We’re back with a sixth poster, presented during last week’s Future Forces Conference, held in Huntsville by the National Defense Industrial Association.
As always, contact info is on the poster.
Archive for the ‘Ammo’ Category
NDIA Future Forces Conference 23 Poster #6 – 5″ Propelling Charge Graphene Polymer Case
Monday, October 2nd, 2023NDIA Future Forces Conference 23 Poster #5 – Improved Burning Tracers for Small Arms
Friday, September 29th, 2023This is the fifth poster from this week’s NDIA Future Force Capabilities Conference.
Contact info is at the bottom of the poster.
NDIA Future Forces Conference 23 Poster #2 – Bullet Tip ID Updated
Tuesday, September 26th, 2023This is the second installment of a daily effort to share examples of posters which were presented during the Future Force Capabilities Conference presented by the National Defense Industrial Association in Huntsville, Alabam. I’ll let them speak for themselves.
Contact info is on the poster.
US Army Begins Fielding Next Generation Squad Weapons
Thursday, September 21st, 2023Having recently completed Production Qualification Testing of the XM7 Rifle and XM250 Automatic Rifle, the US Army has begun issuing the first of the Next Generation Weapon System to 2nd Bde, 101st Airborne Division. Of note, the famed 101st was also the first unit to receive the M17 Modular Handgun System.
The capability
Manufactured by SIG SAUER, the NGSW consists of the two weapons along with a new hybrid cartridge in 6.8x51mm. These new weapons are being referred to by the Army as the, “most lethal small arms capability in the world” and are intended to replace the M4A1 Carbine, M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, and 5.56mm family of ammunition. But not every Soldier is getting these new weapons. They are reserved for the Close Combat Force which consists of Infantry and Cavalry Scouts as well as select Combat Engineers and enablers. All told, the Army aims to field around 100,000 XM7s and 20,000 XM250s.
XM7 Rifle
XM250 Automatic Rifle
6.8mm Family of Ammunition
The Common Cartridge Family of Ammunition has similar performance to the commercially available .270 Win Short Mag cartridge and consists of the XM1186 GP ammo along with reduced range, blank, tracer, and a marking round for force-on-force training.
XM157 Fire Control
To further enhance lethality, NGSW is paired with a new Fire Control System manufactured by Vortex Optics. It integrates a number of advanced technologies including a variable magnification optic, backup etched reticle, laser rangefinder, ballistic calculator, atmospheric sensor suite, compass, Intra-Soldier Wireless, visible and infrared aiming lasers, and a digital display overlay.
The NGSW-FC is the planned replacement for the Close Combat Optic, Rifle Combat Optic, and Machine Gun Optic within the Close Combat Force.
It is important to note that the Army’s position is that Fire Control doesn’t replace training but enhances the fundamentals.
For those of you wondering, the XM157 uses two CR132 batteries and the life is 250 hours on the low setting.
Additionally, the Army has conducted integration testing between the XM157 and Integrated Visual Augmentation System in each iteration, including IVAS 1.2 which is currently in testing.
The team
To field NGSW, the Army has assembled a team of teams which include PEO Soldier, JPEO Ammunition, Close Combat Cross Functional Team and Army Test and Evaluation Command.
The road to the selection of a NGSW system was started about six years ago with a short lived quest for an Interim Combat Service Rifle in 7.62 NATO which quickly morphed into the search for 6.8mm weapons which resulted in contract award in April 2022.
SAAC Study
The Small Arms Ammunition Configuration study was published 26 June 2017 and several conclusions informed the requirement for NGSW.
They are:
-Caliber doesn’t matter
–Secondary performance driver
-Ballistic energy on target does matter
-Advanced bullet tech matters
-Fire control matters
-Aim error reduction has largest impact on performance
–Advanced fire control reduces aim error in lieu of extensive shooter experience /ability or significant training
The path ahead
On 25 Sep 2023 the A Co, 2-502nd, will go through New Equipment Training followed by a demonstration of the new capabilities of NGSW brings to the table.
Beginning 10 Oct 2023, the unit will participate in a Limited User Test which will examine Soldier mobility (timed) with both the new weapons as well as legacy systems. They will also evaluate overall system performance, how Soldiers interact with the new weapons, and how they feel about them. The NGSW team will also begin to consider how they may transform TTPs.
Additionally, a squad from the Ranger Regiment will join the members of the 101st in the LUT to gain SOF insight into the weapons.
In the coming months is environmental testing including desert, jungle and arctic and an Operational Assessment will be conducted 1st qtr 2025. This is an event designed to determine how Soldiers will fight with the new capability.
