201805

bulletIN
GETTING MORE
FROM WHAT YOU’VE GOT

Eight technologies that help boost

the performance of both current
and future systems

4 Securing the skies with

programmable ammunition
14 Giving your artillery extended range
18 New ways for automated production
02

Dear readers,
What is it really that soldiers, This is the focus of this year´s understand what it is users need
marines, sailors and pilots need to Nammo BulletIN, where we highlight the most, and then invest in the
do their jobs safely and effectively? eight areas where we offer solutions necessary technologies to meet
that do just that. They range from those requirements. This includes
In our opinion the answer is as futuristic technologies, like ramjet- investing in new manufacturing
complex as the question itself, powered artillery rounds that will technologies to ensure we can keep
though one thing stands out – as allow a standard howitzer to take delivering at the cost and quality
major systems and platforms a completely different role on the levels our customers expect.
become more expensive, and the battlefield, to a high quality legacy
process of replacing them ever more 57 mm round that due to its proven Together with these technologies,
challenging, users need to get more design and affordability offers we are also bringing you updates
out of what they have already got. modern day naval vessels a reliable on the development of Nammo, and
advantage in the face of any threat. the efforts to integrate our most
recent acquisitions into our growing
Indeed, this is what characterizes organization. As we entered 2018,
all of Nammo´s products and our 20th year as a company, we
services. In every area, from were present in 14 countries, with
competitive shooting to defense and manufacturing facilities in nine of
security to space flight, we work to them. More than 2 300 dedicated
employees working every day
to ensure that we do our part in
providing the right equipment to
those doing an important job.

Endre Lunde
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
COMMUNICATIONS

Nammo is an international aerospace and defense company

headquartered in Norway. With more than 2 300 employees in
14 countries, we are among the world’s leading providers of
specialty ammunition and rocket engines for both military and
civilian customers.

We believe that those doing an important job deserve the right

equipment. Our societies look to a small group of dedicated
specialists to keep us safe, to help us explore, and to make us proud.
Whether defending our security and interests, in space or on the
sports field, they accept only the best from themselves and their
equipment. These are the people we serve, with products, services
and support that provide a truly reliable advantage.
 03

CONTENTS

10

GETTING MORE FROM WHAT YOU’VE GOT

TECHNOLOGIES INSIGHT

4 PROGRAMMABLE 20 24
SECURING THE SKIES NAMMO IRELAND’S CAPSTONE PRECISION GROUP
FLIGHTPATH IS SKYROCKETING LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
6 SHOULDER FIRED
M72 AIRBURST LEAPS FORWARD 22 26
PALENCIA – MORE THAN A FACTORY BAKELITTFABRIKKEN
8 30 MM AMMUNITION – A HISTORY OF INNOVATION
DEVELOPING THE IMPOSSIBLE
12
10 SPACE
STEPPING UP A LEAGUE

12 NAVAL AMMUNITION
THE LONG LIFESPAN
OF 57 MM AMMUNITION

14 ARTILLERY
HOW GIVING ARTILLERY
EXTREME RANGE CAN
TRANSFORM THE BATTLEFIELD

16 AEROSPACE
PROPULSION
RAMJET TECHNOLOGY AND TESTING

18 AIRCRAFT 18
AMMUNITION
THE INDUSTRIALIZATION
OF 25 MM APEX
4

SECURING THE

SKIES
Civilian drones in warfare are a relatively new, but real threat to ground
forces. Helge Stadheim explains how the versatile 40 mm airburst
round has evolved into more than just a counter-defilade system

Nammo’s programmable ammunition unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) London in September where it
technology makes it possible to has been on our radar since 2002, gathered large amounts of interest
fire rounds that are programmed when we first began developing from both industry and media.
to explode with pinpoint accuracy, programmable ammunition, but the
Another advantage of the 40 mm
either before, above or inside a threat has become more pressing
programmable is its ability to
target, which makes it an effective in recent years where drones have
explode in a highly controlled way
anti-drone system. The threat of been increasingly incorporated
to avoid
as weapons on the battlefield Since Nammo damaging
in Iraq and recently in Syria.
started working surroundings
Nammo’s 40 mm airburst round on airburst or continuing
was designed to maximize its on its path
18 years
effect within a specific range from to hit civilian
the point of detonation, and it’s
ago, several targets. This
the star of our video that’s been different rounds is especially
making the rounds online, in which have been important in
we show exactly how effective developed dense urban
the programmable ammunition is environments
for countering unmanned aerial or in situations where the unmanned
vehicles. In fact, we brought aerial vehicle (UAV) is carrying
the obliterated drone to DSEI in explosives that need disabling
or detonating at a safe height.

Nammo started working on During the fall of 2017, Nammo,

airburst technology 18 years ago.
together with Kongsberg,
demonstrated the capability
to take out moving UAVs at
significant ranges. Within a
test period of two weeks, we
shot down a total of 14 UAVs.

In terms of installation, this

is a cost-efficient and simple
anti-drone measure to adopt as
no modifications or upgrades are
 5

THIS IS A COST-EFFICIENT
AND SIMPLE ANTI-DRONE
MEASURE TO ADOPT
AS NO MODIFICATIONS
OR UPGRADES ARE
NECESSARY TO THE
GUN ITSELF

necessary to the gun itself; all you EQUIPPING THE

The airburst principle is simple: you don’t need
need to do is mount a programming MODERN WARFIGHTER a direct hit as the ammunition can be set to
unit on either the weapon or vehicle. explode just above or beside targets.
Nammo started working on airburst
The ammunition will receive its
17 years ago. Because it requires
instructions as the round leaves
an advanced mechanical safety and
the gun, so this is an easy way of
advanced electronics to be able
integrating an important additional
to air burst, the development of
capability into munitions.
the first airburst round took time,
MORE THAN JUST DRONES but finally, in 2006, after years of
development and extensive testing,
However great it is at defeating drones
the first qualified round, MK 285, was
and threats from the skies, the 40
ready for the MK 47 gun. In parallel
mm airburst round was originally
with this effort, we were working to
developed as a counter-defilade
develop a wireless programming of being introduced to several
system to take out hidden targets
solution, the RF system, which led to other Nammo products, such as
in trenches, on rooftops or behind
the first airburst round with the RF the 120 mm, M72 and 30 mm.
corners – targets you normally
solution being qualified in 2010.
would not be able to reach with The full capabilities of the 40 mm
This was the C171.
conventional ammunition. The programmable are still being
airburst principle is simple: you Since then, Nammo has developed explored in extensive tests and
don’t need a direct hit to take out several different airburst rounds: through active field use, and we are
obscured enemy forces as the working together with several large
•M
 K 285 High Explosive (HE)
ammunition can be set to explode suppliers of fire control systems
airburst round for use in the
just above or beside them. The and remote weapon stations to
MK 47 grenade launcher (in service)
larger calibers can also be set to make further improvements to
penetrate a specific distance within •M
 K 314 High Explosive Dual the ammunition.
a target before detonating. Purpose (HEDP) airburst round for
use in the MK 47 grenade launcher Civilian drones being used in warfare
This versatility and flexibility means are a relatively new, but real threat
one round can be used to take out •C
 171 HE airburst round with to soldiers on the battleground
multiple targets, making it equally wireless programming for use in and we believe Nammo’s airburst
suited for targets in the open as any automatic grenade launcher technology is well equipped to help
behind cover. Other areas where (in service) counter this threat and secure
programmable ammunition has ground forces. The fact that the
proven to be highly effective is in •N
 M 264 HEDP airburst round for
40 mm airburst is also versatile
taking out sensors and weapon use in any automatic grenade
enough to take out hidden and
systems, and against soft skin, launcher (in service)
moving targets can only strengthen
light armored and command and its positioning as the ammunition of
The airburst technology developed
control vehicles. choice for the modern warfighter.
for the 40 mm is also in the process
6

