Propellant charge TCME 100, TCME 101 — full information. 
Contents
TCME charges: description and tabular data
Photo: bk155.com.ua
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. You are artillerymen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — you can do it!
Charge TCME 101 (lower module), zones 1–2
Description. The lower module, which is matched with the M231, BC-E and DM82 charges. In the Nexter Munitions catalogue it is the lower module (BCM): the charge consists of one or two identical modules, which are used, among other things, for training fire. The length, diameter and muzzle velocities of the module were not found in open sources.
Tabular data: TCME 101
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | module, lower |
| Zones | 1–2 (one or two modules) |
| Net mass of the module | 2.1 kg |
| Propellant | single-base |
| Diameter and length | no open data found |
| Muzzle velocity | no open data found |
| Module colour | green |
| Igniter | black powder |
| Firing temperature | from −33 to +63 °C |
| Storage temperature | from −33 to +71 °C |
| Packaging | 6 modules per container, 16 containers per pallet |
| Data source | Nexter Munitions catalogue |
| Matched with | M231, BC-E, DM82; charges KTA 5927 and KTA 5928; charge 1 conditionally corresponds to a charge of 2 TCME 101 modules |
Charges TCME 100 (upper modules), zones 3–6
Description. The upper modules: three modules are used in zone 3, four in zone 4, five in zone 5 and six in zone 6. The module has a locating groove for joining. In the Nexter Munitions catalogue it is the upper module (TCM): on 39-caliber guns the charge has three to five modules, on 52-caliber guns three to six. It is compared with the M232, M232A1, TC-F, DM72 and DM92 charges (see Propellant charge DM).
Tabular data: TCME 100
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | module, upper |
| Zones | 3–6 (on 39-caliber guns three to five modules, on 52-caliber guns three to six) |
| Feature | locating groove for joining |
| Net mass of the module | 2.8 kg |
| Propellant | multi-base |
| Diameter and length | no open data found |
| Muzzle velocity | no open data found |
| Module colour | grey |
| Igniter | black powder |
| Firing temperature | from −33 to +63 °C |
| Storage temperature | from −33 to +71 °C |
| Packaging | 6 modules per container, 16 containers per pallet |
| Data source | Nexter Munitions catalogue |
| Matched with | M232, M232A1, TC-F, DM72, DM92; charges KTA 5927 and KTA 5928; charge 2 conditionally corresponds to charge 3 made up of TCME 100 modules |
| Range, OFd MKM | Projectile OFd MKM: 19.9 km (4 modules), 24.8 km (5), 31.1 km (6) |
| Range, M77B (39 cal.) | Projectile M77B: 19.2 km (4 modules), 24 km (5) |
The ranges are taken from the pages on these projectiles, where the M232, M232A1, BC-E, DM72 and TCME 100 charges are listed together.
Charge system. The Nexter Munitions catalogue describes a system with two types of modules: lower (BCM) and upper (TCM). The charge is linkable, reversible and rigid, and the distinct modules rule out the risk of mixing up BCM and TCM. The system meets JBMoU requirements and is qualified on the CAESAR 155 mm/52 cal. howitzer. Compared with conventional charges it offers simpler and faster loading, a higher rate of fire and simplified logistics (only two module types).
Comparison of TCME with other charges
The muzzle velocities of the TCME modules are not known, so the comparison is made by purpose and module mass and by the site's materials.
| Charge | Compared with | Note |
|---|---|---|
| TCME 101 (zones 1–2) | M231, BC-E, DM82 | lower modules of modular systems |
| TCME 100 (zones 3–6) | M232, M232A1, TC-F, DM72, DM92 | upper modules of modular systems |
| 5 TCME modules | L10A1 | from experience of use on the 2S22 Bohdana: L10A1 was used instead of 5 TCME modules |
| 6 TCME modules | M11 Zone 10 | by net mass, 6 TCME modules (6 × 2.8 = 16.8 kg) are close to the M11 charge weighing 17 kg |
This is an approximate comparison. It does not replace firing tables for a specific gun and projectile.
Temperature limits and restrictions
The operating temperature range of the TCME modules is from −33 to +63 °C, the storage range from −33 to +71 °C (per the Nexter Munitions catalogue). For BC-E and TC-F the manufacturer expressly forbids combining the modules with other types of charges; for TCME there is no such statement.
For more on the charges, see the Propellant charge TCME 100, TCME 101 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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