127 mm M88 ASP round (Norway), Naval and coastal defence guns

Development
The 127 mm M88 Anti-Ship Projectile (ASP) was developed and qualified between 1985 and 1990 by Raufoss Technology A/S (now Nammo AS), using programmes co-ordinated with the Royal Norwegian Navy. Production was carried out in 1991 and 1992. The projectile has the same interior and exterior ballistics as other 127 mm rounds in store with the Norwegian Coastal Defence Forces and is fired by the German Second World War era 127 mm SK C/34 naval guns still emplaced in Norway in the coast-defence role.The main requirements of the 127 mm M88 ASP were penetration of steel plates used for ships' hulls; a delay feature to permit functioning until after target penetration; optimum destructive effect to be delivered approximately 2 to 4 m inside the target; and terminal effects including blast, fragments and an incendiary element.The round is no longer in production and, given the age of the guns, is unlikely to resume.

Description
The 127 mm M88 ASP is a separate-loaded munition used in conjunction with a brass cartridge case. The projectile may be regarded as a scaled-up 105 mm M85 ASP (see separate entry).The projectile has a forged alloy steel body filled with 3.2 kg of Composition A-3; 60 to 70 g of zirconium is added to enhance the incendiary effects. Threaded into the neck of the body is a penetrator cap containing the rear fuze assembly, which includes the delay element, the safety/arming mechanism and a booster. A Point-Detonating (PD) front fuze is mounted at the tip of a streamlined windshield which covers the front of the penetrator. Two copper driving bands encircle the projectile.As the front fuze strikes a target, it functions to initiate a pyrotechnic train to the rear fuze in which a 5 ms delay is introduced before the main charge detonates. The brass cartridge case contains 7.95 kg of propellant. The muzzle velocity is 830 m/s. The front fuze will function on striking 1.25 mm steel plates set at an angle of 0º. The projectile will penetrate 16 mm armour steel plates set at an angle of 60º and will function after penetration.

The complete article appears in the following publication:
Publication Title	Jane's Ammunition Handbook
Publication date	Mar 21, 2011
Section	Naval and coastal defence guns
Publication synopsis	Jane's Ammunition Handbook is the authoritative reference guide for ammunition in service, in stock and under development. This comprehensive resource provides informed analysis of product developments and commercial history, as well as technical descriptions, specifications and illustrations for ease of recognition. With Jane's Ammunition Handbook, your procurement and research needs are also supported through the original manufacturers' details and expert reference tables to confidently confirm small arms identification.
Key contents include	Small arms Projected grenades Riot Control Cannon Tank and Anti-Tank Naval and Coast Defence Mortars Field Artillery and Rockets Fuses Cartridge Identification Tables
Different sections provide in-depth detail covering	Analysis Artillery Rockets Cannon Cannon - 20 To 30 Mm Cannon Cannon - 35 To 57 Mm Cannon Contractors Field Artillery Fuzes - Artillery Fuzes Fuzes - Mortar Fuzes - Impact Fuzes Fuzes - Mortar Fuzes - Introduction Fuzes - Mortar Fuzes - Proximity Fuzes Fuzes - Mortar Fuzes - Time Fuzes Fuzes - Rocket Fuzes Glossary Identification Of Small Arms Ammunition Identification Of Small Arms Ammunition - Bullet Colour Codes Identification Of Small Arms Ammunition - Cartridge Headstamps Modular Propellant Charge Systems Mortars - 100 Mm Mortars Mortars - 107 Mm Mortars Mortars - 120 Mm Mortars Mortars - 160 Mm Mortars Mortars - 240 Mm Mortars Mortars - 50 Mm Mortars Mortars - 51 Mm Mortars Mortars - 52 Mm Mortars Mortars - 60 Mm Mortars Mortars - 81 Mm Mortars Mortars - 82 Mm Mortars Mortars - 98 Mm Mortars Naval And Coastal Defence Guns Projected Grenades - Fin-Stabilised Grenades - He And Heat Grenades Projected Grenades - Fin-Stabilised Grenades - Other Grenades Projected Grenades - Spin-Stabilised Grenades - 40 Mm High-Explosive Grenades Projected Grenades - Spin-Stabilised Grenades - 40 Mm Pyrotechnic Grenades Projected Grenades - Spin-Stabilised Grenades - 40 Mm Riot Control Grenades - Impact Projected Grenades - Spin-Stabilised Grenades - 40 Mm Riot Control Grenades - Irritant Projected Grenades - Spin-Stabilised Grenades - 40 Mm Screening Smoke Grenades Projected Grenades - Spin-Stabilised Grenades - 40 Mm Target Practice Grenades Projected Grenades - Spin-Stabilised Grenades - Introduction Projected Grenades - Spin-Stabilised Grenades - Less Than 40 Mm Grenades Riot Control Ammunition Riot Control Ammunition - 37/38 Mm Rounds Riot Control Ammunition - 40 Mm Rounds Riot Control Ammunition - Combined And Miscellaneous Rounds Riot Control Ammunition - Shotgun Rounds Small Arms - Pistols, Smgs And Pdws Small Arms - Rifles And Mgs Small Arms - Shotguns Small Arms - Special-Purpose And Other Weapons Tank And Anti-Tank Guns

You may purchase a full subscription to this service through the Jane’s Online Catalogue.

About Jane’s
With more than 100 years of experience, Jane’s, an IHS company, holds an unrivalled reputation for the reliability, accuracy and impartiality of our information and advice, trusted and relied upon by business, government and military decision-makers worldwide.

In the specialist fields of defence, security, public safety, transport and law enforcement, Jane’s intelligence is a ‘must have’ resource for our clients, who can trust our intelligence over that from any other open source.

© 2009 Jane's Information Group. All rights reserved | Terms of use | Jane's Privacy Policy