Frag-12

This initiative examines the unique British FRAG-12
munition as a potential obstacle breaching and light
vehicle defeat capability fired from Marine Corps 12
gauge shotguns. The objectives of these experiments are
to verify the state of development of these rounds, the
effects produced, and to obtain an interim safety determination
to allow these rounds to be employed in combat.
Background: The FRAG-12 rounds have been in
development since 1994 by the Experimental Cartridge
Company, Ltd. and Action Manufacturing Inc., and have
recently been tested by the United Kingdom Ministry of
Defense (MoD) as a special forces application munition.
They are being offered in High Explosive (HE), High
Explosive Fragmenting Antipersonnel (HE-FA), and High
Explosive Armor-Piercing (HE-AP). The Marine Corps
Warfighting Laboratory contacted FRAG-12 and was able
to obtain 100 rounds of the High Explosive rounds for
initial testing. Based on early test results, the Experimental
Cartridge Company and Action Manufacturing are
updating the design of the FRAG-12 to allow safe firing in
weapons with Improved Modified (IM) chokes or larger.
Description: FRAG-12 rounds are made up of a standard
3 inch 12-gauge cartridge case and propellant, firing a finstabilized
19mm warhead with a MIL-SPEC 1316 compliant
fuze assembly. The projectile is designed to arm 3 meters
from the muzzle and fires upon impact with a surface. The
HE projectile has sufficient explosive power to make one
inch holes in ¼ inch cold rolled steel plate. The maximum
effective range for this round is claimed to be 200m, which
would be a significant improvement for the effective
range of a standard shotgun. The round is designed to
allow the operation of gas-operated and recoil-operated
semiautomatic shotguns. The armor-piercing projectile is
a shaped charge design and is designed to penetrate ½
inch of steel armor. The main reason for experimentation is
to examine these rounds as potential improvements to the
combat effectiveness of shotguns in urban areas, using
shotguns for stopping vehicles at roadblocks and
checkpoints, barricade attack, and remote probing of
potential Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).
Experimental Approach: 100 FRAG-12 HE rounds are
being fired by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren VA
to provide data on the round’s reliability, safety and
handling characteristics. In addition, 40 rounds of inertloader
FRAG-12 have been obtained to allow accuracy
testing at ranges where high explosive projectiles are not
allowed. The most rigorous testing will be in the area of handling,
storing, shipping, and firing safety to provide the combatant commanders
the data needed to determine if a safety waiver for use in combat is
warranted.
Benefits:
• Large potential increases in 12-gauge shotgun effectiveness
and effective range.
• Increased lethality against light vehicles.
• Increase in “shocking power” in urban combat through rapidfire
engagement with high explosives.
•· Relatively low-cost, low-risk combat enhancement at low
investment.
Deliverable Products:
• FRAG-12 firing test and safety data.
• Initial Interim Safety Recommendation.
• Experimental FRAG-12 rounds provided to troops in Iraq for
combat operations.