The Army plans for the 1st Bde, 101st to be the first unit equipped in 2nd Qtr, FY24, likely in March.
Turning cover into concealment
During a visit earlier today to Aberdeen Army Test Center, PM SL representatives demonstrated that the 6.8mm round will defeat cinder blocks used in the construction of buildings around the world and a barrier which the 5.56 cartridge fired by the M249 SAW will not penetrate through and through. This new capability is a huge advantage for those fighting in built up areas and against trench and bunker complexes.
As LTC Micah Rue, Product Manager Soldier Weapons, PEO Soldier put it, “NGSW turns cover into concealment.”
Ammunition production
Currently, the Army is manufacturing the 3-piece GP projectile which is based on Enhanced Performance Round technology and SIG is producing the cartridges at their factory in Arkansas.
Lake City Army Ammunition Plant will establish an interim capability in 2024 and transition to an enduring capability in 2026. All the while, SIG SAUER will continue to produce ammunition, pursuant to their contract.
The Elephant In The Room
If there’s a common criticism of the XM7 it’s the weight. Weight is certainly an issue for the Soldier and there is some good news and some not so good news when it comes to NGSW.
The raw data when comparing an M4A1 with Close Combat Optic to an XM7 fitted with the XM157 NGSW Fire Control System and suppressor sees the XM7 at three pounds heavier. However, that would be comparing apples to oranges. With the XM7 the Soldier is not only getting an Infantry Rifle capable of firing a more lethal projectile, but also a suppressor and an advanced optic which greatly increases the ability to hit targets, particularly out past 300 meters.
On the other hand, the great news with the XM250 is that it is 2.7 pounds lighter than the M249 SAW it replaces, both with 100 round belts in place. The Soldier is also getting a suppressor with the XM250 and that same 6.8mm round which will defeat cinder blocks at ranges exceeding 300 meters.
Constant improvement
As a completely new capability the program has faced some engineering challenges including toxic fumes, reliability and dispersion. However, the PM has worked with industry to quickly solve these problems and keep the program on track.
Other changes have been made to the weapons to enhance their performance. For example, SIG added an additional feed pawl to the feed tray cover which makes it easier to load a belt without lifting the cover. They also removed the forward assist from production versions of the XM7 to reduce the weight of an unneeded feature.
This is happening
NGSW is an Army modernization priority as they push forward with their fielding plan. Although there are still several events between now and First Unit Equipped, it is only six months away. This program is moving very quickly and will transform the squad in ways we are not even aware of yet.
All images and charts provided by PEO Soldier.
Army Marksmanship Unit Seeks Match Grade 6.8 Ammo
Monday, September 18th, 2023The Army Marksmanship has issued a RFQ to industry for 6.8mm match grade ammo.
They are seeking ammunition with the following attributes:
Brand Name or Equal, to the following:
LI 001: Cartridge 6.8 Next Gen 135 -150 gr Hybrid, 5500, EA;
1a. BULLET: .277 dia. 135gr Sierra Match King OTM item or .277 dia 140gr Classic Hybrid Hunter Berger Bullet. End user will accept projectiles not listed if precision dispersion is better than specific projectiles/bullets listed. If an optional projectile is proposed the optional projectile cannot weigh more than 150gr.
1b. Brass: Hybrid steel/brass 6.8x51mm, hardness must meet mil specs.
1c. PRIMER: prefer factory best available primer option Mil spec or match quality.
1d. POWDER: vendor best option any propellant that meets safe reliable function of ammunition. Powder should be temp stabilized for lowest possible velocity spread between 0-125F. Example of acceptable stabilized propellant velocity spread: 70F Avg MV= 2600fps 30rds, 125F Avg MV= 2640fps 30rds. (30rds straight or 3 separate 10rd tests at each temp range is acceptable).
1e. CARTRIDGE LENGTH: Max 2.82 OAL intent is Magazine length for SIG 6.8×51 semi auto rifles.
1f. MUZZLE VELOCITY: ammunition must produce a velocity sufficient to provide Sub MOA accuracy from 16″ Bolt Action barrels & 1.15 MOA or less from semi auto barrels and maintain low SD of MV. Standard deviation of MV should be 13 fps +or- 1 fps (or less) for avg of 30 rds tested at 70F. Actual muzzle velocity shall be a mild velocity ammunition not to exceed 64 KSI from PSI test barrels at Hot temp ranges. 70F degree test barrel & ammunition should produce an avg of 58-59 KSI. End user not specifying specific muzzle velocity.
