A SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS COMPARISON BETWEEN HYPERVELOCITY EM ARMAMENT AND CONVENTIONAL ARMAMENT IN THE ANTI-ARMOR MISSION

The overall system performance potential of a future EM main battle ta nk (MBT) using hypervelocity KE ammunition in a combined arms, force-o n-force scenario, independent of improved lethality, is quantified. Th e EM MBT performance is contrasted with the baseline M1A1 MBT firing c onventional 120mm ammunition under the same conditions of engagement, Also studied are the effects of key system parameters such as system a ccuracy, firing signature, turret presented area, and launch velocity. Simulation results showed the EM-armament main battle tank-supported Blue Force achieved a significant improvement in loss-exchange ratio o ver the conventional tank-supported force using hypervelocity amunitio n in the anti-armor mission, even without a lethality improvement over current ammunition.