Projectile DM642 (BB DPICM)
Contents
DM642 BB DPICM — cargo projectiles
DM 642 DPICM - an extended-range (BB) cargo projectile from a German manufacturer Rheinmetall, which replaced the projectile DPICM M483A1 provides a longer flight range than its predecessor, and an increased lethal effect.
The DM 642 is designed to destroy lightly armored vehicles and enemy personnel.
The projectile is a carrier of 63 DM 1383 cargo submunitions. The expelling charge is located under the nose section of the detonator and inside the streamlined surface of the projectile. After firing, the fuze (recommended DM163 or M577) functions at the selected time, ideally at a height of 300–500 m above the target area. After the expelling charge functions, the submunitions are ejected and scattered over the target area by the centrifugal forces created by the rotation of the carrier shell.
The 155 mm DM 642 contains 63 DM 1383 submunitions arranged in nine columns, with 7 such packs. Each DM 1383 submunition has a steel body containing a small shaped charge and a sensitive impact fuze.
The submunitions are designed to detonate on impact, but if for any reason this does not occur, after about 15 seconds the self-destruct detonator will function. If both detonators fail, the detonator has a backup fuze.
Technical specifications
Type — fragmentation with a shaped-charge effect
- Projectile weight: - 47 kg
- Submunition weight: - 20.79 kg
- Submunition weight: - each 290 g.
- Length: 899 mm
- Contents: 63 DM 1383 submunitions
- Submunition diameter: 42 mm
- Submunition height: 95 mm
- Maximum muzzle velocity (charge M203): 802 m/s
- Maximum range: 22,400 m
- Operating temperature: from -46 to +63°C
- Authorized fuzes: - M577 or DM163
Usage notes
Maximum range (39 caliber):
With charge M4A2 - 17,200 m
With charge M119A1 - 22,000 m
With charge M119A2 - 22,000 m
With charge M203 - 22,400 m
4 yellow weight marks in Kropyva are "normal". The ballistic characteristics are similar to the projectile M864.
Does not function on impact.
Here in detail about NATO LOTs
- For the first round, it is recommended to reduce the fuze setting by 0.2 s. The ideal functioning height of the expelling charge is about 300 m; the characteristic white dots of the bursts are then visible from the drone. Analyze and experiment with the functioning time (burst height).
Oleh Syrota (Georgich©) for the Armed Forces of Ukraine /
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