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M864

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
M864 DPICM
TypeBase bleed, extended-range, base-ejection cargo artillery projectile
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In serviceSince 1987
Production history
Designed1980s
ManufacturerGeneral Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems
VariantsM864A1
Specifications
Mass102 lb (46.3 kg) unfuzed
Length36 in (920 mm) fused
Diameter155 mm (6.1 in)

Muzzle velocity2,700 ft/s (830 m/s)
Maximum firing range18.3 mi (29.4 km)[note 1]
Filling
  • 48 x M42 dual‐purpose grenades
  • 24 x M46 dual‐purpose grenades
Filling weight
  • M42 – 7.3 oz (208 g) each
  • M46 – 7.5 oz (213 g) each
ReferencesJanes[1]

The M864 is an American made 155 mm artillery shell. It carries a DPICM warhead and incorporates base bleed technology to increase its range. The projectile is capable of delivering 24 M46 and 48 M42 dual-purpose anti-materiel/anti-personnel sub-munitions at ranges out to 29 kilometers. Base bleed technology was developed to reduce the amount of base drag on a projectile, thereby increasing the achieved range. The drag is reduced by a gas generator located on the base of the projectile. Once ignited, the gas generator bleeds hot gas into the projectile's wake, which causes the flow of air at the base to be less turbulent. The decrease in turbulence reduces base drag, which typically accounts for 50 percent of total drag. The amount of thrust produced by the base burner unit is negligible and does not serve the same function as the rocket motor on a rocket-assisted projectile (RAP).[citation needed]

The M864 projectile is not ballistically matched to any projectile currently in the inventory, but because of the similarity of the trajectories, firing data for the M864 can be determined from M549A1 firing data.[citation needed]

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ The range of 18.3 mi (29.4 km) is achieved when fired from the 39‐caliber barrels of the M109A6 Paladin and FH70.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Janes (17 July 2023), "155 mm M864 and M864A1 DPICM projectile", Janes Land Warfare Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 30 July 2023
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