Products
SShh Cartridge SSgn Anti RPG Shotgun
SShh Cartridge
What is the SShh cartridge?
The SShh currently in preproduction
is a 12 gauge 3 inch shell that gives relatively little noise
by efficient use of fast-burning powders and innovative internal wad
design. As a result, the report is relatively quiet, about like a 22
short. Velocity is in the subsonic ranges with bullets up to 500
grains tested. Many rounds have been fired in our proof of concept
reloadable cartridges using all sorts of loadings, component design,
and bullets. These rounds typically approximate the power of a 44
special or 45 Colt in terms of muzzle energy and close range
terminal ballistics. Production shells are being designed with
varied and expanded performance parameters as experimentation
continues.
Any 12 gauge shotgun chambered for 3 inch shells can fire this
cartridge. Versions for other chamber lengths have been tested as
well. No attachments or modifications are needed. It will fit into
magazines, cycle, chamber and eject normally. It will not cycle gas
operated semiautomatics and may not cycle all recoil operated
shotguns.
As with 22 shorts, CB caps and the many variations of such
cartridges, the SShh is designed to have a quieter than standard
report, in this case for a 12 gauge shotgun. As opposed to the 22
short, air rifles, and similar competing technologies the SShh 12
gauge slug offers enough energy for up close predator and pest
control, without all of the noise and flash associated with a
shotgun blast. The heavy, flat nose slug offers excellent
penetration and knock-down power. It is not designed for distance
shooting and although stabilized projectiles and shot loads have
been tested, the initial offerings will be slug rounds. Military and
police tactical teams should find several uses for a quieter 12
gauge slug. Door breaching by blowing away locks and hinges can be
accomplished with this round without damaging the hearing of the
operator, maintaining situational awareness and possibly extending
tactical stealth for a few moments longer. Reduced noise in any
tactical situation is a tremendous benefit for many obvious reasons.
Because the SShh is a flash-less design, it is intrinsically safer
to use in hazardous environments often encountered during raids on
illegal drug manufacturing facilities. Additionally, recoil is
reduced to very low levels, maintaining balance and speed for the
operator.
Benefits
It fits in your current 3 inch 12 gauge shotgun with no changes.
Period.
It is quieter, softer shooting, and flash-proof for hazardous
environments and night use.
It requires no additional training, licenses, equipment or
expenditures. Easy on the budget.
Commercial availability expected in 2008.
********************************************************************************
SSgn Anti RPG Shotgun
What the Shooting Solutions Anti-RPG system is
The Shooting Solutions anti-RPG concept is remarkably simple:
utilizing detection and response software currently in
existence (commercial off-the-shelf technology) along with current weapons mounting and gun sluing
platforms to control and direct fire from our high RPM belt fed
shotgun, the SSgn. In
effect, 90% of the system is up and running in the form of detection
and tracking equipment demonstrated by various defense contractors
around the world right now. But until now, no one has come up with
the truly effective weapon to balance these systems and make them
work as an effective tool, day in and day out.
From clay pigeons to metal rockets
Shotguns are the most versatile weapons in existence. From less than
lethal through shot, slugs, gas, and fragmentation grenades, the
modern 12 gauge can fire them all, with velocities approaching 2,000
FPS and payloads exceeding 50 BMG bullet weights. The variations of
powder and payload with shotguns are enormous. Velocities can be
varied as well as weight, shape, and makeup of the payloads to meet
the demands of the target. The major shortcomings often cited for
military use are weight, recoil, range, and ammunition payload,
which is partly a weight and size consideration, and sustained fire
limitations. Our weapon is designed for tripod or vehicle mounting,
roughly matching the dimensions required for General Purpose Machine
Gun (GPMG) installations. Given that it will be mounted on a vehicle
for anti-RPG purposes, weight, recoil, and ammunition considerations
become a non-issue. Limited range, on the other hand, far from being
a shortcoming, is a benefit. Collateral damage and friendly fire
hazards are reduced greatly because of the limited range of a
shotgun. Up close, where most combat takes place, shotguns are
devastating weapons. Beyond a few hundred meters, they are mostly a
nuisance and much less lethal, payload dependent.
The ideal urban and close combat support weapon indeed. Being a belt
fed weapon, Shooting Solutions SSgn can deliver fire as long as
belts are supplied. Due to the close range and brief time frame that
most RPG encounters take place, magnum 3.5 inch 12 gauge shells can
put a cloud of tungsten projectiles between the rocket and the
target, extending from the muzzle out past 50 meters in less than
0.2 seconds.
Payload for metal birds
Developments in clean, lead-free shot for waterfowl have brought us
a very interesting tungsten based matrix pellet design from
ENVIRON-Metal, Inc. called HEVI-Shot (1)(registered trademark).
HEVI-Shot is more dense than lead and much, much harder. The pellets
are manufactured with tungsten alloy, nickel and iron to a density
of approximately 12 grams per cubic centimeter. (2)
Recent testing by Shooting Solutions with off the shelf 3.5 inch 12
gauge rounds shows considerable metal piercing capabilities of even
smaller shot sizes such as number 4 and 6 shot (roughly .11 and .13
caliber). Patterns have also been remarkable, with approximately 90%
of payloads within 3 inch circles at 40 yards documented. (3)
Tests planned by Shooting Solutions include loads of Number 1
Buckshot, which is approximately 30 caliber. A 3.5 inch 12 gauge
will hold approximately 15 pellets of number 1 Buck. Published
accounts of 0000 Buck (38 caliber pellets) HEVI-Shot have killed
deer out to 150 yards. (4)
Developing the right payload for killing rockets is simply a matter
of testing and evaluating the tradeoffs of pellet size and pellet
count. Duplex loadings per shell are common with shotguns and a
consideration for this application. And since this is a belt fed
gun, various shell loadings can be placed within a belt. Dual weapon
mounting expands this even further, in addition to putting more mass
on target (or in the target's path) per second.
