L30 Explained

The L30 is a 120mm cannon used by the British Army. It is fitted in the turret of the Challenger II main battle tank.

The ammunition types which are currently or formerly in use include:

• APFSDS L23. This has a monobloc tungsten nickel copper long rod penetrator, and used the L8 combustible case charge, although it can use a modified L14 charge. The muzzle velocity is 1,534 m/s. Used in the Gulf War, but now probably withdrawn.
• APFSDS L26 (alias CHARM 1). This has a depleted uranium (DU) long rod penetrator and uses the L14A1 or L14A2 combustible case charges.
• APFSDS L27A1 (alias CHARM 3). This also has a DU projectile, but with a greater length-to-diameter ratio and is thus "significantly more effective". The round uses the L16A1 combustible case charge.
• CHARM 3 training round (C3TR). Because DU rounds are normally fired in wartime only, a tungsten-based projectile is used for training purposes. Opposition to the use of Depleted Uranium even in wartime has led to the further development of the training round as the L28 round.
• DS/T Prac L20A1 This is a relatively low-cost training projectile with the subprojectile penetrator made from steel with a light alloy nose. It is lighter, but matches the L23 trajectory to 2,000m. Its use also extends barrel life.
• HESH L31 This is employed as a general purpose high explosive round, though it also has a good anti-armour performance, and is effective against fortifications and structures. The HESH L31 is fired using the L3 bag charge. Muzzle velocity is 670 m/s.
• SH/Prac L32A6 A training projectile, which matches the trajectory of the HESH L31. It is available as a completely inert form, or can be filled with an inert HE substitute (a composition of calcium sulphate and castor oil) or an inert HE substitute plus a live fuze and a flash pellet for spotting purposes.
• WP Smoke L34 Matches the HESH L31 in ballistic performance. It is the same shape, though is supplied in a different colour to prevent confusion.^[1]

References

1. http://www.janes.com/defence/news/jdw/jdw010108_4_n.shtml Janes Defence web site