Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1407740
In the time of writing, all the proposals are being tested and the selection process is scheduled to be finalized in 2022. The main requirement for NGSW rifles is capability to defeat the next generation of NIJ IV/GOST 6a hard ballistic plates from distances ranging up to 600m. The XM1184 Special Purpose projectile with tungsten core and XM1186 General Purpose pro- jectile with steel core were developed earlier for NGSW ammuni- tion. The terminal ballistic performance requirements were set to meet at least M855A1 performance. There are also two sub-ca- liber projectiles in the development, the XM1188, and second, still without name, with decreased recoil impulse and even more improved hard ballistic plates penetration. Presumably, one of the projectiles will feature the tungsten core and the second will have a hardened steel core. All NGSW rifle proposals are suppressor-ready, are below 3.62 kg (NGSW-R) or 5.9 kg (NGSW-AR) without accessories and are controllable in fully automatic mode even with the extremely high muzzle energy presumed (up to 4500J depending on the round and weapon). All of the NGSW rifles feature recoil suppression systems as such powerful recoil wouldn't be controllable in any conventional infantry rifle. TEXTRON SYSTEMS/HECKLER & KOCH The Textron Systems NGSW proposals chambered for 6.8 mm CT high-pressure polymer telescopic rounds. This solution offers multiple advantages over the typical bottle-shaped brass casings enabling CT rounds to meet the NGSW performance re- quirements. The CT chambered weapons concept was success- fully tested during the LSAT/LSAS program in 2004-2015. In theory, the polymer CT ammunition allows to reach even 100,000 PSI (689MPa) pressure what translates into more effec- tive use of propellant, its lower weight and reduction of recoil force impulse and the overall weight of round without sacrificing the muzzle velocity of round fired from short 13-inch barrel of NGSW-R. The polymer is lightweight, so the CT round is up to 37% lighter than typical round with similar muzzle velocity in brass casing. Due to the better thermal insulation during the initiation of the propellant, the cartridge chamber and other internals of the rifles are less impacted by the extreme heat. The manufactur- ing process and the CT cartridge initiation are more consistent 49 www.fragoutmag.com SMALL ARMS