105mm IWS APFSDS

[SG500]

Attached is a photograph of a 105mm IWS round next to a 120mm apfsds drill round (for scale).

Details about the IWS (Improved Weapon System) are given below (see Janes Retrofit Systems 1994-1995).

The 105mm IWS was developed as a private venture.
The round has been designed to operate at increased pressure levels and incorporates a new heary tungsten alloy penetrator which has been designed to give a major improvement in armour penetration capability over existing 105mm APFSDS tank guns.
The IWS APFSDS is a fixed type round with an overall length of 1030mm with the projectile comprising a tungsten-nickel-iron penetrator located in a three segment sabot.
The penetrator has a high length to diameter ratio and a mass approximately 40 per cent greater than current standard APFSDS rounds.
The propelling charge comprises a stub case and a combustible sleeve which together house the multi base propellant and primer.
Complete round weight 19kg
Muzzle velocity 1420 m/s

The round in the photograph is stencled "IWS Space model". The penetrator is not tungsten but aluminium that unscrews from the sabot and the case is not combustable but a 105mm brass case that has been crimped onto the projectile and painted white to represent a combustible case.
Has anyone any idea what a "Space model" is for?
Is it merely a round that has been made up to represent a service round or is there some other use for it?

Dave.

 

[HAZORD]

Dave,

Thanks for the photo and info about the 105 IWS. I've never heard of "Space Model", although here in the colonies, the Govt. sometimes has complete inert rounds loaded up to fill the ammo racks in the tanks for weight and space-to-move-around testing and observation reasons. The rounds will have real but inert projectiles and dummy powder in powder bags in the cartridge cases.

Your mention of operating at higher pressure for the IWS was interesting. When the U.S. issued tank ammo for the first Gulf War, the 105G service rounds were loaded so hot, that the ammo was labeled "Do not fire in guns with breech ring serial numbers below XXXXXX." The breech rings had been built stronger during the multiyear procurement of the tanks, and the ammo would crack the rings of the older tanks.

John

 

[SG500]

Some more info on this one.

Dave.

http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product3633.html

 

[proditto]

When working on weapons/ammunition a Space Model is often used to show the weapon/ammunition envelope or even used in designing/checking the system. We used them to show concepts to "higher ups". It is easier to show a space model than a drawing. They are exactly dimensioned as the "real" round will be and can be constructed from any material. Today rapid prototype machines can make this easier.

 

[SG500]

When working on weapons/ammunition a Space Model is often used to show the weapon/ammunition envelope or even used in designing/checking the system. We used them to show concepts to "higher ups". It is easier to show a space model than a drawing. They are exactly dimensioned as the "real" round will be and can be constructed from any material. Today rapid prototype machines can make this easier.

Thanks that's great info and makes sense in view of the pedigree of this particular item.

Dave.