Conversion of DM charges (DM82A1, DM72, DM92) 
Contents
DM charges: description and tabular data
For a real conversion of propellant charges, you need to make a comparative analysis of their weight and chemical composition. They are given in this material.
No “quick” pictures will give real help.
Read, analyse and practise.
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Charge DM82A1 (lower module), zones 1 and 2
Description. The lower module of the DM bi-modular charge system from Nitrochemie, developed together with Rheinmetall Waffe Munition. One module makes up the zone 1 charge, two make up zone 2. The manufacturer does not give the weight, dimensions or propellant type of the module in open sources, so the values marked “≈” are taken from the similar BC-E module.
Tabular data: DM82A1
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | module of the bi-modular system, lower |
| Zones | 1–2 (one or two modules) |
| Module weight | ≈1.9 kg (by analogy with BC-E) |
| Propellant weight | ≈1.5 kg (by analogy with BC-E) |
| Diameter and length | ≈158 mm and ≈155 mm (by analogy with BC-E) |
| Muzzle velocity | ≈315 m/s (zone 1), ≈470 m/s (zone 2) — by analogy with BC-E |
| Range, Boat Tail, 39 cal. | 3–8 km (zone 1), 6–13 km (zone 2) |
| Range, Boat Tail, 52 cal. | 4–8 km (zone 1), 6–13 km (zone 2) |
Charges DM72 and DM92 (upper modules), zones 3–6
Description. The upper modules of the same system: three modules are used in zone 3, four in zone 4, five in zone 5 and six in zone 6. For DM72 and DM92 the manufacturer's brochure gives the data together. Values marked “≈” are taken from the similar TC-F module.
Tabular data: DM72 / DM92
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | module of the bi-modular system, upper |
| Zones | 3–6 (three to six modules) |
| Module weight | ≈2.8 kg (by analogy with TC-F) |
| Propellant weight | ≈2.3 kg (by analogy with TC-F) |
| Diameter and length | ≈158 mm and ≈177 mm (by analogy with TC-F) |
| Muzzle velocity | 5 modules: 810 m/s (39 cal. gun, L15A1 projectile, 21 °C); 6 modules: 945 m/s (52 cal. gun, 21 °C). Zones 3–4: ≈560 and ≈690 m/s by analogy with TC-F |
| Range, Boat Tail, 39 cal. | 7–14 km (3 modules), 10–18 km (4), 13–24 km (5) |
| Range, Boat Tail, 52 cal. | 8–15 km (3), 10–19 km (4), 13–24 km (5), 16–30 km (6) |
| Upper pressure limit in propellant testing | 391 MPa at +63 °C |
Comparison of DM with other charges by muzzle velocity
The comparison is made only by muzzle velocity from the comparison table below. The DM velocities in zones 1–4 are estimated (by analogy with BC-E and TC-F).
| DM zone | DM muzzle velocity, m/s | Charge with a similar velocity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 × DM82A1 | ≈315 | M231 × 1 module: ≈301 m/s |
| 2 × DM82A1 | ≈470 | M231 × 2 modules: ≈450 m/s |
| 3 × DM72 / DM92 | ≈560 | M232 × 3 modules: ≈547 m/s; M4A2, charge 7: up to 564 m/s |
| 4 × DM72 / DM92 | ≈690 | M119A2: ≈690 m/s |
| 5 × DM72 / DM92 | 810 | M203 and M203A1: 826 m/s |
| 6 × DM72 / DM92 | 945 | there is no charge with a similar velocity in the table: higher than the M203 |
This is an approximate comparison of muzzle velocities based on open data. It does not replace firing tables for a specific gun and projectile: the velocity depends on the gun, the projectile, the charge temperature and barrel wear.
Temperature limits and restrictions
The manufacturer states an operating range for the DM modules from −46 to +63 °C. Rough-handling tests included hot cycles A1 (+35 to +71 °C), cold cycles C2 (−37 to −46 °C) and thermal shock at −51 and +71 °C in CT NC series containers.
