30 x 165 amcaws cta

CTA (Case Telescoped Ammunition) is where the projectile is completely contained in the cartridge case, together with the propellant. There are several reasons for trying to do this including space and weight saving.

The photographs shows a 30 X 165 AMCAWS (Army Material Command Automatic Weapons System) case. The projectile (sadly missing) would sit inside the case and looks similar to a GAU 8 projectile (if it different but I won't go into that here).

The unusual thing about this case is that the rim is 50.91mm compared to the mouth that is 54.84mm. The reason for this is because it is because it is designed for front loading - there are others out there like this such as the 23 X 260 Rikhter R-23 aircraft cannon.

Unfortunately the AMCAWS didn't work too well so development work was stopped.

The photos show the case next to a 30 X 170 Rarden, a picture of the base and a close up of the writing on the side of the case that says:

AMC - 30mm C/C
Target Practice
Hercules Incorporated
Lot X01 - Aug 1972

Very interesting Dave, that's a new one to me - where do you find all these things?

After many decades of experiments, the cased telescoped concept looks as if it is approaching production, with the selection of the 40mm CTA for rearming the British Army's Warrior MICV and the FRES Scout project.

Thanks Tony, my case came from Pete de Coux a couple of years ago, he had a complete round available just before Christmas but it was a bit expensive with the current exchange rate.
The information about this round can be found in the book by Dale M Davies "Historical Development Summary of Automatic Cannon Caliber ammunition: 20-30 millimeter" Final report for the period 1952-1983. Its a 200 page book full details about development rounds and can be obtained from Lew Curtis.
Dave.

Projectile.

Here's a photo of the projectile for the 30mm AMCAWS.

Dave.

A recent acquisition, a sectioned example.
All INERT etc.
Dave.

Nice Rarden