New Rabbit Rounds Multi-projectile Ammunition from Franklin Armory Creates More Sporting Fun for America’s Favorite Gun

A version of this article first appeared a few weeks ago in Issue 38 of our weekly Soldier Systems Digest newsletter. It was prompted by a vendor demonstrating their candidate carbine leading many to believe the program had already selected a carbine. That is not true. The article has been slightly modified from the original to clarify some points. This is a link to the article we posted after the program was announced in June. It details the requirements. We’ve learned a lot since then.

What HICAR is…

A USSOCOM effort to field a new Stoner-pattern carbine capable of firing the high pressure, 5.56mm cartridge known as M855A1+.

The cartridge has been under development with Federal on behalf of Picatonny Arsenal for several years and referred to as “5.56 Max.”

The cartridge uses Federal’s Peak alloy case technology to deliver chamber pressures in excess of 80,000 psi. This was originally developed for the 7mm Backcountry cartridge.

What HICAR is NOT…

It is not an Army program.

It is not going to replace the 900,000+ M4 carbines currently in Army service.

The Army currently has no plans to adopt M855A1+ ammunition. However, they have paid for its development and are monitoring the program closely.

NGSW remains the Army’s primary small arms modernization effort. In fact, the Army is moving forward with fielding of the XM8 carbine to replace the M7.

The Program as it stands…

There are currently three competitors in down select who will deliver rifles to the command very soon to undergo live fire evaluation. All three companies were directed to NOT publicly acknowledge their participation, so if a company is showing you what they’ve got, they aren’t part of the program.

USSOCOM has POMed (budgeted) for both rifles and ammunition and is dedicated to this program. They currently have courses of action which procure full weapons as well as an Upper Receiver Group-only option. This is why the candidate systems must be M4 compatible.

Numbers are not being publicly disclosed but I would put them as similar to USMC M27 numbers, eventually.

FY27 will see the command down select to one candidate weapon and transition to an OTA for rapid procurement in FY28.

The ammunition…

I have concerns over referring to the ammo as M855A1+. While the HICAR must be capable of shooting standard pressure rounds as well as the new ammo, the inverse isn’t true for legacy M4s. It’s quite possible that high pressure rounds will end up in standard M4s. This is particularly the case for enablers who will likely not be armed with HICAR but embedded within SOF formations operationally. Will this result in catastrophic failures? No, but those high pressure rounds will certainly curtail the life of the M4. However, the danger does exist that an M4 firing M855A1+ may face broken bolt lugs or other failures during a fire fight.

It is my understanding that the ammunition has been safety certified, including passing an obstructed barrel test on an M4A1.

I assert the ammo absolutely needs a new nomenclature and DODIC. I’m also not a fan of the “hyper” velocity moniker. We may one day actually create true hyper velocity ammunition which is in excess of 5,000 fps. This ammunition, while impressive, doesn’t even approach that velocity.

An additional point is that the current developmental ammo (M855A1A+) is tightly controlled and not available outside of this program. I fully expect the ammunition to change over time, as they continue to dial-in its performance. That means, anyone outside of the program is producing their own ammunition. There is currently NO commercially available high pressure ammunition.

While I fully believe that high-pressure ammunition is the future, it faces a serious commercial challenge.

The Sporting Arms Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute sets industry standards for ammunition. When a new ammunition is proposed, SAAMI certifies both the cartridge and chamber. This is because the chamber must be capable of safely firing the ammunition it is associated with.

Most companies in industry will be reticent to offer new ammunition which has not been built to a chamber spec. In this case, .223 for commercial sales. For years we’ve heard about the “dangers” of firing military-grade 5.56mm NATO ammunition in .223 chambers. Consequently, many commercial carbines use barrels chambers for 223 Wylde instead. However, those concerns are laughable compared to the pressures we are seeing with high pressure ammo.

Considering what happens to 300 BLK ammunition fired in .223 carbines, fear mongering will assuredly ensue in firearms social media once commercial high pressure ammunition is introduced.

We are likely stuck in a chicken-or-the-egg cycle, at least in the near-term as ammunition companies weigh whether or not it is worth loading ammunition for firearms that don’t yet exist in great numbers. This is the same thing that happens every time a new caliber is introduced.

The future is high pressure but I believe the military will lead the way in its adoption.

