New Cartridge Developments and Implications for Dismounted Infantry Soldiers

[stanc]

I don't understand why we need an AP rifle round.

I wasn't clear. I mentioned the Swedish 6.5mm AP bullet only because its steel core construction makes it weigh about the same as a lead-free Ball projectile with the same L/D ratio.

However, it's a safe bet that if 6.5mm CT ammo were to be adopted, at some point in the future an armor-piercing load would be developed and fielded, just as has been done with current and previous rifle/machine gun ammo.

Or why the tracer would be a consideration at this point. We'll shape the tracer to best fit the best possible combat bullet.

That could be a short-sighted and costly error. For example, M855 Ball only needs a 1:9 rifling twist, but M856 Tracer needs 1:7 twist. If all 5.56mm weapons had been fitted with 1:9 twist barrels to stabilize the Ball round, it would've been necessary to do a very expensive retrofit to be able to use Tracer ammo. It's called, PLAN AHEAD.

Speaking of which has the 5.56 tracer been modified since the M193 was developed?

Yes, most certainly. M196 Tracer was adopted for use with M193 Ball, and replaced by M856 Tracer with adoption of M855 Ball.

Below, l. to r.: M193 Ball; M196 Tracer; M855 Ball; M856 Tracer; Mk262