Munitions / Small arms / 5.56x45mm NATO

5.56x45mm NATO

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Rifle cartridge

  • ORIGIN
    United States

  • NICKNAMES
    .223 Remington

  • DESIGNED
    Late 1950's (M193)
    Early 1980's (NATO)

  • DESIGNER
    Eugene Stoner (M193)
    Fabrique Nationale (NATO)

  • PRODUCTION
    1964 - present (M193)
    1984 - present (NATO)

  • PRODUCERS
    Argentina
    Australia
    Austria
    Belgium
    Bosnia
    Brazil
    Bulgaria
    Canada
    China
    Czech Republic
    Egypt
    Finland
    France
    Germany
    Greece
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran
    Israel
    Italy
    Malaysia
    Mexico
    Pakistan
    Poland
    Portugal
    Romania
    Russia
    Serbia
    Singapore
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Turkey
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States

  • QUANTITY
    Unknown

  • UNIT COST
    $ 0.26 for M855 in 2005
    $ 0.30 for M856 in 2005
    $ 1.44 for M995 in 2005

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Limited recoil
    Good accuracy
    Good lethality at short range
    Limited weight
    Good penetration
    Limited lethality at long range

Introduction

The 5.56x45mm round is a rifle cartridge of US origin. The civilian designation for the 5.56x45mm round is .223 Remington. The military 5.56x45mm round was developed from the older .222 Remington in the late 1950's by Eugene Stoner for use in his AR-15 assault rifle. Originaly the older .222 Remington round was used in the AR-15, but the US military demanded a slightly heavier bullet which in turn required a larger case. The AR-15 and new bullet were adopted as the M16 and 5.56x45mm M193. In the early 1980's the bullet design was updated by Fabrique Nationale in order to improve the reliability and lethality of the M16. This resulted in the M16A2 and the 5.56x45mm NATO round.

Design

The 5.56x45mm round uses a small spitzer bullet in a bottlenecked rimless brass case. Compared to older rounds such as the 7.62x51mm NATO this results in a much higher velocity, which partially offsets the projectile's limited weight with increased kinetic energy. The 5.56x45mm ammunition is divided into two categories. These are the M193 pattern and NATO pattern ammunition. The older M193 bullets are lighter, have a higher muzzle velocity and require a 1 in 12 inch rifling. The NATO ammunition uses heavier bullets that require a 1 in 7 inch rifling. Ammunition can be interchanged but leads to poor performance in both cases. Some rifles uses and intermediary 1 in 9 inch twist rate to cater both types of ammunition.

Weapon systems

The rifle that introduced the M193 round was the M16A1, which is also the most produced M193 weapon system. Early versions of the Galil, FAMAS, HK 33 and SG-540 were also chambered for the M193 round. The improved M16A2 and derivatives such as the M4 carbine were among the first weapons to use the NATO round. Other well known weapons that use the NATO round are the G36, SA80, FNC, HK 416, Tavor and SG-550. The NATO round is also used in various light machine guns such as the Minimi, MG4 and Ultimax.

Firepower

The M193 and NATO rounds have a similar accuracy, but the NATO round performs better at longer ranges. The M193 round has a muzzle velocity of 975 m/s and an energy of 1.700 J. At 400 meters these figures as reduced to 520 m/s and less than 500 J. The NATO round has a muzzle velocity of 930 m/s and an energy of 1.700 J. At 400 meters these figures as reduced to 575 m/s and 650 J. At ranges up to 125 the NATO round is certain to fragment and is considered more lethal than the more powerful 7.62x39mm Soviet round. At ranges over 200 meters the NATO round is known to be less lethal than heavier rounds. The standard NATO round will penetrate 3.5mm mild steel at over 600 meters.

Users

The original M193 round was extensively used by the USA during the Vietnam war. It was also in use with various nations around the world, mostly in South America, Asia and Africa. Notable Western users include France and Israel. Since many weapons chambered for the M193 round remain in use outside the USA the M193 ammunition also remains in production. The NATO version of the 5.56x45mm round is in widespread use around the world. It is not only the most widely used round by NATO forces it is also actively used in the Middle East, Asia, South America and Africa.

