120mm L2 HESH

Overview

120mm L2 HESH

120mm L2 HESH warhead and shell alongside 20mm and .303 rounds for scale.
Source: www.deactivated-guns.co.uk - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin

United Kingdom

Type

Recoilless rifle ammunition

Entered service

1953

Status

Obsolete

Development

Early 1950's

Developer

United Kingdom

Production

Early 1950's - ?

Producer

United Kingdom

Designations

L2
HESH / High Explosive Squash Head

Description

Introduction

The 120mm L2 HESH is a type of recoilless rifle ammunition developed in the United Kingdom. It was designed for the BAT series of recoilless rifles, including the MOBAT and WOMBAT. These recoilless rifles are some of the largest in their class ever fielded in quantity.

Ammunition types

The BAT practically fires only a single type of ammunition, the 120mm L2 HESH round. The HESH round is effective against both armored vehicles, enemy positions and infantry. It is reported that smoke, illum and training rounds were developed but only used in very limited quantities.

Design

The ammunition is of the separate loading type with the first part being the shell and the second part the metal casing with propellant. Although separate, the warhead and shell are often loaded as if they were single piece ammunition.

Firepower

The HESH warhead is able to penetrate 400mm RHA. It is also effective against bunkers, light vehicles and infantry. In the original BAT the practical range was 800 m, with a maximum of 1.6 km. With the use of the Bren and .50 caliber spotting rifles the later MOBAT and WOMBAT were used up to ranges of 2 km.