Nexter Presents 120 SHARD® New Generation of Anti-Tank Ammunition

11.03.2021 Products
Nexter Presents 120 SHARD® New Generation of Anti-Tank Ammunition

Nexter Presents 120 SHARD® New Generation of Anti-Tank Ammunition

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Nexter Munitions demonstrates its capability for innovation by presenting the 120 SHARD®ammunition, a high-performance product available at short notice.

SHARD®, the new generation of APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) 120mm antitank ammunition, is compatible with all current and future battle tanks equipped with NATO standard120mm smoothbore guns. The interoperability of SHARD® with the armaments and environments ofthe Leclerc tank, the Leopard 2, the Abrams M1A1/A2 and the C1 Ariete is ensured throughdevelopment in compliance with STANAG 4385 and ICD 120.

Recent test firings carried out in extreme temperature conditions and at long range have confirmedthe performance expected in simulation: this ammunition sets a new performance standard, withincreased penetration capacity combined with very high accuracy. In 2021, the latest architecturaloptimizations will be completed, before entering an industrial qualification phase in 2022.

Therefore, SHARD® will be ready for the start of mass production from the end of 2022 to give our customersthe technological capabilities to effectively fight the latest armored threats of the 21st century.

This very high level of performance is permitted thanks to a totally innovative design, defined by NexterMunitions’ technical teams at Bourges. SHARD® achieves this level of terminal ballistic performancethanks to an optimized sabot, an elongated rod in a new tungsten alloy developed with PlanseeTungsten Alloys, as well as a combustible cartridge case and a high-performance, low-erosionpropellant developed by EURENCO.

SHARD® is the result of Nexter Munitions’ expertise in the development of very high-performanceammunition, R&T work on innovative materials and on external ballistics carried out on the historicalbasis of work for the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), as well as the implementation of anagile development process. The validation and qualification of innovative technological building blocksin the SHARD® program is also one of the milestones in the development of very high-performancemunitions for future land combat systems, especially the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).

Nexter has a complete range of warfare and exercise ammunition for NATO 120mm smoothbore tankguns, compatible with the KNDS Leclerc, Leopard 2 and other modern tanks such as the M1A1/A2Abrams and C1 Ariete.

The combination of the operationally proven 120mm high explosive round with our current (F1B, F1B+)and future (SHARD®) generation APFSDS projectile allows to cover the full range of contemporarybattlefield threats. Nexter’s range also includes exercise ammunition, HEAT-TP, HE-TP & TPFSDS.

Nexter also continues to innovate through the “120 IM3M” multimode insensitive ammunition and the “120 N-LOS” precision guided ammunition - elements of which are taken from KATANA -, as well as  R&T work on new technological breakthrough bricks concerning resistance to active and reactiveprotection systems.

Nexter, the leading French land defense company and third European player in the ammunition sectoris part of the KNDS Group. The scope of its business includes as well the supply of weapon systems andammunition for air and naval forces. Nexter also provides systems and protection solutions in the fieldof homeland security.

The group continues to apply its international development policy with 69% ofthe order intake in 2019 intended for the export market. In France, Nexter is fully committed to meetingthe objectives of the SCORPION program, through the upgrade of the Leclerc tank and the developmentof the VBMR GRIFFON and EBRC JAGUAR vehicles within the temporary business venture betweenNexter, Thales and Arquus, as well as the Lightweight VBMR SERVAL.

The group’s range of products also includes TITUS® and VBCI armored vehicles, CAESAR®and 105LG1 artillery systems, smart ammunition (BONUS), robots, many equipment, as well ascustomer service, support and revaluation.

Nexter’s 2019 turnover amounted to €2.5 billion.

 



 
 

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