Variants

5.56x45mm M193

The original 5.56x45mm round was designed in the United States and is known as the M193 family. This round was used in the early version of the M16 assault rifle and various other weapons. Compared to the improved NATO round it has a lighter bullet, uses a more fouling propellant, has a higher muzzle velocity and uses a longer rifling twist rate. Ammunition of the M193 pattern is or was produced in many nations.

5.56mm M193 The M193 is the standard FMJ round that is optimized for a 1 in 12 inch twist rate.
5.56mm M195 The M195 is a blank round with more propellant and is used for firing rifle grenades.
5.56mm M196 The M196 is a a tracer round that is visible from 70 to 450 meters.

TypeFMJ
DesignLead core ball round
ColorPlain tip
Total length57 mm
Total weight11.79 g
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight3.63 g
Velocity975 m/s at muzzle
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure52.000 PSI
Remarks-
TypeFMJ-T
DesignLead core ball round with tracer
ColorRed tip
Total length57 mm
Total weight11.49 g
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight3.5 g
Velocity975 m/s
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure52.000 PSI
RemarksRed tracer

5.56x45mm NATO

The 5.56x45mm NATO round is an improved version of the M193 round that was developed in Belgium. Compared to the older M193 the SS109 uses a heavier and more effective bullet, uses a cleaner propellant, has a lower muzzle velocity and uses a faster rifling twist rate. The NATO standard FMJ round achieves best accuracy with a 1 in 9 inch rifling, although a 1 in 7 inch rifling is most common since that is required to stabilize the tracer version.

5.56mm SS109 The SS109 is the NATO standard FMJ round, produced by many nations with minute differences.
5.56mm L110 The L110 is the NATO standard FMJ tracer round. Projects red tracer up to 600 meters.
5.56mm M995 The M995 is an AP round of US origin that is based on the SS109.

NATO standard SS109 equivalent ammunition is produced in the USA as the M855 (ball) and M856 (tracer), in Canada as the C77 (ball), C78 (tracer) and C79 (blank), in France as the ON (ball) and TN (tracer), in Greece as the GRM562 (tracer) and GRM563 (ball), in South Korea as the K100 (ball) and K101 (tracer), in the United Kingdom as the L1A1 (blank), L2A1 (tracer) and L15A1 (ball) and in various other nations under designations similar as those already described.

TypeFMJ
DesignLead core with steel penetrator
ColorGreen tip
Total length57 mm
Total weight12.31 g
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight4.00 g
Velocity930 m/s at muzzle
Penetration3.5 mm mild steel at over 600 m
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure55.000 PSI
Remarks-
TypeFMJ-T
DesignLead core with steel penetrator and tracer
ColorRed tip
Total length57 mm
Total weight12.38 g
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight4.00 g
Velocity890 m/s
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure55.000 PSI
RemarksRed tracer burns up to 600 m
TypeAP
DesignTungsten carbine penetrator
ColorBlack tip
Total length57 mm
Total weight11.66 g
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight3.37 g
Velocity1.013 m/s
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure50.250 PSI
Remarks-

Enhanced performance

The United States has developed two enhanced performance 5.56x45mm NATO rounds to improve performance at both short range and long range.

5.56mm M855A1 The M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round is an improved of the original M855.It has a copper core within the steel penetrator instead of lead. Has better penetration and wounding effects. Reportedly more effective than standard ammunition when fired from carbine sized barrels.
5.56mm Mk 262 The Mk 262 uses a much heavier projectile with hollow point and boat tail. Improved lethality and better long range performance.
5.56mm Mk 318 The Mk 318 uses a bullet of a similar design as the Mk 262, but with a similar weight as the original NATO round. It reportely has an improved lethality and better accuracy.

TypeFMJ
DesignCopper core with steel stacked cone penetrator
ColorGreen tip
Total length?
Total weight?
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight4.0 g
Velocity?
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure?
Remarks-
TypeFMJ
DesignHollow point boat tail
Color?
Total length?
Total weight?
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight5.0 g
Velocity?
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure?
Remarks-
TypeFMJ
DesignHollow point boat tail
Color?
Total length?
Total weight?
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight4.0 g
Velocity?
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure?
Remarks-

German production

Germany produces its own line of military graded 5.56x45mm rounds. These rounds comply to NATO standards and are designed after the SS109 pattern.