Eric Graves

Founder, SSD

Photo by K. Kassens 

United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School

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This entry was posted
on Thursday, October 8th, 2026 at 16:00 and is filed under Ammo, SOF, weapons.
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The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute®,Inc., (SAAMI®) has announced the acceptance of a new rifle cartridge for SAAMI standardization. SAAMI is the organization at the forefront of promoting firearm safety by creating standards that ensure safety, reliability and interchangeability of firearms, ammunition and components.

Click on the cartridge name to open the introduction package.

5.56 COMMERCIAL – The 5.56 COMMERCIAL (abbreviated name 5.56 COMM) was introduced by Hornady Manufacturing Company with a 55-grain bullet traveling at a velocity of 3,400 fps and a Maximum Average Pressure of 62,000 psi.

The 5.56 Commercial cartridge and chamber defined here provide a publicly available consensus standard describing a chamber and ammunition system for commercial practice using the procedures and equipment detailed in the American National Standard SAAMI Z299.4[1].

Conformance to this specification does not imply or ensure conformance with any military or NATO specification. The absence of publicly available standards for “5.56 X 45”, including variants such as “5.56 NATO”, makes blanket compatibility statements of those products to products manufactured to this new standard impossible.

The 5.56 Commercial specification is a commercial SAAMI standard and will be revised only through the defined SAAMI consensus-based standards development and maintenance processes.

As a voluntary standard, the existence of this specification does not require firearm manufacturers to mark firearms as 5.56 Commercial (or 5.56 COMM), nor does it require ammunition manufacturers to adopt a 5.56 Commercial (or 5.56 COMM) headstamp, although the use of this designation as a roll mark or headstamp is acceptable practice.

For specific questions on the compatibility of ammunition made to this specification in firearms carrying a roll mark other than 5.56 Commercial (or 5.56 COMM), or vice versa, contact the manufacturer of your firearm or ammunition for further information.

Existing guidance that ONLY 223 Remington ammunition is to be used in a firearm chambered and roll marked as only “223 Remington” remains unchanged. The use of any 5.56 ammunition, including all military variants as well as ammunition produced to this standard in a 223 Remington chamber creates increased pressure and is considered an unsafe combination.

For further information on this new cartridge please click here.

The standardization of cartridge and chamber designs, along with pressure standards, is key in the achievement of SAAMI’s principal objectives of ensuring the safety and interchangeability of ammunition, firearms and suppressors. These standards provide manufacturers with appropriate guidelines to ensure proper and safe operation and interaction of their products for shooting sports enthusiasts.

[1] This standard is available as a free download from the SAAMI website here.

This entry was posted
on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026 at 12:00 and is filed under Ammo, Press Release.
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Rheinmetall, one of the largest ammunition manufacturers in the Western world, is pressing ahead with its ‘Firepower’ project and continues to significantly expand its production capacity. In October 2026, its subsidiary Rheinmetall Expal Munitions will commission its new modern medium-calibre production facility at the Albacete site. An expansion ceremony was attended by the Spanish Secretary of State for Defence, Amparo Valcarce; the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Heiko Thoms; the Mayor of Albacete, Manuel Serrano López; and the Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG, Armin Papperger.

The Albacete site is set to increase its workforce by almost a third – from around 210 employees at present to around 300. Thanks to a high degree of automation, state-of-the-art next-generation production facilities enable key components for medium-calibre cartridges to be manufactured even faster and in larger quantities. Production capacity for mortar weapons and systems – the site’s traditional core competence – is also being significantly expanded.

Rheinmetall has invested around 20 million euros in expanding its production capacities at the Albacete site. A building has been modernised and extended to accommodate the new medium-calibre production line. Covering an area of approximately 5,700 square metres, the site now features a new technical building infrastructure, new machinery and new manufacturing capabilities. Similarly, a new building with 5,200 square metres of floor space was constructed in less than a year to expand the production of mortar systems. Aircraft maintenance will also be possible in this new hall

Armin Papperger, Chief Executive of Rheinmetall AG: “Albacete is one of our key centres of expertise in the field of ammunition components and weapon systems manufacturing. It makes perfect sense to draw on this expertise of our colleagues for our ‘Firepower’ project. We are introducing a new capability to this site in order to significantly increase medium-calibre production. At the same time, we are strengthening the plant’s existing core competence, namely the manufacture of mortar systems. Albacete will thus be of strategic importance not only for Rheinmetall, but also for Spain and Europe, and will contribute to credible defence capabilities.”

