BAE Systems has produced over 100,000 thousand rounds of Cased Telescoped

Ammunition since 2011 in its dedicated UK facility in Radway Green, Cheshire where it
has established a strong engineering and production expertise.
 
The Cased Telescoped Ammunition demonstrates a complete step-change in
power over previous-generation medium calibre weapons.  The system as a whole
takes up less space, weighs less and is much simpler to maintain and operate.

The new rounds, made by BAE Systems for the British Army, contain both the projectile
and propelling charge within a single case tube – very different to traditional rounds.
This allows the round to deliver a greater effect from the same calibre ammunition.
 

Our suite of ammunition

Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding - Tracer

For armoured targets such as tanks
 

This armour-piercing round is able to penetrate more than 140mm of Rolled Homogeneous
Armour (RHA) at 1,500m.  This sub-calibred dart can defeat all light armoured vehicles and
infantry fighting vehicles, including those heavily protected with advanced add-on armour.

 Velocity 1,500 m/s

 Penetration 140mm*
*Hardened steel (RHA) at 1,500m

 
 

Anti Aerial Airburst - Tracer

For drones, helicopters and light aircraft
 
With an increased operational range, very high accuracy and a payload of 200 tungsten pellets,
the Anti Aerial Airburst round provides the Cased Telescoped Armament System with a highly
effective capability reducing the number of rounds needed to make the target.

The Anti Aerial Airburst round is particularly effective against Unmanned Aerial Vehicles,
Unmanned Aircraft Systems, helicopters and low speed aircraft.

 Velocity 900 m/s
  Range 4,000m
 Payload 200 tungsten pellets

 
 

General Purpose Round - Airburst - Tracer

For multiple light targets
 

The General Purpose Airburst round is a programmable High Explosive (HE) munition delivering
an “Airburst” detonation on targets up to a maximum range of 2500m.

The unique projectile is optimized to fragment, resulting in a large area coverage on the ground
or behind
protective barriers.  it also offers the ability to neutralize vehicle optical systems.

 Velocity 1,000 m/s

 Effective area >125m2

 
 

General Purpose Round - Point Detonating - Tracer

For hardened targets
 

The General Purpose Point Detonating round is a High Explosive munition capable of
penetrating more than 210 mm of double reinforced concrete. The unique projectile is
optimised for fragmentation.

The munition delivers effective suppression of threats in urban structures and lightly armoured
vehicles.

 Velocity 1,000 m/s
 Penetration 210mm*
*Concrete at 1,500m
The new 40mm Cased Telescoped Ammunition – the
first of its kind in the world – delivers up to four times
the power of the 30mm round it replaces. It also
includes a highly effective airburst round

Textron’s Cased Telescoped (CT) Ammunition for

Next Generation Infantry Weapons
 Team Chanakya
Mon, 26 Apr 2021   |  Reading Time: 7 minutes
Image Courtsey: Textron Systems

Warfare has evolved over the centuries and today it encompasses multiple
domains and prosecuted as conventional as well as non conventional operations,
tending to blur the geographic and physical limitations by leveraging technology.
The ‘Revolution in Military Affairs’ or commonly known as RMA has been a
buzzword among military strategists and commanders who now visualise future
wars to be short, intense and technology driven. Yet as armies gear up to fight
across the entire spectrum of warfare – ranging from all-out conventional war to
counter insurgency operations, it is the infantry soldier who still bears the mantle
of ensuring victory by capturing or defending the objective and forces across the
world have been making continual efforts to enhance the fighting capabilities of
their soldiers by providing them with the latest in weapons and equipment.

The man behind the machine will continue to be important and conflict situations
such as terrorism, asymmetric and fourth generation wars have brought this into
limelight. Such conflict situations require a transformed soldier capable of dealing
with hi-tech war that will be short and intense and it is a known fact that the rifle
is the first and last friend of a soldier, irrespective of the extent to which we
transform Infantry soldier as a fighting system. Weapons and ammunition are not
only crucial but also need to be modern and state-of-the-art. During the many
reforms after the Crimean War, weight on the soldier was studied in detail. The
report concluded that the ‘fighting value of a soldier is in inverse proportion
to load he carries.’ So, the primary means of making an infantry soldier more
efficient is to reduce the weight he has to carry and increase the firepower in his
possession.

