Wikipedia

SMArt 155

The SMArt 155 is a German 155 mm artillery round designed for a long-range, indirect fire top-attack role against armoured vehicles. The projectile was developed in 1989 by Diehl BGT Defence in Überlingen, Germany, with Rheinmetall and started full-rate production for the German Army in 1998. It consists of a 47-kilogram (104 lb) heavy artillery projectile containing two autonomous, sensor-fused, "fire-and-forget" submunitions. Due to the submunitions, it has been considered by some to be a cluster munition. As of 2008, representatives of the German defense ministry have referred to it as not being classified as submunition weapons, which were prohibited by the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions.

SMArt 155
A cutaway view of a SMArt 155 round, showing both submunitions. In this picture the lower submunition is itself shown in cutaway.
TypeSmart submunition artillery projectile
Place of originGermany
Service history
In serviceSince 2000
Used bySee operators
Production history
Designed1989–1995
Manufacturer
ProducedSince 1998
Specifications
Mass47.3 kg (104 lb) fused
Length898 mm (35.4 in) fused
Diameter155 mm (6.1 in)
Maximum firing range
  • 22.5 km (14 mi) from 39‐caliber barrels
  • 27.5 km (17.1 mi) from 52‐caliber barrels
Filling2 x autonomous anti‐armour and anti‐artillery submunitions
ReferencesJanes[1]

Description

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The name SMArt 155 is a contraction of its German name, Suchzünder Munition für die Artillerie 155 (meaning "sensor-fuse munition for 155mm artillery").

History

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The projectile was developed in 1989,[2] and GIWS started full-rate production for the German Army in 1998.[3]

Design

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Schematic of the SMArt 155 round

SMArt 155 is a 155 mm NATO artillery round designed to be fired from the Panzerhaubitze 2000 and the M109 howitzers, including the Paladin variant.[4] It consists of a 47-kilogram (104 lb) heavy artillery projectile containing two autonomous, sensor-fused, fire-and-forget submunitions.[4] The submunitions each contain a high-penetration EFP warhead for use against heavy armoured fighting vehicles such as main battle tanks. The EFP warhead uses a heavy metal liner.[5]

After the submunition is released, it opens a parachute. While slowly descending, the submunition rotates, scanning the area below with an infrared sensor and a millimeter wave radar.[4][5]

The utilization of several types of sensors allows SMArt 155 to be used in all terrain types and weather conditions.[6]

Operation

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Phase Picture Description
1   A SMArt-155 round is fired from a standard rifled 155mm artillery tube.
2   The round flies on a ballistic arc, with a range of 27.5 kilometres (17.1 mi)[7]
3   Mid-flight a timer fuse ignites a small ejector rocket in the nose, which drags the two submunitions out of the shell casing.
4   Once clear of the shell, the submunitions fall toward the target. The shell and the nose assembly fall away.
5   The submunitions deploy parachutes, and independently corkscrew down over the subject area, scanning for targets.
6   Once a submunition detects a target vehicle beneath it, it detonates its explosive payload. This creates a high-velocity explosively formed projectile which strikes the target vehicle from above, where the armour is relatively weak, for maximum effect.

Competing systems

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US artillery largely deploys the M712 Copperhead laser-guided round for the anti-tank role.

GIWS formed a partnership with US defence contractor Alliant Techsystems, hoping to sell SMArt 155 to the United States armed forces; As of 2002, no sale had been made.[3] The US developed the similar M898 SADARM system (which also descended on a ballute to attack the top surfaces of armoured vehicles), but this was discontinued in favour of the GPS guided M982 Excalibur round.

SMArt 155 is very similar to the 155 BONUS system; BONUS descends on a system of winglets rather than a parachute.

Operators

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Map with SMArt 155 operators in blue with former operators in red

Current operators

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As of 2008, 25,000 shells have been sold to various clients.[8][9]

  British Army and   Australian Army
The DM-702 SMArt-155 can be used with the M777 towed howitzer and the AS-90.
The sale of the SMArt-155 took place in 2008 for €120 million, for an estimated of 2,000 shells. The share between the UK and Australia isn't public.[10][11]
  German Army (9,000)
The DM-702 SMArt-155 is used with the Panzerhaubitze 2000.[12]
9,000 shells were ordered, some of which were used for training, and others were donated to Ukraine.[13] In 2023, the Bundeswehr announced a restart of the production planned, with 10,000 shells expected.[13]
  Hellenic Army (1,000)
The DM-702 SMArt-155 is used with the Panzerhaubitze 2000[12]
The first 500 shells were ordered in 2002, delivered in 2003, 500 additional shells were ordered in 2003, delivered in 2006.[14]
  Swiss Army (2,000)
The DM-702 SMArt-155 is used with the M109 KAWEST WE.
The order for this shell type was made with the Armament Programme 2001, with most deliveries to take place from 2004 and 2005 for a budget of CHF168 million.[15][16]
  United Arab Emirates Army (11,000)
The American company ATK (Alliant TechSystems) partnered with GIWS to produce shells under license.[17]
Trials in the UAE on the G6 Howitzer took place in 2005 with satisfactory results, and led to the sale of 11,000 shells produced in the USA.[18][19]
  Armed Forces of Ukraine
Supplied by the German Army, used with the Panzerhaubitze 2000[20]

