M855A1 presentation lists improvements over M855

**Shawn Dodson** · 08-18-10, 18:03

Provides improved, consistent effects against soft targets and CQB performance

Significantly increases range of consistent effects against soft targets

Extremely effective against all target sets (a true, general purpose round)

The M855A1 is NOT yaw dependant

Regardless of angle of yaw or pitch, the M855A1 provides the same consistent performance against soft targets

This performance remains consistent for the Soldier, whether firing in close quarters or long range engagements

The M55A1 greatly increases the maximum range at which a Soldier armed with the M4 or M16 can generate these consistent effects

Provides dependable, consistent effects against sfot targets and CQB performance

Extremely effective against a wide variety of targets (a true all purpose small caliber round

A true general purpose round optimized to a wide array of targets

Provides consistent performance against soft targets (yaw sensitivity)

?

So does M855A1 offer improved consistency in effects or improved wounding effects, consistently?

If it doesn't fracture at the cannelure when it yaws (NOT yaw dependant) then by what mechanism does it increase performance against soft targets?

Does the reverse drawn jacket peel back upon penetration, allowing the steel penetrator to separate from the copper-tin base core "slug"?

Is the steel penetrator pushed backwards into the copper-tin composite base core "slug"?

Does the "slug" fragment?

**DocGKR** · 08-18-10, 18:47

The yaw they are referring to is actually the projectile AOA at impact; like Mk318 Mod 0, M855A1 EPR does not suffer from the same AOA issues that cause such inconsistent terminal performance with many 5.56 mm FMJ loads.

**variablebinary** · 08-18-10, 20:43

Originally Posted by Shawn Dodson

?

So does M855A1 offer improved consistency in effects or improved wounding effects, consistently?

If it doesn't fracture at the cannelure when it yaws (NOT yaw dependant) then by what mechanism does it increase performance against soft targets?

Does the reverse drawn jacket peel back upon penetration, allowing the steel penetrator to separate from the copper-tin base core "slug"?

Is the steel penetrator pushed backwards into the copper-tin composite base core "slug"?

Does the "slug" fragment?

I am wondering the same thing.

**ICANHITHIMMAN** · 08-18-10, 21:45

the plot thickens

good info thanks to all

**200RNL** · 08-19-10, 00:19

That presentation should be used as an example in Wikipeda to illustrate the phrase 'Mumbo Jumbo'.

**Schulze** · 08-21-10, 04:04

The slides don't mention if the penetrator is hardened or mild steel. Does anyone know? And if not, why? Seems like a simple performance enhancer against armor.

**DocGKR** · 08-23-10, 04:46

M855A1 EPR does not penetrate eSAPI type body armor any better than current M855 or M193. In a conflict against the military of a peer nation that issues modern body armor, all our troops are going to need to be issued M995 if they want to have any hope of penetrating the personal armor of the opposition.

**200RNL** · 08-23-10, 11:59

In a conflict against the military of a peer nation that issues modern body armor, all our troops are going to need to be issued M995 if they want to have any hope of penetrating the personal armor of the opposition.

I would feel comfortable with a Garand and some bandoleers of M2 AP in that case.