M72
LEAPS FORWARD
AIRBURST
Drawing on expertise across the organization, Nammo’s Shoulder Fired
Systems team is making significant progress. Tim Clawitter updates us
on the development of the latest iteration of the venerable M72

In the Arizona desert during June The qualification series concludes hiding behind obstacles to avoid direct
of last year, over 40 representatives with validation of safety, accuracy fire, for instance in brush, bunkers
from different parts of the US and the system’s performance or trenches. In fact, if troops are to
Armed Forces gathered together against a range of targets. come under fire from distances of
with members of the Nammo beyond 300 meters, they have little
Funding thus far has come from
development team and the US resource with which to retaliate.
Nammo internal research and
Department of Defense (DoD)
development, along with a significant It gives the The Nammo
sponsor, to witness the testing of
contribution from the US DoD development
the M72 E11 Airburst system.
sponsor. Already there has been
dismounted team has taken
The system did not disappoint, a notable amount of interest in soldier a the technology
as every single round detonated the system from potential end completely already qualified
successfully over a range of 300 to users, due to the fact it gives the new kind of for the 40 mm
700+ meters. The demonstration dismounted soldier a completely AGL, and adapted
capability,
marks a breakthrough in M72 new kind of capability, which it to a shoulder
no other system can offer.
which fired weapon. To
technology, and a major step
forward in the development of what no other enable this they
NEW IMPACT
is already one of the most advanced system have created
unguided shoulder fired systems. The M72 E11 Airburst system builds can offer an enhanced
on the already combat-proven capability launcher
The E11 testing event was integral for the standard M72 weapon with
system for radio frequency
to securing future funding for an inline trigger and sling system.
programming, which Nammo has
2018 to build the rounds to be
been developing since 2002.
entered into the stringent Joint The fire control system used in
Ordnance Test Procedure (JOTP) The system enables the E11 warhead the demonstration is the MR550
qualification, with the aim of to detonate in the air close to the Rheinmetall Fire Control System with
fielding them in 2020, or sooner. target, meaning that a much larger a Nammo-designed built-in radio
area can be covered with fragments, frequency transmitter. This enables
The upcoming JOTP qualification it to communicate directly with the
reducing the need for a direct hit. It
process is a rigorous and extensive round and be set to detonate anywhere
also makes the ammunition highly
program, undertaken to ensure between 300 and 700+ meters, or point
effective against targets in defilade.
the safety and reliability of the detonate upon striking the target.
In combat situations, troops currently
system. Tests in this series include
struggle to neutralize an enemy that is
environmental conditioning,
shock, vibe and drop testing.

THE M72 E11 AIRBURST WEIGHS ONLY 4.8 KG AND

UTILIZES THE UPDATED M72 LAUNCHER WITH AN
INLINE TRIGGER AND STANDARD ROCKET MOTOR
 7

The M72 E11 Airburst is primarily Raufoss provided expertise on the

intended for the dismounted and airburst component and the
light-ground or maritime units. It setback generator.
can be employed defensively as
suppression against point or area Working in a team from such great
targets as well as offensively for distances, along with the cultural and
targets in the open, defilade or language barriers, is no mean feat,
behind cover. The self-contained and it is fair to say this collaborative
munition will dramatically project has required a lot of video
increase squad survivability by conferencing technology. However,
providing standoff capability in a face to face is just as important
single soldier-carried weapon. when it comes to breaking the ice,
encouraging open discussion and
KEY COLLABORATIONS enabling all team members to bring The M72 E11 Airburst is primarily
intended for the dismounted and
their expertise to the table for honest light-ground or maritime units.
This project has been very much
communication. This has been a
a success story, predominantly
true exercise in collaboration, and
down to the collaborative effort
the result is an advanced system
of the teams in the different
that will revolutionize troops’
Nammo business units.
capabilities on the battlefield.
Each of the below groups have
In that regard, the project serves
come together in the development
as an example of the kind of
project to share expertise in
collaboration Nammo is working to
the areas of power generation,
foster across its organization, as
sighting and radio frequency
it continues to develop as provider
signaling to create a product that
of choice for some of the world’s
excels: Nammo MTH provided fuze
most advanced militaries.
expertise; AnMa TECH provided
expertise on fuzing electronics; and
8

DEVELOPING THE

IMPOSSIBLE

While traditional ammunition is either

stopped or deflected when it hits water,
Nammo’s 30 mm Swimmer (APFSDS-T
MK 258 Mod 1) swims straight through than ever, the experience gained
water, thanks to a groundbreaking through this early work has allowed
design on the supercavitating projectile Nammo, through its Strategic
Alliance Agreement (SAA) with
developed in cooperation with the
General Dynamics Ordnance and
US Navy. Jan Hasslid discusses the Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), to
implications of this new technology become one of the main providers
of 30 mm ammunition for the US
Armed Forces. Following the recent
signature of agreements with the
US Army and the US Navy, both
services are now adopting Nammo’s
30 mm APFSDS-T MK 258 Mod 1,
or “Swimmer”, for use from a
multitude of platforms, including
25 years ago, Norway became one
the US Army’s latest addition, the
of the first European countries
Stryker variant known as “Dragoon”.
to acquire an infantry fighting
vehicle with a 30 mm x 173 gun, Ammunition used by vehicles
the CV9030N. At the same time, generally falls into three categories
Raufoss Technology AS, now a part – armor piercing (APFSDS), for use
of Nammo, negotiated a contract against other vehicles; High
with the Norwegian Army to Explosive Incendiary (HEI), for use
develop a new generation of 30 mm against lighter targets and aircraft
ammunition. Today, with 30 mm and target practice (TP) rounds, that
guns becoming more prominent allow cost-effective training.
 9

The US Navy is adopting Nammo’s

30 mm Swimmer ammunition for use
from a multitude of platforms. Photo by PO2 Kaleb Staples, US Navy

