FRAG-12

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A FRAG-12 with the fins deployed.

The FRAG-12 is a specialized shotgun shell which contains a small amount of high explosive to breach intermediate barriers, defeat light 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 20×30B K-11; 20×42B PAW 20; 25×40B XM25; 25×59B LW25; 30×29B VOG-17; 35mm CL DFS10; VOG-17, 35×32SR DF87, 40mm CL VOG-25M, 40×46SR LV, 40×53SR HV, 40mm CL Balkan,[6][7] and calibers used by the M203 grenade launcher or Milkor MGL, GP-25, and similar dedicated devices. The round was widely advertised with the Atchisson AA-12 assault shotgun.

References[]

  1. ^ "High Explosive 12-Gauge Ammunition". Army Technology. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  2. ^ "12 Bore HE projectiles". International Ammunition Association Web Forum. 2018-03-19. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  3. ^ Soldier of Fortune (June 2005). "The FRAG 12".
  4. ^ "Combined Systems, Inc. Announces Exclusive Manufacturing, Sales and License Agreement for FRAG-12 High Explosive Ammunition". PoliceOne. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  5. ^ "Combined Systems Inc" (PDF). Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  6. ^ "Grenade Launchers and their Ammunition: International Developments". Small Arms Defense Journal. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  7. ^ "New Developments in Grenade Ammunition". quarryhs.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  1. "Download – Google Drive". drive.google.com. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
  2. "FRAG12 | HIGH EXPLOSIVE (HE) | HOME". frag12.com. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
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