Amparo Valcarce, Secretary of State for Defence, said: “A credible deterrent requires armed forces that are well prepared, properly equipped and capable of sustaining their operations over time. This makes a strong defence industry essential, because the best way to preserve peace is to be prepared to defend it.”

In the medium-calibre sector, Albacete can cover calibres ranging from 20 mm to 35 mm. Annual production capacity will be around 1.2 million projectiles and approximately 1.8 million cartridge cases. These components are further processed at other sites within the Rheinmetall network – including the plant in Burgos – to manufacture various types of ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles and anti-aircraft gun systems.

These include kinetic energy time fuze munition, armour-piercing projectiles and AHEAD ammunition for anti-aircraft systems and counter-unmanned aerial systems applications. In the field of mortar systems, annual production capacity is set to reach 40 Dual-Eimos mortar systems in 81 mm calibre. It will also be possible to manufacture more than 650 mortars in 60 mm, 81 mm and 120 mm calibres per year.

The Albacete site will collaborate across Europe with other Rheinmetall sites in Spain, Germany and Switzerland to meet the needs of NATO partners and other allies. A local supplier network creates opportunities for businesses throughout the region.

This entry was posted
on Saturday, October 17th, 2026 at 10:00 and is filed under Ammo, Industry, International, Manufacturing, Press Release.
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AUSA 26 – Winchester Drone Defense Ammunition

Final major validation complete as SST moves its .50 BMG NAS3 case toward sample-lot production.

Eubank, KY (October 2026) – Shell Shock Technologies, LLC. (SST), a leading innovator in the ammunition industry, today announced that its .50 BMG (12.7x99mm) NAS3 ammunition has successfully completed live-fire testing in a belt-fed machine gun. The cases and ammunition fed, fired, extracted, and cycled as designed, marking the final major validation SST sought before moving the .50 BMG NAS3 case into production. Following minor tooling refinements, the company expects to begin producing its first sample lots in November 2026.

The test was conducted by Detroit Ammo on Oct. 1, 2026, using an M2Hb belted machine gun, with 10 consecutive rounds fired. Belt-fed operation places different demands on a cartridge case than a test barrel or bolt-action rifle. In automatic fire, the case must withstand high-speed feeding from a linked belt, chambering, firing, and rapid extraction, cycle after cycle. The NAS3 case met each of those demands.

The belt-fed results build on SST’s earlier test-barrel and bolt-action evaluations, including independent live-fire testing conducted by Vairog US, LLC and announced in July 2026. That testing recorded zero primer or case failures across nine charge weights. The SST .50 BMG NAS3 case offers approximately 13.5 percent greater internal capacity than standard brass, enabling a higher powder charge for improved velocity and downrange energy. In testing at standard SAAMI pressures, the NAS3 case produced approximately 280 feet per second more velocity than comparable brass at approximately 54,000 PSI.

At approximately 33.7 grams, the .50 BMG NAS3case is roughly 40 percent lighter than a comparable brass case, saving approximately 46 pounds per 1,000 rounds. For crew-served, belt-fed weapons, where crews carry, stage, and feed ammunition in volume, that reduction delivers direct logistics and mobility value. The case’s nickel-stainless steel alloy construction also supports clean extraction, faster heat dissipation than brass, and corrosion resistance under sustained fire and adverse conditions.

“This was the test I was waiting for. We had already seen very strong results through test barrels and bolt-action rifles, but numbers from a test barrel only tell part of the story. The real question was simple: How does it run in a belt-fed machine gun? Now we know. It fed, fired, extracted, and cycled exactly the way we wanted it to. After all the engineering, tooling, and testing that went into reaching this point, watching that belt run was a significant milestone for our entire team,” said Peter Foss, Managing Partner and CEO of Shell Shock Technologies.

With belt-fed validation complete, SST is finalizing tooling adjustments ahead of its first sample lots and will continue gathering performance data as it moves into production. The .50 BMG NAS3 case is engineered for professional end-users who require every performance advantage the platform can deliver, and for precision shooters pushing the limits of extreme long-range capability.

Video of the belt-fed test is available on SST’s Instagram.

This entry was posted
on Thursday, November 5th, 2026 at 19:00 and is filed under Ammo, Press Release.
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Columbus, Miss. (September 9, 2026) – Apex Ammunition is excited to introduce new Waterfowl Stratified S3 Steel shotshells in 12- and 20-gauge loads.