Nammo today offers ten different but also more brittle, allowing that stops traditional ammunition.
types of 30 mm x 173 ammunition them to fragment once they have This enables the Swimmer to be
across all three categories, ranging penetrated the armor, causing used in defense of either ships or
from plastic blank and reduced added damage inside the target. coastal areas against submerged and
range anti-armor to multipurpose surface mines, small underwater
What makes the Swimmer unique,
and explosive rounds, as well as vehicles, torpedoes and even small
however, is the combination of
dedicated kinetic energy penetrators. fast attack crafts that might be
powerful armor penetration and
concealed by waves. This is valuable
The Swimmer round falls into the its ability to swim straight through
not only for naval vessels, but also
category of sub-caliber kinetic water. This effect has until now
for land vehicles defending harbors,
energy penetrators. These can most been considered impossible to
bridges or other key locations.
easily be described as arrows made achieve by
out of very heavy materials that The force of ammunition Going forward, Nammo expects
use the force of the impact rather fired from air that most armored vehicles armed
the Swimmer
than explosives to punch through through water. with medium caliber guns such as
armor. Traveling at speeds of more arrow is As demonstrated the 30 mm will carry one armor
than 1 km per second, the energy sufficient by a number of piercing round, and one multi-
generated by the impact melts the to defeat popular science role round capable of acting as
armor of the vehicle into a fluid anything TV programs, either a traditional high-explosive
and the arrow “swims” through traditional or an airburst round. With the
the armored side of the vehicle. In
except main ammunition is Swimmer established as a leading
the case of the Swimmer, the force battle tanks either stopped or armor piercing round, Nammo
of the arrow is sufficient to defeat deflected when it is now turning its attention
anything except main battle tanks. hits water. In a worst case scenario, towards developing a new type of
a projectile could hit the surface, programmable 30 mm ammunition
Nammo’s penetrators, both for
bounce off and hit something else. that can be used against the kind
vehicles and other types of armor
of targets where the Swimmer is
piercing ammunition, are made out Thanks to the design effort for
less effective. Based on the same
of a super tough tungsten alloy, the kinetic energy penetrator
technology as the 40 mm grenades
also known as wolfram. More originally developed for the
that have been demonstrated
than two times as heavy as steel, Norwegian Army, and perfected
against drones, this would allow
it has the second highest melting by Nammo in combination with US
fighting vehicles to program their
point of any element, making it Navy supercavitation concepts,
ammunition to explode either in
ideal for use in armor piercing the Swimmer avoids the ricochet
the air, or at a specific point inside
ammunition. For some ammunition in water problem through the use
a target. This would allow future
types, including the 25 mm APEX of a supercavitation nose design.
combat vehicles to address the full
for the F-35, tungsten is mixed This means that the projectile
range with only two ammunition
with carbon, creating what is creates a bubble of steam around
types, and hence be ready for
known as tungsten carbide. This itself big enough to pass through,
any mission, at any time.
makes the penetrators harder, substantially reducing the friction
10

STEPPING UP
A LEAGUE

Nammo Raufoss has become a competitive

and favored system developer in space
rocket propulsion, thanks to its green
propulsion technology. Jan-Erik
Rønningen, Technical Manager
RACS, updates us on the
VEGA-C RACS project

version since November 2011. Up

Artist view of VEGA-E
© ESA-Jacky Huart, 2017 until November 2017, a total of
11 flights have successfully been
accomplished without any incidents,
and 11 more flights are planned
before the launcher will be retired
in favor of the larger and more
powerful VEGA-C, which is due
to take to the air in early 2019.

The VEGA-C rocket is a four stage

rocket launcher, meaning a stack of
rocket engines placed on top of each
Imagine a rocket with a start other, reaching a total height of
weight of 210 tons with a two ton, 35 meters. The fourth stage, called
$200 million satellite on top. the AVUM, holds a liquid rocket engine
The customer wants the satellite and a reaction control system. On top
placed in a precise orbit around of the AVUM the satellite is placed
Earth, 700 km up. In order to reach on a payload adapter protected by
that orbit, the speed of the rocket the nose fairing. Part of the AVUM
needs to be almost 10 times that propulsion system is what is known as
of a rifle bullet. We are talking a reaction control system, consisting
about achieving a speed of close of six reaction engines currently using
to 29 000 km/h – that’s 8 km per the liquid hydrazine as propellant,
second. This is the right job for the a highly toxic and costly chemical.
European rocket launcher VEGA-C.
The reaction control system used
The VEGA rocket is no fantasy; it on VEGA-C is named RACS and
has already been flying in a smaller is the abbreviation for Roll and
 11

THE FIRST FLIGHT Space Rider © ESA

WITH A HYDROGEN
PEROXIDE BASED
RACS IS PLANNED
FOR LATE 2021

The small spaceplane Space Rider will fly on

missions with durations lasting up to six months.

Attitude Control System. Simply put, long as the VEGA launcher has been into a high-precision, reliable
RACS is used by the on-board flight flying. It is an attractive propellant propulsion system. The plan is for
computer to maintain correct flight since it promises a substantially three to four propulsion systems
heading (“nose up”) and orientation lower cost than the present to be delivered each year starting
during the entire hydrazine-based RACS system while from 2021, with the first flight
Working on flight, from also providing a non-toxic solution. with a hydrogen peroxide based
VEGA-C may take-off to end Nammo Raufoss and Nammo Ireland RACS planned for late 2021.
become the of life. By end are currently engaged in a pre-stage
Working on VEGA-C may become
of life we mean development program with AVIO
golden key a controlled which is set to end in June 2018.
the “golden key” for Nammo to help
for Nammo us unlock other future possibilities
reentry into Nammo Raufoss is system lead,
for our new propulsion technology.
to unlock the Earth’s while Nammo Ireland provides
AVIO is already in discussions with
other future atmosphere, valve products for the system.
Nammo on using a similar system
burning up
possibilities The full development program will for other platforms like the Space
the remaining
take three years and will involve Rider and VEGA-E. Space Rider is
stage after the satellite has
more than 40 people, making it the a small spaceplane based on the
been placed in correct orbit.
biggest space program Nammo successful IXV plane that flew in
The reentry maneuver ensures
has ever embarked upon and a 2015, though Space Rider will be
that no leftover material from
true test of Raufoss’ expertise and larger and will fly on missions with
the rocket is allowed to become
capabilities – a challenge we are well durations lasting up to six months.
“space junk” orbiting the Earth.
equipped to meet. Still, throughout Also, following the VEGA-C, the
The prime company behind the VEGA 2017, Nammo worked to expand the VEGA-E rocket launcher will enter
is AVIO, an Italian company with a staff at Raufoss in order to ensure into service from 2025. It, too, will
long and proud heritage in space we have the people we need for need a reliable RACS system.
and launcher business that became full scale RACS development.
As always, Nammo stands
interested in Nammo’s green and
The overall RACS program is a ready to support, and looks
clean rocket propulsion technology
system development program forward to providing our
based on the liquid propellant
consisting of 11 sub-programs to advanced technologies to future
hydrogen peroxide. Nammo has been
be developed and woven together European space initiatives.
working on hydrogen peroxide for as
12

THE LONG LIFESPAN OF

57 MM
AMMUNITION
Jörgen Persson, Anne Caroline Syljuåsen and Michael Borén discuss the
widening global appeal of 57 mm L/70 IM HEPD and TP ammunition

