New canister rounds impress Knox tankers

[Hannibal]

By WAKELAND KUAMOO/Special to the Turret

While the booming sounds of a 120mm tank main gun firing Nov. 10 on Cedar Creek Range were familiar, the type of tank round being fired was very unique.

The 16th Cavalry Regiment with support from TSM Abrams provided information and a live fire demonstration of the first M1028 canister rounds to be fired on Fort Knox. The canister round is the newest 102mm tank main gun ammunition now available to the Armor Force, and has been deployed in the Middle East.

According to Maj. Kevin Parker, the S-3 of the 16th Cav., the purpose of the demonstration was to provide the trainers with the opportunity to see close up the unique capability of the canister round. Instructors have included the canister round in their lessons and now have the actual experience of seeing it in action.

The two-part demonstration which was attended by many of the Fort Knox senior leaders, including Fort Knox Commander Maj. Gen. Robert Williams and post Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Albert Bryant.
The first part was a short briefing on the unique characteristics and capability of the canister round. At the end of the briefing, all attendees were asked to come forward and handle several fully inert canister rounds. While the canister round is not the heaviest tank main gun round in the inventory, its size and weight distribution does make handling and loading the round a bit unique.

Soldiers and Marines who have handled and fired the round in preparation for deployment to Iraq have stated that with a bit of practice the round can be handled in much the same way as the other 120mm rounds in the inventory.

“Since the inception of the 120mm-armed Abrams tank, we have lacked a true anti-personnel weapon system. The M1028 canister round has satisfied that need,” said Bryant.

“A documented operational need for such a round has long existed in Korea. Operations in Somalia and now in Afghanistan and Iraq have demonstrated that the requirement also exists for stability operations. We should credit our developers and producers, the Program Manager for Maneuver Ammunition Systems, ARDEC at Picatinny Arsenal, and the prime contractor, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, for their efforts to accelerate production of this round, now in the hands of our tankers.

“The M1028 canister round provides the tanker in the field with another option to defeat the enemy and protect our troops.”

The second part of this demonstration consisted of the live firing of three canister rounds. Kim Dean, a retired master gunner who’s now part of the TSM Abrams organization, worked with the firing crew. According to Dean, even though the crew had never seen or had a chance to use the round, its members adapted quickly and did a great job.

Three targets were set up on Cedar Creek Range. Targets at 100 and 200 meters from the tank consisted of cinder block, wood, and corrugated tin walls with troop targets included throughout the array. The target array demonstrated the canisters’ unique capability of penetrating and destroying different obstacles at close range.

The third target was set up at 300 meters. Besides troop silhouettes, a large 30-meters-long target cloth was set up. The troop silhouettes and large cloth allowed viewers to better see the spread of the spheres at that range.

Upon completion of the event, all personnel had the opportunity to go to each target and see close up the devastating effects of the canister round.

At 100 meters, the cinderblock wall was completely destroyed and many of the close-in troop targets suffered numerous impacts from the tungsten spheres.

At 200 meters, the canister round once again demonstrated its effectiveness against the wooden and corrugated tin walls, penetrating both completely.

At the 300 meter target, the actual spread of the tungsten spheres was visible to all.

According to Staff Sgt. Michael Hill and Sgt. Daniel Miller, of Troop B, 1-16th Cav., who were part of the firing crew, “The canister round was awesome.” They said the round would be great for tankers confronted by massed enemy troops, inflicting massive casualties and providing a shock effect which will certainly make other enemy troops think twice before continuing their attack.

“We know the canister round will be able to defeat enemy dismounted troops, no question,” said Williams. Based on this demonstration, it is clear that it can also defeat other obstacles, such as wall barriers, during the close in fight. The good news for the tanker is that while the enemy can still run, the canister round will make sure they can’t hide.”

[Charlie66Lima]

I saw an advertisement months ago for this round. I was IN LOVE with it from then on. IT is SO awesome that they are finally fielding it! It appears to be AWESOME. I am just hoping that someday we get to play with such a large shotgun shell!

[Hannibal]

I am waiting for the fire command

Gunner, Canister, Al Queda

[Charlie66Lima]

ROFLMAO!!! YES SIR! I'll Lima for you, you book the flight and I'll pack!

[MR Nasty]

Can you imagine the fun you could have with something like that? Tank goodness! Our tax money hard at work. Just after you leave the toys just get better and better.

[Hannibal]

You are not kidding. Wait till we get lasers

[MR Nasty]

once we perfect the dilitium cristals and warp drive systems. Then the real tankin starts! What is tankin really coming to.