Eurosatory: 7.62mm HP round now available
The 7.62mm High Performance (HP) round developed by BAE Systems for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is now available for approved military customers, the company announced on 13 June.
The ammunition was developed to meet MoD requirements and entered service with the British armed forces in 2015. Under a partnering agreement the round is in full production at BAE Systems’ new Small Arms Ammunition facility in Radway Green, UK.
The round is compatible with all other 7.62mm NATO weapons. According to the company, compared to standard NATO rounds, the round ‘significantly increases the ability to defeat protected targets, such as lightly protected vehicles and aircraft, at increased ranges.’
In trials conducted at BAE System’s testing facilities, the rounds have been shown to approximately double the range of standard 7.62mm ‘Ball’ ammunition for defeating protection commonly used in light vehicles and aircraft.
The new round incorporates a hardened steel tip, a longer bullet profile and upgraded propellant, for improved penetration through hardened targets and greater accuracy.
Jennifer Osbaldestin, managing director, BAE Systems Land (UK), said: ‘BAE Systems has a long history of innovation in the UK and the 7.62mm HP round is further evidence of our achievement. It is the result of hard work, industry-leading engineering skills and a close partnership with the MoD.
‘We have recently made more than £200 million of investment in our UK facilities and equipment, providing us with some of the most advanced production machines in the world. This not only gives us the flexibility to develop and qualify new ammunition, but also allows us to quickly go into full-scale production of high quality rounds.’
BAE Systems is also developing a reduced cost design – the 7.62mm Improved Ball round – which will still offer a significant improvement over standard ammunition.
For more stories from Eurosatory 2016, see our dedicated show news page.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy]()
US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy
As the US Department of Defense looks to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems to improve homeland security, the DroneHunter acquisition could point to future commercial innovation.
-
![Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax]()
Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax
This year has begun with main battle tanks taking the lead while orders for large logistics and support vehicles continued from last year. Additionally, two of the British Army’s most significant contracted vehicle programmes, Ajax reconnaissance vehicle and Challenger 3 tank, continued to make news in January.
-
![Canada looking to expedite purchase of armoured fighting vehicle and a new tank]()
Canada looking to expedite purchase of armoured fighting vehicle and a new tank
Canada is improving its Leopard main battle tank fleet but before this is fully completed, it is expected to begin looking for new vehicles.
-
![Layered protection: How air defence is adapting to rising drone and missile threats (podcast)]()
Layered protection: How air defence is adapting to rising drone and missile threats (podcast)
A surge in aerial threats – from advanced missiles to low-cost drones – is reshaping the way militaries approach air defence, driving demand for flexible, multi-layered solutions.
-
![UK agrees parallel development and production process for British Army Challenger 3]()
UK agrees parallel development and production process for British Army Challenger 3
In a bid to accelerate delivery of the British Army’s Challenger 3 main battle tank, which has just carried out its first crewed firings with the latest Rheinmetall 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun, the UK has opted for an unconventional approach.