The 57 mm High Explosive Point continue to be the only qualified MEETING CHANGING DEMANDS
Detonating (HEPD) rounds may providers of ammunition for the – AT THE RIGHT PRICE
have been in production since Bofors 57 mm L/70 guns.
In Nammo we believe that those
Bofors first introduced its 57 mm
The 57 mm ammunition of today doing an important job deserve the
MK 1 gun in 1966, but they are
is a highly sophisticated version right equipment, and that the “right
showing no sign of falling out of
of that original product – one that equipment” isn’t always that which is
favor as naval defense weapons.
uses top-grade suppliers for every newest, and most advanced. This is
There are two main reasons for component: propellant, explosives why we continue
the continued popularity of this and mechanical elements. The result For a to offer a wide
product. First of all, Bofors, and is a product that is both extremely system with range of products
later BAE Systems, have done robust and accurate. More recently, and systems in
extensive work to improve and the introduction of insensitive
this kind order to meet
modernize the 57 mm weapon munitions (IM) characteristics, of history, the user’s needs,
system, enabling it to defend against which lessen the risks associated it is still including both
attacks from land, sea and air. The with transporting and storing relevant to a conventional and
second reason is the quality of the it, has helped broaden the
wide market next generation
ammunition, which even today meets ammunition’s appeal even further. technologies.
the highest quality standards.
For a system with this kind of history, In 1998 BAE Systems Bofors
The most recent proof of this is it is still relevant to a wide market: as introduced the 57 mm MK 3 gun with
that Nammo has negotiated a well as being compatible with Bofors programming capability, along with the
new contract for qualification of MK 1 and MK 2 naval guns, it is also 57 mm MK 295 3P-HE programmable
both the 57 mm L/70 IM HEPD compatible with the newer BAE round, often known just as “3P”.
and Target Practice (TP) versions Systems Bofors 57 mm MK 110 – the Programmable ammunition provides
for the US Navy. It is a deal that deck gun chosen for the US Coast several tactical advantages, and is
speaks volumes about the quality Guard’s National Security Cutter a type of technology that Nammo
of the products. Both rounds are and Offshore Patrol Cutter classes also pursues in other areas (see
now under qualification, with serial of ships, in addition to the US Navy’s pages 4 and 5). However, any added
production expected to begin in 2019. Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). capability must always be weighed
against the cost associated with
IN THE BEGINNING The ammunition is also relevant to
it and, in the case of the 57 mm,
less modern systems, including 57
The 57 mm ammunition was Nammo’s conventional products
mm weapon systems that date from as
originally designed by Bofors, are able to handle targets just
far back as the 1960s, which are still
and the rights passed to Nammo as well as the 3P, but have a
used in some countries today. This is in
when the ammunition section of significantly lower price point.
contrast to other munition types, such
Bofors became part of the new
as the BAE Systems Bofors 3P which In the case of the 57 mm,
Nordic ammunition company
requires a programming device we are particularly
in 1998. Today, 20 years later,
integrated into the weapon platform conscious of the
Nammo and BAE Systems Bofors
to function.
 13

Projectile weight: 2.4 kg The single-mode fuze meets the requirements

of MIL-STD-1316 and uses spin and velocity
Fragmentation: Natural fragmentation,
as arming criteria. The round is suitable
1 840 g from shell body
for all types of surface vessels and a wide
Fuze: Dual safety, single-mode range of land-based targets. The 57 mm
L/70 HE and TP rounds are entirely produced
Target capabilities: Light and heavy at Nammo Sweden in Lindesberg.

need for cost-effective training. the dilemma of maintaining a high

Regular training on dummy level of proficiency and readiness,
targets is vital for crews in order while also saving money. Nammo
to maintain high weapon skills, but therefore considers its conventional
live ammunition, even in the case 57 mm HE or TP ammunition as
of the Nammo IM HEPD, can pose a a potential solution that helps its
strain on budgets. The 57 mm Target customers balance both operational
Practice round has been developed and budgetary requirements.
as a budget-friendly product that
meets the ballistic envelope of
the live HE and programmable
ammunition. As an added benefit,
the TP round can also be used for
more than training, for instance in
conflict scenarios where a graded or
scalable effect is desired for warning
and show-of-force purposes.

In our view, this is essential in

the current environment of tight
budgetary restrictions. Defense
forces are frequently faced with

THE 57 MM HEPD
ROUNDS ARE SHOWING
NO SIGNS OF FALLING
OUT OF FAVOR AS NAVAL
DEFENSE WEAPONS

The 57 mm weapon system can defend against

attacks from land, sea and air.
14

HOW GIVING ARTILLERY

EXTREME RANGE
CAN TRANSFORM THE BATTLEFIELD

Nammo is playing a key role in extending the range, and

thereby the role of traditional tube artillery on the battlefield,
says Thomas Danbolt

Nammo began working on base Base bleed works by utilizing a

bleed technology in the 1980s. Simply propellant grain that is attached to
put, base bleed is a technology used the bottom of the shell. This grain
to increase range without affecting ignites upon launch and burns
the accuracy of a projectile. We during the first part of the ballistic
initially worked as a sub-supplier trajectory, releasing gas behind
for other manufacturers, before it which smooths out the airflow,
developing our own solutions. which in turn reduces the drag.
This means that while a regular
artillery shell can be fired from
a modern L52 gun system and
reach 30 km, the same shell with
base bleed technology can reach
40 km or more from the same gun
system, purely down to the reduction
of drag. It is a huge increase.

Since the 1990s we have been

constantly advancing the technology,
WE HAVE STARTED with chemists and engineers working
WORKING ON A NEW closely together to optimize grain
PROJECTILE THAT type, composition, shape and size
to create the precise amount of
HAS A RANGE OF constant gas flow over a set period
UP TO 100 KM of time to give a shell as much
range as possible. Of course, each
piece of technology needs to be
tailored to each specific shell to
maximize the range potential.
 15

The testing facility can simulate operation

from low velocity to approximately Mach 5.

