Is the 155mm 'BONUS' Round the most Practical Artillery in Modern Warfare? TANK HUNTER KILLER 💥

Summary

In this video, Matt dives into the capabilities of the 155 mm BONUS artillery round, a sophisticated cluster munition designed for precision strikes against heavily armored vehicles. Developed through a collaboration between Sweden and France, the BONUS round uses two submunitions that accurately target tanks from above using infrared sensors and lidar. With impressive penetration power and a range of up to 35 km, the BONUS offers unmatched accuracy compared to standard artillery shells. Although expensive and complex, it has been deployed in modern conflicts like Ukraine, where its effectiveness has been proven in taking out armored targets.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker prefers the NATO 155 mm high explosive round over the Russian 152 mm round due to its versatility and effectiveness in various configurations.
• 😀 The main focus of the video is on the 155 mm BONUS artillery round, a cluster munition designed for top-down attacks on armored vehicles.
• 😀 The BONUS shell's submunitions utilize advanced targeting technology, including infrared sensors and lidar, to accurately track and destroy targets.
• 😀 The projectile has an impressive penetration capability, with the ability to damage even heavily armored vehicles, including tanks.
• 😀 Despite its high cost, the BONUS shell is highly effective, with a success rate of approximately 85-90% in accurate engagements against armor.
• 😀 The BONUS shell is designed for long-range combat, with a maximum range of up to 35 km, depending on the barrel caliber used.
• 😀 The munition works by releasing two submunitions that use rotating sensors to find and engage armored targets from above.
• 😀 The BONUS shell’s targeting system is highly advanced, capable of distinguishing between various types of vehicles based on their metal composition.
• 😀 The projectile's development started in the 1980s, with its operational debut occurring later due to production delays.
• 😀 BONUS is already being used in Ukraine, as part of aid packages provided by France, Sweden, and Norway, showing its practical application on the battlefield.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video?

The video focuses on discussing and analyzing the performance and features of artillery projectiles, specifically comparing the NATO 155mm high explosive round and the Russian 152mm high explosive round, with a deeper dive into the 155mm Bonus or Bers Nutating shell.

Why does the presenter prefer the 155mm artillery round over the 152mm round?

The presenter prefers the 155mm round due to its versatility and the variety of configurations it offers, such as the Excalibur and other variants. The 155mm also has superior accuracy and features that the 152mm round does not provide.

What makes the Bonus artillery projectile unique?

The Bonus is unique because it is a cluster artillery round that uses two submunitions to accurately attack armored vehicles from above, utilizing sensor fusion, infrared sensors, and lidar to pinpoint targets with high precision.

How does the Bonus projectile defeat armored vehicles?

The Bonus projectile uses a high-velocity copper jet stream to penetrate armored vehicles. The submunitions descend onto the target from above and strike the weak spots, such as the turret, using explosively formed penetrators.

What is the range of the Bonus artillery projectile?

The range of the Bonus projectile is approximately 27 km with a 39-caliber barrel, and it can extend up to 35 km when fired from a 52-caliber barrel.

What is base bleed technology, and how does it benefit the Bonus round?

Base bleed technology involves creating a vortex or vacuum behind the projectile to reduce drag. This allows the Bonus round to travel faster and farther, improving its range and accuracy.

What is the maximum penetration capability of the Bonus round?

The Bonus round is capable of penetrating about 80mm of armor, targeting the weak top armor of tanks. This penetration can be devastating, especially when it hits sensitive areas like the turret.

What kind of targets is the Bonus artillery round designed to engage?

The Bonus is designed to engage heavily armored targets, primarily main battle tanks such as the T-72 and T-80, and not smaller or lightly armored vehicles like BMPs.

What are the key challenges associated with the Bonus artillery round?

One of the key challenges is the high cost of the Bonus rounds, which limits their availability and use. Additionally, as with any advanced technology, there are occasional failure rates, and submunitions that do not function properly can pose risks.

How has the Bonus projectile been used in recent conflicts?

The Bonus round has been used in Ukraine, with reports confirming its use in combat, such as a potential strike on a Russian Pantsir S1 system in July 2022. However, confirmed use was first documented in January 2023, with photos of Bonus submunitions found in Ukraine.