Nexter Unveils 120 SHARD- High Accuracy Tank Ammunition

Nexter revealed SHARD, a new generation of Armor-Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) 120mm anti-tank ammunition on Tuesday.

The interoperability of SHARD with the armaments and environments of the Leclerc tank, the Leopard 2, the Abrams M1A1/A2 and the C1 Ariete is ensured through development in compliance with STANAG 4385 and ICD 120.

Recent test firings carried out in extreme temperature conditions and at long range have confirmed the performance expected in simulation: this ammunition sets a new performance standard, with increased penetration capacity combined with accuracy.

In 2021, the latest architectural optimizations will be completed, before entering an industrial qualification phase in 2022. Thus, SHARD will be ready for the start of mass production from the end of 2022.

SHARD has an optimized sabot, an elongated rod in a new tungsten alloy developed with Plansee Tungsten Alloys, as well as a combustible cartridge case and a propellant developed by EURENCO.