1g. Ammunition lot size shall be no less than 20,000 rds, no more than 40,0000 rds from the same production run.
1h. A lot consists of the same lot of bullets, primers, brass, and propellant.
1i. PSI at 70 Deg F should not exceed 60,000 PSI casemouth or Conformal- manufacturer option.
1j. PSI at 130 Deg F should not exceed 64,000 PSI casemouth or Conformal- manufacturer option.
1k. ACCURACY STANDARDS- Rifle 16” barrel: Ammunition must average less than 2.6” inches ES Threshold, 2.25 ES or less Objective at 300 yards when fired from 1 ea USAMU Bolt Action Test Barrel. 5 each 5 rd groups. ( conditions will be 2mph or less winds if outdoors )
This ammunition purchase follows a previous solicitation from the AMU for a dozen MCX-SPEAR rifles in May so it appears that AMU is gearing up to use the SPEAR in service rifle competitions.
G9 Defense 9mm EHP : Introducing the External Hollow Point – The Ultimate Ammunition for Law Enforcement
Friday, September 8th, 2023In the world of law enforcement, every decision matters. When lives are on the line, you need ammunition that delivers unmatched precision and terminal performance. Introducing the External Hollow Point (EHP), the ultimate ammunition for law enforcement professionals.
The EHP is the result of years of development and testing, designed to provide you with the ideal bullet for your duty weapon. Our commitment to your safety and effectiveness has led us to create this groundbreaking product.
What makes the External Hollow Point so exceptional? Let’s break it down:
1 Precision Machined: Each EHP is crafted with meticulous precision to ensure consistent performance and accuracy, shot after shot.
2 Solid Copper Construction: The EHP is built from solid copper, offering unmatched durability and reliable expansion upon impact.
3 Shape Charge Technology: Our patented design incorporates Shape Charge Technology, enabling reliable penetration through common barriers like windshields, sheet metal, and drywall, without sacrificing lethality on target or risking over-penetration.
When the stakes are high, you can trust the External Hollow Point to perform flawlessly, delivering the stopping power you need while minimizing the risk to bystanders.
WHAT OFFICERS ARE SAYING: The EHP has become a game-changer for us. It’s versatile and reliable, making it perfect for a variety of situations. The confidence it gives you when you know your ammunition can handle the job—there’s nothing like it.
Whether you’re on duty, facing critical incidents, or training for the unexpected, the External Hollow Point is the ammunition that law enforcement professionals can depend on.
The External Hollow Point is available now through our authorized dealers and online retailers. For more information and to get your hands on this revolutionary ammunition, visit our website at www.g9defense.com.
Empowering Law Enforcement with the Tools They Deserve.
When you carry the External Hollow Point, you carry confidence.
Made in Germany – First Shipment of New Gepard Ammunition Now on its Way to Ukraine
Wednesday, September 6th, 2023A first shipment of new ammunition for the Gepard antiaircraft tank is now headed for Ukraine. Per agreement, Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf has shipped a first lot of 35mm air defence ammunition as part of German support for Ukraine’s defensive struggle. By the end of this year, 40,000 rounds are to be produced and provided.
In Ukraine the shipments from Germany are eagerly awaited: with its 35mm twin guns, the Gepard has emerged as a decisive factor in the embattled nation’s fight to defend itself. The German government has made 46 of these antiaircraft tanks available, with another six to follow. For Ukraine, they play an essential part in the struggle to control its airspace, having proved highly effective in countering the kamikaze drones Russia uses to attack Ukrainian cities. They are almost permanently in action, making ammunition consumption correspondingly high.
Rheinmetall has long produced much of its ammunition for medium-calibre weapons in Switzerland; now, however, new production capacity for supplying the Gepard systems has been created in Germany, where a multimillion-euro figure has been invested in plant and equipment.
In February 2023 Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, announced at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group that capacity for producing ammunition for the Gepard would be created in Germany at Rheinmetall. A contract for the rapid delivery of a total of 300,000 rounds of ammunition for the antiaircraft tank had already been signed several days earlier. Owing to the urgency and high political relevance of the project, the pressure to complete the new facility was immense from day one, requiring a true technological and logistical tour de force.
In the words of Rheinmetall AG executive board chairman Armin Papperger, “We keep our promises. Just six months after signing the contract, we’ve already started delivery, as agreed. My sincere thanks go to the men and women of Rheinmetall who have done so much to make this project a success, even working on weekends. Our subcontractors and vendors deserve praise as well, having helped us to achieve what at first seemed impossible. The pressure to succeed was huge – but so was our commitment to getting the job done. We want to help the people of Ukraine. Every drone that’s shot down saves lives!”
