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.
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.