The weight carried by soldiers has always been subject to cyclical variation and
much discussion. The Americans realised in Afghanistan that overloading a
soldier is both unsustainable and undesirable, though that was the initial trend
during operations. The US Army now focuses on four main factors of modern-day
battlefields namely, increased weapon effectiveness and responsiveness,
enhanced ground mobility of opponents, area denial tactics and high operational
tempos. This mandates special attention on the individual soldier, the small unit,
referred to the fire team, squad or section. Lethality for example, always high on
the list of improvements has essentially focused on the individual service weapon
carried by each infantryman. The next generation infantry service weapons
essentially should have modularity, improved ammunition, greater accuracy, and
be more discrete.
Image Courtsey: Wikimedia Commons

It is under this context that US Army launched a new program to upgrade its
small arms weapons and ammunition system, the Lightweight Small Arms
Technologies program, or LSAT.  LSAT started as an attempt to design lighter-
weight small arms. The LSAT program’s scope was then limited to light machine
guns due to conflict with some ongoing projects. While LSAT briefly attempted to
use caseless technology to achieve this goal, eventually CTA was adopted for
further development. The LSAT program — which focused on 5.56 — then
became the Cased Telescoped Small Arms Systems (CTSAS) program in
2016. This also expanded the scope of the project to include other calibers.

Textron Systems – Cased Telescoped Small Arms Technology

 Textron Systems received a contract from the U.S. Army to develop a prototype
for the Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle (NGSAR) program. The prototype
that Textron Systems develops could potentially replace the M249 Squad
Automatic Weapon in Brigade Combat Teams. As per the qualitative
requirements given out, NGSAR should have:

o Intermediate caliber, high-velocity, magazine-fed system.

o Weigh less than 12 pounds with ammunition that weighs 20 percent less than the

traditional brass case ammo.

o Weapon will be at most 35 inches long and be able to fire 60 rounds per minute for 15

minutes without a barrel change.

Brief History of Small Arms Ammunition.     In the mid-1800s, the advent of

metallic cartridge cases allowed for a single round of ammunition to be packaged
in a self-contained format. The metallic cartridge case increased the overall
weight of a round and necessitated mechanisms such as extractors and ejectors
within a weapon. During World War II, the German military sought to reduce its
strategic reliance on copper and zinc used in the manufacture of brass cartridge
cases. Instead, German designers developed a thin-walled steel cartridge case
achieving a weight reduction of 3-5% and lower production costs. Polymer
cartridge cases were introduced later, though they face a number of design
challenges. The material selected must be able to withstand the various
mechanical, thermal, and chemical stresses to which cartridge cases are
subjected. The primary advantage of polymer cased ammunition is a reduction in
overall cartridge weight.

The mobility of the infantry remains a primary consideration for many developed
countries’ armed forces. Hence developing technical solutions that achieve
weight reduction in ammunition is a prime consideration. The brass cartridge
case, accounting for 48 per cent of the total weight, offers significant potential for
total cartridge weight reduction, as well as possible cost savings and further
technical developments. The primary advantages of emergent cartridge case
technologies may be the weight and volume savings they offer. The weight
reduction, ranging from 15 to nearly 50 per cent depending on the technology,
could afford combatants to carry a significant amount of additional ammunition
beyond their current-day first line scales, allowing for overall increased unit
‘firepower’.

The two major lines of ammunition technology development are:

o Cased telescoped ammunition (CT). The bullet is seated fully within the length of the

cartridge case and completely encased in a polymer shell, thereby reducing a cartridge’s

overall length and significant reduction in cartridge weight and volume. The projectile is

partially or completely enveloped by the propellant. CT configuration obviates the need

for metal cartridge case heads while maintaining a functional level of case strength and

integrity. The weapon mechanism must be purpose-built to allow for the use of CT

ammunition.
o Caseless ammunition. Caseless ammunition is a type of small arms ammunition that

eliminates the cartridge case that typically holds the primer, propellant, and projectile

together as a unit. The greatest reduction in cartridge weight and volume can be

achieved through the use of caseless ammunition. In this configuration, the cartridge

body is comprised of the propellant, leaving no case to be discarded once fired. A

reduction in weight of nearly 50 per cent as well as a 40 per cent reduction in overall

cartridge volume has been achieved in 5,56mm prototypes.

