Description
This cartridge is a kinetic energy, target practice round for use in the 105mm, M68 cannon. It is designed to provide duplication of the service rounds (M735, M774 and M833) characteristics at reduced maximum ranges to allow practice firings on short-range proving grounds and training areas. This cartridge was developed and is produced by West Germany and procured by the United States on a limited basis.
The projectile consists of a subprojectile and sabot. The subprojectile is made up of a one piece steel core with an aluminum tail cone assembly which is assembled to the sabot by means of threads. The tail cone has nine holes and in conjunction with the cone provides stabilization. The tail cone assembly also contains a tracer. The aluminum sabot is comprised of three 120 degree noninterchangeable segments with internal screw threads which match those on the outer diameter of the subprojectile. The sabot has a silicon rubber seal at the rear to prevent gas leakage. The projectile is crimped to a DM60 brass cartridge case, which holds approximately 13.2 pounds of LV-1900B propellant, and is fitted with a DM82A1 electric primer. A gun tube wear reducing titanium dioxide liner is assembled to the interior wall of the cartridge case.
The projectile is blue with white markings.
Functioning
The DM128 is loaded and fired from the 105mm tank gun in the normal manner. Upon initiation of the electric primer in the breech of the weapon, the resulting flash ignites the propelling charge generating gases which drive the projectile from the gun and ignites the tracer. The rear seal of the sabot prevents gas leakage between the sabot segments and the driving forces (gases) propelling the subprojectile downbore. Upon leaving the gun, aerodynamic forces cause the sabot to separate from the subprojectile allowing the subprojectile to continue to target while the sabot segments fall quickly to earth. The tail cone segment of the subprojectile, due to the nine hole arrangement, causes aerodynamic slowing of the subprojectile to limit its range to 7500 m.
Hazardous Components
Cartridge case - DM60
Propelling charge - LV-1900B (13.2 lb. 6 kg)
Primer - DM82A1
Physical Data
Length, overall - 36.4 in, 924.6 mm
Length, subprojectile - 18.46 in, 468.9 mm
Diameter, subprojectile - 1.5 in, 38.1 mm
See Also
Cartridge, 105mm APFSDS-T, M735, M735E1, M735E2
Cartridge, 105mm APFSDS-T, M774
Cartridge, 105mm APFSDS-T, M833
Source(s)
