NAMMO .50BMG ammunition for longer ranges
NAMMO has developed a polymer-cased .50 BMG round, with polymer replacing approximately two-thirds of the case, only the brass head remaining in that material. The two parts are mechanically connected and the round – which is already 27% lighter overall – comes with a polymer link that saves a further 7% by comparison with a more traditional metal strap link.
The weight saving imparted by the round – which is fully compliant with MIL-DTL-10190F – is particularly noticeable when deployed from a light helicopter such as the AH-6 Little Bird or H145M LUH SOF. The weight savings translate to greater fuel carriage and therefore a greater operational radius, while other advantages lie in constant internal volume and higher accuracy. Since the new material also absorbs and transfers less heat from external sources – such as sunlight – or internal – when firing – barrel temperature is significantly reduced, thus reducing wear. The launch customer is the US Marine Corps which is currently using the new cartridge in the final stages of tactical testing.
Delivering 12.7mm ammunition to Sweden
Nammo has signed a new contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). The agreement sets up Nammo as the sole supplier of 12.7mm ammunition until 2029. This means that Nammo is the only main supplier of 12.7mm ammunition to the Swedish Armed Forces for the coming 6 years. The initial contract value is 120 million Swedish kroner, but the end value could rise to around 500 million Swedish kroner if all options are used.
Developing 120mm ammunition for Korea’s K2 MBT
Nammo has secured an agreement to develop new and modern 120mm ammunition for Hyundai Rotem Companies’ K2 main battle tank. “This is a major milestone for Nammo. The agreement with Hyundai Rotem Company (HRC) enables us to integrate and further develop our modern ammunition portfolio for the K2 main battle tank (MBT). This means more powerful ammunition for NATO countries using the K2, including Norway”, stated Audun Dotseth, Vice President Large Caliber Systems at Nammo. The agreement between the two companies has an initial value of $5 million for the R&D part, and likely more than $100 million if Nammo ends up producing and delivering 120mm ammunition to K2 users. Poland recently signed a contract to procure close to two hundred K2 tanks, in a deal where HRC will deliver a total of 1000 K2 MBTs with successive contracts. Norway is currently in the final stage of choosing a new MBT for its Army – the K2 is one of two candidates. Initially, Nammo will start the work on integrating its current 120mm ammunition to ensure a high safety standard as well as perfect compatibility with the K2 MBT. In the mid- to long term, Nammo together with HRC also expects to finalise the development of a programmable fuze. This will enable the K2 MBT to use rounds with different scenario dependent modes, with airburst as one such option.
K2 tanks during a training exercise in South Korea. (Photo: Kwon Soon Oh/Republic of Korea Armed Forces)
K2 tank during testing at Rena, Norway. (Photo: Nammo)