US Marine Corps Issues RFI for Lightweight .50 Caliber Ammunition

By Tactical-Life

The U.S. Marine Corps is looking for .50 caliber ammunition that is 30 percent lighter than the linked belts it is currently using.

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Lightweight .50 Caliber Ammunition

According to Military.com, Marine Corps Systems Command has issued a RFI to gauge industry’s “interest and capabilities” for producing .50 caliber ammunition that weighs less than the “M33 .50 cartridge in the DODIC A555 linked configuration.”

“A belt of 100 Lightweight .50 Caliber cartridges with 101 links shall have a threshold overall weight of 24.6 lbs. or 15% weight savings compared to the legacy A555 configuration (T),” the RFI says. “A belt of 100 lightweight cartridges with 101 links shall have an objective overall weight savings of more than 20.3 lbs. or 30% compared to the legacy A555 configuration (O).”

The technical requirements also say the overall length of the new, lightweight .50 caliber ammunition should be 5.45 inches. In addition, the cartridge’s action …Read the Rest

Source:: Tactical Life