New Calibre with Big Potential: 4.6mm x 30mm
16 June 2004
As of recently RUAG Ammotec of Thun/Switzerland is offering ammunition of the calibre 4.6mm x 30mm an. This ammunition has been developed especially for the new close-range weapon MP7 of Heckler & Koch. Available right now are a penetrator and a ball projectile. Further projectiles will follow shortly, among them a cartridge with a soft-nose projectile, one with a full-jacketed projectile and a blank cartridge.
The actions and deployment spectra of armies have changed substantially in the course of the last years. This process has shown that the assault rifles laid out for infantry combat are too heavy and unwieldy for close personal defence. The demand in future is for light and easy-to-handle weapon systems with a high effect potential, especially where non-combatant troops in the areas of logistics and support are concerned. The police and special units on special missions at close range are facing similar requirements. Messrs Heckler & Koch met these needs by developing the MP7. This step has made it possible to successfully replace the 9mm Luger machine pistols which are nearly twice as heavy. The German Armed Forces are procuring the new MP7 weapon system as a PDW (Personal Defence Weapon). Numerous armies, police and special units are about to introduce it or have it already in service.
Our High-Performance Ammunition
Powerful ammunition is needed to enable this new weapon system to fully display its strengths. Our product satisfies the highest demands imposed on an infantry ammunition of increased performance. At the present time we offer a ball projectile of universal effect and a special penetrator projectile with a hard core. The penetrator type impresses particularly by its performance. It pierces the NATO CRISAT target (6 mm titan combined with 20 layers of Kevlar) at 200 m without any problems. And it's not only the penetration capacity that's enormous, but also the precision. A dispersion circle of 12 mm can be achieved at 100 m! Army, police and special units are perfectly equipped for their operations if they use our ammunition.
Prospects
Today's product spectrum is widened steadily so that our customers can rely on the special ammunition they need for the case on hand. Ideas for future developments are already existing, and in some areas first approaches to solutions as well. For example, soft-nose bullets of reduced penetration capacity and representing a smaller danger to the environment will shortly become available for soft targets. Their trajectory corresponds to the one of the penetrator projectile. The development of a full-jacketed projectile and of a marker cartridge are currently under way. This is how a complete range of ammunition of this calibre is created step by step.
