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#Post#: 24--------------------------------------------------
New barrels.
DIR By: allmanav
Date: February 25, 2018, 8:17 am
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The idea behind this request is to have a bi-metal barrel made
by powder metal technologies which will allow having a bore
liner made of a stronger and more heat resistant metal combined
with an outer conventional steel barrel. The Army expects to get
longer barrel lives at the same time having lighter barrels.
US Army Wants Powder Metal Gun Barrels - 1
Back in 2011, Picatinny Arsenal Engineers were experimenting
with cobalt alloy barrels.
For a more detailed description of the requirements, read the
full text of the solicitation:
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this SBIR proposal is the
demonstration and subsequent production of new small arms
barrels with improved durability, and maintaining performance in
a high rate of fire in varying environmental conditions. For
example; Titanium barrels with deep titanium nitrided bores have
been made using Powdered Metal (PM) and Hot Isostatic Pressing
(HIP) technology. A bi-metal barrel with refractory liner will
create a heat and wear resistant bore using a conventional
barrel material as the outer tube. Longer barrel life is
expected at a reasonable cost. The new barrel can result in a
long life barrel at significant weight savings as compared to
conventional steel barrels.
DESCRIPTION: New Powdered Metal (PM) gun barrel technologies
are being studied and new manufacturing methods and material
combinations have been proposed which promise to show gun barrel
life extension and consistent accuracy. Goal is to have a barrel
capable of a rate of fire of 60 rounds per minute for 16 minutes
and 40 seconds without a barrel change or risk of cook-off.
Cyclic 200 rounds without cook off (Threshold). Capable of 108
rounds per minute sustained for 9 minutes and 16 seconds without
barrel change or risk of cook off.(Objective). A cost target of
$900.00 (Threshold) $400.00 (Objective) PM technologies have
matured to a point where the construction of sample test barrels
can begin and made ready for live fire evaluation. Advancements
include: • Dual material (bi-metal) gun barrels with PM
refractory material bores.
• PM titanium barrel with thick titanium nitride bore. • Others
A bi-metal barrel with refractory liner will create a heat and
wear resistant bore using a conventional barrel material as the
outer tube. Longer barrel life is expected at a reasonable cost.
The titanium barrel promises a long life barrel at significant
weight savings as compared to steel. Bore wear concerns are
addressed by deep titanium nitriding using Hot Isostatic
Pressing (HIP).
PHASE I: The Phase I effort is intended as a first step into
a new world of gun barrel manufacture. Demonstrating a sample
bi-metal barrel or rugged titanium barrel, or both, will open
the door to a new light weight and long lasting gun barrel
technology available at a reasonable cost. Phase activities
shall include: a) literature survey, b) market research, c)
samples acquired and demonstrated in lab. Along with the sample
supply a report providing results of the literature survey,
market research, weight and cost projections, material
specifications, and fabrication process description will also be
supplied.
PHASE II: A Phase II effort is envisioned to expand the
types of new material bores and further develop as a viable gun
barrel material. Government furnished ammunition will be
requested for Phase II in order to establish and validate the
durability, extended life, and performance of these new
technology gun barrels. Government issued weapon barrels will
also be requested for use as control samples. No other
certifications or restrictions are envisioned.
The goal is to deliver two finished barrels made with new
technologies, each having been subjected to limited testing to
validate feasibility, determine accuracy, and record initial
muzzle velocity. The barrel technologies shall demonstrate
capability of a barrel capable of a rate of fire of 60 rounds
per minute for 16 minutes and 40 seconds without a barrel change
or risk of cook-off. Cyclic 200 rounds without cook off
(Threshold) at a target of cost $900.00 USD.
PHASE III: DoD and Federal Agencies Successful demonstration
of PM technology in gun barrels will lead to enormous
opportunities for commercialization. The DoD is interested in
maximizing barrel life while at the same time offering lighter
weaponry. Once the technology is proven viable, the market will
expand to other defense agencies. Commercial Firearms Market
Powder metal technology can be the answer to early throat wear
in high velocity cartridges.
This technology will be promoted on the commercial market to
major U.S. firearms manufacturers as an answer to the
technological challenges presented by these calibers. The
Commercial firearms market has been growing steadily with over
10-million firearms produced annually. More than 4 million of
these are rifles, where the PM technology is expected to show
the most significant advantages. If 10% of this market can be
captured in the near term, 400,000 gun barrels yearly will
represent a sizeable market. It is believed this market
potential can be achieved over a 5-year period.
SBIR is a US government program that helps the domestic
businesses to engage in Federal research and development
programs which has the potential to be commercialized. This
program particularly includes projects initiated by the
Department of Defense. Besides the program that is the subject
of this article, there are a number of other defense and small
arms related programs in the list of solicitations.
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