Munitions

M322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile

Also known as
  • M322 APFSDS-T
  • M338 APFSDS-T
  • M322 120 mm APFSDS-T
  • M338 120 mm APFSDS-T

The M322 and M338 are Israeli 120 mm APFSDS-T tank-gun cartridges in Elbit Systems' NATO-standard smoothbore ammunition line. Elbit separates M322 as a second-generation NC-NG-propellant round and M338 as a third-generation LOVA-propellant round, both using tungsten-alloy penetrators for L44/L55 120 mm guns; OSMP identified one Israeli APFSDS-T round in the Israel and Gaza 2023-2026 collection as either M322 or M338.

M322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile, 120 mm APFSDS-T tank-gun cartridge, Munitions
Image source: Wikimedia IMI120shells cropped file

Role in Conflicts

2023 Israel-Hamas War
Anti-Armor
Side
Israel

OSMP 636, part of OSMP's Israel and Gaza 2023-2026 collection, identifies an Israeli 120 mm APFSDS-T kinetic tank-gun round as either M322 or M338. Because the item is listed in Israel as whole, undelivered, and unfunctioned, this row records conflict-collection identification rather than a specific shot fired.

Role details
Identification Caveat

OSMP 636 identifies the round by physical features as either M322 or M338, but the entry lists the item as whole, unfunctioned, and undelivered in Israel. This page therefore treats the conflict evidence as a documented identification in the Israel and Gaza collection, not proof of a specific shot fired in Gaza.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
120 mm APFSDS-T tank-gun cartridge
Service note
1990s-present
Designer
Israel Military Industries / Elbit Systems Land
Produced
Current Elbit Systems Land 120 mm tank-ammunition portfolio; Elbit acquired IMI Systems in 2018.

Specifications

Calibre
120 mm
Type
APFSDS-T
Cartridge length
984 mm
Cartridge weight
Approx. 20 kg (M322) / 21 kg (M338)
Muzzle velocity
1,705 m/s (M322, L44) / 1,680 m/s (M338, L44)
Penetrator
Tungsten alloy
Propellant
Approx. 8 kg NC-NG propellant for M322; approx. 8 kg LOVA propellant for M338
Variant generation
M322 is listed by Elbit as second-generation; M338 is listed as third-generation
Projectile action
Kinetic-energy APFSDS-T projectile; OSMP notes the identified penetrator has no explosive content
Typical dispersion
0.2 x 0.2 mil
Compatibility
NATO 120 mm L44 and L55 smoothbore guns; M322 approval listed for Leopard 2, Ariete, K1A1/A2, M60A3, Merkava 3 and Merkava 4
M322 And M338 Comparison

Elbit's portfolio places both rounds in its 120 mm APFSDS-T family, but the two designations are not identical. M322 is the earlier NC-NG-propellant cartridge with a broader named tank-approval list, while M338 is a later LOVA-propellant cartridge documented for NATO L44/L55 smoothbore guns.

DesignationElbit generationSource-backed distinctionCompatibility note
M322Second generationApprox. 20 kg cartridge with tungsten-alloy penetrator, combustible case, and approx. 8 kg NC-NG propellant.Approved by Elbit for Leopard 2, Ariete, K1A1/A2, M60A3, Merkava 3, Merkava 4, and other 120 mm MBTs.
M338Third generationApprox. 21 kg cartridge with tungsten-alloy penetrator, combustible case, and approx. 8 kg Low Vulnerability propellant.Documented by Elbit as compatible with NATO 120 mm L44 and L55 smoothbore guns.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio; OSMP 636.

Variants

Elbit treats M322 and M338 as closely related Israeli 120 mm APFSDS-T cartridges in the same smoothbore tank-ammunition family, but distinguishes them by generation, propellant type, weight, and platform-approval detail.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
M322Second-generation 120 mm APFSDS-T cartridge

Elbit describes M322 as a second-generation high-velocity, flat-trajectory APFSDS-T round with tungsten-alloy penetrator, NC-NG propellant, 20 kg cartridge weight, and approval for Leopard 2, Ariete, K1A1/A2, M60A3, Merkava 3, Merkava 4, and other 120 mm main battle tanks.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio

M338Third-generation 120 mm APFSDS-T cartridge

Elbit describes M338 as a third-generation APFSDS-T cartridge with tungsten-alloy penetrator, LOVA propellant, 21 kg cartridge weight, and compatibility with NATO 120 mm L44 and L55 smoothbore guns.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio

Compatible Firing Platforms

Elbit lists the 120 mm series for NATO smoothbore L44/L55 gun systems and gives M322 platform approvals for several 120 mm-armed main battle tanks.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
Merkava Mk 3 main battle tank, Main battle tank, TanksMerkava Mk 3 main battle tankMerkava 3 tank platform

Elbit lists M322 approval for Merkava 3 tanks, and describes its 120 mm series as certified for NATO smoothbore guns used by Merkava 3 and 4.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio, Elbit Tank Ammunition Series

Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank, Main battle tank, TanksMerkava Mk 4 main battle tankMerkava 4 tank platform

Elbit lists M322 approval for Merkava 4 tanks, and describes its 120 mm series as certified for NATO smoothbore guns used by Merkava 3 and 4.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio, Elbit Tank Ammunition Series

Leopard 2, Main battle tank, TanksLeopard 2NATO 120 mm smoothbore tank

Elbit lists M322 approval for Leopard 2 tanks, while the broader 120 mm series is certified for 120 mm NATO smoothbore guns used by Leopard 2A4/A5/A6 tanks.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio, Elbit Tank Ammunition Series

M322 and M338 scope

The detailed platform approval list is stated for M322; M338 is documented more generally as compatible with NATO 120 mm L44 and L55 smoothbore guns.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio

Timeline

M322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile Key Events

  1. M322 shown in IMI 120 mm shell display

    The Wikimedia Commons source image for the page documents an IMI 120 mm shell display and identifies the second round in the display as an M322 APFSDS shell.

    Sources: Wikimedia IMI120shells file

  2. Elbit completes IMI Systems acquisition

    Elbit Systems announced completion of its IMI Systems acquisition, explaining why the legacy IMI tank-ammunition line appears in current Elbit Systems Land material.

    Sources: Elbit Systems Completes the Acquisition of IMI Systems

  3. OSMP records Israeli 120 mm APFSDS-T round

    OSMP 636 identified an Israeli 120 mm APFSDS-T tank-gun round as either M322 or M338 in its Israel and Gaza 2023-2026 collection.

    Sources: OSMP 636

Media

M322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile Videos

M322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile Images

M322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile, 120 mm APFSDS-T tank-gun cartridge, Munitions - view 1
Source: Wikimedia IMI120shells cropped file
M322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile, 120 mm APFSDS-T tank-gun cartridge, Munitions - view 2
Source: Wikimedia Latrun ammunition display
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Sources

Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition PortfolioPublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Supports M322 and M338 manufacturer/background context, including their APFSDS-T role, Merkava 3 and 4 compatibility, cartridge length, weight, muzzle velocity, and penetrator material. | Accessed: 2026-07-01OSMP Israel and Gaza collectionPublisher: Open Source Munitions Portal | Note: Supports 2023 Israel-Hamas War conflict-use context: OSMP's Israel and Gaza 2023-2026 collection documents an Israeli 120 mm tank round in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War and says the collection includes munitions allegedly deployed by Israeli forces; the round was identified as either M322 or M338. | Accessed: 2026-07-01OSMP 636Publisher: Open Source Munitions Portal | Note: Supports the exact 2023 Israel-Hamas War collection item: OSMP 636 identifies an Israeli 120 mm APFSDS-T kinetic tank-gun round as either M322 or M338, notes that the penetrator has no explosive content, and lists it as an undelivered, unfunctioned, whole munition in Israel. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Elbit Tank Ammunition SeriesPublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Supports Elbit Systems Land tank-ammunition background, including the current tank-ammunition product page, NATO and MIL-STD framing, and the linked portfolio download. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Elbit Systems Completes the Acquisition of IMI SystemsPublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Supports manufacturer timeline context: Elbit Systems announced completion of its IMI Systems acquisition on 25 November 2018. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia IMI120shells cropped filePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the cropped Wikimedia Commons file used as the primary image; the file page identifies the M322 shell and states the work is free to use with attribution requirements. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia IMI120shells filePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and display context for the full Wikimedia Commons tank-ammunition display, which includes the M322 shell and is released on the file page with free-use attribution terms. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Latrun ammunition displayPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Wikimedia Commons museum display photo used in the gallery; the file page lists a free license and shows Israeli tank ammunition in display context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01