Russia-based Tekhkrim unveiled the 5.45x39 mm Anti-UAV ammunition featuring a metal capsule holding seven pellets for better hit chances against UAVs.
The new ammunition for AK-74/AK-12 assault rifles can be said to be more refined than previous examples, such as the 7.62x39 mm prototype using a polymer case.
According to The Firearm Blog, the ammunition consists of seven 4.5 mm cast pellets held by a two-piece capsule with zinc plating to prevent corrosion. A metal casing could be regarded as a way to address the problems with polymer capsules used in previous prototypes, mainly the build-up of scraped material, which negatively affects rifled barrels.
Additionally, the internal layout is organised better to yield a more consistent spread. According to company tests, the total spread reaches 80 cm at a distance of 35 m.
The US is similarly chasing after a multi-shot ammunition type for all of its firearms, from service rifles to heavy machine guns, with the Marines being the first to announce a tender.
The use of shotguns to shoot down UAVs during the Russo-Ukrainian War can be said to have inspired the development of multi-shot rounds for automatic weapons. While a smaller casing has far fewer pellets compared to a full-size shotgun shell, the high rate of fire is the balancing factor, perhaps more important when having more shots to make in a short time is advantageous against incoming UAVs.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
