Designed during the 1970’s by HJ Kaltmann as an expellable cartridge. The addition of the brass case was used during testing for proper functioning of the case and initially used 5,56 NATO cases that were cut down and later versions using 9mm Parabellum cases, although the final production cartridged would not have had this. The idea was to have a more durable alternative to the caseless cartridge system.
PHASE I
PHASE II
Phase 2 rounds have a two-piece construction
Early versions of phase 2 still used cut down 5,56 NATO cases.
Forward portions of the phase 2 development
PHASE III
The Phase 3 rounds all have a stepped sabot
PHASE IV
There are not many variations on Phase 4 and it would seem that not too much time was spent on it. It differs from Phase 3 in that it has an aluminium disk/cup assembly to hold the tungsten penetrator.
PHASE V
The Phase 5 rounds had a more tapered profile than Phase 4
PHASE VI
The Phase 6 rounds have a thicker aluminium base fitted to the sabot supporting the tungsten projectile
PHASE VII
Phase 7 has an aluminium piece on the base and is longer than the Phase 6 rounds to accommodate the longer tungsten projectile.