XM1111 Mid-Range Munition

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.

MRM-CE
TypeDual use, B-LOS and LOS tank fired munition
Service history
In serviceCancelled
Production history
ManufacturerRaytheon Missile Systems
Unit costunknown
Specifications
Massunknown
Lengthunknown
Diameter120mm
WarheadShaped Charge or Kinetic energy penetrator
Detonation
mechanism
none
Enginenone required
Wingspannone
Operational
range
12.1 km (7.5 mi)
Flight altitudeN/A
Maximum speed approx. 1700m/s (at launch)
Guidance
system
Semi-active laser and uncooled IIR seeker
Launch
platform
M1 Abrams, Leopard 2

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 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.[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
  • April 2004: Successful test firing of the system.[5]
  • May 2006: Successful high Mach flight maneuver test at Yuma Proving Grounds.[6]
  • July 2007: ATK Forms "Team MRM" to compete for the U.S. Army's XM1111 Mid-Range Munition Program.[2]

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

Program status
  • September 2006: A U.S. M1 tank fired an MRM-CE round which hit a moving T-72 tank at a range of 8,600 meters.[8]
  • March 2007: Successful test firing using dual-mode seeker fusion.[7]
  • December 2007: Raytheon Wins Army XM-1111 Development Contract.
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References
  1. MRM cancelled - Soldiergeek.com, July 11, 2011 Archived November 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  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. MRM KE / CE 120mm - Defense Update
  8. M-1 Gets 8,600 Meter Kill - Strategy Page
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