Novel Ammunition Torpedoes Through Water

Bullets tend to quickly lose steam when fired in water, but CAV-X ammunition was able to penetrate steel even after traveling more than 50 feet underwater.

DSG Technology specializes in patented, high-tech ammunition, and at a North Carolina firing range, the team recently showed off some of its new capabilities.

The first is CAV-X, super-cavitating ammunition classified as a Multi-Environment Ammunition (MEA). The ammo can be fired underwater using partially or fully submerged weapons and hit targets both underwater and in the air. 

Ammo traditionally slows and loses its lethality underwater. CAV-X has traveled through more than 55 feet of water and penetrated 2 centimeters of steel. Subsequent tests accurately made it nearly 200 feet underwater.

According to DSG, CAV-X bullets have tips made out of tungsten. The tips create a small air bubble as the shot moves through the water, which reduces drag, similar to the super-cavitation effect used in torpedoes and even some boat designs. 

According to an article from Defense One, U.S. Special Operations Command has begun experimenting with new bullets.

In a recent demonstration, the company fired a CAV-X bullet from a Colt AR-15 through 13 blocks of ballistic gelatin. According to the company, the achievement set an unofficial world record for round travel through gelatin. According to Defense One, a standard bullet only goes through a couple of cubes — this went through 13. 

The company also showed off XMP (Xtreme Material Penetration) ammo that can fire through sandbags, steel and body armor. 

The company recently attended Demo Days at the Modern Warfare Symposium at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, an event put on by the Global Special Operations Forces Foundation. 

DSG has its headquarters and R&D in Norway, but all production, as well as the aquatic test facility, are in the U.S.

According to company officials, DSG can now mass-produce CAV-X bullets.

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