BONUS
In many cases, artillery now outstrips other anti-tank systems such as missile-armed helicopters, as it proves to be formidably effective without being subjected to the same operating limits. BONUS is a 155 mm artillery cargo shell designed for in-depth engagement of enemy main battle tanks.
Its two top-attack competent charges destroy all armoured vehicles of the modern battlefield. Only a few BONUS shells are required to engage the target.
As a result:
BONUS contributes
to the safety of the pieces of ordnance; in fact, as pieces remain for a shorter
time on their firing position, they escape from the counterbattery fire,BONUS enables
to significantly save means in terms of logistic chain. The BONUS shell's distinctive feature is its unrivalled hit probability, which has been demonstrated during numerous qualification and acceptance fires of serial production units. The performance of BONUS charges, especially against moving targets, results from its perfect flight stability (fixed wings), its scanning speed (descent and spin rate), its infallible detection (coupling of 3 multiband IR sensors and a laser radar) and instant firing (from the first scanning).
As a fully interoperable shell, BONUS can be fired by all current and future artillery systems conforming to the JB MoU standard, as well as by other systems with their respective propellant charges. BONUS is used as per standard procedures for transport, handling, loading and firing, target location and fire control.
The BONUS charges are also a payload for vectors other than the artillery shell, such as cruise missiles, drones or MLRS rockets.
The BONUS programme is conducted in cooperation with BAE Systems Bofors and Nexter Munitions for the Swedish and French Armies. The operational research has resulted in retaining the most efficient and cost-effective solutions (fixed wings, IR multiband detector, etc.).
Specifications
| Shell | |
| Compliant with the international ballistic standard (JB MoU), NATO M864 standard, STANAG 4224 | |
| Qualification | 39 cal., 45 cal., 52 cal |
| Shell fitted with a base-bleed unit | |
| Weight without fuze | 44,6 kg |
| Length without fuze | 898 mm |
| Priming | standard electronically or mechanically timed, programmable nose fuze, with a 2-inch threaded diameter. |
| Effective range | NATO
39-calibre artillery: 27 km,NATO
52-calibre artillery: 35 km. |
| Payload | 2 anti-tank sensor fuzed charges |
| Packaging | in 14-round logistic packaging |
| Charge | |
| Weight | 6,5 kg |
| Diameter | 138 mm |
| Detector | 3 multiband IR sensors, laser radar |
| Altitude at the start of the search phase | 175 m |
| Descent rate: | 45 m/s |
| Spin rate | 15 revolutions/s |
| Scanning step | 1,7 m |
| Warhead | explosively formed projectile with tantalum liner |
| Perforation | > 130 mm of steel armour at long range |
| Search area | 32,000 m2 per charge (64,000 m2 per shell) |
| Self-destruct | two devices (impact and electronic delay) |