Experimental Army Rifle Uses "Telescoped" Ammunition

[brassmonkey]

Defense contractor Textron just unveiled a new rifle at the Modern Day Marine conference. Designed to use so-called "telescoped" ammunition, the new rifle promises a harder-hitting, lighter bullet for America's ground troops to fire. Whether the U.S. military is ready to embrace all the change a new rifle and ammunition would bring remains to be seen.

Traditional bullet cartridges have a bullet seated roughly halfway inside a brass shell casing, with gunpowder inside the casing. By contrast, the new rifle uses a 6.5-millimeter polymer-cased telescoped bullet. Telescoped rounds feature a bullet completely encased in a polymer shell, like a shotgun, with gunpowder surrounding the bullet in the shell.



The result is a cartridge that doesn't use brass, a considerable savings in weight. According the Kit Up! blog, telescoped ammunition is about 40 percent lighter than traditional ammunition. Textron could have channeled this weight savings into making lighter ammunition, but instead it chose to make new ammunition that packs a bigger punch. The rifle-and 20 rounds of ammunition-weighs a total of 9.7 pounds. By contrast, the standard M4A1 (pictured above) and 30 rounds of ammunition weigh 8.74 pounds.

Textron claims the new 6.5-millimeter round has 300 percent more energy than the standard U.S. Army bullet, the M855A1. That translates into greater knockdown power against human targets, more armor penetration, and longer range. A heavier bullet and more energy would solve a persistent complaint about the U.S. Army's M4A1 carbine-that the smaller 5.56-millimeter bullet often requires multiple hits to incapacitate a target and it lacks the range to make accurate long-range shots. The latter has been a particular complaint in Afghanistan, where long-range engagements are common.

Textron's rifle is a gas-operated, piston-driven rifle that has many familiar features drawn from the M4A1, including a charging handle and gas block. It features military-standard rails for the attachment of devices such as flashlights and lasers, and what appears to be Advanced Armament Corporation flash hider. The front and rear sights, pistol grip, and buttstock are all from firearm accessory manufacturer Magpul.

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[Achmed]

you dumb fuck

[crockett]

Seems interesting and a logical step forward for a traditional combat rifle but seems like a rail gun type rifle would be the next step but maybe that would be better for a sniper rifle.

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by crockett

Seems interesting and a logical step forward for a traditional combat rifle but seems like a rail gun type rifle would be the next step but maybe that would be better for a sniper rifle.

this is the first stage of smart ammo. just wait till they add things to it.

[Grapesoda]

Originally Posted by crockett

Seems interesting and a logical step forward for a traditional combat rifle but seems like a rail gun type rifle would be the next step but maybe that would be better for a sniper rifle.

rail gun presents power issues and maintenance issues

[crockett]

Originally Posted by Grapesoda

rail gun presents power issues and maintenance issues

Battery tech is already here. You use something like a power drill. It doesn't take large amounts of electricity to fire the rounds and the guns would have no moving parts and could be made of plastic.

[pimpmaster9000]

Oh great the USA is making more freedom weapons for Trump's or Hillary's politics!

[crockett]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

Oh great the USA is making more freedom weapons for Trump's or Hillary's politics!

Miltary tech is cool shit. I don't necessarily always agree with how it's used, but it's cool stuff. Much cooler than filling 55gal dumb with tnt and dropping them on civilians like Assad..