Caseless ammunition

The modern cartridge evolved over this period to a very high standard of reliability. Ironically, serious attempts by reputable large munitions companies are now being made to perfect a completely combustible cartridge and/or caseless ammunition which would be suitable for use in modern firearms.28... 

Current trends in firearms and ammunition are toward lighter and easier to carry firearms and ammunition. These include the use of various plastics in the manufacture of firearms and some large, well-known manufacturers are experimenting with the development of caseless ammunition (combustible cartridge cases and primers) which, if viable, will involve major design changes in the mechanism of firearms. 

The disadvantages of caseless ammunition include the very high cost of totally new weapons and ammunition manufacturing systems, relative fragility and sensitivity of the ammunition, and difficulties with weapon maintenance and repair in the field. 

The concept of caseless ammunition is not a recent one as such ammunition, for use in breech-loading firearms, has been in circulation for well over 100 years. The concept was experimented with by different countries at various times, but with only limited success. Typical compositions consisted of nitrocellulose (12.6% nitrogen) 65%, kraft paper 15%, resin 20%, and diphenyl-amine (added) 1%. The German firm of Heckler Koch has relatively recently solved many of the problems associated with caseless ammunition and produced a rifle, the HKGH, to fire 4.73 x 33 mm caliber caseless ammunition. 

Figure 13.1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the 4.73 x 33 mm H K caseless ammunition. It is rumored that Heckler Koch have since abandoned the project. 

The requirement to improve portable firearms resulted in a reduction of the caliber (dimension 4-5 mm) and to reduce the ammunition weight led to the caseless ammunition project. Moreover, in the event of a crisis the problem of a worldwide shortage of nonferrous metals for cartridge cases will arise. 

Caseless ammunition is also available for infantry weapons as the ejector mechanism can be dispensed with, it is possible to raise the number of shots in machine guns. 

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