6.45x48 mm

6.45x48 mm is an intermediate rifle cartridge that was developed in conjunction with the IRA-90 rifle as a potential successor to the 7.65×53 mm cartridge. The rimless cartridge has a base diameter of 11.82 mm and a case length of 47.72 mm. The bullet is an unusual 6.65 mm diameter (6.45mm refers to the bore diameter), fractionally smaller than the common 6.5 mm (bore diameter) bullet. The 97 gr (6.3 g) bullet was fired at a muzzle velocity of 900 m/s (3,000 ft/s) with 2,550 J (1,880 ft⋅lb) of muzzle energy.

The 6.45x48 mm offers similar ballistic performance to the 5.56×45 mm round in terms of velocity loss, drop, and drift, with a slight advantage in energy retention through the flight of the round. In terms of weight, the round is somewhat heavy at 15.4 grams versus the 5.56x45 mm round's 12.3g, however, it is lighter than the 7.65×53 mm round it replace, which weighs in at 18.9 g.

History

In 1999, after seeing overpenetration issue while fighting in urban environments the Imperial Army requested a low penetration round. Srrad developed the frangible C99B round.

In 2007, the C02BPM enhanced penetration cartilage was chosen as the newest standard service round for the Imperial Army of Temuair. Troops serving in low intensity conflict zones such as Terrica have complained that the high speed, copper alloy cored round has a tendency to over penetrate targets, rapidly entering and exiting the body, as opposed to remaining lodged inside the target. This results in more rounds fired to eliminate a hostile combatant. In 2006, the Imperial Army released stock of older C87BE cartridges to units stationed in Terrica, however, this round was also designed with a steel penetrator over a lead core and thus, has similar issue to the newer C02BPM rounds. Troops first attempted to use the already issued C99B frangible round, which had been developed in 1999 for conflicts in urban environments, but found its performance unsatisfactory in longer-range engagements and in penetrating light barriers like sandbags or car windshields. In 2010, the Imperial Army contracted Srad to produce a standard ball round for the IRA-90. The new round was more effective against soft targets, but did not allow for penetration of light objects. In 2016, and improved version designated C16CBI offers sufficient range for most engagements as well as the ability

Cartridge types

• C87BE (Cartridge, 1987, Ball, Standard): Standardized cartridge first produced in 1987 for the IRA-90. It is a brass plated 97 gr (6.3 g) ball round with a steel penetrator tip over a lead core in a full copper jacket. Standard issue from 1990 to 2007. Designed to penetrate standard infantry armor of the time.
• C87B (Cartridge, 1987, Blank): High-pressure grenade-launching blank for use with the GDR-60 series rifle grenades. Denoted with a red lacquer seal
• C87T (Cartridge, 1987, Tracer): 96 gr (6.2 g) tracer cartridge, orange types denote an orange colored tracer. No other colors currently in service.
• C87PP (Cartridge, 1987, Pressure Test): High-pressure cartridge used when proofing weapons during manufacture, test, or repair. This cartridge will always be nickel plated to differentiate them from service ammunition.
• C87A (Cartridge, 1987, Training) 6.45x48 mm inert cartridge with fluted indentations in the case. Used for loading and unloading drills during basic training.
• C95PA (Cartridge, 1995, Armor Piercing): Black-tipped 106 gr (6.9 g) armor piercing cartridge with a tungsten core. Able to penetrate heavier body armor and light obsticles.
• C98LA (Cartridge, 1998, Long Range): Green tipped match grade 120 gr (8 g) long range round for use with the IRA-90TE marksmen rifle. It is the only hollow-point round in service with the Imperial Army. It is reportedly able of achieving kills at 700 meters, in one engagement in 2004, a small team of Cazadores were encircled at their small camp in Terica, the teams marksman reported 75 kills with 77 rounds during the three day battle.
• C02BPM (Cartridge, 2002, Standard, Enhanced Penetration): 97 gr (6.3 g) with a 19-grain steel penetrator tip over a copper alloy core in a partial copper jacket. Had a blue tip until 2007, when it became standard issue.
• C03T2 (Cartridge, 2003, Tracer, 1st Improvement): Improved 96 gr (6.2 g) tracer cartridge, orange types denote an range colored tracer. No other colors currently in service. Round has improved trace to range consistency and is basically similar to the C02PM
• C99B (Cartridge, 1999, Frangible) White tipped 93 gr (6 g) reduced penetration frangible round.
• C05DT (Cartridge, 2005, Tracer, Dim): Reduced effect tracer primarily for use with night vision devices.
• C12CBI (Cartridge, 2014, Ball): Original attempt at a low intensity conflict round. Afforded good stopping power against unarmored targets, but lacked penetration against light barriers.
• C16CBI (Cartridge, 2016, Ball): 93 gr (6 g) ball round with no penetrator ordered by the Imperial Army in 2016 for troops serving in low intensity conflict zones. The round fragments consistently with the lead portion fragments in the first few inches of soft tissue, while the solid copper rear penetrates up to 18 in of tissue. This allows for penetration of light barriers such as car doors and windshields without considerable loss of accuracy, but also reduces the rounds risk of overpenetrating and exiting the target without causing severe damage