RBT's Defense Blog

  Northrop Grumman has developed the M1147 Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) 120 mm shell as the next generation high explosive multipurpose round for the US Army’s ABRAMS M1A2 MBT. This new tank ammunition/shell will give ABRAMS tanks a chance to exercise greater mission flexibility and main-gun capability using single ammunition for multiple engagements. M1147 AMP will replace four 120 mm shell rounds currently in US Army inventory like the M830 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (HEAT ‑ MP-T), M830A1 HEAT-MP-T, the M1028 Canister (CAN) round, and M908 Obstacle Reducing with Tracer (OR-T) consolidating their capabilities into a single munition. AMP shell is designed to retain the performance of the rounds against light armored vehicles, engaging dismounted ATGM teams at extended ranges, bunkers, personnel, and obstacles. AMP shell stands out for its antipersonnel airburst capabilities up to a distance of 2 km as well as its capability to breach 8-inch reinforced concrete.

  A Main Battle Tank or MBT or just a tank is the most destructive and powerful land assault system for an army column. The tanks weigh anywhere between 40 tons (medium) to 68 tons (heavy) to 25 tons (light) and are key to any assault that it spearheads. Tanks are mobile, armored, heavy weapons platforms and the tank gun is the most critical part of the tank. Most of today's modern-day tank guns are above 100mm (105 mm, 115 mm, 120 mm, 125 mm) with 120mm being the most common. The tank guns are housed in a rotating turret which allows the tank to engage enemy targets at just about any orientation. There are 2 types of tank guns that are differentiated by the make of barrel, smoothbore and rifle bore. A smoothbore barrel is completely smooth on the inside, cut into the metal; while a rifled-bore barrel has spiraling grooves cut on the inside of the barrel, that help guide a tank shell down the length of the barrel. Tank guns to

The Philippines is an island nation, comprising thousands of islands surrounded by sea on all sides. It has the Pacific Ocean in the east and the South China Sea in the west. Philippines was the scene of some of the biggest battles at sea that were fought during World War II. These include Leyete Gulf, Mariana, and the Coral Sea around the Philippines. Though these battles are known as battles of battleships and aircraft carriers; but submarines too played very crucial roles in these battles. After the victory of the USA in World War II, it captured the Philippines; and deployed its forces for decades, especially during Cold War. After the end of the Cold War, when the USA withdrew its forces from the Philippines; the country slowly started building its forces but surprisingly it left the submarine arm untouched till date. So, as the South China Sea dispute with China simmers with a chance of flare-up anytime; the Philippines is fin