In 2009 we decided to move beyond In addition, we are also working is around 40 km, this new
delivering only the base bleeds, and with the US Army on the XM1113, technology with a range of up
started a technology program aimed at a slightly different project in that 100 km will be a huge improvement.
delivering a complete shell design that it is a rocket-assisted shell. The Compared to other systems with
could be fired grain is larger and more energetic, that kind of range, the shell will
over 40 km. meaning that it is powerful enough provide high-precision capability
This technology
This program to help the shell maintain its speed, at a competitive price point.
will transform led us into rather than just reducing the drag.
the battlefield MOVING ON THE MARKET
developing All of these programs are significant
for some armies a new family for Nammo as they solidify our At Nammo we believe the Extreme
and offer a of what we position as a leading provider, Range concept will form part of a
call Extended while also allowing us to develop new market segment, providing
completely new new designs and technologies.
Range artillery that has a multi-domain
capability ammunition capability – a true force multiplier.
REVOLUTION IN ARTILLERY RANGE
– 155 mm In Norway, for example, we have
non-propulsive, drag reduction What could be even more significant a very long coastline. With our
systems for artillery range extension for Nammo is the work that is now technology, future armies will be
components. In 2016 the first new underway to develop a completely able to use land-based artillery
Nammo round was successfully fired new projectile with a range of up to to strike naval vessels. Instead of
over 40 km, proving that the optimized 100 km when fired from a standard supplying several different products
base bleed design and its associated L52 tube gun. It forms part of our to our customers for each scenario,
shell is truly state-of-the-art. Extreme Range concept, which we will instead be able to provide
utilizes ramjet technology – a type of something that makes what they
COLLABORATION
air breathing system where the shell already have more flexible, covering
AND INNOVATION
has an internal rocket engine that a wider spectrum of requirements.
Over the years, Nammo has come takes in oxygen through the nose of
This technology will transform
to be recognized as a world-leader the projectile and in turn uses it to
the battlefield for some armies,
in base bleed technology. The best burn the propellant, thus generating
especially smaller forces without
proof of this is that we are the base thrust. You can read more about this
access to large air assets for
bleed supplier on three of the most innovative technology on page 16.
deeper strikes. In these cases
advanced artillery munition programs
We have called this technology this ammunition will introduce
in the world: the Nexter 155 mm
HE-ExR™ (High Explosive Extreme a completely new capability.
BONUS, an anti-armor artillery
Range) and it is integral to our
munition; Raytheon’s Excalibur, a Our firm belief is that if successful,
goal of creating ammunition with
long-range guided shell that can our Extreme Range technology
extreme range that does not add
reach over 50 km; and the US Army’s will secure Nammo a central
any additional load to the gun.
in-development High Explosive position in the future market for
Considering that the current
Extended Range XM1128. large caliber ammunition.
maximum range of regular shells
16

RAMJET
TECHNOLOGY AND TESTING

Erland Ørbekk shares the latest update on Nammo’s new

technology program on extended range for missile propulsion systems

Nammo Aerospace Propulsion (AP) Types of air breathing motors are: of these DEAs and the goal will
has initiated a technology program on be to demonstrate an Advanced
•G
 as turbine powered engines:
extended range for missile propulsion Solid Fuel Ramjet (ASFRJ).
turbojet, turbofan
systems. The background for looking
A ramjet, a flying aero-thermodynamic
into this is highly connected to the •R
 am powered engines:
duct, is a form of air breathing
focus areas in the “new long term ramjet, scramjet
engine that uses the forward
plan” for the Norwegian Armed
•P
 ulsed combustion engines: velocity to compress incoming
Forces, which is focusing on missiles
pulsed detonation engines, air without using a separate
with significantly longer range and
pulsed jet engine compressor. Because ramjets
higher velocity towards the target.
cannot produce thrust at zero or
The work connected to increasing
range and velocity is also in line with
NATO and the Western international
need. The required range and
velocity improvements according to
the “new long term plan” are well
outside of what is possible using
standard Solid Rocket Motors (SRM).

BACKGROUND

The propellant fuel grain of a Nammo has invested in a test facility

traditional SRM includes both to support the development of air
breathing technology.
the fuel and oxidizer utilized for
the combustion; the oxidizer
fraction is typically ~80 percent
of the total propellant mass. In TECHNOLOGY WORK low air speed, they cannot propel
addition, this type of motor has the missile (or vehicle) from
been optimized for decades and Nammo has a long history of standstill or low velocity. Therefore,
large performance improvements working together with Forsvarets a ramjet-powered vehicle will
are difficult to achieve. Forskningsinstitutt (Norwegian require a booster, like a rocket
Defense Research Establishment, assist, to accelerate it to a speed
Significantly higher performance FFI) on technology improvements where the ramjet begins to
can be achieved using air breathing for missile propulsion systems. produce thrust. Ramjets work
propulsion systems, where the Through FFI, Nammo has most efficiently at supersonic
oxidizer utilized for combustion participated in several Data speeds around Mach 3. To achieve
is collected from the external Exchange Agreements (DEAs) with the ramjet operational speed a
ambient air. The propulsion different US governmental labs. A traditional ejectable SRM booster
performance with respect to Coalition Warfare Program (CWP) or an integral SRM booster can
specific impulse is many times between the United States and be used.
higher than for a standard SRM. Norway was initiated through one
 17

THE ENERGY REQUIRED TO HEAT

THE AMBIENT AIR DURING TESTING
CORRESPONDS TO RUNNING 1 000
3-BURNER BBQ GRILLS AT THE SAME TIME

TESTING A RAMJET To heat the ambient air to the FUTURE POTENTIAL

required temperature after the
Testing a ramjet motor requires The air breathing technology work
inlet, a heater with a maximum
a test facility that simulates the initiated at Nammo on ramjets will
effect around 10-12 MW is required.
engine’s forward velocity, i.e. the fulfill the Norwegian need for missiles
Nammo has the ability to test air
compression and heat-up of the with longer range and higher velocity
breathing propulsion systems both
incoming air, at the flight condition towards the target. The technology can
for missiles and for ammunition
in Mach (velocity) and altitude. be utilized for air and ground launched
in this facility. It is capable of
applications. It is a technology which
Nammo has invested in a test facility simulating the ramjet transition
can be implemented into the new F-35,
to support the CWP work and other phase, i.e. transition from rocket
as well as the Norwegian frigates
possible air breathing activities. assisted boost to ramjet operation.
and possible future ground based
This facility can The representative diameter size
air defense launchers. In addition,
A ramjet is be operated in of the propulsion systems can
the technology can also be applied
manual mode typically be 70-250 mm. Nammo is
a form of air to gun-launched ramjet powered
or in computer presently doing tests on a 100 mm
breathing controlled flight test motor and has successfully
projectiles for range extension.
engine that mode, and was performed more than 50 tests so far.
uses the fully defined,
forward designed and
assembled
velocity to
in-house in
compress order to have
incoming air maximum
process
control during tests. The test
facility was established in record
time – slightly above one year from
initial decision to first test firings.

The facility can simulate operation

from low velocity to approximately
Mach 5 and from sea level to
approximately 50-60 000 feet.

The testing facility can simulate operation

from low velocity to approximately Mach 5.
18

THE INDUSTRIALIZATION OF

25 MM APEX
As part of the industrialization of
APEX, Nammo is investing in new
autonomous production lines,
improving the speed, the quality and
the costs associated with the round.