Featuring layered shot sizes of Apex S3 zinc-coated steel in #BB / #2 (12-gauge only), #2 / #4, or #4 / #6 combinations, each Stratified load is designed to deliver devastating performance at multiple ranges – with dense mid-range patterns and increased terminal energy at longer distances for confident kills.

“The Waterfowl Stratified Series was developed in direct response to our most dedicated hunters asking for a smarter, harder-hitting shell for ducks and geese,” said Jason Lonsberry, President and CEO, Apex Ammunition. “By combining multiple shot sizes in a single payload, this shell ensures you get tight pattern coverage up close and hard-hitting knockdown at distance, making it ideal for the unpredictable nature of waterfowl hunting.”

Features:

Layered Shot Payload – Optimized for both close-in birds and long-range flyers

Deadly Pattern Density – Increased pellet count on target

Customer-Driven Innovation – Built on real-world feedback from the field

Assembled in the USA – Premium components, loaded for peak consistency

If you’re chasing mallards, teal, or high-flying honkers, Stratified delivers the kind of pattern performance and stopping power serious waterfowlers demand.

Experience Your Best Shot. Only from Apex.

For more information, visit ApexAmmunition.com.

This entry was posted
on Thursday, September 10th, 2026 at 20:00 and is filed under Ammo, Hunting, Press Release.
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PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. — Blending lightweight polymers with a rugged steel shell, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center’s new SixPAC system marks a groundbreaking leap in small?caliber ammunition packaging, one intended to reshape how munitions are used by Soldiers.

The SixPAC, named as such because it was intended for 6.8mm, is comprised of two lightweight polymer ammunition containers — or PACs — contained within a steel outer pack. Following successful implementation with 6.8mm, the system is planned for adaptation across multiple legacy small caliber ammunition production lines.

This initiative serves as the first major overhaul of small caliber ammunition packaging since World War II. Supply chain vulnerabilities, rising costs and a need to prepare for tomorrow’s military operations in varied climates necessitated a re-evaluation of current munitions packaging. The SixPAC is designed to have a lighter tactical inner pack, which will widen its manufacturing base and increase logistical efficiencies.

The SixPAC is highlighted by the lack of a traditional wood wirebound box overpack, which frequently required remediation, had to be assembled manually and was susceptible to mold. It also removes reliance on chemical wood preservative treatments, thus reducing environmental impacts and the possibility of a supply chain disruption.

The SixPAC’s polymer inner pack provides a reduced weight, easier transport, and is also more efficient to manufacture using automation. The steel outer pack reduces the logistical footprint by allowing more containers and ammunition per pallet and has a notably larger supply base than its legacy wood counterpart.

According to the project’s tech lead, Senior Scientific Technical Manager for Packaging Jason Runell, SixPAC was partially derived from a desire to do away with the wirebound box but was above all done in pursuit of modernization to face present-day logistics, portability and supply chain challenges. His team tested several materials and received feedback from various user communities before landing on a polymer inner pack and a steel outer pack.

This decision, he added, comes out of necessity — polymer isn’t yet as proven in the U.S. military as it is in other countries. Uniquely however, the U.S. must be ready to engage at any time and fights in various climates, all with their own difficulties and needs. In order to meet military standards, polymers have to hold up no matter the locale, even after years of storage.

The specific polymer developed on earlier container efforts has considerable potential, noted mechanical engineer and polymer designer Edward Lucas, but the team will keep the door open if anything more advantageous is developed.

“It’s a developing field, and polymers are unique — you can modify them, include additives that improve impact performance, stiffness or dimensional stability. You can add more ingredients to the cauldron and your potion will come out different trading some characteristics for others,” Lucas said.

Several designs are in development, with inner tactical polymer containers expected to weigh about half of the legacy steel M2A2. This weight savings on the tactical pack will result in a reduced load for an already weight burdened soldier.

The weight decrease will also be advantageous particularly on weight-sensitive platforms such as light watercraft and aircraft. Weight affects whether these platforms can launch to begin with and plays a part in its agility should the platforms be forced to engage.

Beyond this, the injection molding process for these inner packs will offer supply chain advantages. More than 800 injection molders within the United States are likely capable to create these packs, creating competition, slashing costs and lowering barriers to entry for new suppliers.

Additionally, polymer inner packs can be produced largely through injection molding, where most components are formed in a single custom mold and do not require large dedicated fabrication lines. Because the same press can be used for other products simply by swapping molds, polymer production requires a much smaller footprint and less dedicated tooling.

