05-10-2011, 12:44 AM
JASmith Wrote:Gene,
Thanks for throwing down the gauntlet!!
Tony has a good start on a requirements list to replace both cartridges.
There are some items, e. g., desired trajectory, that may be subject to debate.
As we've discussed in other fora, using a single cartridge to attain all of the objectives for an assault rifle and for a general purpose machine gun is extraordinarily challenging given current technology. Ample precedent exists for multiple ammunition types in existing military cartridges. Can we require a single cartridge, but allow at least two loads? An example would be a comparatively light bullet high velocity round for the rifle, and a heavier bullet long range round for belt-fed weapons.
Also, a testable penetration requirement has been stated in lines 4 and 5 of Tony's draft. The 250 mm of penetration coupled with a yawing bullet establishes a significant permanent wound cavity independent of kinetic energy. This lets us use a different lethality metric than kinetic energy and eliminates a potentially controversial requirement.
Joe:
I have a few more questions for Tony but can't get to them until tomorrow.
You guys are focused on terminal effects on humans. You have not stated what the intermediate barriers are or at what range the ammunition must penetrate, and then its lethality. The words 'various' types of barriers are not sufficient. Anyone who is designing the ammunition must know exactly what needs to be penetrated and at what maximum range.
Focusing solely on terminal effects is not sufficient for military applications.
So, tomorrow I will summarize what I got from Tony and outline things that must be specifically stated.
LR1955