The team was able to take proven

technology already in use in Nammo
covered live on Norwegian TV. It was production lines and put it together
particularly momentous for Nammo, in a new and even more efficient way.
who has developed a completely Building a number of controls into
new type of 25 mm ammunition to the process to monitor torque, glue
support the multi-role functions application,
of the jet, the Armor Piercing with
The Swiss product
Explosive ammunition or, as it is sub-suppliers heights and
more commonly known, APEX. are from the markings
means
With deliveries of the F-35
watch-making
Nammo can
accelerating, Nammo Raufoss industry, now produce
is now pushing on with the full sourced for even complex
industrialization process for APEX. their expertise products
in the field of with extreme
Program Director Eva Friis PRECISION ON THE
accuracy and
and Project Manager PRODUCTION LINE high-precision
precision.
Øystein Pellegård discuss So far the production volumes for
In August 2017, the first part of the
the move into serial APEX have been relatively small, with
fully automated projectile assembly
production for the F-35’s a limited number manufactured for
line passed the Site Acceptance Test
testing and integration purposes. With
tailored, multi-role round (SAT) confirming that the assembly
preparations for serial production
line is ready for production with the
underway, this will change, but just
November 2017 was a significant ability to produce 300 projectiles per
as APEX represents a step forward
month in the Nammo APEX calendar hour, and during the winter of 2017/18
in terms of capability, it will also
as it saw the delivery of the first construction of a new dedicated
mark a significant advancement
F-35 combat aircraft to Norway’s facility to house the pressing and
in production technologies.
Ørland Air Force Station. The event assembly line commenced.
was surrounded by much ceremony Until today, the pressing and
EXPERT COLLABORATION
and celebration, attended by assembly of medium caliber
prominent guests including the King ammunition has depended on a Until now, almost all of the fuze
of Norway, the Prime Minister and number of highly skilled operators components were supplied by
other government ministers, and with excellent craftsmanship. Dezamet in Poland. As production
 19

THE INDUSTRIALIZATION OF APEX WILL

MARK A SIGNIFICANT ADVANCEMENT
IN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

ramps up, however, the supply

chain needs to develop as well, with
component production switching
to Nammo MTH in Switzerland.
This will allow Dezamet to focus
on assembling and subsequently
delivering the complete fuzes. The assembly line is ready for
production with the ability to
Interestingly, Nammo MTH’s Swiss produce 300 projectiles per hour.

sub-suppliers are all from the impact, even when impacting soft
watch-making industry, sourced surfaces at shallow angles. The
for their expertise in the field of disintegrated projectile pieces
high-precision, micro-mechanical have low mass and high drag, and
parts with complex geometries. will therefore not ricochet far.
The switch also demonstrates
The design is challenging to develop
Nammo’s commitment to having full
as it must be strong enough to
control over the whole production
withstand the launch forces,
process, which includes only
while still fragile enough to break
working with companies that
up on impact. For the 25 mm TP
comply with the highest European
RRR Nammo has developed a
and international standards. The 25 mm APEX is a state-of-the-art
new design concept that does not
A NEW TRAINING ROUND compromise on either; the projectile ammunition due to its penetration
is as strong as the regular APEX capability, detonation-inside-target
Work is also ongoing on a 25 mm ability and graze impact function.
ammunition when launched.
Target Practice Reduced Nammo is also looking to share
Ricochet Risk (TP RRR) training ONE TECHNOLOGY, this technology in other calibers
round. First conceptualized in MANY PLATFORMS of ammunition used by other
2009, the plan is to complete platforms, starting with the 27 mm
An added challenge given to the
qualification in autumn 2018. round used on several European
development team for the assembly
combat aircraft designs.
What makes the Reduced Ricochet and pressing lines is to make sure
Risk round special is how it performs they are flexible enough to work with
just like the APEX in every way up other caliber ammunitions. Work has
to the point when it hits the target. already begun making the
Standard training ammunition will 25 mm APEX assembly line
typically ricochet when fired at soft compatible with the assembly of
ground surfaces like sand, and 20 mm and 30 mm projectiles,
this represents a potential hazard enabling Nammo to transfer
to the aircraft. The RRR round is the same efficiency and quality
designed to break up on ground to other products as well.
20

NAMMO IRELAND’S FLIGHTPATH IS

SKYROCKETING
The unique collaboration between the Nammo teams in Ireland and Norway
has brought tremendous advances in aerospace propulsion technology in
the company, explains Business Development Manager Derek Harris

IT STARTED WITH AER LINGUS designed and manufactured a series of

platforms used to service and overhaul
What is now Nammo Ireland was aircraft at Dublin Airport. Later,
initially set up in 1982 as a subsidiary the company also provided a cargo
of Aer Lingus. It was called Devtec handling system, along with several
Limited and its mission was to systems to allow for the conveyance
provide research and development and storage of aircraft igloos.
services to Irish industry, and to
support the airline with professional FLYING HIGHER
engineering and manufacturing skills.
We made our first ventures into the
During the Devtec years we had many space sector with the Hipparcos
interesting programs, beginning with spacecraft ground test equipment.
civilian air transport, before later Contracted by Contraves in
transitioning into the space sector. One Switzerland, we designed and built
of the first projects was a 737 Overhaul a vibration test adaptor, a thermal
Docking System, for which Devtec test adaptor and the assembly test
stands. This was a fantastic program
that gave us the motivation to pursue
more business in the space market.

Our space efforts really took off,

however, with the Vulcain engine
supports. In 1988 Devtec started
working with the Société Européenne
de Propulsion (SEP) in Vernon, France,
on the structural supports for the
Ariane 5 main cryogenic engine,
known as Vulcain. This was a huge
undertaking for the company and we
needed to learn a lot along the way.
 21

AT NAMMO IRELAND
Ariane 5 ES at the Guiana Space
Center in French Guiana.
TODAY WE ARE
WORKING ON THE
FINAL PRODUCTION
ACTIVITIES FOR THE
ARIANE 5 VULCAIN
SUPPORTS AND
THE DEVELOPMENT
ACTIVITIES ON
THE VINCI ENGINE
SUPPORTS

C2017 ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique video du CSG P.Baudon.

As our space expertise grew, we also with the European Space Agency their enthusiasm and we decided
had our first change in ownership. (ESA) and the Nammo Westcott to lend them a valve for a series of
The first buyer was Marotta Controls. site we have developed a solenoid- demonstration tests for a launcher
The Marotta purchase came out of operated flow control valve for the application they were developing. The
our collaboration 400 N bipropellant apogee engine. valve is still in Raufoss, but we plan
Our space with them and This thruster flow control valve is to let it go to our product museum
efforts really BPD on a tethered now used on the Nammo Raufoss one day – it has served us all well.
satellite system, hydrogen peroxide Roll and Attitude
took off with Elsewhere, Nammo Ireland is
where we delivered Control System (RACS) for Vega.
the Vulcain a thruster pack Read more about this on page 10.
supporting University College
Dublin’s (UCD) MSc in Space
engine intended to test
Work today continues on Vulcain, and Science and Technology by
supports if a tether could
providing professional lectures
Vinci for Ariane 6. We are currently
generate enough
working on the structural hardware on space program management,
power for a satellite to survive on.
for two engines on the Ariane 6 requirements generation and setting
The tether was propelled from the
launcher. The Vulcain engine is writing proposals to students.
cargo bay of the space shuttle, and
currently in its third evolution, and Nammo has also supported UCD
was a success for the Marotta team.
the new upper stage Vinci engine will in consultancy roles for a study on
BPD is today known as Avio, and
see its first flight on Ariane 6 in 2020. the feasibility of a space science
our paths crossed again in 2017.
and engineering center, and on
NAMMO IRELAND TODAY, a Nanosat program. The latter
Under the Marotta flag, we started
AND TOMORROW has cumulated in the EIRSAT-1
working on three-way two-position
solenoid-controlled valves for ground At Nammo Ireland today we are project – Ireland’s first satellite.
applications and became Marotta’s working on the final production We have also developed a good
production facility for this product. activities for the Ariane 5 Vulcain relationship with key staff at
Building on that, our first venture supports and the development ESA’s European Space Research
in space valves was a monumental activities on the Vinci engine supports. and Technology Centre (ESTEC)
challenge, developing a latch valve Our final Ariane 5 delivery will be in in the Netherlands, and they
and mechanical pressure regulator 2020. We are also preparing for the are ready to support our next
for the electric propulsion system contract discussions on the Ariane 6 space valve developments.
on the Alphabus platform. These engine supports production. Nammo
developments reached the critical Ireland will make the first Ariane 6 Looking forward, we are confident
design review stage. However, by hardware delivery in January 2019. that we fit well with the culture and
this time, the valve and regulator philosophy in Nammo Raufoss,
schedules were no longer aligned Just over three years ago we met and we will have a long and
with the Alphabus launch window, some interesting people from successful future together.
so the programs were stopped. Nammo Raufoss, who were looking
at a totally green propulsion system
Building on the new skills in the using hydrogen peroxide. The
field of valve development, together management team in Dublin liked
22