The CTSAS program, run by Textron, has successfully produced a line of

polymer-cased and linked CTA, along with a series of belt-fed machine guns and
magazine-fed carbines that fire this ammunition. The ammunition has undergone
various environmental durability and endurance tests. Textron Systems’ portfolio
of CT Weapons & Ammunition includes a 5.56mm CT Light Machine Gun, a
7.62mm CT Medium Machine Gun and a 6.5mm CT Carbine. This next-
generation of CT weapons deliver improved lethality and maneuverability at 40
percent less weight than current systems.
Image Courtsey: Textron Systems

CT Ammunition – Capabilities and Features.              Recently selected for the

U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, the 6.8 mm CT
rifle, automatic rifle and ammunition offer a superior product platform. CT
weapons and ammo are mature, proven systems offered in current military
calibers including 5.56mm and 7.62mm. The main features are:

o CTA rounds use compacted propellant, which has better burn characteristics and takes

up less case volume compared to traditional loose propellant.

o Another advantage for polymer CTA ammunition is reduced round cost, due to the

smaller amounts of material and energy required to create each round.

o The new 6.5mm caliber CT ammunition is purported to have superior ballistics to current

calibers like 5.56mm and 7.62mm.

o A significant reduction in overall cartridge weight and volume also offers an important

logistic advantage in packaging, transport, and storage cost reductions.

Textron Family of CT Arms & Ammunition

Image Courtsey: Textron Systems

o Polymer CT Ammunition.           CT ammunition is easily configurable in multiple

calibers including 5.56 mm, 6.5 mm and 7.62 mm, while maintaining or improving

lethality. It uses a novel ammunition design, in which the projectile is completely

enclosed within the cylindrical polymer cartridge case. The CT design allows for up

to 37% weight savings. The 6.8mm is the NGSW calibre which has been developed

by Textron Systems.
o 5.56 MM CT LMG. The CT LMG is a belt-fed, open-bolt machine gun, operating using a

long-stroke soft recoil operating system. The M249 weapon with 1,000 rounds weighs a

combined 48.9 lb. The 5.56 CT LMG system reduces total system weight to 28.5 lb – a

40 percent reduction – and reduces system volume by 12 percent, while maintaining

lethality.         
o  6.5 MM CT Carbine System. The multi-caliber Carbine is a closed bolt, forward feed,

gas piston operated weapon, weighing 8.3 lb. The CT ammunition (6.5-7.62 mm) weighs
 35 percent less and offers 30 percent more lethality than 7.62 mm x 51 mm brass

ammunition. By swapping the barrel this multicaliber weapon is reconfigurable between

6.5 & 7.62 mm.

o  7.62 MM CT MMG System. The 7.62 CT MMG system reduces total system weight to

45.3 lb – a 37 percent reduction – and reduces system volume by 12 percent. The CT

MMG can also be converted to 6.5 mm CT ammunition – providing 30 percent more

lethality when compared to the 7.62 mm cartridge. This multicaliber weapon is

reconfigurable to 6.5 mm by swapping the barrel.

Image Courtsey: Textron Systems

 Textron Systems has more than 14 years of experience in developing CT

ammunition weapons and ammunition with tested products complying
Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL7). Hence it is no surprise that Textron
Systems was selected by the U.S. Army’s Project Manager Soldier Weapons as
one of three organizations to deliver Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW)
based on the company’s mature, high-performance cased telescoped (CT)
technology. Textron Systems is to deliver 43 6.8mm CT NGSW-Automatic Rifles
and 53 NGSW-Rifles, as well as 845,000 rounds of CT ammunition during a 27-
month period of performance. It has successfully demonstrated its high capability
and low-risk 6.8mm CT system that provides significant performance
enhancements over current US Army systems.

