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.

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