during August-September 1963 under various test conditions. These included recovery tests, range and accuracy, hot and cold conditioning tests, excess pressure tests, worn gun tube tests where the tube life was beyond the condemnation limit. The range dispersion of the ammunition was excellent. Range Probable Errors of only 0.2% or better at 18,400 meters maximum range were achieved in almost every case. Even in the worn tube, a volley of 20 rounds produced a low-range dispersion.