More cool stuff in the works

Looks like drone killing is getting to be a sport. The Army is getting the rotorheads in on the act now:

While the Israeli Air Force had pioneered this role for the AH-64 for years, the U.S. Army has now formally codified it and added new capabilities in the process. Now, as we had suggested some time ago, the Apache is getting proximity-fuzed 30mm cannon shells for its chin-mounted M230 cannon that will add to its drone-killing arsenal, giving it a cheaper and more plentiful engagement option than some of the alternatives.

Early proximity fuzing was not terribly specific but evolved since WWII. Started off with timers – planes coming in at what looks like 5000 feet, takes projectiles 2 seconds to get that high, set the fuze at 2 and fire. Then it started getting specific, and later in WWII they were slaving radar to it, so instead of “about” 5000 they could pinpoint 4732 feet for example at 300 miles ground speed and set the fuzes accordingly (you’ll have to forgive my amateur phrasing, this is NOT my area of expertise.)  I suspect true proximity fuzing would have a sensor somewhere in the projectile or missile head that would sense the immediate presence of the target and make the splodey part go boom. Neat stuff if you have shell big enough to pack it all in.

Well, like everything else, miniaturization with modern electronics is child’s play. If we can put literally millions of transistors into the CPU on your TELEPHONE, a 30mm must be easy.

Apaches live-fire tested the 30x113mm XM1225 Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) ammo last December, according to a recent Army release. The trials occurred at the service’s sprawling Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in southern Arizona. Multiple test engagements occurred against various types of drone targets.

Think of the possibilities. Instead of exploding on impact, imagine a whole lot of 30mm projectiles exploding just before the target in a spray of shrapnel. And no need to make changes on the base weapon, just change your ammo load-out. Think of how many drones can be killed with the standard 1200 rounds.

The specialized APEX ammunition works by detonating only when it is close to an object, then it explodes in a spray of shrapnel. This is critical to shooting down drones as they are small, independently moving targets, and the Apache’s monocle-targeted chin gun isn’t exactly a sniper rifle in terms of precision. At the same time, the rounds could also be used against targets on the surface — including personnel, soft-skinned vehicles, and small boats, for instance — offering unique area effects compared to the Apache’s standard impact-detonating, high-explosive ammunition.

The Army’s official release on the subject is optimistic.

Initial results were highly successful, with the XM1225 meeting all accuracy requirements and demonstrating exceptional effectiveness against both ground and UAS targets. The proximity-fuzed capability of the XM1225 allows it to detonate near the target, creating a larger lethal radius and significantly improving its ability to neutralize airborne and dispersed threats. This capability positions the Apache to dominate the battlefield in both air-to-ground and air-to-air engagements, providing warfighters with a critical edge in modern combat scenarios.”  TWZ

Yep, I know you’re tired of hearing it – read the linked article.

Category: Army, Science and Technology