 Cased Telescoped system in small arms is a promising technology that could

significantly reduce the weight that a soldier carries into battle, while also
providing other allied benefits.

References

1. Modern advancements in cartridge case technology by N.R. Jenzen-Jones

(http://www.jstor.com/stable/resrep10759.9)
2. CT Weapons & Ammunition Datasheet www.textronsystems.com
3. Press Release www.textronsystems.com

How do telescoping and caseless ammunitions work? Why do

the gasses not just go around the bullet and out the barrel?

That was a real problem with caseless ammunition. The H&K G11 had problems with the
propellant gases backfilling and entering the magazine, causing gang fires.

Telescoping ammunition is similar in design to shotgun shells. Their sole advantage over
traditionally cased ammunition is the protection of the projectile by the casing. Otherwise,
they are inferior in nearly every way. The telescoping cartridges cannot hold as much
powder as traditional cases because the telescoping cartridge must hold the complete
projectile inside itself. The traditional casing only holds a portion of the projectile inside the
casing - allowing more room for propellant.

The selling point for telescoping ammunition is space and weight reduction. These would
also be achieved by using pistol ammunition in rifles. But it still wouldn’t be a good idea.
Understand that the chamber diameter and the barrel diameter are not the same.

In either configuration the bullet will move forward into the barrel when fired, forming a
tight seal similar to any other modern bullet as it engages the rifling. There will be some gas
escaping around the side, but only as the bullet moves the few centimeters it needs to pass
the forcing cone into the barrel. Most of the gas will be trapped behind it.

The tech is not new, its essentially the same as whats used for a shotgun shell.
Telescoped ammunition is used in both cased and caseless formats. The LSAT is just one
type weapon that is designed to use it:

The advantages is that the ballistics is similar to cased ammo, but is shorter. The projectile
clears the surrounding jacket by the time the propellant completely burns, and it’s not
destroyed by the explosion, making the round just the same as a cased round. Of course,
besides having similar ballistics, it also can include ball, FMJ, and sabot rounds.LSAT light
machine gun - Wikipedia

The radical side-loading cannon that could change warfare

(Mail Online)    14:41, March 25, 2016
A cannon that loads sideways and has four times as much explosive power in being
delivered to the British Army.
Dubbed the '40mm Cased Telescoped Cannon', it is the first system of its kind to be
produced for Ministry of Defence for 50 years.
The main difference in this design is that the ammunition is contained in a straight tube
instead of the traditional bullet shape.

A cannon that loads sideways and has four times as much explosive power, has just been
delivered to the British Army. Dubbed the '40mm Cased Telescoped Cannon', it is the
first system of its kind to be produced for Ministry of Defence for 50 years
This, according to its creators BAE Systems, allows it to deliver a more explosive charge.
Testing has seen it deliver up to four times the power of the 30mm rounds it replaces.
The current types of ammunition developed for the cannon include armour piercing and
training rounds.
An airburst round for engaging light vehicles, and a point detonating round which can
penetrate thick concrete, are currently undergoing testing.
CTAI, which is a formed by Nexter Systems of France and BAE, is also working on an
anti-aerial airburst round for airborne targets.
The main difference in this design is that the ammunition is contained in a straight tube
instead of the traditional bullet shape. This, according to its creators BAE Systems,
allows it to deliver a more explosive charge. Testing has seen it deliver up to four times
the power of the 30mm rounds it replaces
BAE Systems says the delivery is the first of 515 40mm cannons will be the British
Army's Warrior (pictured) and Ajax armoured fighting vehicles
The cannon uses a new rotating system, with ammunition loaded at a 90 degree angle to
the barrel before being rotated into firing position.
Loading the ammunition sideways saves a large amount of space in the vehicle, allowing
this to be used to store more ammunition or other equipment.
The new system has been in development since the 1990s.
BAE Systems says the delivery is the first of 515 40mm cannons will be the British
Army's Warrior and Ajax armoured fighting vehicles.
Managing Director of CTAI, Craig Fennell, said: 'We are the only group in the world who
can design and manufacture this type of cannon and ammunition, giving us a unique
product for export.'