PALENCIA – MORE THAN A

FACTORY
Four years have passed since Nammo acquired the Palencia factory. Luis Asensio explains the
significance of the factory to its local community and how a quick integration has led to Nammo
Palencia delivering the best results in its 78 years of history

La fábrica de armas means much During its 78 years of existence, the factory and the potential the site
more than a factory to the city of factory has held a major role in the held, both in terms of its work ethics
Palencia. It represents the result social and industrial evolution of and the high quality products that
of decades of hard work, loyalty Palencia. It was the first significant were being produced for customers
and dedication of generations of industrial site in Palencia’s history, worldwide. In fact, Nammo Raufoss
Palencia citizens; grandparents, and has helped build and leverage was a long-standing customer and
parents, brothers, sisters, sons, the Spanish city’s industrial used to procure medium caliber
daughters and, surely, grandchildren expertise to transform it into what steel cases which would later be
of the current Nammo Palencia it is today, an industrial hub. assembled in Norway with Nammo’s
employees used to and will work high performance projectiles. The two
Even decades before the acquisition,
here. To many of them, the factory has companies also cooperated closely to
Nammo recognized the commitment
become deeply embedded into their deliver medium caliber ammunition
of Palencia’s employees to their
family history, hearts and minds. to the Spanish Armed Forces.
 23

NAMMO PALENCIA IS BORN cartridge cases, and gained access also completed, thanks in part to
to new customers and market areas intense communications between
On 16 October 2013, the long-term
where Palencia had a strong foothold. the factory and the different
relationship between Nammo and
This customer portfolio created the departments involved.
Palencia was cemented as Nammo
base of the factory’s recent growth,
reached an agreement for the One important factor in this success is
supplemented by commercial
purchase of the factory and assumed the engagement of the local workforce
opportunities from across the group.
Palencia’s existing workforce, – a good mix of wise, experienced
assets, operations and production A SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION and determined professionals who
lines, therein assuring the future are eager to take the factory to the
Since Nammo Palencia was founded
stability of the factory’s workers. next level. From the very beginning,
in 2013, the factory has retained
Nammo has supported Palencia
Nammo’s intentions were always 100 percent of its customers and
by bringing in investments, orders,
to continue and further develop the successfully entered into markets
technology, strategy etc. and involved
Palencia operation as a competitive that were previously out of reach.
the team in all developments, forums
ammunition supplier to the The integration process into
and procedures, a proof of confidence
Spanish Armed Forces as well as to Nammo was
that has been definitive in engaging
international customers, supported One important conducted in and getting the best out of them.
by the Nammo group’s operations factor in this phases, where
The Nammo Palencia team has
and capabilities. Not only were the the first year
success is the focused on corresponded by going the extra mile
Palencia products an important
engagement to implement new procedures and
supplement to Nammo’s current bringing IT,
become fully integrated into the
portfolio of specialty ammunitions of the local finance and
“One Nammo” family.
within the small and medium caliber workforce, management
After only four years of joint history,
product range, but the factory also who are eager in line with
shared similar values and a devotion the rest of Nammo and Palencia is a successful
to quality and service.
to take the the group, as match. The quick and well-executed
factory to the well as initial integration has brought an increase
It was a good match on all counts,
next level commercial in revenue and significant cost
and an important acquisition for
integration improvements, and this success is
Nammo’s strategic growth plans.
which was fully achieved in the reflected in Nammo Palencia’s initial
In a market where the supply chain is
second year. By the third year, performance figures: the site is
one of the most challenging matters
the integration of small and already delivering beyond expectations
to deal with, Nammo assured the
medium caliber products was and the best is yet to come.
production of a key component, the
24

CAPSTONE PRECISION
GROUP LOOKS TO THE

FUTURE
Bill Gravatt, President of Capstone Precision Group, reflects on
the challenges, early milestones and future opportunities for
Nammo‘s commercial brands in the United States

Since Capstone Precision Group All of Nammo’s commercial THE CHALLENGES

was formed last year, following the ammunition products are now
Capstone Precision Group was
Berger Bullets acquisition, there has distributed within the United States
created with three primary missions:
been a flurry of activity in Arizona from our new centralized distribution
to produce and distribute Berger
and Missouri as our new distribution facility in Sedalia, Missouri, giving
bullets, to produce and distribute
and production facilities have been us greater control of our products,
Berger branded ammunition,
established. As of 1 January 2018, growth and destiny. With the
and to import and grow the
the new distribution model for Lapua, addition of the Berger brand, and its
distribution of Lapua products,
Vihtavuori and SK in the United established footprint in the United
Vihtavuori powders and SK Rimfire
States is officially in place and Berger States, Nammo now has a stronger
products in the United States.
production is back in operation. presence in North America and
has the infrastructure to respond To achieve these goals, there has
quickly to new opportunities in this been a lot of work behind the scenes.
growing market. Within the space of a few months,
we have successfully replaced the
old distribution
All of model, upgraded
Nammo’s systems and
processes to best
commercial
practices, built
ammunition new facilities and
products teams, migrated
are now our ERP
distributed systems, and we
have relocated
within the US
bullet production
from our new from California
distribution to Arizona.
facility A project of
this massive
scale is not without its challenges.
The production team dismantled
our equipment, moved it 379 miles
to the Nammo campus in Mesa,
Arizona, and brought it back into
production within an extremely
David Hamilton, Plant Manager, and Jason Bird, compressed time period, which is an
Bullet Machine Technician, holding the first astounding accomplishment in itself.
Berger Bullets made in Mesa, AZ.
 25

By renovating the facilities in

Sedalia, Missouri, we now have
2 764 square meters for
marketing offices, warehousing
and powder storage, while
the new production facility
in Mesa, Arizona, gives us
4 645 square meters
Production is
Copper feeding into a monitored to ensure
J4 Jacket press. high quality standards.

