Engineering:MKE 120 MM 44C
| MKE 120 MM 44C | |
|---|---|
| Type | Smoothbore tank gun |
| Place of origin | Turkey |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) |
| Manufacturer | Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Gun barrel: 1,180 kg (2,600 lb) Total: 3,700 kg (8,200 lb) |
| Length | 5.812 m (19.07 ft) |
| Barrel length | 5,410 mm |
| Rate of fire | 6 rds/min |
| Effective firing range | APFSDS-T: 3,000 meters (3,300 yd) TANOK: 6,000 meters (6,600 yd) |
The MKE 120 MM 44C[1] is a 120 mm smoothbore tank gun manufactured by the Turkish state-controlled defense company Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE). It is primarily designed as a main armament upgrade for the M60 series of main battle tanks.[2]
Design and development
The weapon system was developed to enhance the firepower of legacy M60 tanks, allowing them to engage modern armored threats effectively. The barrel is smoothbore and chrome-plated to reduce wear and extend service life. The design allows it to fit within the turret constraints of the M60 tank, which was originally designed for a smaller 105 mm gun. The system is designed to operate in extreme environmental conditions, ranging from −45 °C to +70 °C.[1][2]
Ammunition
The gun can fire various types of tank ammunitions including MKE made APFSDS-T, TPCSDS-T and training.[3][4] The gun is also able to fire Roketsan made TANOK gun-launched 120 mm laser guided anti-tank missile with a range of 1–6 km.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Medium and Heavy Weapons" (in en). MKE. https://www.mke.gov.tr/Catalog/MEDIUM-AND-HEAVY-WEAPONS/3.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "120 mm 44 cal. M60 Weapon System" (in en). https://www.mkeusa.com/en-US/catalogue/large-caliber/120-mm-44-cal-m60-weapon-system/45/1064.
- ↑ "MEDIUM AND LARGE CALIBERS" (in en). https://www.mkeusa.com/en-US/catalogue/medium-and-large-calibers/64.
- ↑ "Test and Demonstration Firings of 120 mm HE-T Tank Gun Ammunition Produced by MKEK" (in en). https://www.defenceturkey.com/en/content/test-and-demonstration-firings-of-120-mm-he-t-tank-gun-ammunition-produced-by-mkek-3043.
- ↑ "TANOK 120 mm Laser Guided Tank Cannon Munitions". Roketsan. https://www.roketsan.com.tr/en/products/tanok-120-mm-laser-guided-tank-cannon-munitions. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
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