South African defence company Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) has reported that it has successfully qualified its 155 mm calibre M2005 Velocity Enhanced Artillery Projectile (VLAP). This is a longer-ranged enhancement of the company’s Assegaai series of 155 mm artillery rounds. The qualification was done on behalf of an international client.
“The 155 mm Assegaai series has global significance in the field of artillery ammunition and consists of different projectile variants, covering the requirements of most users in training and combat today,” noted RDM CEO Norbert Schulze. In its press release, the company affirmed that the qualification of the VLAP had “once again entrenched RDM’s position as world leader in the field of artillery”.
Full rate production of the M2005 is already under way, and the customer has received its first consignment of the new shells. It is compatible with 39-calibre, 45-calibre and 52-calibre guns of both North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) and non-Nato design. (39-calibre means the gun barrel is 39 times the length of its calibre: in this case, 39 x 155; so, likewise, 45 x 155 and 52 x 155.)
Source: www.engineeringnews.co.za
South African defence company unveils increased range artillery round