Combustible Cartridge Casing

Advanced weapon systems will allow America"s soldiers to maintain their overwhelming combat edge into 21st century, however, they represent a significant logistical burden that may reduce warfighter mobility. It is therefore necessary to reduce the weight of the soldier"s standard equipment and one of the heaviest load pieces is their ammunition. Brass metal comprises up to 50% of the weight of each cartridge and these metal casings are simply ejected as waste upon firing. Combustible cartridge case technology is successfully used in large caliber ammunition systems to eliminate the logistical burden of disposing of unconsumed packaging after firing. They bring additional advantages such as reduction in barrel wear, enhanced firing energy, increased firing rate and reduction in charge costs. The technical hurdles of transferring combustible case technology to small arms include the combustible resin inherently lacking mechanical strength, high porosity, vulnerability to penetration of water and water vapor, and problems related to materials used for fabrication, and incomplete combustion. Luna Innovations, via a multidisciplinary approach, will design a 100% combustible, energetic polymer material that can be readily processed into cartridge cases with excellent mechanical stability, and, in collaboration with ATK, predict its ballistic properties and feasibility for standard operating conditions