To compliment the key Berger We reached another significant

employees that moved to Arizona milestone already on 27 September
with the machinery, we have 2017, when the first Berger bullet
been fortunate to locate talented jackets were produced on Jacket Press
individuals from the Mesa/Greater #4. Without these quality jackets, our
Phoenix area, and together they entire production operation would

2 764m2
form a focused, committed and come to a standstill, so it is just as
success driven Capstone team important a milestone as the first bullet
that we are confident will help us and absolutely critical to our success.
MARKETING OFFICE, achieve our production goals.
These early milestones may seem
WAREHOUSE AND At the same time in Missouri, we took inconsequential, but they represented
POWDER STORAGE an existing structure and converted a significant step in establishing
it into a centralized distribution/ Capstone as an important entity in the
marketing center for all Capstone shooting industry in the United States.
products and have staffed it with
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

4 645m
experienced employees from the local
2 area. This facility began receiving
Nammo products in December 2017.
Now that everything has been put in
place and set up for optimal business
performance, we have started looking
PRODUCTION EARLY MILESTONES
ahead at the opportunities present
FACILITY While production is now fully in the United States for Capstone
operational in Arizona and we are set and, in turn, Nammo. Our new
to make millions of bullets here in the distribution model will help us gain
future that will ship all over the world, greater exposure for the commercial
there was a very special moment on ammunition brands, as well as give us
the production floor at 11:02 am on better control of the customer-facing
31 October 2017, when our very side to ensure we uphold Nammo’s
first bullet was produced in the new reputation for quality and precision
facility. It was produced by Bullet throughout distribution and beyond.
Machine Technician Jason Bird on
We have already started exploring
Bullet Machine #801, but in the true
new partnering opportunities and
spirit of “One Nammo”, that first
refining our position within the market,
bullet was a combined result of the
and believe Capstone is perfectly
hard work and sheer determination
positioned to help achieve Nammo’s
of the entire Capstone team along
strategic goals for North America.
with support and best practices
The team we have built has already
from fellow team members within
accomplished so much and we look
Nammo from around the world, and
ahead to our future prospects.
signaled the start of our new era.
26

BAKELITTFABRIKKEN
A HISTORY OF INNOVATION

Nammo Raufoss, Aurskog, (previously Nammo Bakelittfabrikken AS) is a long-standing

producer of plastic training ammunition and plastic components. We look back on the
factory’s rich history of innovation with Trond Bergerud

AN EARLY PIONEER thermoplastics into its production Bakelittfabrikken, in collaboration

and in 1953 invented the world’s first with weapon manufacturers and
Established in Oslo in 1946,
plastic blank ammunition. customers, was also crucial in
Bakelittfabrikken was moved to
the development of blank firing
Aurskog in 1955 and has been an Bakelittfabrikken’s solution was a
attachments and training bolts for
important establishment in this blank round made of plastics, and
different weapons.
small society ever since, but the the first contract with the Norwegian
factory has also played a significant Army for delivery of the 7.62 x 63 mm DEVELOPING CIVILIAN PRODUCTS
role in the defense industry on a plastic blank round was awarded in WITH A DIFFERENCE
national and international level. 1954. Continuing its groundbreaking
Since that early contract was
developments, Bakelittfabrikken
In the early 1950s, the Norwegian awarded, the Norwegian Army
then introduced a plastic short
Army was using brass cased blank has been one of the factory’s most
range round in the late 1950s which
rounds with a wooden bullet. important
enabled soldiers to conduct live
However, after many accidents
firing and training even within limited Nammo acquired customers,
involving soldiers being hit by taking
space and safety zones. the ammunition
fragments of the wood projectiles, delivery of
the Army was looking for safer Over the years, both the plastic blank production side of millions
ammunition to use for target and the plastic short range rounds Bakelittfabrikken of plastic
practice. Around the same time, have been developed in many different in 2005 blanks and
Bakelittfabrikken introduced calibers and for many different plastic short
weapons, from 4.6 mm up to 40 mm. range rounds through the decades.
In parallel with the development However, Bakelittfabrikken
of the plastic ammunition, was also deeply involved in the
development and production of
several innovative civilian products.

One civilian product of note was

the plastic boat Pioner, which has
been designed and produced in
Norway since 1959, and is today
exported across Scandinavia and
Europe and highly regarded as a
tough, maintenance-free boat for
any conditions.

Designed and produced at Aurskog, Think

was one of the first modern electric cars.
 27

Factory moved to
Aurskog
Think electric car Nammo Bakelittfabrikken
Bakelittfabrikken used at Lillehammer merges with Nammo
established Olympics Raufoss AS

1946 1953 1955 1959 1994 2005 2017

Invented the world’s Nammo acquires

first plastic blank ammunition side
ammunition of the business
Pioner boat enters
production

There was also the electric as well as a good match in terms of Six working groups were
two-seat micro car, Think, which was company values and a shared drive established with the sole purpose
originally produced with a plastic towards innovation. of harmonizing processes across
chassis. Designed and produced all vital operational areas. While
The full range of plastic
in Aurskog, it was one of the first the majority of this work has now
ammunition was integrated into
modern electric cars to take to the been fulfilled, some processes are
Nammo’s marketing activities
road and was used during the 1994 naturally more complex and will
– presentations, exhibitions,
Olympics in Lillehammer. continue for a while before they
promotional materials etc. – and an
become fully integrated with the
Although these products were extensive internal process began to
Nammo Raufoss processes.
originally developed at the establish best practices and close
Aurskog site, they were later cooperation with the Nammo group. This merger represents a
split into separate companies, significant organizational change
Then, in 2016, the group decided to
and when Nammo in 2005 bought that will help us better utilize
merge Nammo Bakelittfabrikken
Bakelittfabrikken, it only acquired synergies and streamline our
AS with Nammo Raufoss AS
the ammunition production side. processes to create a more efficient
to make the plastic training
This subsequently became and cost-effective production.
ammunition more competitive
Nammo Bakelittfabrikken AS, However, one core aspect remains
on the international market. The
a legal entity owned by Nammo unchanged: the production of high
formal date for the merge was set
Raufoss AS. quality plastic training ammunition
to 1 July 2017, after which Nammo
shall continue at Aurskog long into
BECOMING PART OF NAMMO Bakelittfabrikken AS officially
the future.
became a part of the legal entity
As the first company in the world to
Nammo Raufoss AS.
produce plastic blank and plastic
short range ammunition, the
acquisition of Bakelittfabrikken was
a natural expansion of Nammo’s
product portfolio and expertise,

BAKELITTFABRIKKEN INVENTED
THE WORLD’S FIRST PLASTIC
BLANK AMMUNITION IN 1953
Nammo's vision:
Securing the future
• We will protect our national and allied forces with high-quality defense products
• We will secure the future development of eco-friendly products, processes and services
• We will secure our continued growth based on a strong financial performance
• We will develop and secure a long-term, sustainable business for our customers and employees
• Our future development depends on a secure and safe working environment

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Nammo AS
P.O. Box 142
NO-2831 Raufoss
Norway

www.nammo.com