Soldiers got their hands on the SixPAC for testing throughout 2024 and 2025 and gave valuable feedback, much of which was positive. Several pointed out how when aboard watercraft or aircraft, “every ounce counts,” and the SixPAC will allow them to carry more ammunition.

The polymer inner pack design is currently undergoing refinement, with ongoing evaluation of options including the patent-pending polymer rectangular container, or PRC. The Armaments Center plans to continue investing into multiple PAC designs, and will share pertinent information, such as performance requirements, dimensional constraints, and lessons learned, to foster innovation within the industry.

Runell gave his thanks to everyone who helped see the PRC through to this stage, including Lucas, Program Lead Andriy Vasiyschouk, Lightweight Steel Outer Pack Lead Designer Nick Baxter and Small Caliber Packaging Supervisor Karl Weiss. He also expressed gratitude to Director of Special Projects Robert Kowalski for helping the team secure funding.

“It’s close to my heart, and I want to do everything I can to see this through, and every time we do a test and tweak a design, it still looks like it’ll be feasible. This project is very important to me,” he said.

Both Runell and the Armaments Center assert that the SixPAC system will represent a critical step towards modernizing ammunition logistics and will allow the U.S. Military to more easily take on its future challenges and demands.

By Tyler Barth

This entry was posted
on Saturday, August 29th, 2026 at 17:00 and is filed under Ammo, Army, Guest Post.
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Eubank, KY (August 2026) – Shell Shock Technologies, LLC. (SST), a leading innovator in the ammunition industry, today announced the launch of NAS3 Primed Cases in .308/7.62x51mm and 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington, expanding the company’s rifle case lineup with a factory-primed option built for shooters who assemble their own precision, hunting, and duty ammunition.

Like all NAS3 cases, the new primed rifle cases are constructed from SST’s proprietary nickel alloy body paired with a stainless-steel head, a two-piece design engineered to be up to 50 percent lighter than traditional brass while offering roughly twice the tensile strength and greater elasticity. The nickel alloy construction also delivers strong corrosion resistance and smooth, consistent feeding and extraction. By arriving factory-primed, the new cases eliminate a manual step in the case-preparation process, allowing shooters to move directly to charging and seating projectiles.

Built for the .308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO platforms, the new NAS3 .308 Win./7.62x51mm Primed Cases are aimed at precision rifle competitors, hunters, and duty-focused shooters who demand consistency at distance. The cases’ uniform wall thickness and tight dimensional tolerances support tighter velocity spreads and more consistent accuracy at standard SAAMI pressures across a wide range of .308-class projectiles, from lightweight varmint loads to heavier hunting bullets. The reduced case weight is designed to translate into lighter loaded ammunition for hunters and long-range shooters carrying rounds afield or on the line. At the same time, the corrosion-resistant nickel-alloy construction is built to withstand high-round-count training and duty use.

Optimized for the 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington chamberings common to AR-15, M4, and similar modern sporting rifles, the new NAS³ 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. Primed Cases are geared toward high-volume shooters, from competitive marksmen and varmint hunters running extended strings to law enforcement and military users training and qualifying at scale. The case design is built to maintain clean cycling and reliable extraction through rapid-fire strings, while its lighter weight reduces the overall load for shooters carrying large volumes of ammunition for training, qualification, or extended range sessions. The cases support a range of 5.56 projectile weights, from lightweight loads suited to high-volume training to heavier options for precision or specialized applications.

“Every case we bring to market starts with the same question: how do we take weight and inconsistency out of a shooter’s hands without asking them to compromise on performance?” said Peter Foss, Managing Partner and CEO of Shell Shock Technologies. “The .308 and 5.56 markets ask for different things — one rewards consistency at distance, the other rewards reliability at volume. Bringing the NAS³ platform to primed cases in both calibers lets us meet serious rifle shooters wherever they’re shooting, right out of the box.”

NAS3 .308/7.62x51mm Primed Cases and NAS35.56 NATO/.223 Rem. Primed Cases are available now through Shell Shock Technologies in pack sizes ranging from 250 to 5,000 rounds. Pricing for the .308 primed cases starts at $220 for a 250-count pack, with 5.56 primed cases starting at $135 for the same pack size. Both products are available now at www.shellshocktechnologies.com. 

