New pistol cartridges for the US Army
At the beginning of 2017, the U.S. Army completed the XM17 Modular Handgun System competition, which aimed to select a promising gun to replace existing samples. The winner of the competition was SIG Sauer with its P320 pistol in two versions - M17 and M18. Together with pistols, the armed forces requested a number of new cartridges. In the near future, another ammunition is expected to enhance combat capabilities. weapons.
In the process of rearmament
In fact, the program for the search for a new pistol was launched at the end of the 2000s at the initiative of the US Air Force. Subsequently, the army launched a similar competition. A real search for a pistol for rearmament began in the early tenths, and in the 2014, comparative tests began. The final MHS contest was launched at the beginning of 2015.
The Pentagon received proposals for eight pistols of American and foreign production. After several stages of comparative tests, the military chose the most successful. At the beginning of 2017, SIG Sauer was announced the winner with its P230 pistol, customized to customer requirements.
In the same year, several batches of serial pistols M17 (full-size P230) and M18 (compact version) were transferred to the customer and distributed between a number of parts. In 2018, there were additional requirements for the refinement of the design. The production, supply and operation of weapons continues.
In the foreseeable future, the M17 and M18 are expected to completely displace several types of existing pistols. According to Pentagon plans, SIG Sauer products will be used in all types of armed forces. This will provide all the benefits associated with the unification of the army’s weapons.
Cartridges for MHS
As part of the MHS program, it was planned to choose not only a gun, but also new cartridges for it. The M17 / 18 uses the ammunition 9x19 mm Parabellum. Especially for him, it was necessary to develop two new live ammunition with a shell and expansive bullet. At the design and comparison stage, these cartridges were called XM1152 and XM1153, respectively. To date, they have gone into the series and have lost the letter “X”.
Weapons adopted live ammunition development company Winchester. Due to customer requirements, ammunition is based on existing products and has limited differences, which allowed to quickly launch production and reduce costs.
The M1152 cartridge uses a lively shell lead bullet with a flat nose. Mass - 115 gran (7,45 g). Muzzle velocity at the exit of the M17 pistol - approx. 400 m / s. Such a bullet should combine sufficient penetration with the maximum possible stopping effect. M1152 is considered as the main cartridge for M17 / 18, designed to solve most of the tasks.
For special operations, the M1153 cartridge is offered, the bullet of which has an expansive cavity (JHP). Winchester developed such a bullet based on the existing T-Series range. In terms of its parameters, the M1153 bullet is close to M1152, but has significant differences. The cavity in the nose of the bullet should provide a more complete transfer of energy to the target.
Cartridges M1152. Winchester Photos
The M1153 cartridge is offered as a special munition for use in special situations and in individual operations. It is argued that in a number of situations the proposed bullet design will allow hitting targets without the risk of penetrating through and receiving collateral damage. The developers also indicate that the bullet does not contradict international agreements and can be freely used in the army.
The M1156 training cartridge has also been developed - a copy of the M1152 combat without burning components and with a hole in the sleeve. There is a single M1157. It differs from the combat one by the presence of a burning cork covering the sleeve of the sleeve.
Defense companies have already launched mass production of new types of cartridges and are supplying them to the army. Thus, the Pentagon has so far received the desired rifle complex, which includes several new products.
Apparently, due to this complex, it is possible to increase indicators and existing weapons. The new 9X19 mm cartridges are fully compatible not only with the M17 / 18, but also with older army pistols. However, they do not plan to use such opportunities for a long time. The aim of the current program is a complete transition to modern pistols, and in the end the new line of cartridges will only be used with the M17 and M18.
New ammunition
Recently it became known that another cartridge with a special bullet will go into service with the US Army. Back in March, the procurement department of the Ministry of Defense posted documents on planned supplies of cartridges with the XM1196 index. Unfortunately, most of the information on this munition is not yet available, but there are various estimates and assumptions.
Shops with M1153 cartridges. Photo US Army
The exact requirements for XM1196 are unknown. Obviously, this will be the cartridge 9x19 mm Para. The bullet should have an expansive cavity and ensure the effective transfer of kinetic energy to the target. The cost of a cartridge with a new bullet is 31 cent apiece.
It is not known which companies participated in the competition, who won and how the bullets of their development differ. It is expected that some of these data will be published in the foreseeable future. This will clarify the situation and provide answers to basic questions regarding the cartridge and the entire MHS program.
It is currently unclear why the Pentagon ordered the development and production of a new cartridge with an expansive bullet. In the recent past, the Winchester M1153 ammunition, which showed sufficient characteristics, came into service. Now, for some reason, the army requested a new, similar cartridge.
The appearance of an order for XM1196 may indicate the Pentagon’s desire to expand the range of ammunition for pistols under 9x19 mm - primarily for the latest M17 and M18, which will become the main and unique in their class. At the same time, the order could be the result of dissatisfaction with the existing M1153 product.
Despite the adoption and arming in the series, an existing cartridge with a JHP bullet may have certain problems and may not fully meet the requirements. Deficiencies can occur in the form of insufficient penetration when working on unprotected and protected targets. Also, insufficient transfer of energy to the target cannot be ruled out. If so, then the new cartridge should be free from such shortcomings.
M17 pistol and cartridges for it. At the top left - combat M1153, on the right - training M1156. Photo by Thefirearmblog.com
Unfortunately, very little is known about the XM1196 cartridge yet. In fact, so far only information about its existence, about the main design feature and about purchases has become public knowledge.
Great responsibility
According to current Pentagon plans, over the next few years, all types of US forces will abandon existing pistols and switch to the latest M17 and M18 from SIG Sauer. These products will become the main weapons of their class for the next few decades. For this reason, the choice of a pistol and cartridges for him is of particular importance and is associated with great responsibility.
The issue of choosing a weapon has already been resolved. The problem of updating the ammunition stock for him was only partially solved. Four rounds of various purposes were adopted, and a fifth was created. At the same time, the reasons for the appearance of the latter are not yet entirely clear on the reasons for the appearance. It can be an addition to other products or a replacement for one of them. There is no exact explanation on this subject yet.
However, all the options and explanations discussed are consistent with the importance and responsibility of the MHS program. Based on the results of all current work and procurement in the arsenal of the entire US Army, a full-fledged rifle complex with a modern pistol and a full range of necessary ammunition will fully meet the requirements.
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