SLAP Cartridge - New and Improved .50 BMG
CARTRIDGE: .50 CALIBER, SABOTED LIGHT ARMOR PENETRATING (SLAP)
CARTRIDGE: SLAP - US Military
Designation: M903/M962 (Tracer). The Calibre .50 SLAP and .50 SLAP-Tracer ammunition
utilizes advanced saboted tungsten-alloy penetrator technology to deliver superior and
proven performance against lightly armoured vehicles and armoured attack helicopters at
ranges up to 1500 meters.
SLAP Information from the United States Marine Corps Fact File
dated 11/29/95
Saboted Light Armor Penetrator (SLAP) Ammunition
Velocity: 3985 feet per second
Maximum Effective Range: 4921.5 feet (1500 meters)
Effective Against 3/4" High Hard Armor (HHA)
Unit Replacement Cost: $7.50 per round
Features: .50 caliber SLAP ammunition was developed by the Marine Corps during the
mid/late 1980s and was approved for service use in 1990 during Operation Desert Storm. It
uses a reduced caliber, heavy metal (tungsten) .30 inch diameter penetrator wrapped in a
"plastic" sabot or "shoe" of .50 inch diameter. Since the mass of the
saboted penetrator is much lighter in weight than normal ball .50 caliber ammunition,
SLAP's velocity can be significantly and safely increased in an unmodified M2 Machine
Gun. This produces a very fast round with a very flat trajectory which enhances hit
probability. SLAP ammunition is completely interoperable with M2 machine guns with
stellite liner.
Background: During the 1980s, the Marine Corps invested in both .50 caliber and 7.62 x 51
SLAP concepts. The .50 caliber effort was very successful and extends the light armor
capability of the M2 Heavy Machine Gun significantly. The 7.62mm effort was not successful
in the M60 and caused catastrophic barrel failures due to in-bore break-up of the sabot
and the penetrator puncturing the side of the barrel. Also, its increase in penetration
was not on the same order of magnitude as the .50 caliber SLAP's.
GAU CARTRIDGE: .50
CALIBRE MULTIPURPOSE
US Military Designation: MK211 Mod. O. The MK211 50 calibre
multipurpose cartridge features a highly effective pyrotechnically initiated fuze. This
fuze design delays detonation of the main projectile charge until after initial target
penetration - moving projectile fragmentation and damage effect inside the target for
maximum anti-personnel and fire start effect. This round was specifically
designed for use in the Gatling style GAU 50 Mounts. |
