Snipers' Ammunition SWISS P .50 (12.7mm x 99mm)
16 June 2004
RUAG Ammotec of Thun/Switzerland launches its new .50 (12.7mm x 99mm) ammunition for snipers. The novelty is characterized by extreme precision and energy, even after a flight of 1,000m. A high-capacity penetrator projectile is available initially. The introduction of a tracer ammunition is planned for the near future and the development is in full swing. First concept ideas for a 'Super Penetrator' are already existing.
The calibre .50 is not a new invention, but has been existing since the nineteen twenties. It was originally developed to fight tanks of the early generations and aircraft. This is why the focus was on the penetration capacity right from the beginning. The calibre has been experiencing a renaissance since 1980 and is used again increasingly. Three areas of deployment are apparent: the use against fast targets such as helicopters, speedboats and cars; the use against semi-hard targets (e.g. rocket launchers) and the use in snipers' rifles. The most varied authorities and armed forces worldwide are currently procuring weapons and ammunition of this calibre, in the majority for snipers' rifles. Our product has been designed especially for these weapons.
Ideal Calibre for Snipers
This calibre's superiority in the snipers' range over very long distances has been known and appreciated for a long time. It is recorded that, on 7th August 2002, a Canadian sniper hit his precision target at a distance of 2310m! On the next day this record was improved to 2400m. Hereby a projectile of the calibre 12.7mm was used, and it flew for three seconds.
Extreme Penetration Capacity
At a distance of 300m our ammunition of the calibre .50 achieves a dispersion circle of a radius of less than 15mm. The reason for this is the optimized shape of the projectile and the high projectile weight of 45g (694.44grs.). The weight and the projectile's high energy are responsible for the high penetration capacity. Of the 16,650J at the beginning, a .50 penetrator projectile still has a proud 4,649J after 1,00 m. A 5.56mm x 45mm projectile, for comparison, has merely 118J.
The Future
The development of a tracer bullet is already in full progress. The goal is to develop a tracer projectile with identical precision and trajectory, supplementing the hard-core projectile. The coordinated ballistics within the calibre, typical attribute of the SWISS P-Line, are to be applied to this calibre also.
For the future, a further increase of the performance is desirable, especially as regards the penetration capacity. First ideas and approaches to solutions for the development of a 'Super Penetrator' are already born. The product is to pierce Z-plates (WTD 91) without problems. Armoured targets are the ideal application area for this precision projectile.