Controversy about classification as submunition vs cluster munition

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Various human rights organizations, such as "Aktionsbündnis Landmine.de" and Handicap International view the SMArt 155 as a cluster munition. Germany’s representatives managed to ensure that SMArt 155 did not meet criteria for cluster munition of the Oslo Agreement on the Prohibition of Cluster Bombs.[21] Critics view this exempting definition in contradiction to the United Nations' understanding of cluster munitions.[22] Critics also point out the similar effects of cluster munitions on the civilian population as in the case of unexploded ordnance or mistargeting.[23]

In July 2008, the journalist Stefan Aigner wrote: " Today, Diehl is one of the most successful German arms producers. According to its own information, around one third of its profit of 2.3 billion euros comes from armaments production. Among other things, cluster munitions are produced." Diehl’s lawyers demanded a cease-and-desist declaration from Aigner. The lawyers referred to the exceptions made in the Oslo Agreement, which allegedly pose no danger to civilians. In the trial before the Munich Regional Court, Aigner and Diehl reached a settlement on March 2, 2009, after the judge made it clear that he would accept Diehl’s claim. The settlement includes that Diehl s ammunition may not be referred to as cluster munitions.[24][25] In return, Diehl assumed the costs of the proceedings.

"Intelligent Working System" came in third place in the election for Unwort des Jahres 2009.[26] Behind the harmless term "intelligent active systems" the jury saw technologically advanced types of ammunition, which are produced by a subsidiary of two armaments companies with the equally disguised company name "Gesellschaft für Intelligente Wirksysteme mbH".[27]

References

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  1. ^ Janes (19 July 2022), "155 mm DM 702 SMArt 155 ammunition system", Janes Land Warfare Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., archived from the original on 15 March 2024, retrieved 4 August 2023
  2. ^ Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (2021). Munitions Employing Sensor-fuzed Submunitions: Do they Comply with the Convention on Cluster Munitions?. Australia: Armament Research Services. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-6485267-9-7.
  3. ^ a b "ATK Partner GIWS Achieves 100-Percent Reliability In Tests of Extended Footprint SMArt 155 Munition Precision-Guided Projectile is Part of ATK's Newly Formed Precision Systems Group". ATK press release. May 9, 2002. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c "SMArt Sensor-Fuzed Ammunition for 155mm guns". Defense-Update.com. 10 August 2008. Archived from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b "SMArt 155 Family of intelligent munition". GIWS mbh. Archived from the original on 22 September 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  6. ^ "SMArt 155: A new Dimension for Artillery". GIWS mbh. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  7. ^ "SMArt 155". deagel.com. December 30, 2010. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  8. ^ "Alternative Streumunition - Problem oder Lösung? (page 7)" (PDF). landmine.de. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Cluster Munition Ban Policy | Reports | Monitor". www.the-monitor.org. Archived from the original on 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  10. ^ OuinetAdmin (2008-01-06). "Australia, UK Order 155mm SMArt Munition". Defense aerospace. Archived from the original on 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  11. ^ "Australia and UK buy SMArt 155 munition". Archived from the original on 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  12. ^ a b "SMArt 155 mm Munition für Australien" (in German). Behörden Spiegel Online. Retrieved 2 December 2010.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ a b "Germany to resume production of SMArt 155 projectiles following an exceptional performance in Ukraine - Technology Org". 2022-10-28. Archived from the original on 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  14. ^ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Archived from the original on 2010-04-14. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  15. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-02-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^ "Defence Business: Why the Swiss are SMArt | ADM Mar 07 - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Archived from the original on 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  17. ^ Heiming, Gerhard (2018-11-30). "SMArt 155-mm-Produktion soll wieder anlaufen". Europäische Sicherheit & Technik (in German). Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  18. ^ "Sensor-Fuzed Munition Passes Desert Tests (Jan. 11)". Defense aerospace. 2005-01-10. Archived from the original on 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  19. ^ http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Missiles-And-Rockets-2005/SMArt-155-demonstrated-in-UAE.html [dead link]
  20. ^ Nikolov, Boyko (15 July 2022). "Ukraine uses 155mm SMArt carrier shell that seeks and destroys by itself". bulgarianmilitary.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  21. ^ Nagel, Sarah. "Riestern für die Rüstungsindustrie (nd-aktuell.de)". Neues Deutschland (in German). Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  22. ^ Zumach, Andreas (2009-03-02). "Rüstungsfirma Diehl: Waffen bauen, Sprache säubern". Die Tageszeitung: taz (in German). ISSN 0931-9085. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  23. ^ "Alternative cluster munitions - problem or solution?" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  24. ^ Zumach, Andreas (2009-03-04). "Streit über Rüstungsbegriff: Vergleich im Prozess um "Streumunition"". Die Tageszeitung: taz (in German). ISSN 0931-9085. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  25. ^ Duwe, Silvio. "Punktzielmunition trifft Pressefreiheit" (in German). Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  26. ^ Stefan Aigner (2010-01-10). "Intelligenter bomben mit blöden Worten" (in German). Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  27. ^ "Sprachforscher: "Betriebsratsverseucht" ist Unwort des Jahres". FAZ.NET (in German). 2010-01-19. ISSN 0174-4909. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
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