Caseless cartridge

In the case of a caseless cartridge (also: caseless ammunition ), in comparison to a conventional cartridge, the cartridge case that surrounds the propellant is missing . It consists only of the propellant, the ignition device and the projectile. Caseless ammunition is primarily aimed at saving the cartridge case, which is usually made of metal , as a weight factor. This allows the soldier to carry more cartridges with the same weight load.

Structure and requirements

Disassembled caseless cartridge of the HK G11 , 4.73 × 33 mm

Since many types of caseless ammunition are still being developed, their structure can only be reduced to the basics. Except for the case, all components of conventional ammunition are present (propellant, detonator, projectile). The components are held together by a type of adhesive or by the propellant.

advantages

Such a cartridge weighs about 50 percent of a conventional cartridge and has 40 percent less volume. It is around 40 percent cheaper to manufacture, transport and store. Ejection inhibition is significantly less likely or even impossible.

Disadvantages / technical hurdles

It is more difficult to seal the closure against the escape of gases. Cartridge cases dissipate a large part of the combustion heat from the weapon; this advantage does not apply to caseless ammunition. A weapon that overheats faster leads to a cook off faster . The propellant must have a higher ignition temperature or be ignited electrically by a primer.

use

The development of the G11 rifle from Heckler & Koch, which uses ammunition of this type, was successfully completed, but series production did not take place. The weapon went through various prototype stages and test series and was then not procured due to the changed political situation, despite being ready for series production. The first commercial weapon with caseless ammunition was the Voere VEC 91 . Various other developments have taken place or are underway.

• The 4.73 × 33 mm cartridge for the Heckler & Koch G11 rifle .
• The cartridge 5.7 × 26 mm UCC or 6 mm of the Voere VEC 91 .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c} Technological Advantages. In: caselessammunition.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013 ; accessed on June 30, 2013 . 
2. ↑ caseless ammunition at everything2.com (English)
3. ↑ Advanced Combat Rifles, Caseless Ammunition ( Memento from March 5, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) at pages.sbcglobal.net/blyle (English)