Tuesday October 29, 2013
What is it?
The M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round(EPR) is the newest member of the U.S. Army’s small-caliber family of munitions fired from the 5.56 mm family of weapons (M4, M16 and M249). It is replacing the M855 cartridge.
The clipped variation of the EPR was released in June 2010 for use in M4/M4A1 carbines and M16A2/A4 rifles. The linked version for use in M249 machine gun was released in December 2010.
What has the Army done?
The M855A1 EPR uses a new bullet design that includes a number of significant enhancements to the original general purpose M855 fielded in the early 1980s. The EPR’s exposed hardened steel penetrator gives the tip of the cartridge a bronze color due to corrosion protection. It also significantly improves the M855A1’s hard target performance – the EPR can penetrate 3/8’ steel at approximately 400 meters (much further than the M855). The M855 has a steel penetrator hidden in the tip of the jacket. In contrast, the M855A1’s penetrator is almost twice as heavy, sharper and exposed - a combination that produces better hard and soft target performance.
The M855A1 also has a copper slug which replaces the M855’s lead slug. The copper slug makes the projectile environmentally friendly but still gives Soldiers the performance capabilities they need on the battlefield. To date, the Army has eliminated 1,994 metric tons of lead from 5.56 ammunition production by switching to M855A1.
What efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
The EPR has been identified as the primary 5.56 mm combat round in theater where U.S. Armed Forces are successfully using the M855A1.
The same EPR design that enhances 5.56 mm ammunition is now being applied to 7.62 mm small arms projectiles. The 7.62 mm M80A1 version is expected to be fielded in FY14.
Why is this important to the Army?
The M855A1 EPR’s new bullet design provides Soldiers with better hard-target penetration and more consistent soft target performance at increased distances. Additionally, because it is lead-free, the M855A1 allows training exercises to occur on ranges where lead projectiles are no longer permitted.
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