Projectile DM131 (RH 40, M1711)

Projectile DM131, also known as Rh 40 and M1711 — a 155 mm high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a base-bleed gas generator, produced by Rheinmetall Waffe Munition. It was created for the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer with a 52-caliber barrel, but is suitable for other 155 mm guns as well. The projectile is spin-stabilised, and the fuze is screwed into the nose.

DM131 is a variant of the DM121 (Rh 30) projectile with a base-bleed gas generator. In flight, the gas generator reduces the rarefaction behind the projectile base, air drag falls, and the projectile flies farther. Fired from a gun with a 39-caliber barrel, the range reaches 30 km; with a 52-caliber barrel, 40 km.

Designations. The projectile was later marked M1711, and in Kropyva firing tables it also appears as M1711A1-BB and DM131A1. The version made by Rheinmetall Denel Munition in South Africa is designated M0121A2 Assegai.

Not to be confused. The designation DM131 is also used by the Bundeswehr for a 40 mm programmable grenade for automatic grenade launchers. That is a different munition and has nothing to do with howitzer projectiles.