M1A1 tanks carry four different types of ammunition to support combat operations. Crews must substitute a different round for each threat they encounter, increasing the logistical burden across the board. This foreign comparative testing effort, coordinated by the Office of Naval Research, transitioned a single tank round solution combining the capabilities of both the M830 series and the M1028 series tank rounds. The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) tested and evaluated M1A1 120mm MPHE munitions with the goal of increasing the overall lethality of the USMC M1A1 tank.
There are four types of 120mm ammunition within USMC inventory—when combined, they provide the operational capability of one 120mm MPHE round. The 120mm M830 series (HEAT, MPAT, MPAT-OR) provides ammunition for the destruction of enemy light armor, bunkers and helicopter threats, but has limited breaching capabilities against structures. The fourth round, the 120mm M1028, or canister round, is an anti-personnel and light-skinned vehicle munition that provides lethal effects up to approximately 300 meters. The proposed 120mm MPHE round will have the ability to perform all of these capabilities within a single round. The point detonating fuse will allow for the destruction of light armored vehicles and bunkers at extended ranges due to fin stabilization of the round. The delay mode will provide enhanced breaching capabilities for dynamic entry by dismounted infantry and provide greater internal blast fragmentation within a building to destroy concealed enemy targets. Finally, the potential air burst capability of this round duplicates the effects of the canister round, but increases the maximum effective range from 300 meters to 5000 meters to adequately engage ATGM teams. The 120mm MPHE provides more versatility, survivability and lethality, and significantly reduces our logistics footprint.
The primary warfighter payoff of the USMC M1A1 120mm MPHE is the 1,677 percent improvement in accuracy at extended range. The multi-mode settings (point detonation, delay and air burst) offer better combat utility while decreasing the logistical burden.
The foreign comparative testing of the M1A1 120mm MPHE was successful in providing greater capabilities to the M1A1 tank crews. Although additional tests are being conducted, USMC has initiated the procurement of 3,000 rounds for fielding under the UUNS.