35 x 228 RWM AHEAD / KETF ammunition (Switzerland), Cannon - 35 to 57 mm cannon

Development
The designation AHEAD (Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction) refers to a new generation of 35 × 228 ammunition. It was intended to expand the defensive capability of medium-calibre air-defence guns in response to the anticipated threat from precision-guided munitions, missiles and other high-technology weaponry. The concept has since been extended to explore its effectiveness against less advanced targets, such as Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), small boats posing a threat to warships, and also enemy personnel. Development of the AHEAD concept by RWM Schweiz AG (the former Oerlikon Contraves-Pyrotec) commenced during the late 1980s, with the first public presentation of the concept given in mid-1991. By October 1992, the first firing demonstration took place, followed by a further live-firing demonstration against towed air targets in September 1993. More successful live-firing demonstrations against drone targets followed.AHEAD is fully developed and in production, available for use with the KDG revolver cannon, which is part of the Oerlikon Contraves SkyShield 35 air-defence system and the Millennium naval air-defence system.In 1996, Canada became the first NATO customer for AHEAD, when it acquired upgrade kits for its 20 GDF-005 air-defence guns; with the Canadian air-defence batteries, it was initially intended that AHEAD ammunition would replace High-Explosive Incendiary (HEI) in the air-defence role. Italy and Oman are also known to be AHEAD users, among the ten countries now stated to have acquired it. The AHEAD round remains one of the ammunition types under consideration for use with the South African Denel 35DPG dual-purpose naval gun. AHEAD

Description
The 35 mm AHEAD rounds are fixed, as other 35 × 228 Oerlikon ammunition, and are handled and loaded in the same way.The 35 × 228 AHEAD round, Oerlikon designation PMD062, uses a heavy metal payload projectile with a programmable base fuze. The fuze contains an advanced high-precision timer that will detonate a forward-firing ejection charge, according to how it is programmed. The timer is programmed after it has passed through a triple-coil muzzle-velocity gauge as the projectile leaves the gun muzzle. The muzzle safety for the projectile is more than 60 m.As the projectile passes through the first two coils, set 100 mm apart, its exact velocity is determined and is processed, together with target information supplied by the fire-control system computer. The exact projectile flying time is calculated to thousandths of a second and is imparted by electro-induction to the programmable base fuze as the projectile passes through a third coil. The high-precision time module in the fuze will then signal the fuze to function and detonate the less than 1 g ejection charge at a given distance in front of the target, forming a cone of 152 tungsten-alloy subprojectile pellets which are directed towards the target. At a range of 40 m from detonation, the subprojectiles cover an area 7 m in diameter, at a density of four per square metre, at which time they are still travelling at 75 per cent of the launch velocity. One 25-round burst can produce a 'swarm' containing 3,800 tungsten-alloy

The complete article appears in the following publication:
Publication Title	Jane's Ammunition Handbook
Publication date	Mar 24, 2009
Section	Cannon - 35 to 57 mm cannon
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.
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