5.56mm DM11 The DM11 is an FMJ round and derivative of the SS109 round with a double core. It is also known as the DK.
5.56mm DM21 The DM21 is a tracer round that is derived from the L110, but is more environmental friendly.
5.56mm DM31 The DM31 is an AP round with tungsten carbine core.
5.56mm DM41 The DM41 is an FMJ environmental friendly round with lead core.
5.56mm DM38 The DM38 is a training round with plastic bullet. The safety radius is 400 meters.
5.56mm DM18 The DM18 is a blank round with crimped star nose.

TypeFMJ
DesignCopper steel double core
ColorGreen tip
Total length57 mm
Total weight12.1 g
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight4.00 g
Velocity925 m/s
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure55.000 PSI
Remarks-
TypeFMJ-T
DesignLead core with tracer
ColorRed tip
Total length57 mm
Total weight12.1 g
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight4.00 g
Velocity890 m/s
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure55.000 PSI
RemarksRed tracer burns up to 600 m
TypeAP
DesignTungsten carbide penetrator
ColorDark grey bullet
Total length57 mm
Total weight12.1 g
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight4.00 g
Velocity925 m/s
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure55.000 PSI
Remarks-
TypeFMJ
DesignLead core ball round with reduced pollution
ColorWhite bullet
Total length57 mm
Total weight12.1 g
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight4.00 g
Velocity925 m/s
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure55.000 PSI
Remarks-
TypeTraining
DesignPlastic bullet
ColorBlue plastic bullet
Total length?
Total weight7.4 g
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight0.50 g
Velocity1.025 m/s
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure30.000 PSI
Remarks400 m safety range

French production

France adopted its own versions of the 5.56x45mm M193 round for use with the indigenious FAMAS assault rifle. Older FAMAS models such as F1 and G1 can only use M193 pattern ammunition fed from French 25 round magazines. Newer models have a 1 in 9 inch twist rate to accomodate both M193 and NATO ammunition and use STANAG magazines. Currently NATO standard ammunition is also used in France with the ball and tracer versions called ON and TN.

5.56mm F1A The F1A is the standard French FMJ round that was derived from the M193.
5.56mm F1A tracer The F1A is also available as a tracer round and can be viewed as the French version of the M196.
5.56mm PPA The PPA is an AP round with similar effect on

TypeFMJ
DesignLead core ball round
Color?
Total length?
Total weight?
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight3.5 g
Velocity957 m/s
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure?
Remarks-
TypeFMJ-T
DesignLead core ball round with tracer
Color?
Total length?
Total weight?
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight3.5 g
Velocity950 m/s
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure?
RemarksTracer
TypeAP
DesignHard core ball round
Color?
Total length?
Total weight?
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight3.6 g
Velocity950 m/s
Penetration3.5 mm mild steel at 600 m
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure?
Remarks-

Swiss production

Switzerland employs a special version of the 5.56x45mm round. It is officially known as the 5.6x45mm Gewehr Patrone 90, which is often abbreviated to Gw Pat 90 or GP90. The GP90 uses a slightly heavier bullet than the NATO round and is optimized for an unique 1 in 10 inch rifling twist rate. Therefore Swiss SG-550 rifles use the 1 in 10 inch rifling while those that are exported use the NATO standard 1 in 7 inch rifling. Compared to the 5.56x45mm NATO round the GP90 has a slightly better accuracy, although performance is generally similar.

5.6mm GP90 The GP90 is a derivative of the 5.56x45mm NATO round designed for a slower rifling.

TypeFMJ
DesignLead-antimony core
Color?
Total length?
Total weight?
Bullet diameter5.7 mm
Bullet length?
Bullet weight4.1 g
Velocity?
Penetration?
Precision?
Case typeBottlenecked, rimless, centerfire
Case length44.7 mm
Case diameter6.4 mm neck, 9.6 mm rim
Propellant?
Pressure?
Remarks-

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