The US Program Executive Office for Ammunition has started testing a new artillery round that will provide soldier’s with superior performance as well as lighten the military logistics burden.

The 105mm M1130E1 high explosive preformed fragments, base bleed, or HE PFF BB round with the XM350 propelling charge, is a state-of-the-art cartridge that replaces four existing high-explosive projectiles and two propelling charges with a single round. The M1130E1 is fired from the M119 howitzer and will be used against light to medium targets, such as personnel and trucks.

It provides increased combat effectiveness for all 105mm howitzer units, but will specifically aid the mission of the light forces operating in rugged terrain, such as Afghanistan. A 105mm cartridge consists of a projectile, cartridge case, primer and propelling charge.

Currently, four different 105mm cartridges (the M1, M760, M927 and M1130), each containing one of two propelling charges (M67 and M200), are needed to engage the various targets at distances from 1.4 km out to 16 km, explained Jim Rutkowski, Chief of the Energetics Branch with PEO Ammunition’s Project Manager for Combat Ammunition Systems.

All four rounds must be available at the firing position. For instance, the M760 cannot cover the closer ranges that the M1 covers. “Until we field sufficient quantities of M1130A1, the logistic chain and our troops will deal with the four cartridges – M1, M760, M927 and M1130,” Rutkowski added.