NAMMO: Innovative 40 mm programmable ammunition

In combat situations, the enemy avoids direct fire by hiding behind obstacles, which provides a tactical challenge for own troops. Innovatively, Nammo developed the programmable ammunition concept to give forces a reliable advantage, providing a flexible and effective solution to a common war situation. Technological advances have made the battlefield more dynamic than ever, which means weapon systems must quickly adapt to counter threats. Before Nammo developed its programmable ammunition technology, conventional 40 mm ammunition rounds had not changed for over 40 years.

In 2002, Nammo initiated a technology programme to explore programmable ammunition to introduce more capability for each round. With introduction of the 40 mm x 53 MK285 Programmable Pre-fragmented High Explosive (PPHE), Nammo became the first company to qualify programmable ammunition for 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launchers (AGL).

Nammo’s innovative 40 mm programmable ammunition technology allows the burst distance against enemy troops to be programmed accurately directly into the round. This achieves more precise targeting in defilade (for example, trenches, rooftops or inside buildings) and enables friendly troops to neutralise enemy forces that are avoiding direct fire.

Demonstrations have also proven this round to be very effective against Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Nammo’s 40 mm x 53 C171 Programmable Pre-fragmented High Explosive – Radio Frequency (PPHE-RF), further improves adaptability by incorporating a wireless communication solution to programme the ammunition. The 40mmx53 High Explosive Dual Purpose Radio Frequency (NM 264) (HEDP-RF), has also been developed with wireless programming, and allows for different target scenarios due to its HEDP and/ or RF functions.

Convenient and cost-effective, these ammunition solutions can easily be integrated into existing weapon platforms and fire-control systems for an added advantage in the modern-day battlefield. The standalone Manual Programming Unit (MPU) also enables programming without a fire-control system.

Illustrated on the right is the 40 mm x 53 HEDP-RF Airburst ammunition.