(pressebox) (Düsseldorf, 2015-02-18) The German Bundeswehr has awarded Rheinmetall a multimillion-euro contract to supply it with several thousand cartridges of 40mm x 53 airburst ammunition, together with accessories. This is the first time that the German armed forces have procured this state-of-the-art ammunition technology, which Rheinmetall developed and continues to enhance. The Group's 40mm x 53 Airburst Munition (ABM) has now been fully qualified for use by the Bundeswehr and Dutch armed forces. Officially dubbed the DM131, the pilot lot ordered by the German procurement authorities is already being delivered.

The time of detonation of each airburst round is electronically programmable. In line with the Rheinmetall approach, this takes place via an infrared signal from the fire control/aiming unit once the projectile has left the barrel. The round explodes at an exactly calculated distance above its target, even if it is located behind cover. As a result, this innovative ammunition substantially enhances the combat effectiveness of the Bundeswehr's battle-proven 40mm automatic grenade launcher. With the right fire control technology, the DM131 attains a maximum effective range of 2,200 metres.

Rheinmetall is the world's leading source of 40mm technology. The Group supplies a multifaceted array of 40mm low-velocity (LV), medium-velocity (MV) and high-velocity (HV) ammunition, together with weapon systems like the Cerberus mountable grenade launcher and the Hydra automatic grenade machine gun. Thanks to built-in hydraulic shock absorbers, both weapons are suitable for MV and LV ammunition. Fire control/aiming units from the Vingmate family of products round out the Group's 40mm portfolio.