A new cartridge featuring deeper penetration and compatible with Kalashnikov rifles has received a patent in Russia, according to TASS reports.
Developed at the Tula Arms Plant, the low-pulse cartridge is engineered to defeat enemy personnel as well as unarmored and lightly armored vehicles, and individuals wearing personal protective equipment.
The cartridge length ranges from 55 to 63 mm, the case is bottle-shaped, and the bullet is elongated with an armor-piercing core and a streamlined profile. The caliber is specified at 6.02 mm.
It is designed for use in automatic weapons, including the Kalashnikov assault rifle, and is intended to occupy a niche between the existing 5.45 mm and 7.62 mm rounds.
In testing, the new ammunition demonstrated exceptionally strong performance, successfully penetrating 8 mm and 10 mm steel plates used on light armored vehicles from a distance of 300 meters.
Earlier reports suggested that Russia is also developing new light sniper and assault rifles to accompany this cartridge.
Earlier Russian designers unveiled an anti-drone weapon known as Stepashka, which was introduced in related announcements.
Notes: The information presented reflects press coverage from Russian sources and statements from official institutions, with ongoing updates likely as more tests and practical evaluations are conducted (Source: TASS).