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120mm Rheinmetall Rh-120


M256


Overview


Strv 122

Swedish Strv 122 main battle tank firing its 120mm main gun.
Source: US Army - © Public domain

Origin
Germany
Type
Cannon
Entered service
1979 for Rh-120-44
2001 for Rh-120-55
2018 for L/55A1
Status
In service
Development
1970's
Developer
Germany - Rheinmetall
Production
Mid 1970's - present
Producer
Germany - Rheinmetall
United States - Watervliet Arsenal
Japan - Japan Steel Works
Number produced
Over 10.000
Designations
M256 (US production model)
KM256 (South Korean service)

Description


Introduction

The Rh-120 is a late Cold War era smoothbore cannon of German origin. It was developed to arm the new Leopard 2 main battle tank. NATO thought that the highly successful 105mm L7 used on the Leopard 1 was probably not future proof considering Soviet tank development. Over time the design of the gun and its range of ammunition was continuously improved. This makes current iterations rank among the most powerful tank armament in service today.

Design

The Rh-120 was developed around a new range of 120mm ammunition, with emphasis on an APFSDS rounds. Therefore it is a smoohtbore cannon. The gun is loaded manually using single piece ammunition, of which the majority of the shell casing is combustible. The barrel is autofrettaged for increased barrel life and features a fume extractor and a muzzle reference device.

Firepower

Maximum range of the Rh-120 is about 3 km with APFSDS ammunition. The rate of fire depends on the loader. 10 rpm is quoted, with that rate dropping off as fatigue increases and ready rounds are spent.

Variants

Rh-120-44
Original 120mm 44-caliber production model introduced on the German Leopard 2 main battle tank.
Rh-120-55
55-caliber variant developed under the KWS I program to upgrade the combat effectiveness of the Leopard 2 main battle tank.
Rh-120-55 A1
Similar to earlier L/55 model, but allows for even higher pressure. Also known as L/55A1. Entered service in 2018.
M256
US production variant for use in the M1A1 and M1A2 versions of the M1 Abrams main battle tank.
JSW 120mm
Japanese production version for use in the Type 90 main battle tank. Fed by bustle mounted automatic loader.

Details


Facts Rh-120-44 Rh-120-55
General
Origin
Germany
Type
Smoothbore cannon
Caliber
Caliber
120mm
Ammunition type
120x570mm, fixed case
Feed system
Manual loading
Barrel length
5.28 m
Rifling
Smoothbore
Fume extractor
Yes
Muzzle velocity
1.640 m/s with DM33 APFSDS-T
Operation
Rate of fire
About 10 rpm
Recoil force
Up to 600 kN
Dimensions
Weight
1.190 kg gun only
3.780 kg including mount

Media


Platforms with Rh-120


Leopard 2A4

The Rh-120-44 was introduced on the Leopard 2 main battle tank, entering service in 1979.

Leopard 2A5

The Leopard 2A5 is an upgrade over the earlier Leopard 2 with distinctive new armor package. The L/44 cannon was retained, since the L/55 was still under development.

Leopard 2A6

The Leopard 2A6 introduced the 55-caliber variant of the 120mm smoothbore cannon, entering service in 2001.

Leopard 2A7+

The Leopard 2A7+ is a highly modified Leopard 2A6 featuring various urban combat improvements. It seems that the first L/55A1 entered service on this variant of the Leopard 2.

Type 90

The Japanese Type 90 main battle tank is equipped with a modified L/44 cannon produced under license in Japan.