The German government left no stone unturned in its effort to supply Ukraine with fresh ammunition, including abroad – albeit in vain. In Germany stocks of the ammunition had dropped to zero, as the Gepard systems had been retired from service some fifteen years earlier. Other countries declined to make available existing stocks of ammunition, citing either political considerations or constitutional restrictions.
In the end, it was a tightly woven intermeshing of expertise of Rheinmetall technicians and engineers in Switzerland, Germany and Italy that made creating the new production facility possible.
The problem: earlier tools for producing the original ammunition were simply no longer there. The solution turned out to be a mix of reverse engineering and adaptive development quite unlike anything seen before: existing 35mm ammunition from the main armament of an infantry fighting vehicle was modified for use in the Gepard. Making sure that the Gepard fire control unit could reliably recognize the ammunition was a special challenge.
Despite their excellent performance, the electronics and fire control technology of the aging antiaircraft tank – developed in the 1960s – proved to be a veritable black box. At the same time, the supply chain for the new ammunition had to be expanded in order to minimize as far as possible the Swiss value-added share.
As Armin Papperger puts it, “We have an unbeatable strength at Rheinmetall: namely, the broad-based expertise that comes with being a systems house. Whether in ammunition development, mechanical production and materials knowledge, in the development of air defence weaponry, in comprehensive live fire testing, in the design and construction of production facilities – everywhere our experts worked with tremendous drive and great personal commitment to complete the project. They knew how urgently Ukraine needed the ammunition – and the sooner, the better.”
Following multiple tests at the Group’s proving ground at Unterlüss in Lower Saxony, the verification programme was concluded in May 2023 when the ammunition was successfully fired by a Gepard antiaircraft tank.
Meanwhile, at one of Rheinmetall’s civil sector plants in Neuss, an LAAP line was designed and subsequently built at a Group facility in Lanciano, Italy, before being transferred to Unterlüss. LAP stands for loading, assembly and packing, the process in which the cartridges are loaded with propellant; the various parts of the round are put together; and subsequently packaged. The propellant powder comes from Nitrochemie, by the way, another member of the Group.
A total of 40,000 rounds are to be delivered this year. Ukraine will be receiving 150,000 rounds each of two different types of ammunition. One of these is a subcalibre APDS-T munition containing heavy metal penetrators, and thus especially suitable for engaging hardened targets. Rheinmetall is also supplying Ukraine with conventional HEI-T high-explosive incendiary ammunition designed for bringing down typical air defence targets, e.g., aircraft and guided missiles.
CBC Global Ammunition Acquires SinterFire
Thursday, August 24th, 2023CBC Global Ammunition, a world-leading ammunition manufacturer, is pleased to announce the acquisition of SinterFire, a pioneering name in Lead Free bullet technology. This strategic alliance solidifies CBC Brazil’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the ammunition industry, enhancing their position as a premier global provider of high-quality ammunition solutions.
SinterFire, the world’s leader in frangible and lead-free bullet designs, aligns seamlessly with CBC’s values of precision, sustainability, and performance. This acquisition reflects CBC’s strategic vision to consistently deliver safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible ammunition solutions to clients around the world.
Commenting on the acquisition, Fabio Mazzaro, CEO of CBC Brazil, remarked, “We are thrilled to welcome SinterFire into the CBC family. This acquisition not only strengthens our product portfolio but also allows us to accelerate the development of innovative, eco-friendly ammunition solutions. By combining our resources and expertise, we are poised to make significant strides in shaping the future of ammunition technology.”
SinterFire’s remarkable track record of engineering lead-free projectiles that enhance shooting experiences while prioritizing safety has been widely acknowledged by industry experts. This partnership with CBC Global Ammunition will provide a platform to amplify SinterFire’s innovations on a global scale.
Brandon Graves, CEO of SinterFire stated, “We are excited about this new chapter with CBC. Our shared dedication to pushing the boundaries of ammunition technology will undoubtedly lead to remarkable advancements. Together, we will drive the industry forward while ensuring the highest standards of quality and sustainability.” Headquartered in Kersey, PA, SinterFire will continue to be run independently, with focus delivering world class products to our domestic OEM partners and servicing the Government and Law Enforcement Agencies that have come to demand SinterFire for all their frangible and leadfree training needs.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the ammunition industry, creating a powerful force for innovation, research, and development. CBC and SinterFire are set to leverage their combined expertise to forge new frontiers and shape the future of ammunition solutions, setting the stage for enhanced performance, safety, and environmental responsibility.