Do not assemble DM modules together with modules of other systems, in particular M231 and M232. The brochure contains no separate prohibition for DM, but the manufacturer of BC-E and TC-F expressly forbids combining them with other types of charges.
For more on the charges, see the Propellant charge DM page.
Comparison of old propellant charges with modular ones
Table of weight, dimensions, chemical composition of the propellants and muzzle velocity.
Thanks to these data a replacement for the propellant charge can be selected.
| Charge | Type | Zones | Weight, kg | Propellant (grade, kg) | Length, mm | Muzzle velocity, m/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 / M3A1 | green bag | 1–5 | 2,81 | M1, 2,49 | 406 | ≈207–372 (charges 1–5) |
| M4A1 / M4A2 | white bag | 3–7 | 6,35 | M1, 5,90 | 533 | 274–564 (charges 3–7) |
| M119 / M119A1 | white bag | 8 | 10,4 | M6, 9,30 | 660 | 684 |
| M119A2 | red bag | 7 | 10,66 | M6, 9,48 | 737 | ≈690 |
| M203 | red bag | 8S | 11,8 | M30A1, 11,8 | 768 | 826 |
| M203A1 | combustible case | 8S | 14,06 | M31A1, 12,7 | 768 | 826 |
| M231 | module (MACS) | 1–2 | 1,93 | PAP-7993, 1,59 | 152 | ≈301 / ≈450 (1 / 2 modules) |
| M232 | module (MACS) | 3–5 (6) | 2,65 | M30A1, 2,25 | 156 | ≈547 (3 modules) |
| BC-E | module (BMCS) | 1–2 | 1,9 | single-base, 1.5 | 155 | 315 / 470 (1 / 2 modules) |
| TC-F | module (BMCS) | 3–6 | 2,8 | tri-base, 2.3 | 177 | 560 / 690 / 822 / 940 (3 / 4 / 5 / 6 modules) |
| TCME 101 | module (BMCS) | 1–2 | 2,1 | single-base | — | — |
| TCME 100 | module (BMCS) | 3–6 | 2,8 | multi-base | — | — |
| DM82 / DM82A1 | module (DM) | 1–2 | — | — | — | — |
| DM72 / DM92 | module (DM) | 3–6 | — | — | — | 810 (5 modules, 39 cal.) / 945 (6 modules, 52 cal.) |
Notes. The muzzle velocity depends on the gun, the projectile, the charge temperature and barrel wear, so approximate values are given. The sign “≈” marks estimated or calculated data.
M3A1 (charges 1–5) — an estimate based on old ballistic data for the M107 projectile. M4A1 / M4A2 — manufacturer's requirements for 155 mm/23 cal. howitzers. M119 / M119A1 — charge 8, M107 projectile. M119A2 — nominal velocity from a 39 cal. howitzer. M203 and M203A1 — 826 m/s, according to the US Army procurement description.
M231 and M232 — calculated values for the M107 projectile from the M114 howitzer (23 cal.); for M232 only zone 3. BC-E and TC-F — data from the manufacturer MSM for a 52 cal. gun and a 23 L chamber; module weights are also from MSM. DM72 / DM92 — Nitrochemie / Rheinmetall requirements for the average velocity with the L15A1 projectile at 21 °C. For TCME 100 / 101 the weight is the net module mass and the propellant type is from the Nexter Munitions catalogue; no lengths or muzzle velocities are available in open sources. For DM82A1 no open data on weight, dimensions or velocity were found.
Read also on this site
Conversion of propellant charges
Conversion of M3 and M4 charges
Conversion of M119 charges
Conversion of M203 and M203A1 charges
Conversion of MACS charges (M231 and M232)
Conversion of DM charges (DM82A1, DM72, DM92)
Conversion of TCME charges (TCME 100, TCME 101)
Modular charge system
MCS and BMCS modular charge systems: what is the difference
Propellant charges — all pages of the section
Informative content — all articles of the section
Oleh Syrota (Georgich©) for the Armed Forces of Ukraine /
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