Volume of fire
The SSgn is designed to fire 3.5 inch 12 gauge shells at
approximately 1,000 RPM. This is approximately 16.67 rounds per
second, or 1.67 rounds per tenth of a second. More importantly, each
round contains any number of projectiles. In the example of 30
caliber number 1 buckshot, approximately 15 projectiles per round.
This translates into 250 projectiles per second or 15,000
projectiles per minute. These rates of fire exceed those of even
Miniguns. Firing a tight pattern of hard, heavy projectiles at 457
mps into the path of an oncoming rocket at 294 mps will reach out
and stop that incoming RPG rocket from striking its intended target.
If you have doubts about small projectiles doing significant damage
to hard objects, observe an American 180 at work on concrete blocks
firing the diminutive 22 long rifle soft lead bullet.
Believe it.
Pattern size and shape control.
What choke to use for all of these variables is solved by Shooting
Solutions installing a powered variable choke tube (and flash hider)
on the muzzle of the SSgn. Similar to a commercially available
adjustable choke in concept, patterns can be varied and controlled
by the operator. In the anti-RPG role, the detection and response
software would select the appropriate choke setting for the range of
the target. In the close support GPMG role, a gunner would control
this feature at the trigger.
The target
Early tests with dummy RPG-2 rockets indicate several possible
vulnerabilities for the rocket. These include the PIBD fuse in the
nose, the fins on the tail, and the surface areas of the warhead and
rocket body. Much testing is needed in this regard as to actual
outcome, but with the demonstrated metal piercing power of tungsten
matrix pellets, there is high probability that a shot to the nose
will either detonate or render inoperable the fuse. These shot have
demonstrated fin destruction on an RPG-2 rocket, which will induce
yaw, producing either a miss, or by presenting a side view to the
shots fired, a destroyed rocket body. Either scenario is an
acceptable outcome. Considerable live fire testing is required to
optimize pattern density and hit probability as well as with
selecting the appropriate projectile size and specific destructive
capability. Admittedly RPG-2 rockets are not the same as the PG-7V
and other rockets fired by the RPG-7 launcher, but the concept and
outcome of engagement are the same. In concept, there is no reason
why this weapon system cannot bring down RPG-29 and other warheads,
which are slower and larger targets than RPG-7 rounds.
Added benefit
To our knowledge, this is the only anti-RPG weapon that
simultaneously puts fire onto the launch area and the shooter, as
well as the incoming warhead. The act of firing the SSgn at an
incoming rocket (assuming the targeted vehicle is returning fire),
the shooter, if in range, will receive fire before he can "scoot."
This will force eventual strategy changes that move the shooter
beyond the effective range of a shotgun. This also has the effect of
allowing more time for the system to begin laying down a field of
fire upon detection. And as opposed to a Phalanx-type system, the
SSgn does not hose down the entire area with high-energy rifle
caliber bullets. It is basically a shotgun, with minimal collateral
damage potential.
Original concept and additional uses
The SSgn concept originated as a civilian crank fire gun to fill the
need for a machine-gun replacement for the average Class III
enthusiast who can no longer afford full auto guns. Less expensive
than a Gatling and considerably more compact in design, we played
with various caliber's until we hit upon a shotgun. A shotgun is low
pressure, relatively inexpensive to feed and uses easy to find
ammunition, plus it makes a lot of noise and throws a lot of
firepower down range. At the same time, this range can be quite
small if the shooter only loads birdshot, opening up the possibility
of operating the gun in many locations. During this time, military
use was discussed as a down the road possibility. After we realized
that this weapon can bring down an RPG, we devoted our full efforts
to this project,(5) putting all but one mature project (SShh) on the
shelf. Additional thoughts on a belt fed 12 gauge for the military
are many.
-With Frag-12 rounds loaded into a belt, the gun can offer close-in
support not possible with a Mk-19 40 mm, plus at a higher rate of
fire.
-Due to the low collateral damage potential of shot, roadblocks,
street patrols and other urban type actions could improve security
with this weapon. Up-armored Humvees could sustain friendly fire
hits from the SSgn with little or no damage, utilizing armor
tactics.
-Using this capability to clear suspected mines and IEDs from
streets and sidewalks is a possible use due to low collateral damage
potential.
-Static minefields could be replaced or supplemented with remote
mounted sensor equipped guns. The analogy of a Claymore and the
destructive power of a belt fed 12 gauge was not lost to us.
-Aircraft mounted versions for low and slow defensive and offensive
applications have been contemplated as well. In conjunction with
flares and other countermeasures, the SSgn has the ability to
destroy or render ineffective fused and fin-stabilized AA munitions.
The best use may yet to be determined, as troops on the firing line
usually work out ways to operate systems in ways that engineers
never dreamed.
This we do know: creating a large and continuous stream or cloud of
hardened projectiles can be destructive to a great many things.
Citations/Links
1. Environ-Metal HEAVI-Shot
http://www.hevishot.com/home.html
2. Ballistic Products, Inc.
http://shop2.mailordercentral.com/bpicart/products.asp?dept=67
3. National Wild Turkey Federation
http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=11999
4. 0000 Super Buckshot Deer Load
http://www.angelfire.com/mech/0000_super_buckshot/