BAE Systems develops improved small-calibre ammunition for UK military

[Zarvan]

The 5.56 mm L31A1 EP round. Source: Anthony G Williams
The UK armed forces have begun the process of acquiring new types of 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm calibre ammunition to improve the effectiveness of their rifles and machine guns, after decades of employing NATO standard rounds with only minor modifications.

The development of the ammunition is being led by BAE Systems Munitions, whose Radway Green site has the last surviving British mass-production small-arms ammunition plant. The factory was refurbished a few years ago after the government signed a 15-year Munitions Acquisition Supply Solution (MASS) contract guaranteeing a minimum level of orders to make the investment worthwhile.

The first small arms to benefit are those in 7.62 mm calibre, principally the L7A2 general purpose machine gun (GPMG) and the L129A1 sharpshooter rifle. The standard L44A1 ball round and the more precisely-made L42A1 sniper ammunition have become the primary types of ammunition used in these weapons and typically comprise a full metal jacket (FMJ) with a lead core.

BAE Systems Munitions has developed a new round designated L59A1, also referred to as High Performance (HP), in which the front half of the core is replaced by hardened steel. It is similar in design to the bullet used in the NATO 5.56 mm standard ball round, known internationally as the SS109. The L59A1 bullet is slightly heavier - 10 g compared with 9.33 g for the L44A1 - and longer, so there is less room for propellant. As a result a more powerful propellant is required to match the ballistics of the L44A1. This increases cost and is therefore currently only being used "in more specialist areas".

A variation of the L59A1 design known as the IB (Improved Ball), which has a shorter and lighter bullet so that the standard propellant can be used, is currently being assessed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for its suitability for general use.

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