The next-generation ammunition cartridges will increase reliability and last several times longer than the current type
Date: 19/08/2012, 10:37 AM
Author: Iddan Sonsino
After relying on aluminum magazines for many years, the Ground Forces will soon be equipped with next-generation, polymeric cartridges instead. The new cartridges, which combat units will receive over the next several months, will increase reliability and last several times longer than those currently in use.
Following a long examination process, which included both laboratory and field testing, the IDF has decided to distribute 10,000 of the new cartridges. These magazines, which are produced by the CAA Tactical company, were chosen over several other types of cartridges – plastic, aluminum, and polymeric – from a number of companies.
"The goal is to bring the cartridges to the different infantry forces and to see broadly how the cartridges are integrated in the field," explained Maj. Gil Iluz, head of the Light Arms Department of the Ground Forces' Technical Division. "Depending on the success of their integration, we will decide how many to acquire next year, so as to gradually increase the percent of polymeric magazines and to decrease our financial investment in this realm."
Representatives of CAA Tactical explained that the new cartridges have a wide variety of features that allow them to function more efficiently, such as a window through which a soldier can see the precise number of bullets remaining and a button that allows a soldier to check whether the magazine is full without removing it from his or her vest.
Additionally, because the new cartridges will last much longer than the older models, the change will save the IDF a great deal of money. "If the earlier cartridges could only be used seven times, these ones can be used many dozens of times," emphasized Maj. Iluz. "In fact, we have not yet managed to destroy one of these cartridges. This is a tremendous change, which will lead to significant savings in the purchase of cartridges."