This entry was posted
on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 at 13:00 and is filed under Admin, Ammo, Press Release.
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Rheinmetall is one of the largest ammunition manufacturers in the Western world and is continuing to significantly expand its production capacity through the Project Firepower. For this purpose, one of Europe’s largest and most modern powder factories is being constructed at Rheinmetall’s long-standing Aschau am Inn site, which is also home to the headquarters of its subsidiary Rheinmetall Nitrochemie. The Minister-President of the Free State of Bavaria, Dr Markus Söder, Member of the Bavarian Parliament, the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence, Dr Nils Schmid, and the Bavarian Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, Dr Hubert Aiwanger, Member of the Bavarian Parliament, attended the foundation-laying ceremony.

Production capacity for propellant components for barrel artillery and other large-calibre systems will be significantly expanded at the Aschau site. The site currently covers 90 hectares and is set to grow to around 110 hectares. Several hundred million Euro will be invested in the project. The workforce in Aschau continues to grow. Since 2022, the number of employees has risen by around 80 per cent to over 800. Several hundred more jobs are set to be created, meaning that 1,400 employees will work here in future.

Production is set to begin gradually at the newly established facilities from 2027 onwards. The Aschau site currently operates in shifts around the clock to produce around 1,700 tonnes of powder and 300,000 propellant charge modules per year. Over the next 24 months, the production of powder and propellant charge modules is set to more than double. This equates to an additional 2,500 tonnes of powder, over five million combustible components, and over one million modular propellant charge modules to be manufactured in Aschau. The entire value chain for modular propellant charges is managed from a single source and site. Maximum production capacity will be reached in 2028.

The propellant charge, or powder, is one of the most important components in weapon systems. Once ignited, it burns in a controlled manner, leaving no residue. This propels the projectile out of the barrel and towards the target.

“Security and defence capability are the prerequisites for freedom: the laying of the foundation stone for the plant expansion of Rheinmetall’s subsidiary Nitrochemie in Aschau am Inn is a good day for security,” said Minister-President Dr Markus Söder. “Rheinmetall is investing €500 million in Europe’s largest and most modern powder factory. This makes a decisive contribution to resilience and autonomy in the defence sector and creates 500 new, secure jobs in the region. This benefits Germany, the EU and NATO. After all, only those who can defend themselves will not be attacked. In Bavaria, security and defence are a priority – a third of Germany’s defence technology companies are based in the Free State. With our own Defence Industry Act, we are ensuring that defence companies are given priority. Just as with the Bundeswehr Act, we are pioneers throughout Germany!”

Parliamentary State Secretary Dr Nils Schmid: “Expanding production capacity in Germany, particularly for ammunition, is a security necessity and is also of the utmost importance to our partners. I am therefore grateful that the security and defence industry is making efforts at all levels to make supply chains more resilient. The results are truly impressive. The new facility here in Aschau is a response to the urgent demand for ammunition in Germany and across Europe. The additional production capacity will, overall, enhance Germany’s and Europe’s strategic autonomy. It demonstrates that democratic states are prepared to take responsibility and stand up for one another. On behalf of the Federal Government, we wish you a swift construction process and every success with this important contribution to the defence of Germany and Europe.”

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG: “Since its foundation, Rheinmetall has been a competence centre for weapons and ammunition systems. We are one of the few manufacturers in the ammunition sector to cover the entire value chain, from propellant charges and primers to fuzes and shell bodies, as well as explosive and active charges. None of these components shall be a bottleneck. This is particularly important when it comes to propellant, as there are only a few manufacturers worldwide. Self-sufficiency is therefore crucial. The Aschau site will thus make a decisive contribution to the national sovereignty and credible defence capability of Germany and Europe”.

Background: Rheinmetall’s Firepower project and further capacity expansion

In response to the urgent need for ammunition in the Western world, Rheinmetall has launched Project Firepower. The company is investing heavily in its manufacturing operations by building new plants, such as the one in Unterlüß, and expanding existing sites, such as Nitrochemie. The aim is to increase the Group’s annual propellant powder capacity to 20,000 tonnes by 2030, in order to meet the ammunition requirements of the Bundeswehr, NATO and the EU. Over a fifth of this capacity – 4,200 tonnes – will come from Aschau. Rheinmetall is investing a total of around €650 million in the production of propellant powder and its energy-intensive precursors, €350 million of which is being invested in Aschau. Alongside the Aschau am Inn site, production facilities in Wimmis (Switzerland) as well as in Murcia and Burgos (Spain), amongst others, are contributing to the capacity expansion.

This entry was posted
on Friday, July 24th, 2026 at 22:00 and is filed under Ammo, International, Manufacturing, Press Release.
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