The FRAG-12 is a specialized 12-gauge shotgun shell which contains a small amount of high explosive to breach intermediate barriers, defeat light armored vehicles, and disrupt IEDs.[1] The shell was designed by the Special Cartridge Company in London, England. Later its patent extended to Olympic Technologies Ltd in Gibraltar.[2]
The shell uses a 50 mm (2.0 in) long metal body filled with 3.4 g (0.12 oz) of composition A5. Four folding fins spring out after leaving the muzzle. The shell arms at 3 metres (9.8 ft) and explodes on impact by MIL SPEC 1316 fuze. It has a maximum range of 200 metres (660 ft).[3]
A company called Combined Systems, Inc. sells FRAG-12 under the name FRAG12HE.[4][5] The rounds have low popularity due to relative high cost to performance ratio, limited application, and being limited to military only purchase. Sales seem to be limited because of the wide array of other available rounds for military users in more suitable calibers such as 20×30mmB K-11, 20×42mmB PAW 20, 25×40mmB XM25, 25×59mmB LW25, 30×29mmB VOG-17, 35mm CL DFS10 VOG-17, 35×32mmSR DF87, 40mm CL VOG-25M, 40×46mmSR LV, 40×51mmSR MV, 40×53mmSR HV, and 40mm CL Balkan[6][7] calibers used by the M203, M320, Milkor MGL, AG-C/EGLM, GP-25, and similar dedicated grenade launcher devices. The round was widely advertised with the Atchisson AA-12 assault shotgun.
References
edit- ^ "High Explosive 12-Gauge Ammunition". Army Technology. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- ^ "12 Bore HE projectiles". International Ammunition Association Web Forum. 2018-03-19. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- ^ Soldier of Fortune (June 2005). "The FRAG 12".
- ^ "Combined Systems, Inc. Announces Exclusive Manufacturing, Sales and License Agreement for FRAG-12 High Explosive Ammunition". PoliceOne. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- ^ "Combined Systems Inc" (PDF). Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- ^ "Grenade Launchers and their Ammunition: International Developments". Small Arms Defense Journal. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- ^ "New Developments in Grenade Ammunition". quarryhs.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2014-10-29. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- "Download – Google Drive". drive.google.com. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
- "FRAG12 | HIGH EXPLOSIVE (HE) | HOME". frag12.com. Retrieved 2018-10-30.