Electronically programmable 40mm airburst munitions have been ordered by the Germany Army from Rheinmetall under a multimillion-dollar contract.

The 40mm x 53 munition, designated by Rheinmetall as the DM131, is fired from an automatic grenade launcher and has a maximum effective range of about 2,400 yards.

An infrared signal from a fire control/aiming unit detonates the projectile at a precisely calculated distance above its intended target.

Rheinmetall said its DM131 airburst ammunition has been fully qualified for use by the German Army and armed forces of the Netherlands and that the company is continuing to enhance its capabilities.

The exact number of rounds ordered by Germany was not disclosed. Rheinmetall indicated several thousand were covered under the contract and that deliveries had already begun.