Novel Combustible Cartridge Cases for Next Generation Small Arms Ammunition

The loadout that a deployed soldier carries is between 97-135 lbs, approximately 5lbs of which are inert brass. This weight not only reduces the soldier’s responsiveness during battle but can increase fatigue. Much time and money has been spent on reducing ammunition weight by replacing heavy brass casings with steel or polymers. While these show promise, a combustible cartridge case will not only reduce the overall cartridge weight, but also would eliminate casing debris. Combustible, caseless ammunition would allow the Army to reduce the soldier's weight burden or increase the total number of rounds carried. During Phase I of this SBIR, RMSL will utilize its extensive experience in reactive ammunition development, synthesis, characterization and testing of pyrotechnics/explosives to develop a prototype, high-strength reactive material capable of acting as a combustible cartridge material for next-generation small arms. The primary objective of this project is the development and testing of lightweight combustible case materials and designs for small arms ammunition. The optimal material would have a tensile strength which would exceed current foamed celluloid and felted fiber cases. Safety, compatibility, reliability, and mechanical and ballistic performance of the materials developed will be evaluated as part of this effort.